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Under New Management
My club has been going through quite a few changes lately. We have new management and since getting new owners, it has become (from what I understand) a much more classy club. (I didn't work there before it was bought out.) Over the past month or two business has been VERY slow. It is almost to the point that it is rare for many of the dancers to make over $100, if they even make $100 on any given night. Business has been pretty slow and they keep hiring new girls. There are always more dancers than customers in the club, even most nights during the weekend. Our manager is constantly telling us, "another week or two and business will be much better," but it hasn't changed! Also, it seems like we're getting alot of customers that just want to come in, get the 2 drink minimum, stare at the girls, and leave. I love my club and don't want to go somewhere else because of that and the fact that the other clubs in town are kinda trashy.
So, my questions are....what is the best way to get through these hard times? and what kind of things do your clubs do to attract customers?
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Re: Under New Management
How does this club compare to the busier ones it competes with?
The club keeps hiring dancers because they know that every day another discouraged girl won't be back.
Don't believe the manager's bullshit. He is just stringing you along saying business will get better.
What was this club like before the new owners came in? Why is it hard to sell dances?
It sounds like you believe the manager's hype. If you are in a club where the top earners are making $100, and they have to enforce a 2 drink minimum it is time to quit.
I have worked a full week at clubs where money is as you describe it, and I never go back.
Where are the busy clubs in town where the guys buy lots of dances? I would go attempt to get hired in them pronto.
I don't "fall in love" with any club. The ones I choose to work at have good steady earnings potential first, and easy to get along with management second.
If the other clubs in town are kind of trashy but more profitable, then your town does not have the clientele to support an upscale club. It's like putting a Neiman Marcus store in a blue collar neighborhood where the residents are comfortable shopping at Kohl's. it doesn't matter how nice a store Neiman Marcus is. Kohl's is where the business is, and that is where you should be.
You get my drift. ;)
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Re: Under New Management
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Re: Under New Management
Tina - right on girl ! :thumbsup:
I keep saying this over and over however I will say this until I am blue in the face: Never "marry" any club. Always keep your options open. Always remember that sometimes the not so pretty clubs are hidden gems. Do not judge the earning potential of a club based upon it's looks.
Whilst I do prefer to work within clubs that are generally 'kept' by its owners instead of 'run down' places where the carpet is sticky and so forth (psychologically I feel better if the club is more 'kept').... sometimes the neighbourhood/clientele the club relies upon isn't suited to a more 'classy' establishment.
If those not so glamourous places are lucrative ... go there now!
Also, always be aware of the propaganda that managers spew forth. Treat what they say with a critical eye as they aren't thinking of you most of the time when they say what they say.
A slow club is too stressful an environment for myself. Why waste your time? Do not burn your bridges at that club however leave it to work at a more lucrative club.... and if that club you are in now does end up being the top club... see if you can get re-hired.
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Re: Under New Management
UPDATE!
This weekend was much better than the past few. We no longer have table dances. When management first told us this, I thought the money was just going to get worse, but (thankfully) I was wrong. I made twice as much this weekend as the last. I guess we'll see what happens. If I'm lucky, things will continue to improve, if not, then I may have to consider working somewhere else.
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Re: Under New Management
Why does the boss feel things will pick up? A hunch? Because we built it, they will come? Or are there specific things in their business game plan that support that belief. Are they doing things to drum up business? Are they advertising wherever appropriate? Like on radio or in any independent or alternative papers? (Sometimes mainstream media won't accept SC ads.) Do they have a website that's current, professional and lists scheduled events and specials? (Perhaps someone needs to post a review or promotional notice about new management in any Internet forums where it's appropriate.)
If they seem like they know what they're doing and they have been taking actions to promote the club, then it may take some time to reach and draw in the new target audience. Sometimes, business management can do most things right and still fail for some reason. Either they don't know how to promote properly or they picked the wrong business model for that area or whatever. But it does take time to build up a following for a business that's changed its focus.
Hope it works out for ya. :)
-Ev
Oh, by the way, this is one of the good reasons to have some significant savings, or emergency funds, for slow periods. It's easier to get away from places where you don't want to stay, or ride out slow periods at places where you do.