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Thread: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

  1. #1
    Picaresque
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    Default how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    I'm curious. Those of you who've gotten to the point where you make consistent and/or above-average money...

    How long did it take you, from the time you started dancing, to get to that point? How long were you dancing before your hustle was really solid, you had your game down and everything clicked into place? Months? Several years? And what do you think helped you get there? Just time and/or practice, or what?

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    Senior Member anneholl's Avatar
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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    For me, it has taken years. I find that when my self percieved "earning potential" gets bigger, I make more. however, I really and truly have to believe that I am worth the money in order to hit those goals.

    when I first started dancing in 2002, it was just a supplementary job. If I broke a bill, I was ecstatic. I worked my ass off for very little. I did not know how to work the customers by any stretch of the imagination. I never asked for dances or drinks. i worked in very low key neighborhood dives.So many of those cheap bastards took me for everything I would give (which was way too much considering the meager compensation!) yet somehow, I always made enough to get by.

    A few years in, I decided to dance full time. that was pretty much the beginning of the turning point for me. I explored other clubs and observed some very, very talented co- workers who put my earnings to fuckin shame. I watched them very closely. what did they posess that i did not? How did they talk to the customers? I read a few books on psychology and, I discovered stripper web (thank the stars).

    Basically,now, I don't rest until I make my goal at work. I have learned over the years how to make customers WANT to give me money. I try and make a game of it for myself. I work hard. But i make it appear effortless. I try to look as if I'm having fun at all times. I am keenly aware of where my money is coming in and from whom, ALWAYS. And those are the customers I focus on and pursue for dances. I make a lot of eye contact and try to never stop smiling. You just learn how to not waste your time. Don't get my wrong. After five years in the industry, i still have a lot to learn. Not to mention the days when i fall short of my goals.I am constantly fine tuning my hustle and learning a lot from the high earning veterans of the industry. they never cease to impress me. Some strippers cnn seriously pull money from a donkey's butt. I have definately had my share of 'stripper idols". How can you describe it as anything but talent?

    I have gained a tremendous amount of priceless information from this site. I love you stripper web!

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    Member sugar_spun_sister's Avatar
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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    i've been dancing a little over a year and i'm still very inconsistent... so i guess i'd like to know too!

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    about 2 years (around the time I came on SW, which did a lot for me), but I'm improving more every year.

  5. #5
    Glamazon
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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    About 7 years. That's about how long it took for me to stop treating work like a big party (or as one manager told me, my own personal playground), and really get serious about making money.

  6. #6
    mermaidnz
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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    5 years.

    i am finally confidant and make a consistant $500 every shift i work...except over winter, when it can and does usually drop to about $400.

    it took me years of battling hating the job, to hating the idea of making money...i was young and dumb. i spent 4 years working it like a part time job, 2 days this week, 3 days that week, have 2 weeks off.... im finally working a solid 5-6 night a week shift of 7-9 hours a time.

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    God/dess holiday's Avatar
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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    Hmm..I think it took me about 4 or 5 months. But I had come from a sales environment and I didn't have (and still don't) have friends at work or drink at work, so it was never about anything other than focusing on money.

    I was also 26 when I started, things would have been different I'm sure if I was younger.

    I remember coming home after working like my fifth shift or something and I had only made like $100 bucks because I'd let some stupid regular talk my ear off for half my shift, he was buying me drinks and telling me how to be a stripper. I was literally fuming because I let him steal my time for free like that - and so never again have I let that happen.

    My averages continue to improve, but my money is consistent, I can accurately project my income for the future and I know I'll always hit my goals, I def. feel like I have my game down for where I am, I know if I ever try a club in a bigger city, I may have to start all over...
    Last edited by holiday; 10-28-2007 at 10:42 AM. Reason: adding
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  8. #8
    Darcy Foxx
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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    hmm... i'm different, i went backwards.

    when i first started dancing 4.5 years ago i was full of confidence and used to hustle my ass off and banked nearly ever shift i worked.

    these days, i have maybe one decent night a week, the rest of the nights i just make do with stage pay and tips.

    for me, it was as if the hotter i got, the less money i earned. i was really chubby and pale and had bad frizzy blonde hair and braces when i started dancing, but the more i improved my appearance the less confidence i seemed to get and my earnings have suffered big time.

    maybe i need to get fat and pale and blonde again...

  9. #9
    Kaylinn
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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    Quote Originally Posted by Darcy Foxx View Post
    hmm... i'm different, i went backwards.

    when i first started dancing 4.5 years ago i was full of confidence and used to hustle my ass off and banked nearly ever shift i worked.

    these days, i have maybe one decent night a week, the rest of the nights i just make do with stage pay and tips.

    for me, it was as if the hotter i got, the less money i earned. i was really chubby and pale and had bad frizzy blonde hair and braces when i started dancing, but the more i improved my appearance the less confidence i seemed to get and my earnings have suffered big time.

    maybe i need to get fat and pale and blonde again...

    This is me. Exactly.
    I started dancing weighing 150lbs. Had no clue about makeup or how to dress nicely.
    But I had very high confidance. When I started dancing it took me a few days to learn how to dance, how to hustle.
    I worked 5 night a week, 8 hours a night and consistantly made a lot more than anyone else. I had night where I spent the whole 8 hours in vip. I'd come out from one customer, grab another and go. They would line up and wait for me. I had many regular customers that came in every week....
    Unfortunatly, that club had an earnings cap. The most I ever made there was
    $800, and could not make any more.
    When I started in Vegas, I worked consistantly and consistantly made over $500 a night....but my hustle was off...I never got it back from that first club. I had my stride there, I owned thatclub...and ti will never be the same for me again. I can hustle in Vegas and made good money...but I have never felt the same as I did back home.

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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    A few months ago I would have answered this thread saying 'about now' but since I have increased my earnings average by $100 since then I'm going to say... I don't know!

    I feel as if I'm more on top of my game now than ever, at 1 year, but what if it only gets better (crosses fingers)?

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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    2 months ago, so a little over a year. when i stopped drinking at work i consistantly started making good money.

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    God/dess ViolaStrings's Avatar
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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    It's taken me 6 years to "grow up" into this job and really treat it like a job.

    I've always been pretty consistent in making good money, but it's been kind of cyclical.

    When I first started out I fucking loved the job and banked, despite really short hair, small breasts, and a general naivete. That lasted about 4 years. I was inconsistent in how often I worked, I wasted my money, and dropped out of college to dance full time. I thought I'd be able to save enough money to stop dancing all together and finish school. That didn't happen.

    I got my breasts and chin done (that bothered me forever, the chin helped my self confidence WAY more than the boobs) when I was 22, and had a kind of renaissance in my career, making great money for about 6 months. I quit for almost a year because I had a rich boyfriend. Rich boyfriend and I broke up, and I moved to my current town for a fresh start and better money making opportunity.

    I'm finally at a club that suits me and I can make pretty consistent money and I am treating it like a job, I'm there a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 days a week. I'm not spending my money like an idiot. I want to finish school and get out of it as soon as possible, so even though it's hard to drag my ass into work, I tell myself "The money you make tonight brings you one night closer to the night you can quit forever and have a normal job and life"

    I stopped liking stripping before I was able to quit. I'm dependent on the money, I don't get to enjoy it. I have a lot of debt (credit cards, student loan, car) and high expenses, not to mention $9,000 in tuition a semester coming up I'm being cheap with my money so I can quit when I'm close to finishing my degree

    My advice to all newbies is to take advantage of the job while you still love it, make good money, finish school, and get out before you hate it.

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    God/dess ViolaStrings's Avatar
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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    Quote Originally Posted by britt244 View Post
    2 months ago, so a little over a year. when i stopped drinking at work i consistantly started making good money.
    I need to do that. I'm down to a few drinks early in my shift to loosen up to deal with jerks without hating life, but I think it would be better to be sober and stay away from the jerks! Fuck their money. They're affecting my long term livelihood.

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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    Quote Originally Posted by ViolaStrings View Post
    I need to do that. I'm down to a few drinks early in my shift to loosen up to deal with jerks without hating life, but I think it would be better to be sober and stay away from the jerks! Fuck their money. They're affecting my long term livelihood.
    you should! my money has increased so much. and when i do drink now, i dont make money anymore.

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    Featured Member Miss_Luscious's Avatar
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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    It took me about 5 1/2 years. I think a couple of things have to come together for me to make money. The club, the clientel, my home life, and my confidence.

    I make money in certain types of clubs. Mostly dives. I've never made money at upscale clubs.

    I make money off a mixed group of men but I usually don't do well with college age white guys or hispanics. I have to be at a club where those types are kept to a minimum or work only on days when those types don't come in, hence the reason I only do Monday - Thursday at my new club.

    My home life has to be realativly free from drama so I can focus on work.

    My confidence has to be very high and I have to feel that I am one of the best looking girls in the club. If i see another girl who I think looksbetter than me, I lose my confidence and stop making money.

    So right now, all those things have come together and I'm making consistant, good money. I feel that I've finally hit my stride. I'm glad too because this is my last year so I want to work it for all it's worth.
    "A stupid man's report of what a clever man says is never accurate because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand." - Bertrand Russell

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    Ya'll bitches need to calm down. Cerously.
    In other words: Boo-motherfucking-hoo

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    Glamazon
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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    Quote Originally Posted by ViolaStrings View Post
    I need to do that. I'm down to a few drinks early in my shift to loosen up to deal with jerks without hating life, but I think it would be better to be sober and stay away from the jerks! Fuck their money. They're affecting my long term livelihood.

    You couldn't be more right! Screw the good mojo leeches and move on to someone who wants to spend without hassling you!

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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    I was wondering about myself as I'm just over the 2 year mark. I don't think I've hit my stride...yet. Right now I'm lacking some motivation among other things. So this thread is making me reevaluate my plan.
    you live like an ivy vine
    you can only survive by clinging onto trees
    that's your flaw
    put down some roots so you can stand on your own
    -Kenpachi



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    God/dess britneyireland's Avatar
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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    4 years, then I took Dancerwealth's course. I got completely sober and became a sales machine. This Tuesday night will be my 8 year anniversary of dancing and I can honestly say I LOVE this business and all the wonderful things I have done because of it.
    Rebecca Avalon







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    God/dess Andygirl's Avatar
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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    Quote Originally Posted by ViolaStrings View Post
    When I first started out I fucking loved the job and banked, despite really short hair, small breasts, and a general naivete. That lasted about 4 years. I was inconsistent in how often I worked, I wasted my money, and dropped out of college to dance full time. I thought I'd be able to save enough money to stop dancing all together and finish school. That didn't happen.
    This sounds like me. I started at this little club in my college town and I know I was awkward and not all that hot. I worked the day shift for about three months, and I remember after my first shift thinking, "Wow, I just made $50 and hardly did anything!" Lol, can you imagine that??? Well, I was a very broke student at the time, so any money was good money---especially cash.

    I loved the job intensely for about five years. I wanted to work all of the time, and I made great money. But, like a lot of young people I blew most of it. The one thing I did accomplish was paying for my tuition without ever having to take out a loan. Every semester I took a money order to the bursar's office and made that payment. I am proud of that.

    As for hitting my stride I think I've hit it a few times, and then lost it, and then hit it again. I think I'm hitting my stride these days, but I do have my ups and downs occasionally.

    So yeah, it took years for me to really hit it, but once I did even the down times are better than the up times were in the beginning.

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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    I hit my stride immediately but it was more a matter of having the right look in the right place at the right time (New England blonde in the Southwest, mid-nineties). Like Andygirl, my stride comes and goes in waves. I'm actually sort of amazed at how I've died and resurrected in this job over the years.

    When I was younger I had the power house energy to dance for hours and hours, now I'm much better at the psychological aspects of hustling. Different strides for different times, but my money has always been consistent. Luckily I started at 25 when I already had work experience so I always took it seriously in that light.

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    Featured Member xoxoGracexoxo's Avatar
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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    I'm encouraged to hear that it took some of you longer than a year or two to hit your stride. I've been dancing two years and while I have improved, I have the feeling it could be even better.

    For the first six months or so, money was really inconsistent. I weighed more than I do now and was very shy. My confidence and hustling were minimal, so I basically had to hope to get lucky and find that one customer who would just take a shine to me and give me lots of money, which didn't happen nearly as much as I would have liked.

    After six months I moved to a bigger club, took the Dancerwealth course, got a gym membership, and started making some real money. Last fall I went from dancing part-time to dancing full time, and for a few months I was really a cash cow.

    Recently, I've taken a day job and gone back to dancing part-time, and have also had some medical problems that leave me kind of tired. My personal life has been chaotic, too. All these things together have knocked me out of my stride a bit, but I think I could get back...

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    Veteran Member Asurfael's Avatar
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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    I've been dancing for three years now and I don't think I've hit my stride yet. I do fairly well really consistently, but I know I can make more. I think my problem is that I book too many shifts and wear myself out - I'm pretty sure if I worked a (part time) day job I enjoyed for security and danced 3 weekends a month and a weekshift here and there I'd actually make more money than working 5 nights a week. I usually work very hard when I'm at the club, which is frustrating when you're doing it for the 7th night in a row, or when there's simply no earning potential (no customers). I think I'd do better working less as a burn-out isn't what I'm hoping to achieve!
    Quote Originally Posted by Jo Weldon
    I believe lots of men have the flip side of the coin when it comes to the "white knight" fantasy. They'd LOVE to be a white knight. But they usually don't really have it in them.

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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    I'm still waiting to hit mine! It's usually a hit or miss for me. I rarely have horrible nights but I either have a really really good night or just an ok night. I'd like to really learn to fine tune things and be on top of my game very soon. It's taken me up until recently to not take the rejection to heart. Now, if I go up to a table, ask immediately for a dance, if they say no, I immediately move on and don't care. Before I'd go up to a dance and be saying to myself "omg, I hope they don't say no" and I'd be really worried about it. But this past weekend, I finally got over the fear of rejection. It was very busy in there and if one said no, I knew there was another one who said yes. So I'm taking this and a major milestone. I think it was the fear of rejection that kept me from selling earlier in the night, I'd wait until they were drunk before I'd be really working! I guess I'll see how it works out this week.
    Quote Originally Posted by Susan Wayward View Post
    I only get horny when I've tucked a few benjamins in my thong; it's a money fetish.."

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    God/dess Chrissy68's Avatar
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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    Quote Originally Posted by Picaresque View Post
    I'm curious. Those of you who've gotten to the point where you make consistent and/or above-average money...

    How long did it take you, from the time you started dancing, to get to that point? How long were you dancing before your hustle was really solid, you had your game down and everything clicked into place? Months? Several years? And what do you think helped you get there? Just time and/or practice, or what?
    I've been dancing for 7 years, beginning in summer of 2000 (obv). In the beginning it was off and on due to college and I was only doing it in the summers but then by junior year I added in semesters up north as well.

    By 2003's summer I would call my hustle averaged out; I wasn't having severe ups and downs but I wouldn't call my huslte solid. I was mostly consistent.

    By Dec 2004 I had grown in my hustle by leaps and bounds, and my average was much higher, and I was happier with my income. Still wouldn't call it solid, maybe 75% there.

    By dec 2005 I was 100% on target. I had mastered my hustle, totally solid. And my averages had come up yet again.

    By the time CH2 had opened (Feb 06) I was having $1000 nights often and was very confident in my hustle. It was rare for me to dip below a certain number, and I expected to make at least $xyz per shift.

    So, in conclusion, it took about 5 years to master my hustle, to get it to the point of consistently making what I do now. And I don't believe it gets better than where I'm at now, but then again, I never believed I could make more than $1000 back in the day and i did that, so maybe i'll grow even more! I was helped in my hustling skills by SW, and by working at a place where there were 15 girls and rarely any customers. It helped me to stay sober, to watch others, to be open to learning, and to stick with it, consistently, and stay positive in my attitude.

    Newbie disclaimer: 5 years is a long time, but by master I mean make consistently more than $6-700, and rarely dip below that. by rare, i mean 2-4x per year.
    Last edited by Chrissy68; 10-29-2007 at 10:51 PM.

    Love it!

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    Default Re: how long did it take you to hit your stride?

    I don't feel like I've improved all THAT much. I started dancing summer '05. By that October, I had made my first $1000 night...a few months later I hit my all time high score of $1245.

    I kept doing well until about a year later. Then I started going in less, working shorter hours, getting all fed up...

    ...Now I'm trying to work more consistently again. But I swear once I hit around $80-120/ hour, it just hasn't gone higher. Then again, I consistently hit around that much. Maybe because of the limitations of business here, the fact that we have no VIP/ no stage tipping (and no option to not go on stage).

    However, I do think I make money easier now. I do a lot less stuff in dances that made me uneasy before. No more grinding, but the same money = going into work more + a happier Molly. I also take more breaks and take less bullshit. I can read customers much better than before. I don't stick around and talk for as long. I get in and out with the hustle. I say no, and I damn well mean no. I don't drink at all.

    So although I don't think I'm making a whole lot more money than before, I do make it faster and easier. I take better care of myself, and even though I'm not as hot as I was then (I mean, I can get hot again, but at the moment...) I feel more self-assured. And I make good enough money. I honestly don't think I could make more in this area without doing things I'm uncomfortable with. I don't think that's a self-defeating attitude either (I'm pretty confident it's an objective truth and not just self-delusion)...I'm happy so long as I don't start making less money...

    (I mean, am I just kidding myself? Could I really do a whole lot better? Do you ever just feel like 'this is the damn limit'?)

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