Tip #1. First aid is most important when starting out. Here is a small list of things you’ll want to have on hand..

Band aids- get the stretch fabric kind as the clear one’s actually glow in the black light.

Super Glue – As you wear down the sole,  you’ll need to glue the bottom rubber back on your shoe.  Note: If the body of the shoe breaks never try to glue it back together and continue dancing! Its an accident waiting to happen.  If there isn’t a girl there who is willing to let you borrow shoes for the remainder of your shift, go home.  No amount of money is worth twisting your ankle or falling and getting hurt.  Cut your losses and get another pair ASAP.

Spray Deodorant – Whether open toe or closed, your shoes will begin to smell as your  feet sweat.  Spray your feet lightly with Arid Extra Dry Regular/Unscented before your shift to keep away the funk.  Make sure to put band-aids in place before spraying or they wont stick.

Gel Inserts - these have the ability to save your night. Less than $10, slip these into your shoes for added comfort as you build your calluses.

Tip #2. When first starting to dance, you’ll want to get 5 – 6 inch heels. Going for the 7 and 8 inch heels is a very bad idea if you’ve never walked in them. Wobbly ankles is not attractive. Starting low and working your way up builds stability. The muscles on your shins will need to strengthen also so be prepared to feel pain when simply standing as you use them to balance.

.
Tip #3. Recognize that your feet will be molding into your shoe. My first recommendation is the solid sole with 2 clear plastic straps. As your feet sweat, the straps stick and keep the shoe on. This has been the most comfortable shoe for me right out of the box, however, I still got a few small blisters. This is where band-aids come in handy.

Tip #4. When I first started dancing I learned in 5 inch stilettos and I ended up pinching the nerve in my feet. I couldn’t feel my toes until I started wearing 6 inch platforms.  I recommend platforms 10 out of 10 times.

Tip #5. When getting a pedicure, ask them to not remove your precious calluses. Expect your feet to get somewhat beat up as this job is hard on them but you need the calluses for protection. If you remove them, your feet will hurt forever. Keep them and your feet adapt.  Expect them to hurt for the first 3-4 months of dancing until they adjust.

Tip #6. Practice walking around in your work shoes at home. Start out walking in the kitchen and graduate to carpet. Some clubs have carpet in the VIP rooms so be prepared.  Stages are usually vinyl but don’t always have an even surface.  Walking around at home will also help break in the shoes.

Tip #7. Now that you have been dancing for a while you’ll notice the quickest part of a stripper shoe to wear out is the sole – the second being plastic strap.  After inspection, if you have determined that the shoe is still good (ie., straps intact, cracks in plastic, etc),  have them re-soled by by a local shoe shop. This usually costs around $20 and takes about a day to repair.  You can also re-sole brand new shoes to make them last months if not a year longer.

Hope this helps and, as always, if you have questions regarding this article, feel free to leave a comment.

~Perelandra

Integrating PayPal into Stripper Payment Options
The other night while I was working, I asked Marc for a dance. He said he would like to but had run out of cash.  Half jokingly I mentioned that I accept Paypal. His eyes got big and he said, “You do? Okay.” He got out his smart phone, logged in to his Paypal account then handed me his phone. I entered in my business Paypal email and he transferred $40 into my account.
Could this be a new way to accept table dance money? If you have a customer that would like a dance(s) from you but doesn’t have the cash, you have nothing to lose by having another option for payment.
What are the risks? As far as getting the money goes, the risks are fairly low when transferring money from one Paypal account to another. However, you’ll need to make sure you protect your personal account information – such as real name, email address, and possibly home address and phone number. I recommend you jump through the hoops and get a merchant account. Think of it as an investment and a business expense that is tax deductible (for those of you who actually claim taxes, that is). Another risk may be that your club won’t appreciate you exercising your right to alternative payment forms. Therefore, it is recommended that you keep this on the down-low with club employees and other girls.

What do I have to do in order to protect my identity? Here’s a brief list of steps you will take to set up a merchant account that will protect your personal information:
*What to call your business? Think of a business name that is unassuming – one that if some one’s wife were to look at a receipt, she wouldn’t freak out and he could easily explain.
*Set up a mailing address with some place like Mailboxes Plus, UPS Store, or a local service. Make sure it is an actual physical address not a P.O. Box. Also set it up in your business name.
*Using your new business address, register your business name with the state in which you live. You can do this at your local state office or online.
*Once you have your State Tax Id number, you’ll want to set up your Merchant Account with Paypal. Click below for more information about a Business Account with Paypal.

*Its also a good idea to get a bank account in the name of your business. Most banks offer free checking and/or savings accounts. You can link your Paypal and bank account so the money goes into your bank account automatically.
What do I name my new Paypal account? That’s easy – your business name.
How do I go about making payment options known to customers? When you are explaining the run down of the different dance and VIP room packages, just include Paypal in the list of payment options. Make sure that you explain the process with the customer as simply as possible. If they get confused, they will lose confidence in a process that is unfamiliar and shy away from spending money.
The whole process sounds more complicated than it really is and takes less than a week to get completely set up. Most questions are answered on the state website for new businesses. Just do a Google search for “register new business in *your state here* and follow the instructions. Easy peasy!

In a word?

Yes.

But allow me to explain. It has to do with how well you have taken care of yourself over the years and if plastic surgery is an option for you. For most women, your skin begins to lose its elasticity at about 40. That means that is when wrinkles begin to appear and flabby arms and even your butt begins to sag. However, if you look into facial peels, microderm abrasion, and other procedures you can still dance for quite a while.

The photo is of Tempest Storm and at 81 she still performs her burlesque shows in Vegas, NV. I’m not saying everyone can be a Tempest Storm but you don’t have to stop at 35 either.

If you are in the industry and are approaching 30 – stop freaking out! Women don’t reach their sexual maturity until about 30-34. It happened at 31 for me. Sexual maturity doesn’t mean you get super horny either. It is a change in attitude about sex and you’ve had enough experiences to know how and what it is you want from your partner. You also gain the ability to communicate it. This maturity is amazingly sexy to virtually everyone around you. I would wager that you will make more money after 30 than before.

In the fantasy world, young men drool over the experienced woman who knows what she’s doing and older men appreciate her confidence – meaning he doesn’t have to baby her ego.

<3 Perelandra