My attraction to the club scene started when I turned 21 back in 2017; I was a semester into nursing school and had been waitressing at the same restaurant since I was 19. But the hours there weren't very accommodating for my super intense class schedule.
On a whim, I decided to apply at the one local strip club as a cocktail waitress, and I got it! There was a huge learning curve when it came to how clients were split among the cocktailers - then there was the added quirk of working in a corset, carrying a tray, and doing it all in heels no smaller than 4-5 inches. o.O
It didn't take me long to catch on to the flow of things, and was soon one of the trainers for new cocktailers. I was also one of the clubs promoters, which basically means they would pay for us to go downtown in the club limo (with a bouncer) and bring people back to the club with us for discounted entry and drinks!
I cocktailed through the summer and was moved up to bartender! Finally! I. Was. Stoked. I traded the heels for sneaks and hit training ground running! I loved the atmosphere, I loved the outfits, I loved the music...I loved the money!
Unfortunately, the club was bought out and most of us on staff were replaced. I moved on to corporate life (round 1) and for the next few years, clubs were just a place we celebrated birthdays.
When moving states there are a few key things that must be locked in - a place to live and a job being at the top of that list. In September of 2022, my apartment had been packed up and vacated, my house in Florida was under contract pending a new roof with an incoming tropical storm, and I was sleeping on an air mattress with my dog in my mom's living room.
Finally, I got an interview with some 3D map modeling company. I packed up on a Friday and said good-bye to my family and my fur baby. I planned on staying with a friend who already had two dogs at her house. On Monday, I followed up for my interview for Tuesday, only to be told that the position had been filled and that I could apply again in 45 days.
So, there I was, in Florida with no job, no place to live (of my own) and no dog. As a last ditch effort before turning around and going right back to my momma's, I went down to one of the strip clubs. I figured, what's the worst that could happen?
As it turned out, they needed a door girl, and was taking what I could get. I did make it very clear that I wanted to be behind the bar sooner than later. Well, it didn't take long before we had a cocktail waitress no call no show and they needed me on the floor. And before the holidays came and went, I was behind the bar :P
Monday was my standing bartending shift, which happened to fall the day before my 27th birthday. So, halfway through my shift we were approaching midnight. There had been jokes made about me getting up on stage but I certainly wasn't prepared for what the girls had in store for me.
Around 11:58 I heard the dj get on the mic talking about a special guest dancer. I didn't even have time to ask what the hell he was talking about before I was ushered off to the dressing room. In no time they had me in a white drawstring two-piece, 7-inch ankle booties, and a fur-trimmed floor-length robe, and walked me through the club to the stage.
As the intro to Birthday Sex blasted over the speakers, I took a birthday shot and the first step up onto the stage. I reached for the glowing pole I had watched so many amazing dancers spin around, and thought to myself: "fuck it."
I gave it my best shot as I struggled to climb the pole. I put everything I had into the two or three moves I had learned in passing. I spun around for as long as I could, watching the money rain down around me from customers, dancers, and even my managers. Eventually, I had to resort to booty shakin, seeing as I had exhausted all of my pole knowledge and confidence.
It's really funny to watch those videos back now. I've come so far and it's amazing to see the progress.
From that moment, I knew I was in love with the pole. I kept bartending for the beginning of the year, but eventually dropped that and just danced. I also got a pole for my house to practice on. The more I worked, the more skills I gained. In six months, I was in easily the best shape of my life. I'll be the first to admit I should have been eating more for the amount of time I spent working, however, I never felt more strong, capable, or confident.