by Valerie Michaels

Created on: March 13, 2007

All dancers have this in common.. (and maybe ONLY this) the want, need, & goal of making cold hard cash, quickly.

I am an ex dancer. I danced for 3 years. This was my experience.

It was like any other life altering moment. One random Wednesday afternoon I sat in my apartment, unpaid bills stacking up on the coffee table in front of me. I was leafing through a paper, half-heartedly looking for jobs. I came across an ad for an "Amateur Night" at a strip club. "Winner-$500." I decided in that instant that I would go, I would win, and at least I could pay my rent.

I tried not to think too much about what I was about to do. I got ready, and I went.

I remember when I first stepped out on the stage, my hands were shaking as I held the pole. One of the things the man who was running the contest told me was "Just smile."
I tried to smile, through my fear. At this particular club, you had two songs in your "set." During the first, you were to get topless. During the second, your bottoms were to come off as soon as possible. It was a full nude club.

I feel starting out in a full nude club had it benefits. I became so incredibly comfortable with nudity. The biggest benefit was that because of Michigan law, there was no alcohol. I later worked at topless only bars, where alcohol was served, and the differences were remarkable.

The night I did the contest, I did win, and I was offered a job. I agreed to try it out. Even after one night, the money was intoxicating. It's commonly referred to in the clubs as "new girl money." Customers see a fresh face, (or smell new blood?) a not worn down attitude, and they bite.
Before I knew it, a night became a week, then a month, then 6 months. My bills were current! (Imagine that!) And I had lots more to spare! I quickly realized that spending money to dye my hair, get my nails done, go tanning, and the like, were investments well made. I made a huge profit by investing in the product. (myself)

I made friends, with the other girls, the staff, the management, and even some customers. I realized that at the end of the day, it was a job like any other in most regards. I had a schedule, I had to be on time, I had to look nice, I was on my feet almost the entire shift, and at the end, I counted my money, and I went home.
I had a boss, I had rules, I had co workers, and customers.

At times I really felt like it was a sales job. I had to make the customers like me, before they were going to spend any money. Just like any salesperson, if you don't like

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