Whats it like to pole as a job?

yolliya started this discussion · 8/2/2014

i have a couple questions for anyone here whose job revolves around pole :D (any answers at all will be greatly appreciated! thanks!) 1. If im looking to get a career involving pole, is being an instructor the only way? Like do some people get paid to perform (not like felix cane with cirque de soleil, something more common- but i still know this is very difficult :s) 2. If you're an instructor, is it your only job? If so, does it allow you to get by? If not, do you have another day job and do you do that because you genuinely enjoy it or you do it just to support your poling? 3. If pole is your only job, what will you do once you become older and cannot move as well as you did when you were younger? (this is the main problem people tell me about when i tell them my dream is to do anything involving pole) I dont know what to do.. everyone wants and expects me to get a stable and well paying corporate job or something, saying that "very few people have jobs that they truly enjoy- thats why its called 'working'" if you had the choice between an office job and being able to come home to a nice house, buy any pole accessories and equipment whenever you wanted and pole as a hobby OR doing what you love but struggling to get by, what would you do?

18 replies

Kobajo84 · 8/2/2014
1. If I'm looking to get a career involving pole, is being an instructor the only way? Like do some people get paid to perform? As far as job involving pole, the only ones I know if are being a dancer in a club- there are many different variations of clubs out there or working as an instructor in a studio or your own studio. 2. If you're an instructor, is it your only job? If so, does it allow you to get by? If not, do you have another day job and do you do that because you genuinely enjoy it or you do it just to support your poling? I'm an instructor and I own a studio. It is not my only job. I work as a full time Registered Nurse Monday-Friday. I enjoy both my jobs equally. I don't pay myself at the studio- it's not a lucrative job to own a business and teach pole. My real money comes from what I got my college education for- nursing. 3. If you had the choice between an office job and being able to come home to a nice house, buy any pole accessories and equipment whenever you wanted and pole as a hobby OR doing what you love but struggling to get by, what would you do? Pole is first and foremost a huge passion of mine but the reality is, it started as a hobby and it still is. I've paid more money into educating myself, training, and equipment to support my hobby. My business venture is a reflection of all I have learned and want to share with others. It is not a means of supporting myself financially, nor could it ever be. I'm not disillusioned about that fact. I teach and own my business because I want to, not because I have to.
chemgoddess1 · 8/2/2014
I honestly do not know a single instructor where instructing is their only job. Many of the studio owners also this is not the only job. While you may get paid $20-$50 an hour to teach a class it is not something that anybody's body can handle for 40 hours a week. On top of that most studios are not even open during the day so at most you can teach three hours or possibly four hours in the evenings. There is nobody getting rich being a pole instructor. As far as performances, those gigs are few and far between and you are lucky if you get paid $50 for your performance. Don't think I am trying to be a buzz kill here, I am trying to explain the reality of being a pole instructor or performer.
chemgoddess1 · 8/2/2014
I forgot to add, also if you are an instructor and that is your only income if you get injured have to have surgery or if you are sick you have just completely lost your income. Again, I don't know a single instructor that has not had to take time off due to overuse of body, some injury or having to have surgery for something
Lucca Valentine · 8/2/2014
If you do decide to solely be pole employed, look into insurance that covers disability. If you're in US I think Aflac offers that kind of coverage (sp?) and I'm sure there's others. For example, I have disability covered through my massage insurance
glitterhips · 8/2/2014
I hope I don't sound too harsh in my response, but I have to agree with Chemgoddess. I am a pole dancer, I also own a cupcake baking business, and I live in Las Vegas. I perform in a show every Friday night. I have 2-3 rehearsals with my troupe weekly, plus extra rehearsal time if I am doing a pole solo in that night's show. We perform for free drinks, and stage time. We sometimes do a monthly show that pays $10 but usually our troupe leader keeps our pay to spend on costume pieces for us instead. But we are doing it because we all like it, and we hope that by putting in our time now and performing for 20 people and free drinks, that something might come of it, but there is also the possibility of it not happening, which I have to be okay with. It also started as a hobby for me so any money I can make doing it is great. I have made $150 for doing a studio demo once, but most of that cost was for my travel expenses, and her original instructor cancelled last minute. I am not trying to burst your bubble and I hope I don't sound mean! I also have a baking business and I desperately would love a bakery but I have a day job waitressing and I am paying my dues there to save up money to hopefully have a store of my own one day. I am not saying it's impossible though, and I wish you the best of luck!
glitterhips · 8/2/2014
If you are really interested in pole as a career, maybe pursuing a personal training certificate wouldn't be a bad idea, so then you could work as a trainer but specialize in pole, or at least mention it to your super cool lady clients :) Just throwing that out there!
korinne · 8/2/2014
To be a pole instructor, you don't have to be able to demonstrate every move; you just have to be able to break it down and explain well enough for people to understand and execute safely. And give helpful and encouraging criticism. (Like "point your fucking toes") In the event you need to demonstrate a move you cannot personally perform, other people demonstrate certain moves for you- which is sometimes easier because you can explain what they're doing while they're doing it. In that sense, as you 'get older and cannot move as well,' you will still be able to teach because you will still have the knowledge and teaching skills you've already developed.
PinkPony · 8/2/2014
Your life is meant to be LIVED, that's why it's called a life and that means you must do the things that make you feel ALIVE. You must pursue your passions in every way you can!! I love my "work." I teach pole and perform freelance. I have a been a server & a blackjack dealer & I hated it & I felt like the living dead. I am so happy now to spend my time exposing women to pole and to do what I love. I could care less how much more money I could be making at something else. Tomorrow is promised to no one, I can't live in fear like that. If you want to perform, you may have to up your game. A so-so pole dancer can work as a Gogo dancer or in a strip club. If you want to be on a regular performance stage, you have to want it badly enough to fight for it. Train, train, train! Be the best artist you can be. Remember that safety is an illusion, so don't do something you hate just to feel "safe." Companies go bankrupt, fire people, get bought out, 401ks can disappear...40 hours a week is a long time to spend doing something you don't care about. Time to get creative. How CAN you make pole your only job? Your first mission is to figure that out. And then to make it happen :)
RoMo · 8/3/2014
I have to agree with Kobajo's outlook of keeping what you love as a hobby. I started pole a few months ago, but I've been sewing and designing forever. People have always told me I should make a career out of it - and I always choose not to because I know that the first few years are hard - very hard, and even after that, nothing is guaranteed. I don't know where you are in life (kids, mortgage, student loans, etc...), but for me, a steady income is important. I found a day job I enjoy enough to spend 40 hours a week at. The good thing about it is that it gives me a steady salary, which a certain part of it goes towards the things that I'm passionate about - creating, sewing, now pole... :) I think that PinkPony takes things a bit too far with her "Tomorrow is promised to no one, I can't live in fear like that" outlook. From where I stand, I feel that it's a bit reckless not to plan for the future - although while planning, never forget to live the present! (Maybe, had you asked me this ten years ago I would have agreed with PinkPony, so I guess this is a matter of where you are in life...) There's an article that I really like and I've shared it with numerous friends about the DWYL (Do What You Love) credo. I highly recommend reading it! http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2014/01/do_what_you_love_love_what_you_do_an_omnipresent_mantra_that_s_bad_for_work.single.html And whatever you do decide to do in the end, best of luck! :)
Slate MagazineStop Saying “Do What You Love, Love What You Do.” It Devalues Actual Work.“Do what you love. Love what you do.”
WebJunk · 8/3/2014
amyxchung1622. Working at your hobby usually will be work. I had worked in the music industry, what I thought would be my dream job. A couple of years and it became a "job" with a lot of the fun drained out. I decided after that to keep my hobbies as fun hobbies. Fortunately, I worked very hard and was successful with a couple of businesses. That has paid for me to truly enjoy all my hobbies and the toys (not tools which are for a job) needed. Over twenty years of being out of the music 'business' I still enjoy playing, writing & recording music. And enjoy photography, traveling and fitness all that I could have worked as a job. There are some who still will enjoy their hobby when it becomes work. But it has then become work.
Webmaster · 8/3/2014
Here I think is the key: Having a passion for pole and a passion for teaching pole are two completely different things. If you like to pole dance you should pole dance. If you don't enjoy teaching don't teach pole dance it will destroy your love for pole (this applies to any activity) If you don't love business don't start a pole studio it will destroy your love for pole (also the same for any activity) Dancing, teaching and business are three completely different things and having a passion for the first doesn't mean doing either of the other two in the field is a good idea.
DharmaDancer · 8/3/2014
I have to pipe in again. I agree that preparing for the future is crucial, and having clear goals rooted in the mundane of bills and education is important. But pole, like any other passion, can provide a living provided that it, via performance, teaching, or studio ownership, or pole or pole clothing manufacture, or whatever avenue opens involving pole, meets not only your own needs but meets a need for others. A living is made by providing a service or a solution that people need. If it's for you alone it's a hobby. If you can meet a need for others it's a living. Both are wonderful options. I myself have transformed my hobby (woodworking) into a full time business (repair and restoration of wood furniture and antiques), and I left a solid, steady job in EMS to devote myself to my dream. My passion has not waned as my hobby has become a career, but it's been upgraded as I now work with deadlines and other requirements to meet the needs of clients. For me, this is an exciting transformation and I embrace it. I give thanks daily for having the cojones to make this leap, for the clients who trust me with their property, and for every piece of furniture that comes through my shop and my calloused and cut hands. I've had tight months...I strip to make up for the initial debt I incurred in striking forth upon my dream, and I'm grateful to enjoy doing that and having it as an option as I move forward. A time will come when I won't be dancing and I embrace each evening in the club because soon I'll be making enough to fully support myself in the workshop. I have an Ivy League education and have traveled the world. ..but I'm happiest with old broken furniture and happy to be covered in sawdust and epoxy at the end of my workday, happy to see clients behold their restored furniture with eyes wide with amazement. My passionate advice: follow your heart and find a way that you can make your heart's desire into a commodity that meets the needs of others and go balls to the wall to make it so. I am living proof that even the most quirky dreams can come true and can support you. If pole is a gift to you, find a way that you can give pole as a gift to others. And there you will find your career and your living. Make it so!
AllysonKendal · 8/3/2014
I agree with a lot of what's been said. Personally if I was faced with the same dilemma I'd choose financial security... But I have a family and a home I love, and that's just the place I am in life. As much as I may love a hobby, having the money to take my family on vacation or buy my son something special for his birthday or being able to save for his college is what really makes me happy. I agree with what others said and I do think that there can be too much of a good thing. Pole can't be your escape if it's your career. But I don't think it has to be all or nothing... There is something between being broke/happy and rich/miserable. Finding a job with flexible hours or just good hours might be part of your requirements. Maybe you don't need that high powered office job that comes with a fancy car and expense account... Even if that's whats expected of you. It's ok to not earn up to your potential if it means sacrificing your happiness and time for hobbies or family. That's part of the reason I work 4 days instead of 5 a week. :)
yolliya · 8/3/2014
i'm actually blown away by all your comments thanks so much to everyone that replied!!! Everyones advice is so good!! Okay ive decided now to get a job as a science teacher, as i do enjoy science, teaching and inspiring but i still want the time to pole :D also you guys made me realise that having pole as a living might actually make me not like it as much :s i'll definitely keep it as a hobby and a daily stress reliever :D thanks again everyone!!! seriously fantastic advice
MD5677 · 8/3/2014
As this activity continues to evolve we could use more science based perspectives. Everything from how to more safely use the pole to looking at the implications of the various metals/powder coating/silicon on our bodies. Your two passions don't have to be mutually exclusive. :)
tamikat · 8/4/2014
Also if you just want to perform there are comps you can enter. And you can see if there are places in the city that have aerial activities and see if you can perform with them. You could get a stage pole. Where I practice is right across a studio from an aerials place. They invite polers to perform with them in showcases and there is also a dance company in town today melds all types of dance from ballet to hip hop to jazz funk. They offered to let me perform in their showcases when I feel I'm "better"
Skullpixie · 8/4/2014
You can plan for the future but you never know what's around the corner or if your plans are going to work out. I say live life to the full and do what makes you happy. And I don't Brie e for a second that owners and instructors do not make good money from pole I'm sure they make some, I know a woman who owns five or six studios and she is def making her money... So if you wanna do it I say do it! ;)
Skullpixie · 8/4/2014
*believe