[Charley]

Craigslist is good.

Having a business FB is good too (a fan page or group or both)

Get a mailing list of interested people and put out a monthly newsletter

Groupon – okay, groupon is GREAT however you do have to be ready for the influx of business you may get. Our company just did groupon and we sold a TON so we had to be ready to have classes for everyone so they can start now. We had to have in advance a schedule of classes for our groupons to take so they can start immediately. I have some girls ADDICTED to groupon who train with us and one of them bought a boot camp special elsewhere and they told her they had sold too many groupons and wouldn’t be able to put her in a class right away – which made her really upset, so if you do that – plan ahead.

Go to local businesses that cater towards women and offer to leave flyers and take their too. Try – hair salons, spa’s, lingerie shops, local strip clubs, maybe some retails stores too.

Get a youtube if you don’t already have one and make sure your flyers supply the link for fb, yt, twitter, etc.

Also be sure to network with local dance academies that teach adult dance classes too – ofcourse you’ll want to be sure to promote them as well.

Also check http://www.livingsocial.com too.

Hope that helps!

[Charley]

Any one else notice that the emblem that poledanceinstructor.com is using is the same as Veenas??

Interesting, doing a little research and found out this site was created yesterday.

[Charley]

It’s up to you Flexx but I would say that your experience and other certs speak for themselves. I wouldn’t hesitate to take a course with someone who has the amount of years pole dancing you do – that alone would make me feel comfortable. Your fitness certs also tell me you know what you’re doing.

[Charley]

I agree it seems very sketchy to me.

When my students ask me about my certification I tell them I had to read, study, pass a written exam and pass a practical. Not sure I’d like saying "Well…I sent in $80 and they called 5 of my friends who said I’m awesome and sent me a certificate." https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

I guess it depends on what you want a cert for. If you just want something to hang on the wall that says you are certified to teach pole dance then this gets you that for very little.

I also think there are very good pole dance instructors out there that are not certified. I wanted to get certified so that I would be seen as credible by my coworkers. I wanted something that proved I knew what I was talking about and on top of that I learned more and added to my knowledge.

I would LOVE, freaking LOVE to do climb and spin (mostly just to see how I hang in the 7 day intensives) I think I could learn a lot from climb and spin.

[Charley]

I am certified with Empowerment Through Exotic Dance which is an AFAA recognized certification – I forget how many CEU’s its worth but it’s a lot – like 9 or something.

I decided to get a pole dance cert because I have little to no interest in doing group fitness certs mostly because I have no interest in fitness period. ETED’s certification offered an indepth program on warming up, cooling down, spotting and came with DVD’s of moves (many I hadn’t seen before.) ETED’s course also teaches you how to teach multi-level classes without running around like a mad woman because everyone is doing something different. I really liked the program a lot and I got a lot out of it. This certification covers a lot of what you would get with group fitness.

You will probably already know a lot this stuff already so the basic level will be a breeze – it really wasn’t super difficult for me to pass either. The intermediate level is great and this is where they get into multi-level classes, structures.

Also this certification comes with business help. If you go with ETED they will help your sort out everything on the financial and business end – this has been sooooo helpful to me. There have been times where I am calling them daily with questions and issues.

I cannot wait for the advanced level program to come out. This is an extremely thorough program – I really cannot think of anything that could be added.

[Charley]

Yes some woods are softer than others I suppose and take more damage from heels dropping on them and ofcourse the scuff marks.

I wouldn’t want to take classes at a studio that wouldn’t let me play in heels either. I think damage to floors is part and parcel of owning a studio and owners should research long and hard about what they install. They need to think about the damage the floors might take. The floors should be the most expensive thought out installation – next to poles ofcourse.

[Charley]

I’m a big fan of multiples https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif

I had 6 poles, recently sold 2. I totally plan to put atleast 2 in my basement and I am shopping around for a new pole right now.

I have:
original x-pole 50mm
x-pert 45mm
original PS super pole 50mm
Star Stand Alone

I only have chrome and stainless steel – I don’t like tg or brass personally but that totally personal opinion.

If you have the space to atleast have 2 poles set up – that is ideal.

X-stage is awesome but do consider if you’ll use it a lot – it’s not cheap. I’d start with inside poles and work my way out. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[Charley]

You are so not alone! I have very sweaty hands too. It was a major point of frustration for a very long time.

The good news is there are things you can do about it.

One of the best methods is just washing your hands with a harsh dish liquid – dawn dish liquid works great!

You can also use anti perspirants. Tite Grip is a product you can apply a couple of hours before you pole dance and it will help control sweating. There is also No Sweat – which I like but again that’s been most effective if applied a couple of hours before poling. There is Grrrip – my current favorite which is much like dry hands but also allows for you to spin, it doesn’t give you super grip but it keeps your hands dry enough to get through a routine.

I had the pole cleaners apply Grrrip directly to the poles at USPDF ECR and I applied tite grip several times before my performances and it worked out pretty good for me.

Some people use just plain old rubbing alcohol and find that is enough for them.

Gloves are good – I have the Mighty Grip gloves because I had tried other types and nothing really came close to the gloves that are made for pole dancing. You DO need to apply some kind of anti perspirant under them so they don’t slip though.

As far as being dependent on products…in any sport there are things you need to perform your best. Football players wear grippy gloves so they can better catch and hold the ball. Gymnasts use chalk and aerialists use rosin or firm grip. So, I personally don’t buy into the "don’t use grip aids" thoughts. If you sweat, use anti perspirant, if you’re dry then you need to use something that will soften your hands up enough to grip the pole.

I hope this is helpful. All of the aids I have listed and use are under $10. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif

[Charley]

We really need a pole dancer charity for used shoes and clothing we aren’t wearing anymore https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Charley]

I’m also one of the weird ones that doesn’t like TG or Brass.

You are probably overgripping because you are coming from a 50 and the new finish will effect grip too. Give it some more time.

[Charley]

I REEEEEAAAAALLLLLLLYYYYYYYYY Wanna go. I also would freaking LOVE to teach there…so I’m just going to try to win something so I can GO and TEACH. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif

If I win the lottery, that still counts and I can do both right? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

[Charley]

I think that’s a great idea Journey!

[Charley]

They come as a set! I think they are GREAT! You might want to order a bottle of mighty grip with them though because I found my hands did sweat A LOT ans you will slip around in the gloves – so you’ll need some grip aid under them.

These are one of my all time favorite pole products! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[Charley]

So is laser painful? There are regularly groupons for laser – 6 sessions for $99, I know you have to do your research on the clinic providing the service. But in 6 sessions would I be kitty hair free?

I am a shaver right now – too scared to wax or sugar and honestly there is nothing more disgusting to me than my own kitty so shaving seems like it takes the least amount of time.

So, laser and no worries?

*I’m extremely white and very dark haired.

[Charley]

I just sold my Mynx – I hadn’t been on it in years. Have you thought about listing it here and on craigslist. Super sad thing is that when I bought mine which was a really long time ago – they were like $100 more than they are now so I had to take a huge loss on it. No biggie though a fellow poler got a good pole for a good price and it’s got a home now.

To Hayley – have you checked craigslist? I see a lot of lm poles for sale and maybe if you got one at a great price it could compensate for the shipping? Just a thought.

Oh and is Alistage or Allistage still around? I know they are UK based and maybe they sell 1 piece poles. Also platinum stages sells a 1 piece – not too sure if it’s available in the UK but worth a look.