Many pole dancers dream of quitting their “day job” and working in the pole industry full time. Is this the right dream for you? What does it really look like to be a full-time pole-preneur? Let’s talk about it! First, you don’t actually have to make your hobby your hustle There is a lot of…

This resource post was created in conjunction with IPIA partner Pole Art Co,. they provide rigging support for pole events. Many pole events including (but not limited to) showcases and competitions may hold pole events outside of established pole/aerial studios or clubs with permanently mounted poles. To do that, event producers may choose to use…

The internet has a huge number of resources, many for free. Check out these resources for pole dance professionals shared during our Pole Business Panel held at the 4th annual Virtual PoleCon on October 21, 2024. These resources are in addition to this existing list of Top 10 FREE resources for pole professionals which covers…

Becoming a pole instructor can be a very rewarding experience! You can share your love of pole with your new students and meet new people. It can also be hard on the body and is not often an “easy” (relatively speaking) way to make money. While there are many paths to becoming a pole instructor,…

Creating a virtual community is a great way to support your clients and grow your pole-related business. There are countless tools and resources out there to help you choose the right platforms and create content, so we’re going to explore who you need to be as you build your online safe space. As your network…

As a pole dancer, how often do you take a hard look at your equipment? Do you have a maintenance program for maintaining—and eventually—replacing your poles? Check out these tips for how to increase the longevity of your poles through a regular maintenance plan. Please note, because there are several different pole manufacturers and pole…

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Let’s talk about how to appropriately ask your students if they have any pre-existing injuries or impairments that may affect their participation in pole class. Here’s a scenario for reference: You are in class and the instructor asks: “Does anyone have any injuries that I should know about?” The result is silence… Meanwhile a new…

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Mirrors are an important, but not a necessary, part of your pole studio. Some studios prefer to teach without mirrors as they can cause potentially negative comparisons for students or otherwise make students feel uncomfortable viewing themselves or others. Other studios rely heavily on mirrors to help students access and/or understand moves or even to…

If you started teaching during the pandemic, you may be already acquainted with using Zoom, Google HangOuts, Microsoft Teams, or other video meeting service to teach virtually. Now that the pandemic is over, many people are still enjoying the flexibility of virtual teaching. Here are some tips of how to frame your virtual offerings and…

This workshop was part of the IPIA Webinar held on June 23, 2023. Typically webinar recordings are free for IPIA members only however this is a very important topic that we want all pole businesses to have access to. Emergency Response in Pole Dance and Sport: Are You Prepared? with Dr Jenny Poles In the…

Teaching students is one thing, teaching teachers is a completely different concept! Check out our tips below if you’re considering developing a mentorship or teacher coaching program to sell to potential pole dance teachers. What is unique to your mentorship program? Before creating a mentorship program, decide what is unique to the teaching you want…

Organizing a pole dance showcase could be an independent business idea or something that you do as part of owning or managing a studio. Here are some things to consider when planning your pole dance showcase or competition: Venue First, you’ll need somewhere to hold your showcase or competition. If you are having a large…

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Pole dance events can include pole competitions, showcases, or gigs. Although the risk is rare, emergencies and injuries can and will happen at pole dance events. Is your pole dance event prepared for those risks? Do you have a plan of action? Read this post to help you and the staff of your pole event…

Typically, people employed by a pole-based business are either employees or independent contractors. (Read about the difference here). Contractors typically have a formal or informal contract specifying the work do be done, the rate at which they are being paid, and any other details about the work and payment structure between themselves and the company…

[administrator notice: content below memberonly level=”Group Membership for Businesses of 2-5 individuals, Student, Individual or Solo-Preneur”] Update this template as necessary based on the laws in your municipality. EMPLOYEE CONTRACT AGREEMENT This employment contract, dated , is entered into by [Company Name] and [Employee Name] of [City, State]. This document constitutes an employment agreement between…

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Running any event is hard! Running a pole-based event adds some extra eccentricities. Running a LARGE (larger than a studio showcase, or larger than 50 people indoors) pole-based event is even harder! Before you start planning your event, read this post first which is a good introduction to running pole-based events and covers a lot…

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Saving is often not the first thing new business owners think of when starting their pole-based business, especially if your new business is a side hustle. Even before your business starts to grow, it’s important to start thinking about preparing for the future. Here are some things to think about whether you are just starting…

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Mission and vision statements are often associated with non-profit organizations but can be useful in for-profit organizations of all sizes (even individuals!) and all industries too. Keep reading for more information on what these statements are and how they can be useful to your pole-based business. What is a mission statement? Your mission statement basically…

Most service-based businesses benefit from an official policy on how to handle scheduling, moving, and cancelling appointments. For pole studios and instructors, this information should be clearly communicated before your students signs up for a group or private class. Continue reading for tips on what to include in your policy and how to enforce it.…

Building a business can be tough! Especially when it may start as a side hustle that you can’t spend a lot of time or money on. We’ve collected 10 free (a few free-mium) resources to help you on your pole business journey! Check out all the links below in two major categories “marketing” and “business.”…

Are you a studio owner looking to hire a new pole instructor for your studio? Check out these open-ended questions below and add them to your hiring process! Are these the only questions you should ask? Nope! But they are a great way to see if someone is a good fit for your studio. Every…

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We have all heard the term “vibe” in mainstream media. But have you thought of it in terms of pole dance studios? According to the Collins Dictionary, the informal definition of the word vibe is “the good or bad atmosphere that you sense with a person or in a place.” Of course a good atmosphere…

Opening any business is tough! Committing to a brick-and-mortar business is even harder. Typically, the cost for commercial real estate is expensive. Add build out costs and all the relevant pole equipment, and you’re suddenly looking at a very costly endeavor. Do you have 6-12 months of living expenses saved? Surprises happen! Even if you…

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If you own or run a pole dance studio, you will undoubtedly have to make the decision on what type of class structure to provide. Typically, studios will provide drop-in classes, semester/series-type classes, or a combination of both. In this post, we will focus on the pros and cons of drop-in classes versus semester classes…

Picking the best flooring for your pole studio can be a challenge. We want it to be slidey but not too slippery, firm but not too hard, easy to keep clean, and, of course, reflective of our overall studio vibe. That’s a tall order – whew! Ask these questions before choosing a floor Before choosing…

Are you a new studio owner? Or do you want to be? If so, you’ve probably thought of this question a lot when looking for space for your studio. This post will cover some things to think about so you understand how many poles can fit in your space. The answer to that question translates…

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An elevator pitch is a business tool that you can whip out of your pocket to let others in your industry understand who you are, what you are passionate about, and what you bring to the table quickly and effectively. A well-scripted elevator pitch is handy at trade events, job fairs, when speaking to customers,…

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You’ve got a great idea, and you’ve always wanted to write a book, but how do you do it? We’ve talked to some of the heavy-hitting writers in the pole industry to learn how to get your book out of your head and on to paper. Why write a book? There are currently still very…

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Unfortunately many entrepreneurs don’t pay themselves. They invest time and money into their business and remember to pay everyone except themselves. While this may provide some short term relief over cash flow concerns, especially when the business is young, long term, this is a recipe for disaster. While there are many reasons business owners may…

Just like the words “sales” and “marketing” are often used interchangeably, “features” and “benefits” often get jumbled together. We get the basic idea—features and benefits describe what you are selling—but what do these words really mean and why is knowing the difference important? Understanding the difference between features and benefits can help you fine-tune your…

Pole dancing is still a new industry, and there is no one gold standard for certifications or benchmark for hiring certified or non-certified pole instructors. Newly certified instructors may have good intentions but have limited experience working with the myriad of ability levels typically found in a studio. Many teachers with years of experience don’t…

Having a full understanding of your target audience’s wants and needs is crucial to running a small business. Pole studio owners or instructors probably spend lots of time face to face talking with customers, and that is a great way to get feedback and learn how you can improve your business. But when you don’t…

Being a small business owner is tough! You are often working in your business serving customers and on your business, working to improve processes like marketing and sales usually ALL at the same time! Because of these challenges, and not being able to find more time in the day or successfully clone ourselves, we often…

[administrator notice: content below memberonly level=”Group Membership for Businesses of 2-5 individuals, Student, Individual or Solo-Preneur”] Update this template as necessary based on the laws in your municipality. PERFORMANCE AGREEMENT   THIS CONTRACT (the “Agreement”) made and entered into this                  day of                                 ,                  (the “Execution Date”),   BETWEEN:                                                      of                                                   …

Wait—there is a difference between marketing and sales? Yes! The two terms are often used interchangeably, and their functions overlap and feed into each other, further confusing things. For example, at an event, you might hand out brochures and business cards, answer questions, and hold a raffle (marketing) but also sell several costume pieces (sales).…

[administrator notice: content below memberonly level=”Group Membership for Businesses of 2-5 individuals, Student, Individual or Solo-Preneur”] Update this template as necessary based on the laws in your municipality.   This agreement, made one this date                                             between                                                                 (hereinafter referred to as (“Company”) and                                                                                            hereinafter referred to as “Performing Artist(s)”.   WITNESSETH, that Company…

[administrator notice: content below memberonly level=”Group Membership for Businesses of 2-5 individuals, Student, Individual or Solo-Preneur”] Update this template as necessary based on the laws in your municipality. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT   This agreement for the provision of pole dance and alternative fitness/dance lessons (“Agreement”) is made and entered into this                                                                     Day of                      …

[administrator notice: content below memberonly level=”Group Membership for Businesses of 2-5 individuals, Student, Individual or Solo-Preneur”] Update this template as necessary based on the laws in your municipality. ENTERTAINER/PERFORMER RELEASE: AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZATION TO BE IN MEDIA   THIS RELEASE (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into this                                          (the “Execution Date”),   BETWEEN:                                         …

This panel was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2021 event held on October 17, 2021.  

This panel was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2021 event held on October 17, 2021.  

This panel was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2021 event held on October 17, 2021.  

This panel was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2021 event held on October 17, 2021.  

This panel was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2021 event held on October 17, 2021.  

The pole industry can often feel like a very friendly place. And friends don’t ask friends for contracts, right? You’re *just* supposed to trust each other, right? WRONG! The very best thing you can do for yourself, and for your friends, is to have a contract. What is a contract? A contract, at its most…

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All studios, events, and performances need to have a license to play music in-person. With the rise of virtual events, do the same rules apply? The answer is a little more complicated than a simple “yes” or “no.” Traditional music licensing US Copyright Law requires you to have a license, or the artist’s written permission,…

“Branding” is one of those terms thrown around a lot these days, but no one really knows what it means or how it applies to their life or business. A famous person, sure—but a regular human? How could that possibly be relevant? What is a personal brand? A personal brand is a combination of actions,…

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Pole-based business products might include (but are not limited to) merchandise, apparel, shoes, accessories, products to improve or modify your grip, apparatus, apparatus cleaners, apparatus attachments/improvements, books (ebooks or physical), templates, online/virtual/pre-recorded tutorials/workout programs, or other products that are focused on or tangential to the pole industry. Pricing products involves a different methodology than pricing…

Pole-based business services might include (but are not limited to) teaching pole or pole adjacent movement, fitness or mindset coaching for competitors, business coaching for other pole businesses, providing fitness trainer type support for conditioning, physical therapy specific to polers or even sex education consultation services that involve a pole. Pricing services involves a different…

Online content is everywhere and because it’s easily accessible, it may feel like you can repurpose whatever content you find online for your own uses including for your business. However, just because it can be found publicly doesn’t mean you automatically have the rights to use it. All content is created by someone and they…

There are many ways to start a pole studio. Some pole-preneurs choose virtual or mobile options or even teaching individuals or small groups out of their home as affordable ways to start a pole studio and then grow into a commercial or retail space. Other studio owners choose to locate their studio in a commercial…

The basic purpose of a budget is to understand the difference between your revenue, money coming into your business, and your expenses, money going out of your business. Understanding this information can help you adjust your expectations or your spending habits to maximize the potential profit from your business or to make corrections to ensure…

[administrator notice: content below memberonly level=”Group Membership for Businesses of 2-5 individuals, Student, Individual or Solo-Preneur”] Update this template as necessary based on the laws in your municipality. ASSUMPTION OF THE RISK AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY RELATING TO CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19   The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization.…

If you work for a business as a 1099 consultant/contractor, then that company in the United States (US) is not legally required to offer you healthcare coverage. If you own your own business (such as a LLC or as an INC) and do not have employees, then you also qualify as a 1099 consultant/contractor for…

Many pole instructors and studios are switching to virtual classes to serve a global audience and to protect against the spread of infectious disease. Whether you are starting your first teaching business online, porting an in-person business to being virtual or looking for hybrid solutions, here are some tips on how to set up your…

We have previously discussed the importance of having an emergency action plan specific to your pole studio. Why is this so important? Because pole injuries will occur in your studio, and it is best to have a plan in place to handle them. Although it is impossible to predict every injury that will occur, handling…

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Injuries are bound to happen in a pole studio. Pole dancers put their bodies through extreme demands including climbing, inverting, stretching, and dancing at high levels of intensity. Sure, the benefits outweigh the risks. But is your studio prepared for those risks? Would if there is a fire at your studio? Do you have a…

Selecting the right poles for your pole-based business is a fairly straightforward process.  There are a handful of companies manufacturing freestanding and mounted poles currently with more manufacturers entering the market world-wide each year. Determine your studio needs How you plan to deliver your pole-related services will help you determine your pole needs. Determining your…

This workshop was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. Everything But the Performance by Irmingard Mayer: So you’ve trained to a level where you feel ready to perform. You have the skills and creative ideas. But have you thought about the other elements involved in performance? This workshop will…

This workshop was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. Pole Studios and Instructors Insurance 101 with Tom Wojciechowski: An easy-to-understand approach to the insurance products available for Pole Studios and Instructors.  From recommended policies and the exposures we are covering to pricing and policy limits, independent contractor instructor liability and…

This panel was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. Pole Business Panel lead by Colleen Jolly: Small business is hard and a small business in the pole industry is even harder. Hear from a variety of types of businesses in our industry through our panel discuss important business topics…

This workshop was part of the Virtual PoleCon 2020 event held on October 17, 2020. Building a Public Brand with Nikki St. John: Everything you put on the internet is public and everyone is going virtual these days. How do you build a public brand that cuts through the noise and really represents you and…

No matter how many lap dance, striptease, and floorwork workshops you have taken as a pole dance enthusiast, none of those classes can fully prepare you for life as a stripper. Being a stripper not only requires the physical prowess of pole enthusiasts but also the talents of a top-notch salesperson who can engage and…

Starting a nonprofit company/organization/entity/business (all used interchangeably in this resource) is similar to setting up a for-profit company with some key differences. The information below is on the steps needed to set up a non-profit pole-based company in the US. Making sure you qualify as a non-profit business All businesses—for profit or non-profit—start in the…

What is Intellectual property? Intellectual property is what makes you and your business unique. This could be your visual or movement arts, your methods for teaching, how you structure classes, the products in your business, how you conduct your services or other. To be fully protected under law, it’s best to protect your intellectual property…

Licensing and franchising are both different legal structures you can use to grow your pole-based business. While both of these options take time, they often take less time than having you manage multiple locations of your business and can increase your reach in different locations for different markets, all around the world. For those who…

For decades, business books and seminars have encouraged entrepreneurs to build a business plan, which usually includes an executive statement, financial projections, the organizational structure, etc. Ideally, the plan paints a picture of your business operations so that potential investors and other stakeholders can decide whether they want to take a risk on you/your organization.…

Choosing to have employees, contractors or a mix of the two is very important for the health of your business. Choosing the wrong type can cost you penalty fees and lots of hassle with local, state and federal government entities. If you have the option to be an employee or a contractor, you also should…

What is Payroll? Payroll is the list of employees your company pays on a regular basis. This usually includes the amount of money received for time work/tasks completed and may also include benefits distributions or even accrued time off. Payroll can be weekly, bi-weekly, bi-monthly, monthly or at some other regularity. There is also no…

This resource focuses on each step to purchasing, hosting, and building a website. A website is a good way to showcase all of your products and services, tell the world about your business, and help promote it online. While having a good social media presence is also important, you don’t own that content and you…

Social media marketing is the general term for the type of marketing brands use to promote themselves on social media platforms. The goal is to convert visitors to interacting with your brand, whether that is purchasing a product or service, engaging with your posts, or learning more about what you provide. Social media platforms have…

All pole business owners need multiple types of insurance to protect from various financial threats. Most Common Insurance Needs for Pole Businesses The most common insurance for pole businesses is General Liability insurance. General Liability Insurance General Liability insurance is the most common insurance that all pole businesses including studios and solo-preneurs such as instructors…

When starting your business it’s very important to choose the right legal business structure. The structures outline the registration mechanics, your liability within the business, the way you manage the business, how the business is taxed, and restrictions on selling the business. There are multiple legal structures, but the two most popular for small businesses…

So you want to start your own business? Maybe it’s a studio, maybe it’s creating a new grip, maybe it’s an event. You’ve got a great idea, some extra time on your hands and now you are ready to be your own boss. Sound familiar? Then read on! All businesses start in the same way:…

Professionalism in its most basic form is how you conduct yourself in a business environment. In a corporate setting, professionalism is often conflated with unimportant issues like appearance and word choice, allowing well-meaning managers to focus on the length of skirts, the color of hair and the use of the word “fuck.” A definition from…

An employee handbook is a valuable way to communicate with your employees. It should include all policies and procedures that are relevant to your business. Provide an employee handbook upon first hiring a new employee and provide training so they know how to be successful at their job. Training may be in-person or remote and…

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If you are conducting online or in person classes, your insurance will likely require you to have a liability waiver. If you are participating in an activity such as performing or teaching, or attending a class, the business hosting those activities will likely require you to sign a liability waiver. Sometimes liability waivers are combined…

All businesses start in the fundamentally same way: figuring out what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Begin this conversation with yourself and your trusted support system such as a spouse or friends, formally or informally answering those questions. You can use a formal process like a SWOT analysis to assist you in answering…

While there may be a hot, new marketing tool that does dramatically help your business grow, most marketing know-how boils down to three basic elements: do it do it consistently figure out who you’re marketing to and tailor 1 and 2 to suit their preferences. Do It The worst thing you can do for your…

From getting capital to start up your business, propel your business forward or just to manage cash flow between slow months, getting more money is always a challenge. There is no “best way” to fund a business, rather there are lots of options that will help you start or continue to fund your business. You…

This resource is a general post focused on US-based pole dance instructors, performers or SWer/strippers and those with LLC-structured pole businesses. What to Expect Tax law changes and updates every year, sometimes those updates are small and sometimes they dramatic and wide-ranging. Make sure to stay up-to-date on any tax laws that change. Reference the…

Non Compete Agreements or Non Compete Clauses (NCAs or NCCs respectively) are designed to protect an employer’s business through limiting an employee’s access to rival/other businesses. Historically they were used most frequently in executive level employment or high tech companies where competition is fierce; now they are popping up everywhere from “event planners to chefs…

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A marketing plan can take many forms. At the most basic level, it is a commitment to engage with your customers and potential customers in a specific way (or set of ways) on a regular basis with the intent to sell them your product and/or service. The concept of “engaging with your customers” takes many…

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If you are looking to create, run or found a pole-related event of any size from a studio showcase to a multi-day event, ask yourself these six questions before officially starting to build your plan and your budget: Why am I running this event? Your mission. Your event and your business in general should be…

A SWOT analysis is a straightforward, yet powerful process to help you make informed, business decisions. SWOT is an acronym that stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. You can use this process as a planning tool for opening or revamping studio, for creating an event, making a new product or even in positioning your…

Instructors, performers, SWers and other pole businesses can all benefit from having professional photoshoots to improve their brand image! This post is focused on an individual working either in a trade photoshoot or paid photoshoot capacity. For information on building up a photo portfolio to use in your own marketing where you would pay the…

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SAG for short or SAG-AFTRA as the full name is the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. It is an American labor union representing approximately 160,000 film and television actors, journalists, radio personalities, recording artists, singers, voice actors, and other media professionals worldwide. It is  not solely restricted to actors…

As a performer, paid roles can vary by who hires you, what/who you’re actually performing for, the purpose of the performance, etc. If you’re booked to perform on any type of professional set tied to a known musician, TV show or film, you will be expected to be: Prompt and arrive on time or earlier.…