What’s your name?
Desirée
What part(s) of the industry do you work in?
stripperrr
I always knew I was going to be a stripper to help save me since I was young. I didn’t have a good upbringing and fully believed I was going to end up trapped in my bedroom at my parents house or end up dead. As soon as I was able to get out, I had a tote of clothes, my books, my cat, and left everything I grew up with behind. I started dancing at 18 a few months after I had attempted to take my life. The money changed my life and helped me build myself up into financial independence and to my own apartment I could finally call home.
What's your zodiac sign(s), and does it/they resonate with you?
I’m an October libra with Libra sun, Pisces moon, Libra rising placements. I would say it’s very obvious in everything I do down to my mannerisms, my charming charisma, to even how my room looks, I love it. I’m obsessed with love, luxury, beauty, sensuality, and creativity as it resonates deeply within me. Being ruled by Venus, I love having all eyes on me. I live everyday with intent to “make it beautiful, make it socially compelling, make it feel like something.”
Do you have any pets? We love pets, please tell us about them!
I have a sweet angel baby named Obi. He’s been my other half for 10 years now and is just full of unconditional love and admiration towards me. He loves chicken treats, sunbathing outside, keeping me company every bath I take, Klondike bars, and his blue tinsel ball. I’m very blessed to have him in my life, as I like to think he was made for me. No matter the day i’ve had I always have him to come home too, he loves to wind up and scurry around to make me laugh
How have you made yourself stand out when working?
I don’t go for the generic “sexy” appeal; I think many girls are comparable, and you can always know the same things as someone else. I definitely play into being my own hyper feminine, sparkly, playful burlesque stripper fantasy. While I'm working, everything is a big performance and anticipation for me; watching me dance alone is like seeing sex personified. I’ve always been told I’m the best performer, and people can tell I love what I do, which leaves them curious and wanting more. I always want to make a customer feel like they’re participating in an experience with me, the build up creates another reason to continue our interaction.
What are some of your favorite things and hobbies outside of work?
Outside of work, I’m utterly obsessed with clothing! Not just wearing fashion, but researching the history and references behind it. I'm not one to follow trends; I would rather try to resurrect an era. I spend every day flipping through magazines, rewatching runways, and searching for the next vintage/archival pieces I can get my hands on. My closet is definitely on someone’s rob list, haha. I love going to New York City every month; I give the city everything I have. I like to think of myself as an upcoming socialite because connections are everything! Even if it means walking 38 blocks in heeled Dolce and Gabbana booties to find them.
What is a goal you’re proud you were able to reach while doing and because of SW?
My unbreakable confidence.
What is something you feel needs to change in the industry?
Too many young girls are starting to dance out of want and not need, which I blame the internet for. I feel like it’s led to a more entitled, naive, greedy, bitchy new stripper high, where they scare customers away or leech onto top earners and try to steal your stripper hustle and identity. Bring back vets putting this trope of girls in their place and not getting in trouble for it!
What is your best tip for making money at work?
I like to have a higher value mindset at work by thinking, “How do I make someone want to come back and see me again?” rather than, “How do I get this person to spend as much as possible tonight?” I always create an experience I’m proud of with everyone I meet. I want someone to think, “Oh, I hope Desiree’s working tonight.” I would rather have an ongoing relationship with regulars than start from zero every time.
What's your favorite colors / styles / accessories to wear at work?
The tiniest pussy floss I can find and angel candy microkinis, of course!! Haha, but I do love anything pink, feathery, sparkly, or UV. I believe in anything with movement and light catching. I have a jewelry set up I never take off, which I get lots of compliments on. I always make sure I have the sparkliest eyelids every shift.
Do you have any industry "life hacks" to share?
I’m a bit superstitious in my own way, but I never start my shift without several spare bills in my purse already, along with my rabbit's foot; otherwise, I’m convinced I’ll have a bad night. I get biased opinions on how much stuff I even carry in my purse, but I hate running to the locker room throughout the night. I always carry mini deodorant, tiny perfume vials, plenty of lip glosses and lipsticks, a compact mirror, mints, spare earrings, my digital cameras (for my pre-work photoshoots ofc), and wipes. Maybe I’m just extra and bougie, but it’s saved me more times than not when I’m busy between stages, dances, and groups of customers I hop between.
How can customers make you feel spoiled, appreciated, and respected?
I feel most spoiled when someone brings ease to my life or lets me relax without needing to be "on." I love not having to remind someone to respect my boundaries, and I always feel extra special when my regulars bring me little gifts specific to me and my interests.
What has been your biggest challenge in the industry and how do you cope with that?
To be honest, I struggle with leaving my emotions at the door. I’m a highly emotional person, so sometimes if I feel low vibrational or have a bad day, it can make it hard to go into work later that night. So much so that I won't even end up going in, and I rot away in my bed, mope, sit and do nothing. Mental health days are taken, of course, but I find I do this more often than I would like to be held accountable for. I’m still actively learning how to fix this better, but I find that a pre-planned outfit I can be excited over, my favorite songs on the drive there, my lovely girlfriends uplifting me when i get there, a double shot of tequila, and being put up on stage to dance right away can always bring me back to a state that distracts me and reminds me what I’m there for.
What are your plans for the future (can be related to the industry or not!)?
Dancing is helping fund the life that I am building into fashion, I ultimately want to work in fashion marketing, editorial, styling, and more modeling opportunities. I’ve been working on an extensive portfolio to be able to say here’s what I’ve made. I also have a magazine piece I want to get published in New York eventually. My goals are to build on my multiple creative identities rather than be stuck to one career title. Oh and I will be on a billboard one day, mark my words.
What advice would you give younger you, if you could, both work related and in general?
I would go back in time to tell myself that you need somewhere to put the costume down. I got very lost in being my dancer persona because I felt like she was all I had, but as of the last couple years, I have been learning about who I really am outside of the industry and she's radiant and blossoming. I would kick myself in the butt for not keeping receipt’s and tracking my money sooner. I would also tell myself that everything I ever wanted I’ll get and more, so things do get better with time like everyone says.
Thank You, Desiree! 💖
