Replies to This Discussion

ModPermalink Reply by Martika* of MartikasMysticDesign on July 19, 2012 at 2:15pm

As an artist you must decided on what success means to you. Another performers idea of success may not be getting paid, or being well know in their community. Success is whatever makes your life fulfilling. To get started check out firebug podcast on itunes. Has tons of information not just about fire spinning but about getting gigs, marketing/selling your act, building a character/performance persona, performance terminology etc.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Carleigh Jo on July 19, 2012 at 7:24pm

Thanks guys, thats what i needed to hear.

• ▶ Reply

StudentPermalink Reply by Sarah Maccarelli Jordan on July 20, 2012 at 10:59am

Don't listen to the nay sayers....Not even my husband believed I could support myself full-time as a hooper, but I loved proving him and everyone else wrong. As of this year, 100% of my income comes from hooping. 

At first I kept my other business as a makeup artist, and performed on the side (initially volunteering to get my name out there, etc) but now (2 years later) I make and sell hoops & hoop gear/clothing, perform at parties, events, teach workshops, and I am happier than a bird with a french fry. 

At first I was really sad that my husband didn't believe in me, but now I'm laughing all the way to the bank...with his support. Men are logical and need to see results. Some days I make more money than he does :)

It will take time, work, and effort, but the results are worth it. 

Check out my blog for business tips for hoopers at http://sarahmacjordan.wordpress.com

Hope this helps,

Sarah

http://www.hoopingbysarah.com

• ▶ Reply

StudentPermalink Reply by Nicole Colindres on July 20, 2012 at 2:12pm

I love that you asked this because I just cut my hours at work to pursue hooping...performing...parties... a little more. I'm back and forth between incredibly anxious and very excited. I am an RN and I make a good wage so....I'm nervous but I have a good feeling..

My biggest problem is knowing what to charge.......

• ▶ Reply

StudentPermalink Reply by Ashley Pariseau on July 23, 2012 at 8:23pm

I don't hoop professionally but I do think there is a potential to do so and make a living off of it, but I think most of the time it will require lots of traveling and dedication to find gigs. I think it works even better if you are a part of a group of performers and do work as a group and some as a solo performer. A lot of people seem to start doing work on the site and take a year or so to build up their reputation and then people will start to notice you. Good luck! 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by lillie schulz on January 28, 2013 at 8:42am

no body understands it more then you. so far everyone has no confidence in me, everyone thinks im not going to make it, but i have faith, and its not impossable, and i will never give up

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by TheDizzyDolls on February 7, 2013 at 4:18am

You absolutely can, and make pretty dang decent money at it too, you just need to put some hard work into it. I use it as a supplementary to my cash flow... I'm in school full time, my day job part time and every couple of weeks i get a hooping gig, so i don't get to dedicate a lot of time into booking myself (also, I don't want to keel over). Especially if youre willing to do a lot of childrens gigs... I had to sort of succumb to that reality of the hooping career (at least in my city) that only every once in a while am i going to get the actual shows and gogoing, but people mostly want me for kids parties. the brightside to this is that people pay a ton for their kids and they usually only want you for an hour or two! final thought, you get what you put into it :)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JasonFonceca on February 9, 2013 at 10:46am

Hey Martika! You rock!

 

And good for you for turning to a supportive community!

 

• Hugh Hefner built an empire by displaying beautiful nude women, against everyone's advice.
• Nicki Minaj fires off the most "un-lady-like" blend of Barbie, Monster, and Inspiration, again something ludicrous, that *shouldn't* have worked.
• Flea & the Red Hot Chili Peppers stood out with their own brand of funk-hop-rock by putting socks over their genitals in public.
• Eminem made it as a White Rapper in Detroit, where everyone told him he wouldn't, and that he'd be poor.
• Lady Gaga basically sung for the LGBT community, and was elevated to greatness through that.

 

You can be as off-the-grid, weird, unique, creative, inspired, artsy, different as you want and Do Great Things and Make Tons Of Dollars.

 

I deeply and passionately encourage you to do what you love.

 

Something To Note:

It's a journey though, usually over many years. Are you truly committed? Are you ready to move forward step by step? Ready to learn and fall down and get your feet wet in the world of marketing, promotion, business, etc.? Are you ready to build your own income streams, brick-by-brick?

 

I don't need an answer, but these are questions you may want to ask yourself.

 

Wishing you all kinds of success,

-J

• ▶ Reply