Rewards, Risks, and Responsibilities of building a career in kinkAbout this Event
This Hit Me Up event is open to the public, 21+.
About the Class
So You Want to Be a Professional Dominant? A Guide to the Business Behind the Boot.
So, you want to become a professional dominatrix. Excellent. You have the wardrobe, the attitude, and possibly a Pinterest board full of things that would make your vanilla friends ask some very concerned questions. But how, exactly, do you turn all of that into an actual business?
Spoiler alert: being good at kink is only part of the job. The rest involves marketing, money, negotiation, client screening, risk management, and an alarming amount of figuring out how to run a business in an industry that society simultaneously consumes and pretends doesn't exist.
This class is for aspiring pro-dommes who want the real-world information, not just the fantasy. Taught by an adult-industry veteran of 18 years, we'll talk about how to find clients without losing your mind (or your entire marketing budget), negotiate sessions and establish boundaries without accidentally offering a 24/7 customer support department, and prioritize your safety in a profession where "just trust your instincts" is not an adequate business plan.
We'll also get into money, because professional domination =/= findom. From one-on-one sessions to digital products, content, subscriptions, and other potential revenue streams, we'll explore how professional dominatrices can diversify their income and build a business that doesn't depend entirely on being physically present for every dollar earned. Passive income? Delicious in theory. Let's talk about what it actually takes.
And, because we live in the real world, we'll discuss the legal and political landscape that shapes our work. Specifically, SESTA/FOSTA and the ways these laws have affected adult industry workers' ability to advertise, communicate with clients, access online platforms, and work safely. If you've ever wondered why the business advice that works for your vanilla entrepreneur friends can be spectacularly unhelpful—or downright dangerous—when applied to sex work, this is part of the answer. We'll unpack the structural barriers, stigma, and double standards that make running a legal adult business a very different proposition from selling artisanal candles on Instagram.
We'll cover:
* Finding your people (and your paying people): Marketing, visibility, and building an authentic presence.
* Negotiation is a skill, not a submissive personality trait: Rates, boundaries, expectations, and communicating clearly with clients.
* Safety first, sexy second: Screening, risk management, privacy, and practical strategies for protecting yourself.
* Make money, not just content: Exploring diversified revenue streams and potential passive-income opportunities.
* The internet is not your friend. Sometimes it is your enemy: SESTA/FOSTA, platform restrictions, and the realities of doing business in the adult industry.
* Running a business in an industry that would prefer you didn't exist:Stigma, structural barriers, and the practical realities of professional domination.
Whether you're considering your first professional session or you're already working and want to approach your business more strategically, this class is about getting informed, getting paid, and making decisions that work for you.
About Your Instructor
Mistress Shayla Lange is a Pro Domme, Dungeon owner, headmistress of the popular online kink education platform 7 Days of Domination, a published author, and an adult industry veteran of almost two decades. She likes long walks on the beach and hitting men with sticks (both professionally and recreationally)
FAQs
FAQ: what should I bring?
a notebook and pen for notes
FAQ: any skill pre-requisites? (i.e., is this for beginners, advanced, everyone?)
This is for the absolute beginner, but professionals early in their journey, or without formal education will find it helpful
FAQ: what should I wear?
something comfy. We will be seated the entire time.
FAQ: can I attend solo, or do I need to come with a partner?
Solo is just fine
BIPOC and Equity Ticketing
The full fee reflects the true costs of running the event, including supplies and compensating facilitators for their labor. If you are able to afford a full price ticket without experiencing financial hardship, please choose this option. For those who identify as BIPOC, and/or those who cannot afford a full fee ticket are welcome to use our discount code EQUITY26 at checkout.
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✨Location: 120 Walker St in Lower Manhattan. The space has an elevator. Please email [email protected] if you need any accessibility accommodations.
✨Full vaccination is required. While we recommend getting the booster shots, we are not verifying them at this time.
✨Membership: We reserve the right to refuse entry if needed. Hit Me Up also hosts private events which are invite only, and anyone new to Hit Me Up must apply and be approved to attend—no guests or plus ones. Please visit https://www.hitmeupnyc.com/join to join. You are welcome to inquire as to your status or that of your friends, but please do not act as if you have an entitlement to access our space or members. Building special spaces is hard, and while we are inclusive and welcoming, we reserve the right to curate our membership as needed to maintain our flourishing community. If you'd like to sponsor a new member please have them apply as soon as possible. If they wait until a few days before the event we cannot guarantee they will be able to be approved in time.
✨Please stay home if you are feeling ill or if you have had recent close contact with someone who tested Covid positive (within the past 5 days). You could be incubating and still test negative. Any requests for refunds for any reason will be honored up to the day of the event. Remember: safe, sane, and sanitary Just email [email protected] and we will give you a full refund, no questions asked.
✨Consent Policy: All of our events are ASK FIRST events. The rules of respectful and consensual behavior WILL be enforced. You will be responsible for reading our consent policy and behaving appropriately. Read our consent policy in full: https://www.hitmeupnyc.com/consent. If you have questions, want to make a report, or need support, please contact our third party consent reporting service, available at [email protected].
Event venue
120 Walker St floor 5, 120 Walker Street, New York, United States