Turn crossdressing into a career??

[Shawnacdin]

Don't get me wrong I am still going to be in my current profession and support my family, it would just be really nice to have my passion make a little extra money. Mind you I already have a fairly good career going just wanted to do something over the long winters here in Minnesota. I really think taking photos and doing makeup are the way to go, who knows we will have to see. I have to say Drag Bingo and Goth model sound fun and interesting. Well thanks everyone for the suggestions I will have to see where this road takes me!!
Shawna

[Speck]

I know this thread wasn't meant for GGs and I hope I'm not hijacking your thread but for some time now, I've been thinking that I would like to do make-up for TGs. I'm not a professional make-up artist per se but I get asked by a lot of people to do make up so I think I'm pretty good at it. I wouldn't mind doing it for free in my spare time at first as it's something I quite enjoy doing. The thing is, I can't imagine doing it in my home as that would mean having strangers over. I wouldn't feel comfortable going to a stranger's home by myself either. So I'm not sure how to go about it. As well, I'm not sure if TGs prefer to have their make up done by another TG rather than a GG. I'd love to hear what you all think.

Speck

[Vickie_CDTV]

Most would probably prefer a GG, as they would be more comfortable with a GG (and some GGs who do transformations specifically mention this.)

You could work on local TGs who are well known and trustworthy in your local TG community. You could also have your husband home with you at the time.

[MJ]

@ Speck
you could always go to meetings and show how to apply makeup it's safe and you can do photo shoots

[Shawnacdin]

I agree with Vickie that most TG's would prefer to have a GG teach them how to do their makeup, I know I would feel more comfortable. I think if you went to meetings and offered your services and the ladies could talk to you after the meeting, you could get a feel for what type of person they are and if you would want to go to there place or have them over to yours. Plus you could sell them the makeup you put on them, kind of like a personal Mac counter.
Shawna

[ElusiveGirl]

Drag queens work for tips. Hard work and very little money. The biggest reward is the opportunity to be the center of attention under the limelight while strutting your stuff.

Counseling requires a lot of training and isn't really suitable as a part time gig.

Makeup and photography services are a decent way to make extra cash on the side.

The most common (and IMHO laziest) method of making part-time cash is becoming a for-pay flirty model with a custom website. Many thousands of these exist... Melissa's Fah-bulous Foto Emporium... Sexy Samantha's Picture Palace... Felicity Feminine's Fantasy Faire... you get the idea. Basically being paid to play around with makeup and stuff. The downside is a loss of privacy which may come back to haunt you in the future. Or leading to other less savory offers of companionship or revealing pics.

I'm about ready to start a Finishing School. It's way, way overdue. lol

[Leslie Langford]

They (not sure who they are ) always say that you should turn a passion into a career and you will be great at it. Well I am passionate about dressing, I love it and time fly's when I am working on Shawna, so how can I turn this into a career. I think it would be awesome to do something in the CD community but I have no idea what, anyone have any suggestions I would love to hear them.

One start would be to contact the companies listed here, all of which have implemented LGBT and diversity-friendly policies as part of their corporate cultures:

http://www.masstpc.org/mediawiki/ind...endly_Policies

[docrobbysherry]

I know this thread wasn't meant for GGs and I hope I'm not hijacking your thread but for some time now, I've been thinking that I would like to do make-up for TGs. I'm not a professional make-up artist per se but I get asked by a lot of people to do make up so I think I'm pretty good at it. I wouldn't mind doing it for free in my spare time at first as it's something I quite enjoy doing. The thing is, I can't imagine doing it in my home as that would mean having strangers over. I wouldn't feel comfortable going to a stranger's home by myself either. So I'm not sure how to go about it. As well, I'm not sure if TGs prefer to have their make up done by another TG rather than a GG. I'd love to hear what you all think.

Speck

Maybe it would be better hobby than profession, Speck? I met a GG makeup specialist at the SCC in Atlanta. She's from LA and SPECIALIZES in doing CD/TSs. Nearly 900 CD/TG/TSs in the hotel. She had a booth in the Vendor's Area. I just spoke with her. She says she lost a LOT of money! Mostly on airfare and hotel expenses and not enuff work there!

[SmileS12]

I probably wouldn't have near as much problem telling my entire family neither, if I was a Pro Drag Queen, come to think of it though, that just is not what I get into, I'm not interested in standing out from the rest. But no one says you can't just go to work enfemme, and still make money, especially if you are a secretary, or owner, or maybe a phone representative. Or something. Lol

[Vickie_CDTV]

Sherry, are you thinking of Scarlett's Makeovers?
http://www.scarlettsmakeovers.com/

She is a real sweetie, I met her a few times at conventions (even had a vendor booth next to her last year.)

[Sometimes Steffi]

I know this thread wasn't meant for GGs and I hope I'm not hijacking your thread but for some time now, I've been thinking that I would like to do make-up for TGs. ... As well, I'm not sure if TGs prefer to have their make up done by another TG rather than a GG. I'd love to hear what you all think.

Speck

Most would probably prefer a GG, as they would be more comfortable with a GG (and some GGs who do transformations specifically mention this.)

You could work on local TGs who are well known and trustworthy in your local TG community. You could also have your husband home with you at the time.

I agree with Vickie that most TG's would prefer to have a GG teach them how to do their makeup, I know I would feel more comfortable. I think if you went to meetings and offered your services and the ladies could talk to you after the meeting, you could get a feel for what type of person they are and if you would want to go to there place or have them over to yours. Plus you could sell them the makeup you put on them, kind of like a personal Mac counter.
Shawna

I've had two outstanding makeovers, and both of the make artists were CDs who specialized in transformations. And I believe this was their "day job". Both presented as male during the makeover, made me very comfortable and did an oustanding job. I had seen pictures of both of them en femme prior to my appointment, and admit, I would have been a little freaked out the first time if I hadn't been tipped off that she was a he. After this experience, I would prefer a CD because I think they understand the specific problems of a transformation, e.g., beard cover, etc. than your typical GG would.

Don't forget that a CD might be as fearful of getting into a bad situation as you are. I have heard of cases where a CD was sexually assaulted by someone she was meeting in a hotel room, and she might be just as fearful of coming to your house as you are of having her there. Especially, at least in my case, if a husband greeted me at the door.

Maybe you can arrange some semi-private place like a dress shop or Merle Normal where you can do makeovers. Kind of neutral territory with someone who could keep both of you honest.

[Duana]

It really depends on how much money you're trying to make. For me, doing makeup or some of the other suggestions aren't going to cut it. Very few of those jobs make 6-figures a year. Applying makeup automatically limits your income potential to the hours you can work. You might be able to do 6-figures with a transformation studio but the market is so small that a city is only going to support 1 or 2 of them, IMHO. Houston has Vanity's and it is a beautiful place but I've been several times and have not seen many buyers there any time I've been.

The fact is, this is a very tough vertical to market to because of the closeted/clandestine nature of it and the minuscule size. I do know how to pull 6-figures out of the CD market but I'm not at liberty to share as it would damage my ability to do so.

Personally, I think you're barking up the wrong tree. If you don't understand basic business, marketing, copywriting, advertising, publicity, sales psychology, you don't have much of a chance.

I will share one idea though. Start some unrelated business and use the crossdressing make it novel, as Jessica Who is doing. This would be easy to promote and fit many skill sets. You don't have to be a comic.

[docrobbysherry]

Sherry, are you thinking of Scarlett's Makeovers?
http://www.scarlettsmakeovers.com/

She is a real sweetie, I met her a few times at conventions (even had a vendor booth next to her last year.)

No, it was Gina. Here's her site: www.transformationsbygina.com

She's in LA and has built up quite a CD business! She's actually looking to SELL IT RITE NOW! Of course, she'll stay until the buyer learns everything!

[Contessa]

Yes I sure do. But do you mean quit your day job and do this full time. I don't know if it can get that serious. But contact me with a message and we will get started with something.

[Suzy Parker]

Start a personal shopper business and cater to CD's who are to afraid to purchase their own items themselves. Offer it as a completely discreet and confidential service in that the goods always arrive at their destination in a plain brown package, unlike some stores I have bought from who plaster their name all over the packages. Kind of embarrassing when you have to see the clerk at the post office and sign for it. It only happens once per retailer then they are in my black book of "Never Again". Heck, you might even get so good at it you could even do personal shopping for GG's. This would be perfect for me a Suzy is one crazy shopping machine.

[Joan_CD]

One start would be to contact the companies listed here, all of which have implemented LGBT and diversity-friendly policies as part of their corporate cultures:

http://www.masstpc.org/mediawiki/ind...endly_Policies

What surprised me is that Macy's isn't on the list. But I never have a problem there. I just applied for part time holiday work there but haven't heard back yet.

[RenneB]

One of our local success stories is Janet's closet. Walk in en fem and they treat you like a real person. Great staff and great location....

www.janetscloset.com

Renne......

[Loretta]

I dont think any of those ideas solve the riddle. Crossdressing as a profession would be giving makeovers to other cds. Or having a store or something. Or something we havent thought of yet. Like uh. Nonprofit crossdress fundraising telethon or something.

*looks at camera*
"Far too many crossdressers have never had a makeover.
Look at this crossdresser. *holds up picture*
This is Jennifer. She's been CD'ing since she was 10. She's 23 now. And yet she's never experienced a professional makeover.
Won't you help her? With a $100 donation, this tote bag can be yours, along with the first 2 seasons of RuPaul's drag race on DVD. Lines are open."