Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in entertainment and arts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lashes Lane, founder of Bad Witch Burlesque, located in Orlando, FL.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Bad Witch Burlesque is a glamorous burlesque troupe infused with heart-pumping Rock & Metal music! Our typical audience is a mix of metalheads, horror fans, and of course witches & warlocks! All though...We have entertained soccer moms & grandparents looking for a spicy night out! We love introducing all sorts of folks to the magic & enchantment of burlesque.
Tell us about yourself
Growing up I was an actor in our local community theatre, I loved playing dress-up, I loved the glitz and glamour of old Hollywood, and was also a HUGE hot topic mall goth. Shortly after I turned 18 I discovered burlesque at Spooky Empire (an amazing Florida horror convention) over the next few years I became a fan of watching and studying burlesque stars like Dita Von Teese!
I began my personal burlesque adventure in 2017 as a kitten for Midnight Fables Cabaret a "nerdlesque" troupe based in Orlando, FL. I debuted as a burlesque performer in 2018 with my Kylo Ren act.
After my debut, I began to create rock and roll infused acts - often with a spooky twist! After I found my style, I had a burning desire to build my own show filled with bewitching burlesque acts set to alternative music. I envisioned a gathering of witchy women merging my love of live rock music and burlesque artistry together in one high-energy, sultry show! I sought after kind-hearted, driven women with passionate creative energy and rock and roll souls. One by one, the witches started coming together in harmony, and the inaugural crew for Bad Witch Burlesque was born!
I love Bad Witch Burlesque, the Bad Witch Coven & everything I do. I am motivated by my love of performing and by my love of helping my Bad Witches shine like the stars they are on stage.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is never giving up no matter what challenges I'm faced with.
I launched Bad Witch Burlesque in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. Our first show was postponed & then canceled. The world went into lockdown & I think that might have stopped a lot of people from launching. I switched gears and moved into producing a digital show called "The Witching Hour" - this show was created in quarantine, I had each performer film their act in their home and I edited them all together streaming the show as a pay per view! This debut show was a huge hit & was streamed worldwide. I went on to create digital shows for a full year with my Bad Witches & eventually, I moved into filming and editing each one like a cinematic music video! After a full year of digital creation "Bad Witch Burlesque" finally hit the stage with our live stage show in 2021 "Lovespell" selling out 2 weeks before the show date!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
There's a lot of pressure to keep up with social media trends & digital marketing. Keeping up with the ever-changing algorithm can get exhausting but you just have to remember to hold your head up high & keep trying to do your best!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Come up with your branding.
- Stay true to yourself & your visions.
- Last but not least NEVER let your fear hold you back.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.badwitchburlesque.com
https://www.instagram.com/badwitchburlesque_official/
https://www.facebook.com/badwitchburlesque
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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