The Business of Doing Drag!

By Miss Bouvèé

I am lucky to call drag my full time job. But, it was not my drag that made it possible. It was my many years as an entertainer out of drag that taught me the importance of Business in Show Business. I often get asked, “How did you do it?” Like any small business owner will tell you, it was hard! But, I do have a few secrets I am willing to share. 

Be strategic. Bring variety. 

When offering up a show, make sure each show offers something different. At peak season, I may have 3-4 shows running in a week. But I make sure each one varies dramatically, not slightly. From tracked music, to live music, to Broadway to pop, to varying the look of the show with a singing partner like Jennifer McClain. Variety is key. 

There is no place like home. 

If you are living in a place like Wilton Manors, where locals mix with tourists seasonally, make sure the locals take precedence. The locals are everything to an entertainer. They are, after all, the ones who bring their out of town guests and tell a friend when and where to go when they visit. Locals must always win. 

Stay in your lane. 

I cannot sew. I cannot style wigs. It is ok to ask for help in areas not in your wheelhouse. Remember however, you are the professional in the area you have been hired to, for lack of a better word, perform in. Stay true to why you were hired in the first place. Don’t compare yourself to other people. Finally, take constructive criticism only from those paying you; they have a stake in your success, many do not. 

Invest.

I cannot emphasize this enough. The most healthy budget you should have is a marketing budget. This means swag of some kind, an instagram, and a website; most importantly, advertising!!! People ask me how I got on the cover of magazines, full features, and dedicated e-blasts. It’s simple, I paid for it! Why wouldn’t I be expected to? Realtors, lawyers, insurance agents, even nonprofits, and other companies pay constantly to get their faces in the proverbial “out there”. 

And for the cheap seats; PRINT MEDIA IS NOT DEAD! 

Taxes. 

Know how to keep track of your expenses and your income. Know what is deductible and what is not. For example, did you know you can claim your miles to and from the club if they are issuing a 1099? Did you know the rate per mile changes per year depending on gas prices? Do your research. The IRS itself has a ton of resources. It’s not fun, but it’s a very necessary evil. 

I leave you with these words of wisdom sister queens and fellow entertainers; If you know nothing about Business, you will have nothing to Show.