Today we’d like to introduce you to Cissy Stag
Hi Cissy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Where do I begin? I started a business that epically failed in under a year.,. by the standards of people who quantify the success of a business by its net worth anyway.
I make “Pixie Heels” – glitter designs on platform heels or as I lovingly call them “stripper shoes”.
I started making Pixie Heels in the summer of 2023. My first heel evolved from a light coverage glitter and sticker application to an ombre heel CAKED with a full bottle of Mod Podge. It was an ombre style and atrocious. But something clicked in my brain looking at it… this is something I can do… and I can do it better next time.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It seems silly, but gluing polyester glitter to an acrylic heel and making it not shed is one of the hardest tasks I’ve ever taken on. The materials are sensitive to work with to achieve a desired effect. One misstep can result in a design that peels, becomes noticeably chunky in an unpleasant way, or even takes on a “kitty litter” effect. One overly saturated sponge can result in visible bubbles in a finish. For lack of better words, it’s a PIA to get started.
Outside of manufacturing the product, marketing on social media has been my greatest challenge. I was not particularly popular when I started my business within the pole dance industry, and to some extent, I didn’t really realize that. I perceived myself to be relatable to the general public interested in purchasing my products. I’d gone to college. I’d worked as an insurance agent for 8 years. I’d been dancing sensual styles for about 7 years at that point.
However, I found out very quickly that people within pole dance found me to be incredibly abnormal. People didn’t like my tone of voice when I spoke in videos. They perceived me to be passive aggressive, and I didn’t give much of a f*ck about social hierarchies that existed within the pole dance industry. People quickly took offense to the topics I spoke about such as quality control, fair labor, and mental illness.
In August 2023, I realized that I was likely Autistic. By winter, I’d found myself in legal issues with a handful of other pole dancers. I experienced a terrifying psychotic episode and realized later that my psychotic episode had become a hot topic of discussion within pole dance. It was mortifying.
It comes as no surprise to me these days that I’m a figure of controversy in the world of glitter heels making, so I am learning to navigate that reality as I re-establish myself as a professional within this industry. Each step feels overwhelming and overstimulating, but I have the confidence that I will overcome this unsettling era of my life so that I can get back to work.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I sell a plethora of items for performance art including heels, pasties, garters, garter belts, chokers, and teeny tiny sparkly outfits. My two house brand signature items are the Pixie Heels and the Leggy Loungewear (t-shirts, tank tops, sweatshirts, and sweatpants).
I love creating Pixie Heels because they incorporate visual art into fashion. I’d like to branch out in both directions. I want to become a better visual artist and create on items that are less niche than platform heels. Same with fashion. Pole dance was an industry that was wonderful for my self-esteem for 7 years and then absolutely tanked it this last year. My interests are shifting to serving performance arts communities outside of pole dance. Burlesque really has my heart, and the burlesque community has super had my back during my darkest times. That said, I will gladly accept business from an individual interested in buying from me, regardless of the intended use. Heels are for everybody.
My best friend SirenKatarina drew my logo. The linework is featured on my “Leggy Loungewear” items, and it’s one of the most popular things that I sell. I love incorporating this beautiful thing made by someone I love onto products that I love. She’s the best, and I cannot thank her enough for being my rock… my confidante… in my first and (hopefully) worst year of business.
Pricing:
- Pixie Heels: $100-$200
- Attire: $10-$100
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.customglitterheels.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strippedwithcissy/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/cissystag
