Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Baker.
Tiffany, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I moved to North Carolina when I was 18 and one day happened to drive past a pole dancing studio. Something about it caught my attention instantly — I really just wanted to feel sexy, confident, and do something fun for myself. So I signed up for my very first class, and from that moment, I was completely obsessed.
Before long, I competed in my first pole competition and eventually became a pole dance instructor. Teaching became such a passion of mine; I love helping others discover that same confidence and self love.
A few years later, I met my business partner, Olivia. We both shared the same vision of creating a studio space that truly accepted everyone — all genders, all body types, all abilities, and the sex work community. We wanted to build a space where people could feel seen and celebrated. In the middle of the COVID pandemic, we took a huge risk and opened our first studio together.
We poured our hearts into building our small business, and through a lot of dedication and community support, we were able to open our second location in Winston-Salem in 2024. More recently, we moved our Charlotte studio into the Plaza Midwood area — a vibrant, artsy neighborhood full of amazing small businesses and a strong, supportive LGBTQ+ community.
We absolutely love our studio and the people who fill it. It’s become more than just a place to dance — it’s a space for empowerment, creativity, and connection.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has absolutely not been a smooth ride — our business changes with the seasons, and we’ve had to adapt constantly. Neither of us had any prior business experience, so figuring out how to run and grow a company from the ground up was a huge learning curve. Marketing was especially challenging, particularly for a business that society doesn’t always fully accept or understand yet. A lot of people don’t know what to expect from a pole studio and can feel nervous about walking through the doors for the first time.
We had to get creative with social media and community outreach to help people see what we’re really about — that pole is for everyone, regardless of experience, body type, or background.
We’ve also had to learn what it really means to be business owners — setting strong boundaries around our studio policies, understanding that it’s okay to raise our prices, and realizing that our time is incredibly valuable. Both Olivia and I still work full-time jobs outside of running both studio locations, so learning where to dedicate our energy and how to maintain balance has been one of our biggest lessons.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Pole Body and Arts is a queer-owned, women-owned business with roots in the adult entertainment industry. Olivia and I come from two different generations, backgrounds, and life experiences — and that helps us relate to a wide range of students.
From the beginning, it was extremely important to us to create a space where the LGBTQ+ community and sex work community could feel safe being vulnerable and free to express themselves however they choose. For some, pole is a way to get fit and feel stronger; for others, it’s simply about feeling good in their skin, looking in the mirror, and learning to love and appreciate their bodies. For club dancers, it’s a job, and they need a space to practice safely and learn new cool moves. We can also provide safety tips and advice for anyone thinking about auditioning in a club.
The community we’ve built at Pole Body and Arts is incredibly supportive and welcoming. We celebrate each other’s small and big wins, both inside and outside the studio. A few times a year, we host showcases where our members and instructors perform in front of friends and family. Those nights are truly magical — you can see the confidence, joy, and connection radiating in the room as everyone cheers each other on.
I’m so proud that we’ve created exactly what Olivia and I envisioned — a space that empowers people to move, express, and be fully themselves.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Being a business owner is a huge sacrifice. It takes over the majority of your day — we’re constantly on our phones, being pulled in different directions, and there’s never really a moment to “clock out.” We don’t get to leave work at the end of the day and forget about it until morning. We’re always thinking about the business — answering calls, replying to emails, checking in on our members, and making sure everyone is training safely and our instructors are supported.
That constant responsibility can take a lot of time away from our families and partners, and I have so much appreciation for both mine and Olivia’s wives for the love and support they give us. My wife is always there for me — she shows up to every event, helps decorate, builds, repairs, and assists with anything I need without question. We truly couldn’t do this without their support behind the scenes.
Our instructor team is the heart of our business. They’re the ones who bring our community to life every single day. They connect with our members, make sure everyone feels welcomed and appreciated, and ensure that each person leaves class feeling better than when they arrived.
There’s so much more to working at our studio than just teaching a fitness class. Our instructors listen to members’ needs, communicate with us about what’s going on in the community, and often hold emotional space for members who come in after a tough day or who are processing something personal. They wear many hats — teacher, motivator, listener, and friend — and we truly could not do what we do without the incredible team we have today.
Pricing:
- Drop in Class – $25
- 1 week unlimited trial – $50
- Private Parties (birthdays, bachelorette, friends night out) – $35 per person
- 10 class credit package – $175
- Unlimited Platinum Annual Membership – $155 per month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.polebodyarts.com
- Instagram: @pole.body.arts
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AGEYHy1cx/?mibextid=wwXIfr
