We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cari Byers a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Cari, thanks for joining us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

I love what I do. As a retired performer I still get to be part of that world and work with performers, just in a different facet.
It is not easy, and at times can be quite challenging, and maybe even stressful. But the good definitely outweighs the bad.
I did have to learn about the business side of the industry, and how to navigate the challenges. I generally really get on well with my clients and enjoy bringing their ideas and success to their events. I have worked ” regular jobs” but is was definitely not as rewarding as what I do now. I enjoy being able to put performers to work, and helping clients to create their event concept.

Cari, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was a professional dancer for 20+ years. I never wanted to do anything else! I relocated to Las Vegas to be a Showgirl in Folies Bergere. I had previously attended ASU, receiving a Dance Degree. I also danced in companies and in Japan before coming to Las Vegas. I was a Showgirl in Folies for 12 years, until the show closed in 2009.
I then continued as a gig worker for several years after Folies closed, before taking over Premier Showgirls from its previous owner, whom I had worked for.
I really enjoy working closely with my clients to successfully provide talent for their events. I work one on one and pride myself on providing personal service to each and every client. I attend 90% of the events I book talent for and really take a hand on approach. I am able to use my experience as a performer/ talent to navigate working both with talent and client. I have also been able to use and develop my skills as a costume designer and builder. My team and I are able to create and build custom costumes for clients and events, which I find is just another avenue to express and use my creativity.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I had an excellent reputation as a performer / talent. I built on that reputation I had developed through working as talent for Premier Showgirls before I took over the company. I really focus on quality not quantity. I like working directly with clients and getting to know them, building trust and loyalty. My clients feel confidant working with be because they know of my experience both behind the scenes and as talent.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source for new clients is two fold, word of mouth and seeing (is believing) my talent at work.
I get a good percentage of new clients from recommendations from current / past clients. This is another aspect of building a good reputation based on the standards I place on myself and my team. Being flexible and easy to work with, providing a hight quality, going beyond expectations.
The second part of this is my talent at events, this can be better than any marketing or business card. What I do is very visual, “seeing is believing.” Being impressed by talent at an event, makes that person what the same outcome at their upcoming / future event.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.premiershowgirls.com
• Instagram: @premiershowgirls
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PremierShowgirls
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/premiershowgirls/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PremierShowgirlsLV