opinion

Embracing the Cam Community

Embracing the Cam Community

You know what they say, that friendship is beyond words, beyond language.

My life hasn’t been so easy and my paths weren’t that smooth … I think lots of people can relate. I was a lonely child, with no friends. My family hated the fact that I was a shy kid and kept pushing me to be more outgoing, more vocal. That only made me shut down more.

We’re afraid to let other people in our lives, fearing that they might hurt us, that opening up to someone would mean we’re fragile. But I can say that letting people in … has helped me so much as a person and professional.

Thinking back to my childhood, I realize that it’s amazing how I lived like that, with no friends and nobody close. It’s so strange to look at myself now, see the people around me and imagine my life without them.

You see, when I first came to Studio 20, my only goal was to become a cam model and to be successful, to earn a lot of money and that’s about it. A part of me thought that money could buy happiness and that I could become a great model in no time, with basically no one to help me.

Oh boy, was I wrong.

I struggled so much in the beginning and refused any kind of help anyone was trying to give me. I tried being a cam model from home, it didn’t go well for me and then I decided to try a studio. Of course, I thought I knew everything and thought that the trainers and admins were there just to mess up my day. I used to stay all day long in my room, with my guests and members, hating to talk about me or my feelings. I thought, “Who cares?” ... until my members left me and no matter how much the staff tried to help me, I always said “no” to it.

I was scared because I already felt the pressure and the laughs behind my back, like when I was just a child, or a teenager. My response to anyone who wanted to give me some help was “back off, I never wanted your opinion in the first place!”

Then Anelise Yoel, one of the #GirlsFromStudio20 said, “What the hell is wrong with you, girl? You’re not a savage and this is not every woman for herself. We are a family here and you have to let us help.” My eyes got big as I saw this beautiful, skinny woman talk to me like she knew me.

Every day since then, she introduced me to a new girl from Studio 20 and she acted like a mother hen to me. She didn’t want to stop, so whenever I went outside to have a break, she’d come with me, talk to me, force her infectious laughter on me. She broke me down.

Come to think about it, she saved me. She saw I was drowning and I was not able to scream for help, nor could I, so she just punched my face, knocked me out and saved my life … figuratively of course.

We’re afraid to let other people in our lives, fearing that they might hurt us, that opening up to someone would mean we’re fragile. But I can say that letting people in like Anelise and the #GirlsFromStudio20 has helped me so much as a person and professional.

We travel together to summits and conferences, we support each other and we encourage one another. You realize that you have a sister when you are rooting for her more than you’re rooting for yourself, when her success is yours, when you want to see her happy, when you’re no longer just you.

Being in a community as loving as the #GirlsFromStudio20 means being taken care of, protected and guided to reaching your full potential. Not just models, but the admins and trainers, the girls from the marketing department, the manager of the studio, etc. all form an irreplaceable family.

My name is Gabrielle Ocean … do you want to be friends?

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

To Cloud or Not to Cloud, That Is the Question

Let’s be honest. It just sounds way cooler to say your business is “in the cloud,” right? Buzzwords make everything sound chic and relevant. In fact, someone uninformed might even assume that any hosting that is not in the cloud is inferior. So what’s the truth?

Brad Mitchell ·
opinion

Upcoming Visa Price Changes to Registration, Transaction Fees

Visa is updating its fee structure. Effective April 1, both the card brand’s initial nonrefundable application fee and annual renewal fee will increase from $500 to $950. Visa is also introducing a fee of 10 cents for each transaction, and 10 basis points — 0.1% — on the payment volume of certain merchant accounts.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

Unpacking the New Digital Services Act

Do you hear the word “regulation” and get nervous? When it comes to the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), you shouldn’t worry. If you’re complying with the most up-to-date card brand regulations, you can breathe a sigh of relief.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

The Perils of Relying on ChatGPT for Legal Advice

It surprised me how many people admitted that they had used ChatGPT or similar services either to draft legal documents or to provide legal advice. “Surprised” is probably an understatement of my reaction to learning about this, as “horrified” more accurately describes my emotional response.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
profile

WIA Profile: Holly Randall

If you’re one of the many regular listeners to Holly Randall’s celebrated podcast, you are already familiar with her charming intro spiel: “Hi, I’m Holly Randall and welcome to my podcast, ‘Holly Randall Unfiltered.’ This is the show about sex, the adult industry and the people in it.

Women In Adult ·
trends

What's Hot Now: Leading Content Players on Trending Genres, Monetization Strategies

The juggernaut creator economy hurtles along, fueled by ever-ascendant demand for personality-based authenticity and intimacy — yet any reports of the demise of the traditional paysite are greatly exaggerated.

Alejandro Freixes ·
opinion

An Ethical Approach to Global Tech Staffing

One thing my 24-year career as a technologist working to support the online adult entertainment industry has taught me about is the power of global staffing. Without a doubt, I have achieved significantly more business success as a direct result of hiring abroad.

Brad Mitchell ·
opinion

Finding the Right Payment Partner

Whenever I am talking with businesses that are just getting started, one particular question comes up a lot: “How do I get a merchant account?” It’s a simple question, but it has a complicated answer.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

The Taxman Cometh for Every Business

February may be the month of romance, but it is also a time when we need to think about something that inspires very little love: taxes. April is not far away, and the taxman is always waiting. This year, federal and most state income taxes are due Monday, April 15.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

The Continuous Journey of Legal Compliance in Adult

The adult entertainment industry is teeming with opportunity but is also fraught with challenges, from anticipating consumer behavior to keeping up with technological innovation. The most labyrinthine of all challenges, however, is the world of legal compliance.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
Show More