Page 60 - AVN May 2016

Mindi Mink
“I really like filming with women
who are 30 and above, and don’t
think there’s enough of that.”
(Photo courtesy Mindi Mink)
Mindi Mink: I’m so glad that I didn’t start until
almost 45. I feel the older I’ve gotten the more
confident I am. Fans have praised me because of
my age and the sensuality that I give in all my
performances. Even though my body isn’t as good as
it was at 20, my sex appeal and confidence and who
I am as a lover has been better over time—just like a
fine wine. Also, there are not as many women over
40 who are in the industry and doing well, so there is
less competition.
Brandi Love: I feel very fortunate to have come into
the adult industry in my “MILFy” years. I didn’t
start in adult until I was 31 years old. I had already
experienced college, marriage, corporate life, starting
my own business, etc. etc. I knew that I needed to
craft a career rather than just shoot a scene or make a
quick buck. I also wanted to somehow, in some small
way, cause people to rethink what it means to be a
sexual woman while also being a wife and mother.
It’s not only OK ... it’s the way it should be.
My career differed, and I believe benefited, for the
following reasons:
a) I was already financially secure.
b) Having business as well as life experience
helped keep me focused.
c) Having a family kept me grounded.
Nina Elle: Because I started my career later in life I
am more focused, less influenced by negativity, and
more business minded.
Jodi West: Because I started working in the adult
industry later in my life rather than in my teens I
was able to do what I wanted to do in this industry
rather than what people told me I should do. MILFs
typically set the terms for what happens during sex.
They know what they want and who they want it
with. Because it was very organic and real, I think it
resonated with fans and it worked!
What skills are most important to making
this career into a profitable business?
Kendra Lust: Being able to say “no” to all those
expensive shoes and purses! I’m joking! Taking the
industry seriously and having some sort of plan with
your career. Try to tap in to multiple revenue streams
but most importantly you must love to bang and
have sex! The rest will fall into place.
Nina Elle: I think that to make this career a profitable
business you have to be driven, you must network,
be in control of your brand, have good PR, and take
time out for your fans.
Vicky Vette: The most important thing I know is to
be flexible and “roll with the punches.” Nothing will
ever stay the same. You can’t figure out what works
and then just keep doing it because what works today
Vicky Vette
will not work tomorrow. We have to keep reinventing
“We have to keep reinventing ourselves and find new ways to
FEATURE
ourselves and find new ways to generate income.
It used to be shooting scenes. Now it’s personal
websites, camming, phone sex, texting, snapping,
generate income.”
appearances, escorting, selling tweets, auctions,
(Photo courtesy Vicky Vette) affiliate sales and white-labels…
60 | AVN.com | 5.16
Ryan Conner: I think age puts everything into
perspective. Don’t party as much and don’t sweat
the little stuff … and it’s all little stuff! I had a child
when I first started shooting, so this was always a
career for me and not some college dare or a lark!
Having a 4-year-old at home depending on you for
everything makes the decision as to career or party
really a no-brainer! As for making this business into
a profitable career: Never underestimate the power of
a role model. Find someone who is successful in the
way you want to be and model yourself after them.
Having an assistant would probably be wise if you
truly intend on doing this big. Having BTS footage,
candid pics and sellable merch is what makes the
difference between porn tube sites and you!
Jodi West: I think that if you are older and have had
some business experience you are naturally more
business savvy than someone who hasn’t had the
experience. Also, some people don’t realize that
raising a family in many ways is like running a small
company so many women who haven’t worked
outside their home are great business people.
But then again, I have met young girls in their
early twenties that have more business acumen than
women who are mid-forties. So I guess it all depends
on the person, not the age.
Brandi Love: I knew that my time in front of the
camera would necessarily be limited by time. The
key was to develop a strategic plan for my career and
then execute that plan. I believe my experience as a
“corporate woman,” coupled with how I was raised,
drives me to take my profession seriously.
As far as the skills that are most important—
giving a good blowjob is key, LOL! Other than that,
however, here is what I’ve found to be key in turning
this career into a profitable business:
a) Create a plan/work the plan.
b) Cultivate a strong work ethic.
c) Bring authentic passion to each scene.
d) Be kind to people.
e) Invest in your career.
f) Invest every penny you can.
Do you navigate the business differently
than the young performers who come
and go so quickly?
Mindi Mink: I don’t think there are any differences
for older and younger performers. The social network
I am using is Twitter. I know I need to do more,
other avenues, such as Facebook and Instagram and
Snapchat. It takes a lot of time, just the one. But I
don’t think here’s any difference whether you’re 47
or 21—we all need to use social media to promote
ourselves and connect with our fans. I also have the
benefit of having a free website, MindiMink.com, for
fans to look at photos of me and see what my current
movies are. They can also email me to order custom
videos and set up Skype dates. I get a lot of fan email
that way. That actually has helped me tremendously.
Twitter is great, but to really connect with your fans
it’s important to email them back and show them
how much you appreciate their support.
Continued on page 98