Terri started pole dancing in 2016 with absolutely no athletic background or workout experience. In fact, her first experience with a pole was at a strip club, where she quit just two hours after being hired, fully convinced she’d never go back. Funny how things work out!

Not long after, she found herself in a pole class, where she jokes she was probably the worst one in the room. But something clicked, and she became completely obsessed. She spent countless late nights watching Russian and Ukrainian pole dancers on YouTube, determined to learn everything she could. Eventually, she found her way back to the club, began teaching and managing at a local studio, and turned what started as a curiosity into her full-time career.

In 2021, Terri opened Pole Factory in her own apartment, transforming a small space into a fully functioning dance studio. For two years, she ran classes, built a community, and continued dreaming bigger. Eventually, after what felt like an endless search for the right space, the studio outgrew its original home and moved into a space four times the size. That’s the Pole Factory you know today!

But Pole Factory has always been about more than just learning tricks or getting stronger. Terri wanted to create a little safe haven from the chaos of everyday life. A place where you can show up, throw on some floss, clack your heels, dance like nobody’s watching, and remember how good it feels to move your body. Because this stuff really is good for the soul.

And it’s important to know that Pole Factory was built from the ground up by a stripper who genuinely wants the best for her community. Every last detail of this studio has been chosen with love, intention, and a whole lot of heart.

Whether you’re here to learn something new, find your confidence, get a little stronger, make friends, or just have somewhere to let loose, we hope you find what you’re looking for here. We hope Pole Factory feels a little like home. We’re really glad you’re here.

Carissa (she/her) connected with pole dancing in 2020 after gaining confidence and strength on her journey to live a healthier lifestyle. Finding it extremely therapeutic, both physically and mentally, she quickly became infatuated with the art form. Since starting, she’s enjoyed dancing in clubs all over the country, participating in endless classes and workshops, competing twice in the PSO and obtaining both a Pole Instructor Certification at Pole Factory Milwaukee and a Spin Pole Instructor certification through X-Pole. She’s excited to be sharing what she’s learned along the way and to encourage students to find movement that feels good in their own bodies. Carissa has always been adventurous; when she’s not in the studio she’s probably lost in nature somewhere with her three kiddos, on a road-trip or at the gym.

Bri Chantel fell in love with music and dance at a very young age. Bri started out on cheer and dance teams in elementary school and continued to flourish all through high school. As her passion continued to embellish, she took on lead hip hop choreographer and dance captain roles.  In college, her studies took her focus to social work but her passion for dance never wavered, and she started expanding her talents to other forms of dance art such as ballet, modern dance and even instructing middle school aged girls. Bri is a lover of all things self love, self care and self confidence . She uses dance as a form of therapy because not only is it a great form of physical exercise but also an emotionally therapeutic way to deal with the stressors of life. Bri has been teaching sensual style dance for 8 years now. Bri is also our Studio Assistant and Social Media Manager.