SWCEO Interviews Mia Lee
Blog Post Written By: MelRose Michaels
What if your adult content business could fund your financial freedom? Too many creators overlook the power of innovative money management, but financial security isn't just for Wall Street—it’s for sex workers, too.
In a recent Twitter Space conversation, MelRose Michaels sits down with Mia Lee, a licensed CPA and investment advisor, to break down the essentials of wealth-building for adult creators. From tax strategies to long-term investing, Mia shares the financial game plan every creator needs to secure their future.
MelRose Michaels: Mia, welcome! I’m so excited to have you join us today.
Mia Lee: Thank you, MelRose! I’m excited to be here and talk about financial strategies for adult creators.
MelRose Michaels: In today’s algorithm-driven world, we often live in echo chambers. How do you expose yourself to new ideas and perspectives?
Mia: Great question! In finance, diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes. I used to listen to news in multiple languages—Mandarin, Spanish, and Arabic—to get different viewpoints. Now, I balance my Wall Street background with my experience as a sex worker, making sure I stay in tune with both financial markets and the adult industry.
MelRose Michaels: You had a 12-year career in finance before transitioning into sex work. What inspired that shift?
Mia: Honestly, it was a mix of personal and practical reasons. I grew up in foster care, graduated college at 19, and went into finance because I needed financial stability. But the high-pressure environment took a toll on my mental health. When I had to take medical leave, I did a cost-benefit analysis and decided that high-end escorting was my best move. It allowed me to leverage my existing network and skills while giving me more control over my work-life balance.
MelRose Michaels: You mentioned repurposing your finance skills for sex work. Can you elaborate on that?
Mia: Absolutely. At its core, sex work is a business. My finance job involved bankruptcy restructuring—helping failing companies optimize their operations or sell off assets. That skillset helped me assess the adult industry, filter helpful information, and set up my business efficiently. Instead of marketing a traditional girlfriend experience, I leaned into the "office fantasy" angle, targeting clients I knew I’d resonate with.
MelRose Michaels: If an adult creator faced financial ruin due to taxes, how should they rebuild?
Mia: First, if you’re incorporated and your business declares bankruptcy, that’s different from personal bankruptcy. If your LLC or S-corp shields your personal assets, you can start fresh. The key is to retain valuable assets like your audience, content library, and branding. If you still have your audience, you’re not really starting over.
MelRose Michaels: Income in our industry fluctuates. How can creators keep their finances stable?
Mia: I have a whole YouTube video on this, but here’s the short version:
Set aside 30% of every payout for taxes.
Determine your business and personal expenses. Calculate annual totals, break them down into monthly amounts, and identify fixed vs. variable costs.
Build an emergency fund. Aim for 3-6 months of expenses in cash equivalents (savings accounts, money markets, etc.).
Invest excess income wisely. Prioritize retirement, high-yield savings, or property, depending on your goals.
MelRose Michaels: How should adult creators start planning for retirement?
Mia: Retirement isn’t just about quitting work—it’s about financial freedom. A client of mine, a dancer, wanted to retire comfortably on $5,000/month. We calculated that she needed to invest $750,000. Based on her current income, we mapped out a five-to-seven-year plan to hit that goal. The key is knowing your "freedom number" and working toward it.
MelRose Michaels: Investing can feel overwhelming. Where should a creator start?
Mia: If you’re new, hiring a professional is ideal. A good financial advisor will handle retirement accounts, allocate investments, and keep you tax-efficient. If you want to DIY, start with index funds instead of stock-picking, use tax-advantaged accounts like Roth IRAs, and diversify across asset types.
MelRose Michaels: Financial professionals can be intimidating. How can creators vet advisors?
Mia:
Check their licenses. Any reputable advisor should be registered with FINRA or the SEC.
Google them. Look for media mentions, client reviews, and any red flags.
Use your sex work screening skills. If they seem too good to be true, they probably are.
MelRose Michaels: Many creators eventually want to transition into other ventures. What steps can they take now to prepare?
Mia:
Save aggressively while your income is high.
Diversify investments early.
Build skills that translate to other fields.
MelRose Michaels: For someone overwhelmed by finances, what’s one small step they can take today?
Mia: Know your numbers. Track your income, expenses, and taxes. Awareness is the first step to control.
MelRose Michaels: You do much pro bono financial literacy work for sex workers. Where can people find your resources?
Mia:
Website: MiaLeeFinancial.com (coming soon with a blog!)
YouTube: Money Talks with Mia (Personal Finance 101 for Adult Entertainers)
Twitter & Instagram: Weekly financial Q&A sessions @MiaLeeFinancial
Financial literacy is power, and Mia Lee is dedicated to helping adult creators take control of their futures. If you’re an adult creator looking to build long-term wealth, start by tracking your expenses, setting up an emergency fund, and investing wisely. The road to financial freedom is a marathon, not a sprint—but with the right guidance, it’s completely achievable.
Some parts of the above interview have been condensed or edited for clarity. For the full interview, listen to the entire Twitter space.
Find Mia Lee on Twitter.
P.S. Ready to take control of your finances and grow your business? Join the CEO Society, a private community designed exclusively for adult creators to connect, share strategies, and access invaluable resources to grow their businesses.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the interview are those of the guest speaker and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SexWorkCEO or MelRose Michaels. Anything said or written is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone else.
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