Maria Win takes us behind the curtain of Vietnamese coffee shops in Orange County, where bikini-clad baristas serve drinks and provide entertainment in an industry that exists in a legal gray area. She shares her journey as a 21-year-old navigating this lucrative but emotionally taxing world while planning her exit strategy.

• Vietnamese coffee shops operate like strip clubs where workers wear lingerie and perform lap dances while serving coffee
• Workers can make over $1,000 in a single shift through tips, with some earning comparable amounts to strip club dancers
• The shops exist in a legal gray area, primarily in Vietnamese communities where authorities often allow them to operate
• Maria has been offered $2,000-$5,000 weekly/monthly to be men's sugar babies and $5,000 per session as a dominatrix
• Many workers experience emotional burnout, developing a "dead gone" look in their eyes
• Customers range from Vietnamese and white businessmen to gang members, creating occasional dangerous situations
• Maria uses her position to network with wealthy clients, learning about investing and financial literacy
• Despite posting revealing content online, Maria maintains strict boundaries between work and personal life
• The industry has a clear "expiration date" based on youth and appearance, making exit strategy planning essential
• Competition between workers can create drama, but many form supportive bonds to help each other succeed