The Economics of Companionship: Understanding the Business Model
Posted by Maria Rodriguez | March 24, 2024 "People think we just show up and collect easy money," Escort Rachel , the MBA student I introduced earlier this week, told me while reviewing her monthly business expenses. "But look at this spreadsheet—between marketing, safety tools, wardrobe, healthcare, and taxes, my overhead is around 40% of gross income. This is a real business with real costs." That conversation last month opened my eyes to just how complex the economics of escort work really are. After spending time reviewing financial records with several escorts (with their permission, of course), I've learned that the business model is far more sophisticated than most people realize. The Pricing Puzzle Let's start with the question everyone wonders about: how much do escorts actually charge? The answer varies dramatically based on location, services offered, and target market. In Manhattan, I've found rates ranging from $200 per hour for newer e...