Setting up a Business

When I wrote Blueprint for an Escort Service, I did so with a presumption that most people know how to open a business in their specific area – not necessarily an escort service, but the initial steps of opening any business. I offered some instructions in the book, including how to get an occupational license. One used to go to "occupational licenses" to get a license, but many areas in the U.S. have renamed it to something tax related, for example: department of revenue; business tax receipts, county tax collector; tax receipts etc…. I don't know why, except that the new naming scheme instills the thought of paying tax and you are paying a tax when you purchase the license. So what used to be self-explanatory now takes a little thought and exploration, but it's the same thing and usually the same people work there and it is in the same location.


I did outline basic steps of opening a business in any state, usually using a corporation or limited liability company, but it can also be done with a "fictitious name" or "assumed name" by filing the Joe Schmoe doing business as "xyz" name with the state. If you do not already know which state office to fill out the form with, it is usually easily found by Googling "open a business in Florida" (substitute your state). In Florida it is the Florida Department of State - Division of Corporations.

Only professions are licensed by the state. Some examples are: attorney; plumber; real estate appraiser; real estate sales; beautician; massage therapist; and accountant. In this situation the professional must pass a state exam of some type and be qualified to operate in the particular profession. Escorts and entertainers are not qualified by any state that I know of, so no need to dwell on a state license. To operate a business of any type, a license is required, mainly so that the local government can collect money from you. Well, it's the truth, and I'm always real on this blog.

There are some areas in the U.S. that make a person jump through hoops and spend a fortune to obtain a license to operate as an escort service. To be an escort and get the appropriate license is not much less trouble and any escort that works as an independent contractor with you will need her own license. For more information on classifications, read Independent Contractor vs. Employee. So for those geographical areas that promote a religious or moral agenda and force one to jump through the hoops in a lame attempt to circumvent the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, well that is good reason to see what other operators in the area do. It is highly unlikely that you will be the only service in a given area, so research it.

In Orlando and Orange County, Florida, the easiest route is to be an entertainment company that sends out entertainers. The same holds true for Las Vegas and Clark County, Nevada, believe it or not. You will encounter disdain and contempt when requesting a license for an escort company in most areas, but move beyond this and be a big girl or boy. Take control of the situation. If you know that there are 30 companies in your area and each is called an "entertainment service" then don't buck the trend. Just go with it. If you know that each is an "escort service" just get your damn license. Don't whine about people giving you a hard time – these are local government employees – just instruct as to exactly what you want. That means instruct, not ask demurely. Got that?

The escort business can be rough and plenty of people are going to throw interference in your path. The music business, pro wrestling, transportation, and even house cleaning in a heavily competitive area, are not much different. Free enterprise in the U.S. is competitive and often a fight. If you can't make it through the licensing it is unlikely that you would survive anyway.

Before the week is over I'll discuss other potential categories of businesses that could easily fit the method of operation, as discussed in Blueprint, of an escort service.