What mistakes did you make as a new provider that you look back on now and think how glad you are that you learned those lessons?

Did not ask for references (I was so green, didn't know it was even done.  I didn't even know that people write reviews, or about TER-totally on my own).

Spent too much time off the clock with clients, only to have one or two "like me" way too much.  Boundaries were gray.

Fell in love with a married client, spent a year waiting for him to get his divorce.  That was tough!

Drove to a seedy neighborhood for an out call late at night, alone...ugh!

That's enough revealing my shortcomings, for now.  It's not easy telling about dumb mistakes.  

Drove way too far for an out call appointment and didn't charge enough to cover the time and fuel expense.

When I first started I hired someone to take my calls and screen the potential dates.

Two near disasters tought me not to trust my safety into hands of someone who gets paid for sending me to strangers homes.

There are several exceptional ladies in the business who can be trusted with my screening if I chose to go that way.  But it took me some time to get to know them and their exceptional reputation.

Lina

Upselling.... 5 yrs ago, I was taught that was how it worked... arrival fee and everthing else is extra It took me a couple yrs to figure out that's NOT the way to go. All it does it pisses the guys off, creates bad reviews for yourself, and you loose clientele.... flat rates are the way to go!!

Dear Ms. Calady:
In hindsight what are the certain questions that you would ask when interviewing a person for this job sense it is a sensitive position with respect to time and privacy on behalf of yourself as well as the client? What type of interviewing skills would you want her to have? Would you be apt to hire maybe a former escort if you could not find a person who has worked in an administrative position in the Adult Companionship industry? Would you also say that you arrived at the said decision because you where lacking in experience at that stage of your career as an administrator of your affairs in the adult companionship industry?  A nickle for you thoughts Ms. Calady.

I didn't make any mistakes to tell the truth. That is because I started out owning an agency first, (with a partner) and because I did all the work went out on my own.

Then it was too much to handle the different problems of the girls and do everything for them too (I was very sensitive to their needs, which after awhile wasn't appreciated), so I became a provider.

Less headaches, no split, and no mistakes---they were already learned on the other side of the business.

Working for a service, taking a check, leaving my purse unzipped and going to the bathroom without it, getting greedy, double booking....and the list goes on. That is how you learn in a biz when you don't know who to trust or you don't know the ropes.

Dear Duplicitouslust:
Do you ever tire of posting these stupid Q & A posts to threads? Have you ever noticed that very seldom if ever that people respond to these idiotic posts with multiple questions? Does it bother you, given your penchant for questions, that they do not get answered? Do you stay awake all night to come up with this drivel? Are you employed? How do you pay for your recent foray into the hobby world? Do you consider yourself an experienced hobbyist? If so, would you please elaborate on that feeling? Do you feel somewhat uncomfortable with my post and so many questions to answer? How does it feel? Just sayin.

Jumping into the hobby without knowing what I was doing.  I never had a scary experience or got busted; I was just lucky in that regard.  Now I know what I'm doing and know how to stay safe and manage my business.

when I put my first eros ad up, I put my home phone number on the ad,
didnt take 3 days to realize my massive mistake, the darn phone rang all night!

Screening and reference checks.. I had no idea how to go about it..

I gave people my real name and real phone number.. ( big, big no, no)

I believed everything that was told to me. "Oh, I am short a few bucks I will bring it to you tomorrow"

A very nice, well respected lady/provider meet me for lunch and gave me some pointers.. ( thank goodness.. Angels are escorts too!

*Jordan adjusts specs and reads attentively*

Just kidding....well maybe not. I WILL be back to this thread tonight!!!

I was extremely shy in the beginning. I had no clue of the rules and was kind of open in my personal life and ended up with a stalker to the point where I needed to retreat for 6 months.

I have since learned...

We all make mistakes coming into this business....mine were:
not asking for references.. uh oh...big mistake

spending too much time on the date..

not having a website ...also big no no

Now I have been in the business since 2002 off and on and love meeting new male friends and enjoy providing a service ..

Also it helps asking other providers for help which I didn't know back then..
SweetPeach