100%NL Magazine on Marike and Society Service

On 9 June 2024, 100%NL Magazine published an article about Marike van der Velden and Society Service in its Bijzondere Beroepen section, meaning "Extraordinary professions". This section highlights behind the scenes heroes, people with special professions who often go unnoticed yet provide real value. The article covers how Marike started a high class escort service at 21, how Society Service has developed, what a high class escort experience is and is not, and her views on safety, discretion, screening, personal contact and the persistent taboo. You can read the original Dutch article on the 100%NL Magazine website. On this page you can find an English translation.

Marike started an escort service at 21: ‘Now we are the largest in the Netherlands’

At just 21 years of age, Marike van der Velden embarked on a remarkable career: she started an escort service. How did Marike manage, at such a young age, to found the largest high end escort service in the Netherlands? ‘It was not my own idea, but came from someone I met during my studies. She studied sociology and had no idea how to set up a company, so we did it together. Because she also worked as a glamour model alongside her studies and regularly received requests, she was already familiar with the world of escorts. She never acted on those requests herself, but she did see a business model in it.’

‘Two students starting a high end escort service at a young age drew a lot of media attention. What also made a difference was that we immediately had a full website built. You have to realise that eighteen years ago this was far from standard. At the time we had two competitors; they only had a homepage. That was also one of the reasons it was relatively easy to claim a spot in that area.’

A typical workday

What does a typical workday look like for Marike? ‘My days vary a lot. Most of it is administrative work. Think answering emails, planning bookings, placing reservations, that kind of thing. Where another company might talk about strawberries and tomatoes, I talk about lingerie sets and toys. But essentially it is just an office job!’

Personal contact

Marike maintains personal contact with her clients. In advance she asks control questions and requests identification to safeguard the escorts’ safety. ‘I am also always curious to hear what questions someone has for me and what exactly they expect. It matters to me that our clients are looking for what we offer, otherwise our escorts may be dissatisfied. If someone is really only looking for erotics and would prefer to undress in the doorway, then we are not the right agency for that person.’

If there is no click between client and escort, the escort always has the option to refuse a booking on site. ‘In the eighteen years that I have done this work, I think there have only been about five moments when a client was refused. The reasons were that the client had consumed too much alcohol during the date, or there were problems with payment. A client truly being unable to behave toward the escort has only happened once.’

Taboo

There is still a taboo around the subject of escorts, which Marike regrets. ‘There is a great deal of demand for escorts. Various studies have been done on this, but people are not honest about it. I sometimes give talks and when I ask about it there is almost never anyone who admits they have ever used an escort. But when the next question is: do you know someone else who has ever used one, suddenly a lot of hands go up.’

‘A common misconception about the work of escorts is that it revolves exclusively around the physical aspect. I think erotics is always a part of the booking, to a greater or lesser extent. It is something you build towards, and you do that by creating a connection. That connection should feel as real as possible, so the escort and the client get to know each other better, just like on a traditional date.’

‘They go for dinner, have a drink, take a walk or visit a museum. Those kinds of activities help you get to know each other and create a connection. When it is only about the sexual part, a different level of intimacy arises. I think the majority of clients would not book if erotics were not an option.’

‘The idea that an escort is only about sex is not the only misconception. Another big misconception is that there must be something wrong with you if you choose to work as an escort, that it is basically impossible to enjoy this work. There are many women who simply enjoy their adventurousness and sensuality and who can earn their money quickly and easily with this work.’

Looking ahead

When we ask Marike whether she would ever want to do different work, she does not have to think long. Without any hesitation she says: ‘I would never want to do anything else in terms of work. In fact, instead of expanding I would rather become a bit smaller. With 60 escorts under our management, Society Service is the largest in the Netherlands in our segment.’

‘Because of this position I am financially independent, which means I can now make choices that are not only in financial interest. It is not necessary for me to accept every booking and increase revenue. Even if revenue were half, it would still be fine. That also gives me the space to stop doing something that does not feel right.’

Marike sees booking an escort as a gift to yourself. ‘It can really be an enrichment,’ she says. ‘I would recommend it sooner than sitting on a therapist’s couch four times a week.’ In her view it is not just a superficial experience; it can actually give your life more colour and bring a positive vibe. Especially for people who are having a hard time at work or are in somewhat rougher waters.

‘An experience with an escort can bring about much more than most people think. The escort wants you to feel as if you matter and as if you are good company. That can mean a great deal to many people.’