‘Booking a gigolo is ultimate self-love.’
Marike van der Velden (40) is CEO of Society Service, a high-end escort agency with international clients – from single women to film stars and international royals. In conversation with Glamial, she opens up about her special job.
Threshold
Entrepreneurship beckons to many. Yet most people will not immediately think of setting up an escort agency as a logical career step. Marike explains: “As a child I wanted to become Prime Minister, but when I was at the political science course, I was shocked: these are all people I don’t like. Those wiseguys and so dusty…”
After a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and an internship – where she says she mainly learned that she was ‘not a good employee’ – she started the company with a fellow student, which she now manages as CEO. An idea that started as ‘youthful indiscretion’, she reflects. But didn’t she have doubts about the field?
“No, I didn’t have to cross any barriers to do this work,” she responds. “Although I did realize that running an escort agency would reduce my chances on the labor market. In the beginning I did consultancy on the side: if it didn’t work out, I could still fill the gap on my CV.” Ultimately, Marike opted for a full-time role as CEO of Society Service.
International royalty
And that turns out to be a golden opportunity! Her company has now grown into a unique success formula. The secret behind it? That must be the personal approach. The businesswoman reveals: “We offer stylish, erotic experiences, where both the customer and the escort must have an optimal time. Customers submit their wishes and I look for the perfect escort lady or gigolo. In that sense I am a matchmaker.”
“Customers come from all levels of society,” she continues. “It could be an average person who has to save up for a nice evening, but I also regularly connect American film stars, world-famous businessmen or well-known athletes with escorts who work for me as a freelancer.”
Of course we are very curious to see what kind of well-known names can be found in her customer base. But she is clear about this: “You will understand that I absolutely do not mention any names. Never.”
This discretion also has a downside, she can reveal: “This working method does not suit everyone: there are customers – think of international royalty – who prefer to book their ladies through an intermediary. But that is not an option for us, because it is at the expense of the safety of the ladies or gentlemen. I want to know who the escorts are meeting with and why.”
Self-love
A trend that Marike notices is that couples are increasingly hiring an escort or gigolo for an adventure for three. “And yes, single women are also increasingly booking a gigolo for a romantic and exciting evening,” shares the successful businesswoman. Because they want to feel like women again after a divorce. Or because they want to relax optimally. Booking a gigolo is really the ultimate form of self-love.”
This article is part of an extensive interview with Marike from the latest Glamial. This is now in stores!
Interview: Agnes Hofman | Image: Society Service
