By Peter Berton

YNOT – There was a time when the word “courtesan” meant more than just “someone who provides sex for money.” The term connoted a person who reveled in all the possibilities that professional sexual contact offers to both the giver and the recipient.

Canadian escort Dorinda Bloom is that kind of courtesan. Physically, she is absolutely stunning: blessed with a beautiful face, curvaceous form, and 36DDD breasts for which many a man would gladly sell his soul. (The line forms to the right.)

But Bloom is so much more than just a sex worker. She is smart and insightful, and she possesses an uncommon understanding about the craft and its many possibilities.

YNOT.com: Please tell us about yourself.

Dorinda Bloom: Having experienced two completely different worlds, I would say I am quite well rounded.

I grew up in an ultra-conservative evangelical fundamentalist family. A pleaser, I adhered to the status quo in that community, even taking on leadership roles.

After years of following their rules, I left my sheltered existence and ventured out into the Big Bad World. Rather than following, I gave individual thought and an open mind a chance. It changed me forever once I left “the fold.”

Certainly, being shunned broke me down, but I look back and see now that this was necessary in order for me to be built up into an authentic individual. For me to live as a hypocrite was simply not an option.

I’ve always described myself as a free spirit, trying new things: activities, flavors, seeing new places, meeting a variety of people. For my entire life I have craved adventure. I’m curious about others, how they live their lives — and why.

I’ve been called a mystery, and I think that is a reflection of my lone-wolf-type personality. Group social scenarios are not my comfort zone; I’m definitely a one-on-one person. By nature an introvert, I love spending time by myself or with one or two trusted friends. Alone time charges my batteries like nothing else. It enables me to go and be with others, exchanging and sharing energy.

As you can see, I am a late bloomer. At 36, I have been enjoying a worldly lifestyle for nine years. I still have a great deal to learn about myself, trust, friendships, sex, independence, family and faith.

I’m inspired by strong, creative women. A romantic, I lead with my heart and always try to see the good in people. After all, no matter who we are or where we come from, we all have redeeming qualities.

I feel so lucky that I was able to break free of a world in which I simply did not belong. It is such a wonderful relief to find a community that is accepting, where I can continue to evolve and blossom into the best Me possible.

How and why did you get into the escorting business?

For several years I had been curious about the escort business. My only exposure was through media.

Of course, growing up in Calgary, I had heard of the notorious “3rd Avenue girls,” as well as the Inglewood scene — back in the day. I would drive by and gawk, never knowing a thing about how they operated. It was with a keen interest that I pondered how to start, but at a level different from the street.

Thinking back, I laugh when I recall my complete naiveté. At one point I wondered, “Do I just dress up really alluring and sit in a lounge and wait for men to approach me?” This is what I had seen in the movies.

One day at work, a co-worker shared that a friend of hers was going to be visiting from Vancouver Island and that she was a phone lady with an escort agency. This was my opportunity! A window into the world that I had long pondered.

I cornered her and, following a brief exchange, she admitted that she was more than a phone lady. I’m grateful for how candid and helpful she was, sharing information and inviting me to come and stay in her home while I got my feet wet at the Victoria agency.

Before I ventured into the world of escorting, I was a sexually expressive and promiscuous woman. Yet I always played safe. My motto was, “If I am being safe and not hurting anyone, then I do what I want.”

I played hard and I worked hard. Still, juggling three different jobs simply wasn’t helping me achieve the things I wanted to [achieve] in life. My ambitions were greater than my financial situation allowed. It really was a no-brainer, especially when I saw the return for my “labor.”

You began escorting by working for an agency. What was that like?

I loved being an agency girl. I will always be grateful to the female owner who took me under her wing, along with the more experienced ladies. It felt nice knowing I was not alone. I felt safe.

I gleaned a wealth of knowledge from others’ experience. For me, it was Escorting 101. It was fun, being one of the girls; I loved the competitive camaraderie. We all hung out at the “house.” When we weren’t entertaining, it was girl time.

You now operate as an independent. Why did you move that move?

Going independent was always a goal — it was just a matter of time. I had much to learn with the agencies yet; when I felt ready to leave the nest, I wanted some confidence under my belt.

I love that I keep all of my money and am able to have the say over whom I spend time with, when, where and how. Also, my agency work limited me to Victoria, Fort Mc Murray and Calgary; I wanted to travel so that I could combine my tours with visiting family and friends across Canada and the U.S. There were, and still are, so many places I wanted to visit for my personal enjoyment.

So what is the day-to-day life of an independent escort?

When I am at home, I am only working on administration: advertising, corresponding, researching and interviewing.

Each Monday to Friday morning, I wake up to a coffee and my computer. This usually keeps me busy until noon. The rest of my day is spent with family, doing chores, meeting with friends, running errands, volunteering, working out, enjoying hobbies and relaxing.

While on the road, my schedule is much more stringent. There is still admin that needs doing, but hopefully the bulk of that was already taken care of while at home. Correspondence is ongoing, as well as an exercise regime and time for myself.

When away, I take extra time and care to prepare my body and appearance for encounters. It is so important that I be well rested, energetic and fed so that I can be at my best, relaxed and happy.

Primping takes time: Hair, make-up, nails, shaving, moisturizing all are so very, very important. I like to look my absolute best.

As a small business owner, what do you do to promote and advance your business?

Maintaining the business end of things is the most challenging. The sex is the easy part, the fun part. But really, anyone can do the administrative end of things. You just need to be organized.

Important aspects include responding to inquiries in a timely manner, consistently posting fresh and original advertisements (my greatest weakness), staying ahead of the game with attractive and current photos, and maintaining a website and calendar with up-to-date information.

Networking has proved to be invaluable. As in any business, the sharing of ideas and knowledge can help you grow your client base exponentially.

It is important to give back, as well. I firmly believe that you get what you give.

I used to treat escorting like my own personal hobby, likely because I was having so much fun. I have had to learn how to run it like a business, and I continue to learn from past mistakes and successes.

I love being the captain of my own ship and cannot think of anything more rewarding. I would never be as motivated to succeed if I were working for someone other than myself.

What is it like, providing sex for a living? What are the challenges, and the perks?

I find being a sex worker completely normal. It just feels right and comfortable.

Obviously, as a physical and sensual person, I derive a great deal of pleasure from the act. Being a hedonist, the pursuit of pleasure is a top priority.

It makes me feel so wonderful to know that I am able to bring an abundance of joy and physical satisfaction to those in need of it. I feed off of other people’s happiness. There is a wonderful exchange of give and take.

Is there room for authentic emotional interchanges with clients? Or is it all business, at the end of the day?

Sex work is not altruistic. As mentioned above, there is an exchange.

I put a great deal of time, effort and money into my business with the expectation that there will be a big pay-off financially. The money ensures my day-to-day needs will be met; gives me security for the future and indulges my many wants.

This is a business unlike any other, though. We are dealing with human beings, flesh and blood, sharing one of the most intensely intimate aspects of ourselves. There is such vulnerability when one is stripped naked and boldly baring one’s sexuality before another. It is a large part of who we are.

There is a fine line to walk in exchanging physical pleasure without forming feelings of affection and attachments. Sometimes clients tell me they love me. I gratefully accept their love, knowing that they love me as a person, or in a sexual sense.

When it becomes confused for romantic love, I gently remind them that is a line I do not cross.

I am uniquely capable of compartmentalizing the acts of sex and do not become attached. If I had issues of becoming attached, I would not be able to do what I do.

What are your future plans?

As long as the gentlemen continue to want to spend their money for time in my company, I will continue to offer companionship. Unless my situation changes, I plan on continuing to travel to all my favorite communities and even expand my business to new areas I have yet to visit.

I am constantly evolving, so my plans will need to continue to move forward. I’m always looking for new places to discover. I would also love to get some more stamps in my passport.

In the spring, I am planning to drive across the country and stop in wherever the gents would like to visit. In January, I am taking some time off to bask in the sun with a pretty, girly drink and a book. I usually take things one year at a time.

Ladies come and go in this business. I have been involved in sex work for almost eight years, and it has flown by. I guess that means I am enjoying it. So long as this continues, I see no need to stop.