I am a New York City-based dominatrix and cultural activist. I started doing BDSM professionally in 2016 after finding a dungeon on craigslist (those were the days) and then mostly did online work for a year or two while I finished college before transitioning to full-time in-person BDSM.
Plenty of sex workers have not-so-fun stories about getting started ... Instead, ask us about our favorite movies, music, food, flowers, etc! That is a much better way to learn about us as individuals
"The interpersonal, emotional skills necessary as a domme was a big skill that even in my civilian life is pretty unrivaled. Specifically, I’ve developed a keen eye for submissive men and things that make men twitch."
This kind of work requires so many different skill sets, any sex worker must also be a good judge of character and very discerning when dealing with every single client they interact with.
The threats sex workers face are not just from clients or individuals in society; the very system we live within is at the root of much of the violence we face.