Starting an agency in Vancouver: advice needed

totalnewbie

New member
Jan 8, 2005
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Vancouver, BC
To my knowledge, the city of Vancouver does have escort agencies as a category for business licensing. I have been informed that they are not issuing them anymore. Any truth to that?

There are several agencies running in Vancouver without problems.

For a would be starter of an agency that focuses on safety, legitimacy, high payout for girls, and competitive rates for customers, how would one go about to ensure the legal status for such an operation? It's my belief that it is only when we can be sure that we are operating legally that safety and all other values we want to provide can be delivered.

Keeping bawdy house and living off the avails of prostitution are illegal. What can an agency do to protect itself from prosecution?

Thanks for the input.
 

Maury Beniowski

Blastocyst
Mar 31, 2004
1,869
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In a nice wet pussy!
Vancouver, and now Burnaby no longer issue business licenses for "Adult Services", and this moratorium is indefinite due to a proliferation of these establishments in the past. The only way to obtain a license is to purchase one that is already standing. There are a few around that are available, but you have to knock on doors to find out. Business is generally down, and some shops have sold for a reasonable price depending on the circumstances surrounding the offer for sale. Eventually, as business begins to recover, and the supply dries out a bit, it should become profitable once again. In the meantime, some shops are barely getting by, and these are the ones you should seek out.
 

totalnewbie

New member
Jan 8, 2005
37
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Vancouver, BC
And how risky is it to run an agency without a business license?

ideally, the agency is ran out of a commercial space. However, with the difficulties associated in getting a business license, would running the business from a residential or mixed residential area exempt the license requirement?
 

magician

veteran pooner
Dec 9, 2003
297
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magical kingdom
totalnewbie said:
Is the city of Richmond issuing business licenses for adult-oriented services?
By no means I am an expert in this matter. Based on what I have read on Perb, it seems the police are keeping a close eye on many adult oriented businesses in the City of Richmond (i.e. massage parlors). I have heard about bust at Swan Lake and other places. The owner, Patrick, was charged for denying the police entry into the establishment a while back.

It's a bit of a grey area, but I suppose you could set up a modeling agency and have models for hire right? I would love to hire some models at Liz Bell for companionship. ;)
 

ihatemyskirt

Member
Aug 17, 2004
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liquid city
FYI Total newbie, Vancouver is in no way the first city you should be trying your hand at agency ownership unless of course you are a vet in the industry of Van. It hosts some of the most competitive caliber and higher turnover then any city in Canada. The grey area is the entire sex industry here in Vancouver and if you really are new you might drown in the "things you wouldn't ussually do in another city" when you really didn't need to be so considerate or well behaved. I don't know, just my opinion.
 

LonelyGhost

Telefunkin
Apr 26, 2004
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totalnewbie said:
To my knowledge, the city of Vancouver does have escort agencies as a category for business licensing. I have been informed that they are not issuing them anymore. Any truth to that?

There are several agencies running in Vancouver without problems.

For a would be starter of an agency that focuses on safety, legitimacy, high payout for girls, and competitive rates for customers, how would one go about to ensure the legal status for such an operation? It's my belief that it is only when we can be sure that we are operating legally that safety and all other values we want to provide can be delivered.

Keeping bawdy house and living off the avails of prostitution are illegal. What can an agency do to protect itself from prosecution?

Thanks for the input.
1. talk to your lawyer about legal issues. you can 'get around' the issue of 'living off the avails' by charging 'agency fees' for phone service, laundry, rooms, advertising, but what goes on behind closed doors is not your 'business'.

2. i agree with ihatemyskirt that vancouver is not the location to get your feet wet ... while it seems seductive to charge high prices, the reality is not many people can afford them and those that can will cherry-pick who they spend their money on.

3. and while it seems tempting to cash in on the olympics, don't forget that the police will crack down on established agencies and all the fly-by-nighters will be popping up here, there and everywhere and taking your business anyway.

4. your biggest problem in this business will always be your neighbours ... and it only takes one idiot client to piss off one nosy neighbour and that's it. the cops really don't want to put the effort into finding every whorehouse in town, but one call from a frantic neighbour and they are happy to oblige because it gives them reasonable cause and a lot less paperwork to fill out.

finally, if this was the quick way to get rich there would be fewer grow-ops and a lot more escort agencies!

good luck.
 

godzilla

New member
Apr 2, 2003
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Advice? Make sure they have legal work permits. :D

$11,000 a month! Holy shmoly for a 33 year old, mother of 2. Throw in another $5500 in massage fees. Holy shmoly. I think that police bust may have bitten off more than they can chew if they advertise how much money some of those AMP girls can make.
 
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