Stacy X describes herself as a “Wholesome Whore.” Katana Thorne says she’s basically a professional side chic. Both Stacy and Katana are Professional Companions. What is a Professional Companion? Well, with a prostitute you pay for sex. With a Professional Companion, you pay for their time and the sex is free.

“It’s not a guarantee that we’ll have sex. I do like a real connection. We talk about it as two adults and if we both consent it will happen. But some people really do just want to talk,” Katana told host Nick VinZant during an episode of the Profoundly Pointless podcast.

Both Stacy and Katana were introduced to the Professional Companion side of sexwork gradually and by friends. Katana started out as a cam girl, then became a sugar baby and finally a Professional Companion. On average she sees between two and seven clients a week and uses the money to pay for school and living expenses.

“At first I definitely felt like I was selling myself and doing things I wasn’t comfortable with. But now I’ve gotten comfortable with my boundaries, I know what I want and I say no,” said Katana.

For Stacy, sexwork has been a welcome release. Both for her and her clients.

“I have a master’s degree in counseling and after 20 years as a child and family therapist, I was just burnt out. I still wanted to connect with people though, so I toke out my first ad and here I am,” said Stacy.

“I would say that the men I see claim they are just looking for sex. But the reality is they’re looking for a connection. It doesn’t matter what someone looks like or what they’re going through, I try to focus on all the things that are awesome about them to try and make them feel good.”

Cost

How much does a Professional Companion charge? Stacy and Katana say it depends on the city, how long you want to spend with them and for Katana - what you want to do.

“When I started I charged $200 and hour. Now, I charge $250 with a special rate for 90 minutes and overnight stays,” said Katana.

“I also specialize in fetish work, so, I have a big giant list of fetishes that I have people go through and tell me what they want.”

Since she’s based in the Phoenix area, Stacy charges a little more.

“I’m at $350 and hour and I work Monday - Friday. The most I’ve made in one week is around $7,000,” said Stacy.

But while the money is good, both Katana and Stacy says there’s another cost.

“There’s a ton of downsides. There’s a stigma. There’s legal issues. There’s a safety issue. I vet people as best as I can but the reality is I face rape, assault and murder everyday. And for me to face those things and still feel passionate about what I do, I really think it says something about how important this industry is,” said Stacy.

To hear more about the life of a Professional Companion, check out these episodes of the Profoundly Pointless podcast. We talk odd requests, famous clients and more.