With a background in marketing I'm always interested in industry trends. I research most anything I do and anything substantial I purchase. How I love the Internet! The funny thing about this business is that no matter how you want to go about your business plan, there is an intimate and individual nature to the business that one must take into consideration. It's not like selling a product. At least not for me.

After my move to Seattle from New York I began researching the local market and noticed some real differences. My first month was discouraging. I went from a schedule I could hardly manage, practically needing to hire a secretary, to nada. Plus, I was different than a lot of girls in the area and an out-of-towner, to boot. Seattle folks aren't all that welcoming, both in and out of the industry, and within the industry people are naturally skeptical.

Instead of waiting it out I made changes. The new photos and website were something planned regardless of my location. I decreased my rates, added a one hour option and decided to host on a regular basis. Sure, I received several inquiries after I made these changes, but the majority were not people I would choose to see. Potential clients would not allow me to screen them properly but wanted to be allowed in my home (what?). I received emails IN ALL CAPS and from "kids": r u 4 real? heres my pic r u open?. Most of the inquiries I received were from men who didn't care to read my website or my blog, they really had no interest in me as a human being. That wasn't what I wanted.

Being a companionship provider was not a role I acquired because I had to. I wanted to. Fortunately, I am still in that position. I do it because I enjoy it. The income is icing on the cake and allows me many opportunities. Because of this, I don't see suitors who do not appeal to me because of their lack of manners, bad hygeine, indiscretions, disrespect for my safety and seeing me as nothing more than a commodity. Besides safety and discretion, I look for chemistry and long-term potential. I guess patience is not my strong suit and I should know it takes time to establish yourself and gain quality people in your life.

I've decided to drop my incall option. It was an ill-considered decision and I find the incall situation less than discreet in my case. Seeing one gentleman per day, at most, the risk/reward ratio wasn't in my corner. I know there are gentlemen hoping to take advantage of that option and I apologize for the last minute decision. Hopefully it is understood. My one hour local rate and fees in general will stay the same . . . for now.

Kate

The Dixie Chicks have received five grammy nominations. I'm wondering how this will go. If they clean up, it will be an in-your-face victory. If they don't win, it will be an embarrassing loss. I'm not too familiar with the politics within the grammies, so I could be way off by assuming there is some sort of political statement within these nominations. I've become skeptical. Nothing is ever as straightforward as it seems.

Kate

Some news:

I am not available for new appointments from Monday, December 18 through the new year. If you would like to meet upon my return, please feel free to contact me for arrangements as I will be available via email.

Happy Holidays,

Kate Bishop

I often wonder how low self-esteem and being a paid companion can possibly go hand-in-hand. After all, how can someone with self-esteem problems possibly post their near naked photos on the Internet and then demand hundreds of dollars for her time? Every paid companion must be a narcissist at some level.

As for me, I wouln't say that I had self-esteem issues growing up. Luckily, I went to a small town high school where we weren't privvy to certain brands of clothing or trends. Of course, there was no Internet, we didn't watch a lot of television and the only magazines available for our age group were Teen Beat and Seventeen. It was something else watching Beverly Hills 90210, but California and Beverly Hlls High were like different planets to us and we didn't even consider trying to emulate those characters.

Girls, especially, are taught from a young age to be modest. When we try on a pair of jeans we are forced to ask someone else, "Does this look OK?" because looking in the mirror and saying, "Damn, my butt looks good in these jeans!" is considered conceited and turns most people off. Basically, it's not OK to think we're attractive or sexy, at least not aloud. We're conditioned to seek acceptance from others and for many girls this causes problems well into adulthood.

So, let's get back to me. ;-)

I am humble and my secret to liking myself is by not comparing myself to others. Instead I compare myself to the way I've looked during the different times in my life. I can say, "This is the best I've ever looked."or "I can look better." I take stock of what I'm doing or not doing, how I feel mentally and physically and I add that to the equation when evaluating myself. What would be the point in comparing myself to anyone else?

People, like cities, have lost their individuality through chain stores and stereotypes. When you happen to find someone unique (without trying too hard because that's just as obvious), it's a special and exciting feeling. I hope that the gentlemen I have met have found me to be different (in a good way) and I hope the gentlemen I will someday meet find me to be a breath of fresh air. I like the feeling of bringing something special to someone's life.

My new website is up and running. I will warn you though, the text is in desperate need of updating. Unfortunately my site has not refreshed for me and I am unable to change the text or check my email at this time. Until then, I hope you enjoy my photos and the new design, which is streamlined, much like me.

Kate's New Site!