A Dom once told me the difference between an escort with a whip and a true dom is escorts also offer sexual service to punters and doms don't. There's nothing wrong with being an escort with a whip if that's what one is.
I've spanked, whipped, slapped, ball busted, electrified, cock twisted, spat on, tied up, tortured, walked on with my stilettos, humiliated and sissified punters for many years but I wouldn't call myself a dominatrix as I also offer a sexual service.