Seeking Advice on Getting Approved by a High-Risk Payment Processor
 

I’m currently running a start-up escort directory website in New Zealand. I recently applied for a high-risk online payment processor, but got rejected because I don’t have any processing volume yet.

I’ve got decent traffic coming in, especially with a forum redirecting users to my site. But without a processor, I can’t handle payments, and without processing volume, I can’t get approved by a processor.

This is what the payment processor's reply:
"I regret to inform you that we are unable to proceed with your business at this time due to your current setup and lack of prior processing volume. If anything changes in the future, we will be sure to inform you."

Has anyone been through this before? How did you get past it? Any tips or recommendations for payment processors that are friendly to start-ups like mine?