Your 3 Top Holiday Dating Questions Answered!

woman surprised man with a holiday gift
Dating during the holiday season can be tricky. With so many work and family obligations, parties to attend, and deadlines to meet, it is hard to know how to factor your new special someone into the picture. My clients express the most anxiety about this subject when they are dating someone with whom they have not yet established exclusivity. Sure, they have been on a couple of great dates, but does that mean they are expected to exchange gifts or ring in the new year together? To help ease the anxiety a bit, here are my answers to the three most popular questions I get from clients about dating someone new during the holiday season. Read more

Dating in the Digital Age… are your communication skills keeping you from finding love?

Texting man distracted by not looking for love
Aziz Ansari is right! Text messaging has the power to ruin dating. The aggravation and exasperation he expresses to Conon O’Brien in this clip about dating in the digital age is exactly what I coach my clients to work against. Back in the days before the text message, when a man called a woman and asked her on a date, he didn’t have the option of sending a quick note to cancel at the last minute. He showed up like he said he would, and they had the opportunity to communicate in person. There was intimacy in this process because communication was direct, respectful, and responsive. Read more

Can I work with a client who is “separated”?

Can a matchmaker work with a client that is separated?
Wondering if you could give me your opinion on this Lisa-- I am a matchmaker, and from time to time get a client who is separated from their spouse, but not divorced yet. How do you handle clients that are separated? Do you work with them? Wondering what the industry standard is. 
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The Benefits of Working with a Certified Matchmaker

I mention the benefits of working with a Certified Matchmaker often, so I want to take some time to explain why working with matchmakers that are certified is so beneficial.

A little back story:

When I left my career in social work to become a matchmaker, I found a huge gap in the matchmaking industry in terms of support, networking, and industry standards. As a social worker I was used to attending conferences, taking advantage of ongoing training opportunities, and having a network of peers and co-workers to consult with on a daily basis. In my new career none of this was available to me. I had to learn on the fly, and made many mistakes along the way. To amend this, I co-founded the Matchmaking Institute in 2003, two years after starting my matchmaking company VIP life.  I am proud to say that the institute is the first state licensed school for matchmakers with an approved curriculum. The Matchmaking Institute offers a professional matchmakers trade association, matchmaking workshops, and a yearly world-wide professional Matchmakers and Date Coaches Conference.  Read more

Top Reasons to Rethink Online Dating & Work With a Matchmaker

Woman rethinks online dating and considers finding a matchmaker
Before finding a certified matchmaker many people try online dating, and I understand why. Online dating seems easy and accessible. You turn on the computer, sign up, and the browsing of eligible singles begins. Unfortunately, although it seems like a great medium to meet new people, online dating comes with some major cons. Photos can be out of date, people are often dishonest on their profiles, and the cost and time spent on the site quickly adds up due to the amount of sifting through profiles involved. Read more

11 Tips for a Successful Date

11 tips for successful dating. couple holds hands
Dating plays a vital role in the matchmaking process. This is where my clients get to practice. Meeting with a matchmaker is the classroom experience, while dating is the hands on, field experience—offering an opportunity to get out there and find who and what exactly works for them. As a Matchmaker I supply my clients with invaluable feedback after each date, but my tips before a date are what I stress when first working with a client. Whether you are looking for advice to share with your own clients, or are eager to plan a successful date for yourself, I guarantee that incorporating these 11 dating tips will make the dating experience more successful, and enjoyable! Read more