New Marlow Matchmakers, do you need help finding love?
Sammy Saunders has launched a new matchmaking business in Marlow, we had to find out more about this new relationship service and asked Sammy some questions about how she started the business and her plans to help us find love locally.
What kind of research did you do before launching?
I researched dating apps and statistics of lasting and loving relationships. Apps provide access to people extremely efficiently but they don't match people extremely efficiently.
Research suggests only half of people who try the apps describe a positive experience, however 48% reported experience of unwanted behaviour. Dating apps are effective but they don't matchmake or get to know and understand the needs and wants of clients the way I am wanting to.
What ways of meeting potential partners have you used yourself?
This is an interesting question ! My back story is quite different to some in the sense that I've always been in relationships. I wouldn't necessarily suggest this is a good or bad thing. I think having periods of time in your adult life where you're single and able to explore and ground yourself to what is wrong or right for you is extremely important. ESP the way the dating world is today. However, I met my first husband very young. We were both entering our careers and went on to have a ten year marriage and children together. Sadly, we grew apart and parted ways and then soon after I met my now husband. We are in a incredible marriage and have a blended family of 9!
But how I met previous partners was simply by interest. We all had something in common. My university boyfriend and I both studied politics together. My school boyfriend (of 4 years) both loved music, (I wrote music articles for the BBC at age16 while he was in a band touring with The Darkness!) My point being as it wasn't about height, looks, age (which dating apps predominately indicate) we went deeper into what connected us, location, family values, upbringing, interests, ambition...
I see potential in people and what they can bring to the table far more than what a swipe right or left can on a dating app.
Is there a particular age group you are appealing to?
Ideally, aged 25+ I feel would suit the company well.
How are you going to source your members?
It's tricky! People have to believe in you ! Believe they can trust you and it's an intimate company to get into as I am also wanting clients for Relationship Coaching. These are people who are either out of love/ in love but struggling how to handle that / wanting to understand their relationship mistakes or where things went wrong / what they can do differently / their attachment style. All these things are extremely important and I either want to coach clients before they're reading for matchmaking or perhaps during their dating process. Anyone that feels they need to understand themselves and have guidance to improve their future relationship style. A lot is confidence knowing you're worthy of love.
How will the process work?
The process starts off by me sending 'About you' forms to potential interested clients. They can either be interested in Matchmaking / relationship coaching or both ! I then offer a 15 min consultation call to get a feel of what they're wanting out of coaching and matchmaking and then we take it from there. I offer package deals of 6 week coaching, one off sessions to see if it's something worth progressing and I have a unique database for potential matches which are catergorised depending on how involved you would like me as your matchmaker to be.
Do you think there will be more women than men joining.. many singles communities seem to have uneven numbers.
Great question! My desire is 'meet someone you'd actually want to meet again!' So I'm hoping I manage an even spread of clients when people sign up. I'm hoping as the company grows I can do a personal gender data split to make it more even behind the scenes, and if it isn't appearing that way, perhaps try a different approach of advertising to try build up a certain percentage. Marlow Matchmakers is also proudly inclusive! I welcome singles / couples of all sexual orientations.
Will you do any planned meet ups, or will it be strictly private?
My clients and I will discuss this privately but on a personal note I do have lots of future planning ahead. I'm in touch with many Marlow (and surrounding areas) restaurants and cafes to hold events or book tables for my couples first dates to incorporate the community. I'm planning singles nights and collaborations with local businesses to help clients interact with likeminded people. It's all super exciting !
Can you share the price you will be charging, is it monthly / or a one-off fee?
There's a variety of pricing available for both matchmaking and coaching. This will be discussed with prospective clients.
What kind of success rate are you promising…?
I can't guarantee any success rate - especially as I am only just starting. However, I can promise to give my dedicated 1-1 time to all clients and truly listen to what they're wanting from a relationship rather than simply adding them to a database just to gain numbers.
I am not interested in people who are just wanting a date on a Friday night with a stranger. I am interested in people who want a meaningful, longstanding relationship.
Do you have any timescale of how long it may take to find a partner if people join you?
No - how long is a piece of string ? It has to be right. Feel right for both involved and be a match I can see with great potential. I'm not going to just simply set up X with Y and say I've done my job correctly.
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