Viva Brighton Issue #60 February 2018

TRADE SECRETS
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Photo by Ed Robinson
Tara McDonnell
Your Matchmaker
Tell us about your job… I’m the founder of the
dating agency Your Matchmaker. The job involves
guiding clients through the matchmaking process,
assessing what exactly they want from a relationship
and providing potential matches. Each case is
different, which makes it so interesting.
How did you get into matchmaking? I spent
twelve years in Sussex Police, followed by several
years of studying law and working as a paralegal. I
was always looking for a way out to start my own
business, so when I was made redundant from my
legal job I saw it as an opportunity to do what I
had always dreamed and create my own dating service.
The company went live in December 2014.
What does your job require? It’s a tightly run
operation. Sheer determination, hard work and
good communication skills are required to keep
everything in order. My experience as a police
officer has given me a gut instinct for people. I
interview all my clients before taking them on, to
make sure they are worth my while. If they say
something during the call that makes me think
they’re not serious, or that they’re fresh out of a
long-term relationship, I won’t work with them.
They need to be ready and willing to find love,
otherwise it will be a waste of everyone’s time. One
of our newly married clients told me the reason he
chose Your Matchmaker was because he knew that
I wouldn’t put up with any nonsense.
Who are your clients? Young professionals, in
their late twenties to early thirties, and people who
have been previously married or had a partner for
a considerable amount of time. Our oldest client
to date was 68 years old.
How does Your Matchmaker differ to online
dating? The clients are not in charge of selection,
we are. We give our clients one potential match at
a time, and encourage them to go on at least one
date with them. Feedback is conducted over the
phone with me and is completely confidential.
What tips/advice do you give your clients?
High standards can prevent people from finding a
match. Sometimes people have an inflated image
of themselves. It is not about lowering standards,
but being more open to meeting someone you
would never have considered before. After all, if
you really do have a ‘type’, then why aren’t you
with them?
What makes a good date? The trick is to go with
the flow. Looking at phones on dates is a complete
no-no. Meeting for a drink is always a good option,
but we’ve also had people go on walks along
the seafront and attend daytime events. Eating
out can often be too formal for a first encounter,
although when it goes particularly well, ‘going for
drinks’ sometimes turns into dinner… We always
recommend a second date, since people are generally
less anxious and more themselves after the first
meeting. Interview by Saskia Solomon
yourmatchmaker.co.uk
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