I had the pleasure of interviewing Brigitte Weil, a matchmaker with 10 years of experience. I asked her for advice about her business, how she set up her GoDaddy account, and her insights on love and dating. As soon as she joined the call, I felt a warm, nurturing presence, making it clear why she excels as a dating coach and matchmaker.
Brigitte began her journey with a large national matchmaking company, learning the business until she decided to build her own website three years ago, aiming to change the matchmaking game. Now, let’s dive right into the core of the discussion.
What is your USP (Unique Selling Point)?
“My unique selling proposition is one of the main reasons I left a larger national company. I felt that my matchmaking clients needed a more tailored experience. Matchmaking isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. I wanted to offer unique experiences where I could coach clients in both matchmaking and dating. Before setting them up on a date, I take time to understand their life history, relationship history, preferences, priorities, and deal-breakers.”
Brigitte spends significant time with her clients, asking a range of questions to understand who they truly are. She shared some of the critical questions she asks her clients:
- Where did they grow up?
- Who were they as children?
- What was their family life like?
- What is their relationship history?
- What are they looking for moving forward?
- Are there specific qualities they seek in a match?
- What is important to them?
- How do they envision their life a year from now?
These questions are part of Brigitte’s approach to shaping her understanding of her clients. As I later discovered, she also uses therapeutic techniques to guide people towards happy, healthy relationships.
What inspired you to become a matchmaker?
“I come from a family with a strong tradition of long-lasting relationships. My grandparents were married for 76 years, and my parents recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. These experiences shaped my view of relationships as incredibly special, motivating me to help others achieve similar happiness.”
Brigitte described the best part of her work as receiving messages from clients who have found lasting love. “Those are the best moments of my workday,” she added.
How does your service operate?
“My coaching programs are tailored to what clients need to re-enter the dating scene or become comfortable with dating. When I take on a matchmaking client, coaching becomes a natural part of the process. Clients can work with me as private clients, for date coaching, or a combination of both.”
Brigitte emphasizes the importance of addressing commitment issues before moving forward with matchmaking. “Nine times out of ten, I bring clients into coaching because they actually need it,” she said.
What were you doing before starting your business?
“I’ve been coaching for over 25 years in the wellness space, beginning as a food coach helping clients achieve weight loss goals without giving up foods they loved. I also ran a blog called ‘I Hate Celery Sticks,’ promoting the idea of reaching wellness goals without extreme diets or exercises. A few years ago, I transitioned into coaching within the dating and relationship space.”
What is your favorite success story?
“One of my favorite success stories involves a couple who initially resisted meeting due to physical preferences. However, after some nudging, they met and are now engaged. They will be getting married in the Cayman Islands this May.”
Brigitte also shared her favorite “unsuccessful” story, where a client rejected a match over trivial details like ordering spaghetti and meatballs, demonstrating the pitfalls of rigid expectations in dating.
What dating advice do you have for a happy, healthy relationship?
“A happy relationship can look different for everyone, but most of my successful matches involve individuals eager to see each other again. Key indicators of a strong connection include agreement on vacation plans, spending habits, work ethic, and other core values.”
What do you think is the main reason people struggle to find the right partner?
“Many people believe they’ll meet their perfect partner in a romantic setting, like at the Farmers Market. In reality, you have to be intentional about what you truly want and remain open during the dating process.”
How did you find your experience building with GoDaddy?
“The platform was user-friendly, and customer support was extremely helpful. I haven’t explored all features yet, but it’s on my list for this year.”
Any advice for new start-ups?
“Don’t overthink the small details. Focus on sharing your idea and building connections. Details like logo color can be adjusted later.”
Any tips for starting a matchmaking business?
“Network with other matchmakers. It’s a collaborative community where you can share ideas and expand your network. I am certified through the Matchmaking Institute and the Matchmaking Alliance, which offer valuable resources for new matchmakers.”
In many ways, Brigitte’s biggest lesson on love mirrors her advice for business: “Be open—emotionally, physically, and psychologically. Be open to love, and open to unexpected matches.”
