Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in matchmaking but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with R.Tony Smith, founder of Denver's Cupid, located in Denver, CO.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Denver's Cupid is a 100% personal and boutique matchmaking service for the LGBTQ community. Everyone deserves love, and it starts with creating your 100% free and private profile at DenversCupid.com.
The Art of Matchmaking, the Power of Connection, enabled by 20+ years of connections and the international Matchmakers Alliance network for endless possibilities!
Tell us about yourself
VALUES: Client’s love and relationship aspirations are the heart of Denver’s Cupid
Guaranteed absolute privacy between client and matchmaker
Maintain and convey the client’s optimism and passion
Mutual trust is of the utmost importance
Act with integrity and client’s best interest always
The greatest gift the matchmaker can give the world is connection and love
Role of Denver's Cupid and matchmaker:
Believe everyone deserves love
Bring together like-minded people
Save client’s time
Become and expand our clients’ network
Bring back excitement to dating
Provide support and guidance
Work tirelessly and passionately for all
Acknowledge that chemistry between clients is not guaranteed
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Denver’s Cupid got started because Trump was elected President in 2016! I was inspired to run for Denver City Council in the spirit of reconnecting people to government, as I felt that election’s outcome because people not only lost touch with government but also their own neighbors. An essential part of my City Council campaign platform was to build stronger neighborhoods by connecting people to each other. The more people you know in the world means less fear of others!
While I earned nearly 3,000 votes, I didn’t win the election — but it led to being inspired to continue my life’s work of connecting people — but as a matchmaker — so definitely a win in the long run! When I researched the matchmaking industry, I quickly learned that there were many niches — and that people generally prefer working with people within their own tribe.
As part of my research, I found that there was no one in Denver matchmaking for the LGBTQ industry, thus “Denver’s Cupid.” To develop the business and its systems, I was fortunate to discover and be accepted into CO. STARTERS, an entrepreneurial kick-starter program — and on top of it all, all development of Denver’s Cupid took place during COVID lock-down — immediately after a time my husband and I actually contracted COVID due to our trip to Ireland. We certainly made the most of our once-in-a-lifetime pandemic!
Regarding my company, Denver’s Cupid, I’m proud to be the founder and owner, and it’s the only LGBTQ Matchmaking Company in Denver, and I’m one of literally a handful in the country. It’s 100% private, personal, and boutique matchmaking, and I bring 20 years of connections in Denver along with a worldwide network to expand your network immediately, save you time and make dating exciting again – I become my client’s personal headhunter – I help people connect to high quality, well-researched matches that take a lot of time and consideration – definitely quality over quantity… I never put people on dates for dates.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Fits and starts! Financial Model! What are other matchmakers doing? What is the branding and messaging! Who’s running accounting? How much taxes do I need to plan for! Legal issues for contracts — all the loves of an entrepreneur! Other struggles are what other matchmakers face — the stress of hopefully making long-term, loving, and committed relationships for all clients! Bottom line for me — every connection is important — from not only a matchmaking point-of-view — but also a quality interaction and experience from top to bottom!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
1. Follow your gut.
2. Know and listen to your passion.
3. Believe in yourself -- YOU GOT THIS!
Anything else you'd like to share?
Please share DenversCupid.com with your single LGBTQ friends throughout the USA... no more dating apps... hire a personal matchmaker.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.denverscupid.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denverscupid/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denverscupid
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rtonysmith/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.