“Six Degrees of Separation” Matchmaking

A personalized dating service that will create new relationships from tried-and-true networks

Over the years, I’ve travelled all over the world and worked in many different industries. One thing that’s been constant, with few exceptions, is that wherever I go people of all ages and from all walks of life yearn for romantic connection. Why do so many people want so badly to be in a relationship? It sounds like a simple question, but I’ve found it usually doesn’t have a simple answer.

For me, when I was a single, the main reason I sought a relationship was companionship. For others, forming relationships is about children and creating a family. Some people marry or enter long-term relationships for financial security. Many others are simply lonely and believe a relationship will ease their loneliness. Lots of people desire physical intimacy.

It goes without saying that the last year has been remarkable. Every element of ordinary life has been turned upside-down by the pandemic, and that includes dating. At least for a while, meeting people in person became a complete no-no. Some people, fed-up and exhausted, dropped out of the dating pool altogether. Now that we can see the long-awaited light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, I’m proposing it’s time for singles searching for love to get back out there. What’s more, I’m putting my hand up to help.

Why me, though? Why should the singletons of the world care what I have to say? Well, over the past year I’ve been working from home, freelancing from my laptop. This new normal freed up some time, time that I used to spend at a permanent job and commuting to the office. I’ve been able to pause and think about big questions, to reflect back on the path I travelled before finding my own fulfilling relationship. I started to wonder how I could use my talents and experience to help others still walking the same path. I have a global network of friends, acquaintances and colleagues — how can I leverage those qualities to do good? I decided to embark on my own private matchmaking adventure — call it a side hustle mixed with a personal crusade for everyone to have a decent shot at romance.

Sound interesting? Here’s what you can do to help:

• If you are in my network or connected to someone in my network and looking for a relationship, please reach out.
• If you know a single person (approx 35+) who would prefer not to be, reach out to them and let them know about me.

My approach will be based on the principle that successful matchmaking works best when connections are made through an existing community, such as a professional network or a friend group. According to “A Profile of Single Americans” released in August 2020 by Pew Research, “[a]mong those who are married or in a relationship, meeting through friends or family is the most popular way to have met their partner.”

It’s already clear that there’s demand for my services. A simple call out on my Facebook page last week garnered two women in their 40s (in Los Angeles), one in her 60s (in Seattle), and another in her 40s (in Philadelphia), all seeking my matchmaking help immediately.

Dating apps are effective but a personalized matchmaking service is even more appealing, provided it doesn’t cost a fortune. What if I told you I’d be your matchmaker for the price of a first date — two cocktails plus tip? We’ll meet up on google meet, you’ll pay U.S. $30, and we’ll discuss your expectations and desires. Subsequent “matches” will cost only $30 per match. For some context, traditional matchmakers charge hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

Spreading the word is integral to ensure there are people available to match.

I hope together we can make some matches and thank you for your support.

Photo: Caroline James and her boyfriend, Zachary, ringing in the New Year 2020 (who knew what the year would bring?!)

More about Caroline:

Before leaving my home in Melbourne to form a permanent base in Los Angeles, I was determined to unearth the single men in my age demographic — give it one last hoorah to find a good match before taking off and trying my luck in the U.S. In 2010, using my PR and event management skills, I created, coordinated and threw a big party for Generation X singles called “The Kevin Bacon Party.” The hope for the party was that attendees would be connected to one another by six degrees or less: “friends of friends.” This was two years before the dating app Hinge, that follows a similar premise, was conceived in 2012. In fact, the inspiration for the party was a popular game in the 90s, can you find your six degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon?

Given my career in public relations, I did my own publicity and secured TV, radio spots and articles across key media reaching my target market in Melbourne. This helped immensely in raising awareness and attracting attendees. Suffice to say the event sold out — 50/50 on the gender split — and we had a great time. Photos can be seen here. Contact me at [email protected]

Photo: The Kevin Bacon Party logo.