Is the love industry recession-proof? It seems that way, according to a new story from Crain’s, which reports that high-end New York City matchmakers‘ business is actually increasing.
“Last year was my best year,” said [matchmaker] Ms. [Lisa] Ronis. “My clients are well aware of the recession, but they feel vulnerable now and want to connect in a meaningful way. I get many panicked mid-30s to early-40s career women who can afford to have children, can afford their Gucci dress, but have no time to look for dates,” she said.
And there might be even more money to be made: In NYC, the number of “high-end” matchmakers (serving wealthy clientele from ages 30 to 60 or so) in has increased from three or four to a dozen.
Why the increase in moneyed lonelyhearts looking for amoré? The same reason as the rest of us: plain, old-fashioned loneliness.
For now, there’s plenty of business to go around. That’s because of the stress many singles feel, said Paulette Kouffman Sherman, a psychologist, author of Dating From the Inside Out and founder of My Dating School in Manhattan. In uncertain times, there is a tendency to look for someone “to be there with you so you’re not alone,” she said. “And successful people can be very lonely people.”
If your new year’s resolution is to find a partner, take this as a cue to go ahead and sign up for that online dating membership. Hey, you might meet a millionaire — not a bad way to kick off the year!
[Crain's]
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