Today we’d like to introduce you to James Antonsen.
James, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Started in 1983 with Video Dating… By 1998 Video dating, in general, was replaced by online competition which caused us to become more directly client-focused as personal matchmakers. We have been busy ever since. Six years ago we teamed up with Million Dollar Matchmaker Patti Stanger to produce a TV Reality Show in Chicago. The show aired its first season last August/September and has created an entirely new market for our company.
We specialize in specific recruiting for clients that have had trouble finding love on their own for a variety of reasons. Our job is to identify those reasons assist them in conquering their fears/perceptions and find the true love. There is absolutely very little more rewarding than finding a person their best match. Until we do its frustrating (for everyone) when we do we all do the “happy dance”. Literally, we all do the happy dance with each success story dancing amongst ourselves in our office. It is both frustrating and rewarding at the same time.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The beginning of online dating starting in the late 90’s was the biggest initial obstacle. Once it became apparent it was here for good we had to adjust our business for market share differences and fill obvious needs that create huge pitfalls in those methods of meeting people. It became obviously deeply flawed in that the potential for phishing and anonymity on the net left a huge untapped market for a more discerning clientele.
It also enabled us to lower market costs from what was direct marketing past. Electronic marketing is far less expensive than direct mail and radio marketing. Personally, I also went through a divorce around 2005 and to this day still work with my ex-wife Lisa Galos.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Luv Biz Chicago – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Well, we have a TV show which is pretty unique and pretty difficult to get. Production companies and cable networks are very careful today about content being authentic. After 4 years of scrutiny by producers, networks, talent attorneys, and agents we cleared the bar to shoot a “sizzle reel” so that a producer could try to sell the show to a network after that happens they shoot a pilot.
After that, focus groups more background checks more scrutiny and eventually they actually shoot your series for TV. That process took 6 years but culminated in a TV show produced by 495 productions paired with Patti Stanger’s Million Dollar Matchmaker show and airing this year on WEtv network.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
New locations, more clients, and more happy relationships…
Contact Info:
- Address: 1415 w 22nd Street
Tower Floor Oakbrook IL 60523 - Website: matchmakeropenhouse.com
- Phone: (312) 585-7232
- Email: support@matchmakeropenhouse.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Luv-Biz-Chicago-262247003943348/
Image Credit:
Jim, Lisa, Nikki, Rusty, Louise, Annie, Jaime, Vanessa
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