When the world's well-heeled want love, they call Jennifer Donnelly.
The founder of The Ultimate Matchmaker understands what truly drives high-net-worth individuals in love and why it’s a serious investment in happiness.
So serious that clients have paid Donnelly over $500,000 to help them find long-lasting partners, and she boasts a 98% success rate.
Needless to say, Donnelly isn’t competing with Bumble Inc (NASDAQ:BMBL) or Match Group (NASDAQ:MTCH), owners of Tinder and Hinge. Unlike those app-based platforms that rely on swiping and algorithms, Donnelly offers a highly personalized, discreet, and relationship-focused service for affluent clients—making her business a bespoke experience rather than a volume-driven dating app.
See Also: Match Group To Pay $14 Million In FTC Settlement Over Deceptive Practices
You’ve been a professional matchmaker for over 20 years. How did you start?
What’s the screening process like?
We are highly selective. I conduct at least two to three in-depth interviews with every prospective client before we start the process of finding potential matches for them. It is crucial to understand who they are and what they need fully. If their needs don't align with my moral compass, I don't take them on. Extraordinary careers and financial success do not necessarily equate to charm or the ability to perform well as a ‘good date.’
I read that 60% of your clients are men and 40% women. What are the men looking for? What are the women desiring?
Nowadays, women often out-earn their potential male partners. Does this trend affect who they match with?
Why do your clients need a matchmaker? Are there any reasons besides the typical ‘busy careers’ or refusal to use apps (i.e., Raya)?
Yes, absolutely. Privacy is a top concern for my clients — and dating apps simply don't provide that. Many of our clients are public figures or hold high-profile roles, and discretion is critical. Also, time is a limited resource. Our services are tailored to optimize both time and opportunity — ensuring that each introduction is intentional, meaningful, and identity-protected.
Are your clients guaranteed dates?
We take the time to thoroughly vet our clients, which is why we're selective about who we work with. By the time we reach the actual matchmaking stage, we've already built a solid foundation — we understand who they are, what they want, and who could be a great fit. That's why our success rate speaks for itself. It's very rare that we can't find the right connection.
How big is your firm, and are you hiring?
We’re a mid-sized agency with a close-knit, collaborative team. While we're not actively hiring at the moment, we're always open to connecting with individuals who are genuinely passionate about matchmaking and aligned with our values.
Any unusual requests from clients?
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Image courtesy of Elizabeth Lavin
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