SCHENECTADY – To swipe or not to swipe? Burned out by endless scrolling, casual chitchat, and an oversaturated online dating pool, it’s no surprise that more and more singles are opting for the latter.
Some, like Becky Daniels and Gabby Fisher, are ditching dating apps entirely and looking for more natural ways to find love.
“A lot of people, even those who’ve been on their phones for a long time, find that dating apps aren’t giving them what they’re looking for in terms of connection,” said Daniels, who has sworn off First Love Quest on Tinder, Bumble Swipe on apps like Hinge and Hinge.
In 2021, frustrated by the lack of opportunities to meet potential partners, Daniels and Fisher launched Capital Heart Connection, an event series aimed at connecting the Capital Region’s vibrant and inclusive singles community.
Now, as part of a corporate partnership with a women-focused co-working space, pals are taking their business to the next level by offering matchmaking services at their brand new office space in the Palette Community in downtown Schenectady . A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at the office at 508 State Street on February 2 at 4 p.m. to celebrate the expansion.
Now playing Cupid, the friend-turned-business partners have rebranded their business as Micropolitan Matchmakers and are taking on clients eager to delete their dating apps and find their romantic matches with real-world experiences.
Inspired by the interest of other singles who have attended their events over the past few years, the couple took a matchmaking course this summer to become professional love brokers. And so, in June, the duo’s card-free dating service was born.
“We really want to bring joy and humanity back to dating,” said Daniels, 36.
Their matchmaking services include in-depth hookups, a guaranteed number of dates based on selected membership packages, organized and private feedback on each date, and access to members-only group coaching and events. Packages start at $1,500.
Here’s how it works: For example, if someone were to sign up for a five-day package, the process would begin with a two-hour in-person consultation. The goal of the initial meeting is for Daniels and Fisher to leave with a deep understanding of the client’s dating history, preferences and interests so they can begin identifying the right match.
To do this, the matchmaker browses the business’ singles database, which people can sign up for free. As long-time residents of the Electric City, everyone’s day jobs build connections in the area, and they use their connections to consider future matches.
Once a few singles are selected, Daniels and Fischer conduct video interviews to make sure the person is who they say they are and is a good fit. Background checks are also done to give clients extra peace of mind, and online dating is often brutal (applause for no more secret marriage suitors).
The pair will then determine the best match they want to set up for the client, a process Daniels describes as “kind of magical.” Once properly vetted, business partners fully plan the first date, prohibiting individuals from exchanging phone numbers or social media accounts prior to meeting.
“On a dating app, you might meet and text someone for three weeks before you even meet them, and you’re building a story in your head about that person, good or bad, before you even meet them, and rarely Someone is going to live up to that expectation, so we’re really trying to take all that away and let them focus on this in-person connection,” Daniels said.
In the wake of pandemic-induced lockdowns and reduced social activity, more and more people are embracing in-person interactions that don’t require a stable Wi-Fi connection. Micropolitan Matchmakers facilitate exactly that—but leave the more awkward parts of the courtship to the organizers, like figuring out whether to see each other again.
After the date, both parties fill out a feedback form and meet with the matchmaker to discuss how they want to move forward. If they decide to go their separate ways, clients can try their luck again with a second date in a five-date package.
One benefit of the program is that dates never expire, so even if a client goes on to date their first match—or just wants to take a break from the scene entirely—they can check back weeks, months, or even years later. Come back for their next game.
Only Daniels and Fisher have access to the singles database for matching, which contains about 200 people and counting. Daniels said they’re currently seeing slightly more women than men, but as they promote more social events, signups are beginning to level out.
There’s also a large number of people in their 50s and 60s, many of whom are recently divorced, who Daniels said are taking advantage of the platform. “They don’t want to worry about having to navigate the dating app scene because I think this whole culture and all these unwritten rules make people very confused and overwhelmed,” she explained.
While matchmaking is their current focus, Daniels and Fisher will continue to hold events for singles to come out and socialize. The company is planning a series of events in the week leading up to Valentine’s Day, including an evening at the Proctors Theater with the Albany Symphony Orchestra, an afternoon party at Grahams Café, “The Ghost of Ex’s Past” comedy and a social gathering at Berlin in Troy.
A full schedule of events and more information about the dating service is available on Micropolitan Matchmaker’s website.
