The Similarities Between Dating & Entrepreneurship

I launched my new dating startup several weeks ago after many months of research.  I'm very excited about this business for several reasons.  First of all, I've found the perfect niche market in Seattle and backed that up with plenty of market research.  Second, I'm naturally talented in this field, which makes life so much more fun and easy.  And finally, I'm able to bootstrap through marketing and website consulting, which is my other great passion in life.

My days have been filled helping single people and entrepreneurs, and I've realized that there are MANY similarities between entrepreneurship and dating.

The Similarities Between Dating & Entrepreneurship

• Commit to it. If you're starting a new business, you have to make a conscious decision to commit to your business and do whatever it takes to make your dream come true.  When you're single and tired of bad dates and being alone, you have to commit to your cause of finding a partner and do what it takes to make it happen. 
  
  
• Package and price.  You have to have something to market and sell to be in business.  It has to be priced according to market demand, and it has to meet the needs of your customer.  When you're dating, you have to have self value in order to be ready for a relationship.  You also need to feel satisfied in the areas of image, health, home, interests, and career in order to be attractive to the opposite sex.
  
  
• Find your target. In order for your business to be successful, it has to serve as a solution to someone's problem.  Once you figure out who needs your service or product, you find out where they live, what they read, what they do, and then you make sure they find you.  If you're single, you have to consider what has worked in the past and what hasn't.  Then, you think of your preferences in regards to goals, interests, lifestyle, and personality and you find someone who fits your needs.
  
  
• Network like crazy.  There's no better way to sell your product and grow your business then to get out there and meet people.  Talk to your target market and get feedback; meet with industry leaders; find support groups and advisors; and, network with other business owners.  When you start dating, tell all of your friends that you're ready to date; go to events and meet ups with like-minded people; put up an online profile; and, find other single people.
  
  
• Get Help if you need it. As an entrepreneur, you must wear many hats. There's no way that one person can be good at marketing, bookkeeping, sales, legal paperwork, biz dev, social media, writing, and fundraising.  Your best bet is finding help with the things that don't come naturally or that can't be learned quickly.  Dating is like anything else- a skill.  If you don't know how to do it or what a successful relationship looks like, ask someone of the opposite sex or your local dating coach (wink.)
  
  
• Listen to red flags. I've learned in business that if I get a negative response to an idea from three advisors, that I need to reconsider my options.  The same thing applies to reaching an agreement with a potential partner.  If you're not on the same page in any area, move on quickly.  When you're looking for a relationship, don't ask for a another date if you're not looking for the same things.  The faster you find the red flags, the better.
  
  
• Get used to rejection. Making sales and finding investors is a numbers game to some extent.  You're going to run into people who aren't interested in your business and what you have to say.  You can't take it personally because confidence is everything in sales, and there are plenty of people to talk to.  I see this issue with men and dating all the time.  Once they learn to take rejection with grace, they meet lots of great women and have a lot more success. 
  
  
• Don't take yourself too seriously. It's easy to let your business take over your life, but the truth is that startups fail often. Ultimately there's a factor of luck and timing that no one can predict.  It's best to enjoy every minute as you go, and do the best you can.  The same rule applies with dating.  Be confident in yourself and make your life full and rich in all areas.  Finding a partner can't be the answer to happiness.


• Communicate. This is the key to any relationship in life.  If you are able to communicate your expectations, needs, and desires, then the other party is able to let you know if they can give you what you need.  This saves time and money in business.  When you're dating, it reduces the drama, saves you time, and makes things more balanced.
  
  

Whether you're building a new business or looking for a meaningful relationship, get out there and do it.  Call me if you need help with either!  The official dating coach websites have not launched yet, but my services have.  Check them out at AreYouSingleSeattle.com.