DC Matchmaking Introduces Commitment-Minded Singles & Provides Feedback to Make Dating Run Smoothly

The Short Version: If finding a long-term partner is at the top of your agenda, you should consider recruiting a professional matchmaker to help you make something happen. Michelle Jacoby, the Founder of DC Matchmaking, is an effective and upbeat matchmaker in the nation’s capital. She saves busy professionals valuable time and energy by prescreening singles, selecting compatible dates, and offering useful feedback throughout the matching process. Her friendly and informal tone immediately sets clients at ease and lets them know they’re in good hands. Anyone looking for love in the DC area should consider joining Michelle’s matchmaking network for free or enlisting her hands-on services as a matchmaker and dating coach.

About nine years ago, a magazine approached DC matchmaker Michelle Jacoby about writing a feature story on her personalized matching process. Michelle agreed to take on a kindergarten teacher as her client and allow the magazine to publish a story detailing how the introductions went.

Michelle Jacoby left a lucrative tech business to start her own matchmaking company.

Michelle set up five dates for the kindergarten teacher, who had a good experience but didn’t hit it off with anyone. The magazine’s article praised Michelle’s hands-on approach and compassionate assistance, but the matchmaker wasn’t satisfied. She wasn’t done trying to find that perfect guy for her client. She arranged one more introduction — and number six ended up being “The One.”

The kindergarten teacher is now happily married and has three children. She and Michelle have stayed friends on Facebook over all these years, and the matchmaker said it’s been an amazing experience to watch the young family grow.

Michelle became a professional matchmaker in 2009 because she saw a need for a reliable introduction service in the DC area. She founded DC Matchmaking to make a difference in the lives of busy professionals who don’t have the time, energy, or network to find dates in the real world.

Today, Michelle streamlines the dating process by recommending matches and offering advice to a select group of commitment-minded clients. Singles can sign up to her database for free, or they can apply to receive personalized matchmaking or dating coaching from one of DC’s most beloved dating experts. Michelle told us she limits the number of clients she takes on because she wants to give every match the attention and care it deserves.

“The thing I’m most proud of is working with someone who’s struggling, frustrated, and feeling hopeless,” she said, “and being able to help that person change his or her life.”

When Michelle tells people she’s a professional matchmaker, the first question they ask her is usually, “How did you get into that?” She tells them her story.

About 10 years ago, Michelle was a single mother looking for a second shot at love. Her parents suggested she hire a matchmaker, so she did some research. Hearing only horror stories from friends who had worked with dishonest or ineffective matchmakers themselves, Michelle decided not to hire anyone.

“I couldn’t find a matchmaker in DC I felt comfortable with,” she said, “but the idea stayed with me — I just couldn’t stop thinking about matchmaking!”

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Michelle has always been “a compulsive connector” — she’d even introduced her best friend to her fiance. Looking to start a new business, it dawned on Michelle that she could start her own matchmaking company and put her people skills and SEO knowledge to good use. She spent $1,500 to create a website, and, within a week, her company, DC Matchmaking, ranked on the first page of Google’s search results.

She grew her clientele by handing out business cards to people around town and reaching out to singles on Craigslist. Thanks to her hustle, her first client got into a relationship after the third introduction.

While looking for a husband for herself (she got married in 2012), Michelle had found her calling, and she has been making matches and watching couples walk off into the sunset ever since. It never gets boring, she told us, because so many different types of people wind up looking for love in DC.

“My niche is Washington, DC,” she told us. “I’m in love with this city. I’m never leaving. I get to focus on just one place and doing one thing well.”

Michelle, who has lived in DC her entire life, can’t say enough good things about Washingtonians. “People in DC are fascinating, passionate, really smart,” she said. “It’s a really great market to be in because I genuinely enjoy the people I meet.”

She told us she doesn’t have a typical client because of the diversity of her location. Her clients range in age from 25 to over 70. Some are career politicians while others are local business owners or executives. DC Matchmaking frequently attracts working professionals who want to save time and energy in the modern dating scene. Maybe they’re burnt out on online dating or maybe they want a more discreet way to meet people. Whatever the reason, they apply to Michelle to solve their dating woes, and she’s usually up for the challenge.

Michelle makes an effort to get to know her clients so she can effectively pair them up on dates.

Michelle interviews potential clients over lunch or coffee to get to know them on a personal level. She only agrees to take on a client if she believes she can help him or her find a match. After she accepts a new client, she starts scouring her database (which includes thousands of singles) for compatible prospects and arranging introductions once she’s done an in-person interview and both individuals have expressed interest in one another. “I really do everything for them,” she said, “so all they have to do is show up and enjoy the date.”

Providing feedback also plays a critical role in the matchmaking process. Michelle uses a post-date discussion with her clients to learn more about what they’re looking for and plan her next match (if there is one) according to their preferences. She also gives them useful advice on what to say and how to act to make a date a success. Her personalized approach to matchmaking has yielded great results.

“The better I know my clients, the more insight I have into how to match them,” she said. “A lot of my clients become my friends, which is just a beautiful thing.”

DC Matchmaking’s motto is “Your happiness defines our success.” Michelle will not rest until she sees her clients happily settled in the relationship of their dreams. Her introductions provide her clients with the opportunity to meet the right person, and her dating coaching lessons equip them with the skills they need to seal the deal.

“I teach my coaching clients every aspect of dating from A to Z,” she said. “As a dating coach, my biggest strength is teaching singles how to advocate for themselves, set strong boundaries, and leave before they end up wasting their time on an incompatible person.”

“I fell in love with the first man Michelle introduced me to. She knew exactly what type of person I wanted to meet.” — V.L., a former client of DC Matchmaking

The DC Matchmaking testimonials page is brimming with compliments from singles who built their self-esteem and found love thanks to Michelle. “You really care about people and your work,” said Liz, a coaching client, “and that shines through. I can see why you are the best at what you do!”

“You changed my life. I will be forever grateful,” said M.B., a former client who is now engaged. “Hiring you as a dating coach was one of the best decisions I ever made.”

One client told Michelle the world would be a better place if more people were like her. “You made the difference in my life,” he said. “Thank you so much for all of your help and especially for introducing me to Heather, the love of my life!”

Washington DC has no shortage of matchmakers, but Michelle’s matchmaking service stands out because of the dedication and care she puts into every match. She can’t help it. She is a natural-born networker who loves to see people fall in love. Whether she’s arranging a date for a kindergarten teacher or a politician, Michelle never loses sight of the fact that she could be setting someone up on their last first date.

DC Matchmaking has established a solid reputation in the dating industry because of Michelle’s determination to be upfront with her clients and do everything she can to see them succeed in the dating landscape.

Additionally, Michelle co-founded the Matchmakers Alliance, a not for profit organization, to encourage collaboration among professionals in the dating industry. She said she sees bringing people together as her calling in life and feels thankful for every opportunity to help others find joy and fulfillment.

“I have the best job in the world,” she said. “I’m able to make a good living doing good work for good people.”