Project 143: How the Elite Matchmaking Service is Creating Meaningful Dating Experiences for Asian Professionals in the United Kingdom

The Short Version: If you’re a career-minded Asian single with a demanding schedule, weeding through online dating profiles to find a potential partner can sometimes be a time-consuming and unfruitful affair. Luckily, Project 143 offers a solution. Through a bespoke approach, the elite UK matchmaking agency does the legwork to help you meet other singles who share and understand your ambitions. All matches are thoroughly vetted by Project 143’s expert team to ensure clients are paired with the intelligent, like-minded individuals they’re seeking. At Project 143, it’s all about tossing dating algorithms aside and guiding people to the genuine relationships they deserve.

While today’s dating websites and apps have paved paths to love for millions of singles, many busy professionals have trouble dedicating huge chunks of time to wade through the seemingly infinite number of dating profiles. In fact, some users are spending up to 77 minutes per day on these platforms — a tall order for almost anyone trying to juggle a career and personal life.

As a result, the popularity of personalized matchmaking services has been growing. Singles are finding that having a trained matchmaker on the case can sometimes be much more effective than attempting to navigate the dating scene themselves. Specifically, for successful Asian singles in the UK, the elite matchmaking agency Project 143 is making dating and relationship dreams come true.

Project 143’s matchmakers deliver a hands-on approach that focuses on helping clients pinpoint potential matches who have similar aspirations and lifestyles. Founder Aneeka Patel said Project 143’s mission is to act as a professional matchmaking boutique and zero in on the factors that can equate to success for each individual.

“We bridge the gap between traditional, Asian family-centered matchmaking and modern British Asians who have taken on western values,” she said. “These singles now have freedom of choice and want to date on their own terms.”

Aneeka created Project 143 after coming out of an almost five-year relationship and discovering the trials of dating in the digital age. She told us using dating websites and apps was a foreign concept for her, and she had been looking for an alternative.

“As a young British Asian professional, I didn’t feel like online dating was my niche,” she said. “So I decided to set up the agency because I couldn’t find a decent alternative, and I wanted to do it with a personal touch in mind.”

Project 143 Founder Aneeka Patel’s goal is to help clients create meaningful dating experiences.

Aneeka knew first-hand the time constraints career-minded singles faced, and she wanted to build a solution not dependent on algorithms that try to lead people to find matches within a collection of profiles.

“Professionals don’t have time to troll through profiles,” she said. “They’ve arrived at a place in their lives where they want to find somebody and settle down and move to the next chapter.”

Aneeka’s perspective allowed her to also relate to what modern Asian singles go through from a cultural perspective. She told us pressure from family, community expectations, and an individual’s personal journey all create stress around the dating process, making it even more difficult to focus on forming a bond with someone.

“It can be overwhelming,” she said. “This gives people an opportunity to delegate this part of their life to someone who is very serious and professional to handle it for them.”

And Project 143’s clients are finding this approach works wonders to help them juggle their busy professional and personal lives.

“I joined Project 143 as I was extremely fed up with dating apps and sites,” said NS, professional analyst and Project 143 client. “The concept sounded ideal while I sat at my desk at work or watched a movie or went out with friends — there’s a team out there looking for Mr. Right for me.”

Aneeka told us matchmaking is a personal experience, and clients should feel comfortable and confident in the team that’s helping them find love. She described how her team brings an authentic desire to help.

“Everyone is very vibrant and open and nurtures a feeling of being a client’s best friend,” she said.

The matchmakers at Project 143 take pride in the fact that they’re there for their clients throughout the relationship-building process — from first date to engagement and beyond.

Every standard package at Project 143 includes time with coaches Chiedu Hing and James Preece. Chiedu is the health and lifestyle coach dedicated to rebuilding broken relationships and healing the scars that remain with us as a result. James is an acclaimed dating and relationship expert and regular advice contributor to Men’s Health and Cosmopolitan.

Project 143’s experts help singles with everything from date readiness to wardrobe and makeup.

Going above and beyond what most matchmaking agencies offer, Project 143 provides every client with access to professional photographer Saskia Nelson. Saskia puts clients at ease and creates the sort of photos that not only attract attention but also capture their natural essence. Photos don’t look generic and posed. Instead, they’re thoughtfully composed with the goal to capture your natural self.

Styling and makeup is delivered as a beneficial add-on service. Anita Warszawska has the perfect combination of technical training, experience, and warmth. She customizes your look to highlight your best features and reflect your personal tastes.

Rounding out this team of professionals, Kavita Sidhu acts as a style fairy godmother, helping clients find their best looks within their existing wardrobe. Kavita aims to help clients make stunning first impressions and move with confidence when on dates and in life.

Aneeka said each team member offers an integral piece to the puzzle that boosts client self-esteem and probability of success.

“Project 143 has given me the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals within a vetted and friendly environment,” said SK, a professional consultant and Project 143 client. “I know the people Aneeka and the team work with are hand-picked, and that leaves me with no worries about the dates that I am set up on.”

Aneeka and her team bring efficiency to the weighty task of finding a partner, and it starts with a meeting to see if an individual is a fit for Project 143.

“We vet clients and don’t take on every person who comes to us,” she said. “We take those who are ready for the journey. Some need a course or coaching before they’re ready to date. We want to be sure we are building happy, healthy relationships.”

Project 143 clients range in age from 28 to 55, with those in their 30s representing the largest demographic. Most have already used other types of dating solutions without luck and are ready to hand the reigns to a professional to find a long-term relationship. Clients also include divorcees and single parents.

Project 143 vets all potential matches to ensure the best possible success rates.

Once it’s determined a client can benefit from Project 143’s services, the next step is to find out exactly what they’re looking for. Here, the team builds a bespoke package based on their individual needs.

All clients take part in coaching sessions to put them in the right frame of mind for serious dating and to clear out past behaviors that haven’t served them well. Then, after a photo shoot and style consultation, it’s time to meet potential matches.

In addition to its effective matchmaking services, Project 143 publishes articles on its blog relevant to dating in today’s world. In “The Truth About Dating in Your 30s,” for example, the team highlights how to date smarter, have a more developed sense of self, and learn to see past previous dating experiences.

Another article, “Finding Love Without Dating Apps,” presents a must-read for singles who are through with swiping and liking. Here, the author offers tips daters can employ to make in-person connections in the real world. These best practices, which include volunteering and joining a gym, direct readers to put down their phones and interact with the people right in front of them.

Aneeka and the Project 143 team are also looking forward to adding events to their matchmaking services. Get-togethers, like parties, give clients a fresh way to mingle with others who understand and share their values and interests. Whether it’s through the agency’s hands-on matchmaking services, blog posts, or events, Project 143’s vision remains the same: to give Asian professionals the best shot at finding lasting love.