Sophia McDonald believes she has Cupid's arrow in her purse. Forget the fact that she is single. She's got a large database of contacts and a certificate from the Matchmaking Institute in New York. So this modern-day Emma is leaving her career as a real estate broker to put her own spin on the age-old art of matchmaking. "I believe I have a lot of intuition," says McDonald, 34, who is launching a company called Sophisticated Matching. "I'm very spiritual and sensitive. When I meet people, I tend to understand them very well." There were an estimated 1,300 independent matchmakers [...]

Syracuse matchmaking business clicks with clients CNY Business Journal - June 8, 2007 Lunch Appeal provides interviews, introductions, feedback to lonely singles. Pamela and Scott Stowell knew they were watching something special. The socially active couple (....) were in front of the television, when a 20/20 special about the Matchmaking Institute, a New York City-based school for matchmakers, appeared on the screen. "We instantly knew it was for us," Pamela says. Read all article (PDF)

Career Talk with Maggie Mistal Martha Stewart Living Radio - February 09, 2007 Lisa Clampitt, Matchmaking Institute Executive Director, spoke live on Martha Stewart Living Radio.

Making Money Making Matches Forbes - February 09, 2007 Making Money Making Matches “Can you believe I get paid for this, drinking tea and talking about love all day long?” Almost seven years after launching her own matchmaking business, Lisa Clampitt is still amazed at her good fortune. And why not? Her two-person shop–called VIP Life–pulls in up to $20,000 a year per client helping people who are looking for love in all the wrong places. Clampitt, 42, is one of 1,300 independent matchmakers in the U.S. and co-founder of the Matchmaking Institute, which trains aspiring matchmakers and sets quality [...]

A Match Made in... Manhattan The Sunday Telegraph, Stella, November 19, 2006 Lessons in Love. How on earth do you teach people to be matchmakers? Doesn't it all come down to intuition? The answer is yes - and no. "Intuition is definitely a big part of it, says Clampitt, but a lot of it also has to do with listening. If you listen - really listen - to your clients, they'll tell you everything you need to know.... read feature article (PDF)

Many things run through a woman's mind when you meet. Here's how to go from "hello" to "oh my" BY DENNY WATKINS, NOVEMBER 09, 2006 Your Approach Her brain quickly vets your height and facial symmetry the moment you meet. Now convince her of your character. Approach confidently; don't pretend to bump into her. "Men tend to talk to each other at angles to avoid confrontation," says Rutgers University anthropologist Helen Fisher, Ph.D., author of Why We Love. "But women face each other head-on and maintain eye contact." (For more ways to ensure your approach leads to amazing sex, pick [...]

Disillusioned online daters turn to matchmakers By Sophie Hares LONDON | Wed Nov 1, 2006 Online daters, disappointed by potential partners lying about their age, weight or marital status, are turning to professional matchmakers to find love. Rather than risk taking pot luck online, chief executives, entertainers and politicians are among those paying thousands of dollars to matchmakers to discreetly "headhunt" and vet the perfect partner. "In the old days you had your extended family, or in some societies an actual matchmaker, trying to find someone for you," said dating expert Mary Balfour. "Nowadays people have a personal matchmaker in [...]