I’m Samuel, and I make introductions for a living.

I take a small number of clients at a time. Twelve is my limit, and I’d rather turn someone away than do this badly at volume. Some of the big firms carry hundreds of clients at once. You can tell, because their clients say so in reviews.

I meet everyone in my pool. Not a phone screen, an actual conversation, and usually a Connection Night. My pool grows slowly because of it. It also means that when I send you a name, I have sat across from that person.

I’ll tell you unpleasant things. If your photos are working against you, I’ll say so. If the reason your last four relationships ended is a pattern rather than bad luck, I’ll say that too, kindly, once. You’re not paying me to agree with you.

Most people who think they’re bad at dating are fine at dating and bad at the apps. Those are different problems with different fixes.

Chemistry is real, but it isn’t first. Compatibility on the boring things is what carries a relationship past year three. I match on the boring things and let chemistry decide from there.

Better people make stronger relationships. Some of the work is finding the right person. Some of it is becoming someone the right person wants to stay with. I do both, and I’d rather say that out loud than pretend the whole job is introductions.

Nobody should have to spend $30,000 to meet people. There’s a real service in the middle of this market and that’s the one I’m running.