Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Jaydi Samuels Kuba

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jaydi Samuels Kuba. Check out our conversation below.

Jaydi, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I reconnected with my passion for playing tennis after taking a 20+ year break from it. I was competitive when I was younger and was nationally-ranked; however, I got burned out by high school. While I played varsity table tennis in college (yes, it’s a real sport!), I vowed to never pick up a tennis racquet again. But once I become a mom, I was looking for ways to stay active, and was attracted to a local league with other moms I knew in it. It felt like a win-win. What started off as nice socialization and a healthy pastime, reignited a competitive drive in me, and I won my first tournament in years this past summer.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I wear many hats, which I know isn’t unfamiliar to your readers! I’ve written for TV (FAMILY GUY, GOOD TIMES, SALEM), started my own podcast (Match Made in Hollywood), matchmaking and date coaching companies (LJMatchmaking), and most recently wrote a book — “Your Last First Date: Secrets from a Hollywood Matchmaker” — published by Avid Reader Press this Jan. 27th.

It took until I was 40, but with this book, I finally found a way to marry all my passions!

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
It’s not especially uplifting, but I had a family member go to prison under a very unjust set of circumstances. It was an experience that made me a bit more mistrusting of our judicial system, but most importantly, taught me not to have blind faith in any one system. And to be an active participant in shaping the world the way we want it to be, rather than relying on strangers whose set of beliefs and world perspective may differ from our own.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Probably fear of not being viewed as successful. It’s caused me to make choices that appear enviable from the outside but don’t necessarily correlate to personal happiness. As I’ve gotten older, I realize how different everyone’s definitions of success are anyway, and how my own has evolved over the years too. I now make decisions that make me feel good, that push me closer toward people I care about, and a life full of love and balance — irrespective to how those choices might be viewed by others.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
For matchmaking– That it’s okay to charge exorbitant fees for a service that offers no tangible guarantee. Some colleagues have mastered the art and have the talent to back it up. But my business partner and I have chosen to pursue a different business model that we believe consistently puts the client first.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing? 
Living abroad, even if it’s for a summer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ljmatchmaking.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matchmadeinhollywood/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaydi-samuels-kuba-95b2a326/
• Twitter: https://x.com/matchmadenhwood?s=21&t=DpowzfthdYv88ymSHOUkJQ
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@matchmadeinhollywood

Image Credits
Jen Scott