Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Bendis.
Hi Julia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Bringing people together is a very cultural phenomena for myself and for every woman in my family. Being an immigrant from the former Soviet Union, I had to quickly adapt to a whole new life, new culture and language, but I never lost my gift of connecting with people and building relationships. Even when I didn’t speak English, I was still trying to meet people and form relationships. I have always been on a path to help people as well: whether it’s just lending an ear or guiding people through life’s struggles, or helping them find a partner in life. Food, sex and emotional well-being are one of the most important aspects of human life, and a big reason why I started my matchmaking agency. I wanted to be able to help more people and spread the message of hope and healing. When people come to me for online dating support or matchmaking, we first start with their mental health and get them prepared emotionally before any kind of dating can take place.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wish I could say it has been a smooth road! But that’s life, it’s up and down and curvy at times, there is no way around it. I learned over the years what things work for my business and for my clients and what doesn’t. As it pertains to running a business, I learned very quickly what you should spend money on and what is a complete waste! Nowadays I guide new matchmakers and those wanting to start their own dating agency on important points of what to stay away from, as well as those that are incredibly important to focus on. The biggest issue I encountered when I first set out to be in the matchmaking industry was all the advice about ‘you have to spend money to make money’. It seems to be the American way and unfortunately many people buy into that mentality. I am here to tell you that in fact, you do NOT need to spend money in order to make money. All you need is a great idea, the willpower to stick with it and a lot of hard work. Word of mouth and gorilla-style marketing is your best chance. Meaning you need to make personal connections, network and pass out your cards to everyone and their mother… literally.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Match by Julia?
I started Match by Julia over twenty years ago however, I was actually matching people back in my teenage years. When everyone was worrying about their teenage crush and high school drama – I was focused on why people were breaking up and how I can help fix that! I decided to build it into a business when my kids started school. It’s never easy balancing parenthood and work but even more challenging a business. I was very lucky to have a partner who not only encouraged me to turn my passion into a business but truly helped me get it off the ground. Not a lot of women have a partner like that and I will forever be grateful for his support and taking over a lot of the parenting duties so I could focus on the business in those difficult early years.
I am a third-generation matchmaker, author, relationship and dating educator. I specialize in intimacy, dating and relationship coaching. With each client, I get to know them on a personal level, their needs, wants and desires for their future mate. After the initial meeting, I personally hand-select each potential match either from my database, by meeting and recruiting new clientele, or through my large network of other matchmakers. When a potential client is not ready for dating, we focus on coaching and guidance for their future. Photography and styling sessions are also part of the process and what help each client present themselves in the best possible light whether it’s for online dating or on all of their dates. There is a lot of coaching, guidance and feedback involved in this process and I always encourage people to be patient. Dating is not an overnight success, it takes time and the right attitude to attract the right matches, as well as proper profile and photos.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t believe in luck, it’s not something that I feel is real if that makes sense. No one has bad luck or good luck, we all create our own destiny depending on which path we take. Of course, some things are predestined and I fully believe that, but more than anything its about sticking with your passion and your purpose in life. I believe that we all have a certain purpose and sometimes more than one. I know that my purpose in this life has always been to help people and to be an educator of all things love, relationships and intimacy. But helping others in their time of need is just as important to me.
Pricing:
- Anyone can join the database for just $500 one time fee
- If you want a more personal approach and for us to be searching for your matches on a regular basis we offer 3 and 6-month matchmaking services
- We also offer online dating support and profile creation
- Coaching and guidance is $200 an hour or get a discount when you purchase multiple sessions
Contact Info:
- Website: matchbyjulia.com
- Instagram: @juliabendis
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/groups/403752201419584/?ref=group_browse
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/matchbyjulia
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/match-by-julia-mission-viejo-4
