Business Woman (Jacob Lund)
Global Love Report – September 30th, 2026
English summary by Margaret
An entrepreneur turned matchmaker in Toulon, France, has been helping singles find love in the region. Aurélie Malagoli took over the Unicis matchmaking agency in 2019.
Prior to becoming a matchmaker, she and her husband ran an industrial cleaning company for 11 years.Together, they had also been involved in several other businesses, including a restaurant and a car wash.
After selling the cleaning company, Aurélie wanted to start a project of her own. A few months earlier, she had seen an advertisement from a couple who were preparing to retire and looking for someone to take over their matchmaking agency in Toulon. She saved a screenshot of the advertisement, thinking that it was something she might have enjoyed doing.
When she mentioned it to her husband, he encouraged her to pursue the opportunity. He knew she had always enjoyed playing matchmaker. Her interest in matchmaking was not new. About 15 years earlier, one of her friends had experienced repeated disappointments on dating sites. Believing she knew someone who could be a good match, Aurélie introduced the two. Eleven years later, they were married and had several children.
That experience reinforced something Aurélie had already felt for years. Connecting people came naturally to her. She met the previous owners of the Unicis agency and quickly learned how the business operated.
A Personal Approach Without Photos
Her agency takes a personal approach to helping clients find a suitable partner. Clients do not browse a catalog of photos or scroll through profiles looking for someone they like.
Instead, the process begins with two questionnaires. The first covers areas such as family situation, hobbies, profession, values, lifestyle, and personality. The second focuses on the type of person the client wants to meet.
The information from the questionnaires is then discussed in greater depth during conversations with her. She explains that these discussions help her understand things that clients may not necessarily express in writing.
Photos are not shown before a date. Aurélie believes appearance should not be the first criterion when deciding whether someone could be a suitable partner. A meeting is arranged when she believes two people have genuine common ground.
The agency also takes steps to provide reassurance before introductions. Both people know that the agency has already vetted the other person. Candidates must provide identification and proof of marital status, while single clients sign a sworn statement confirming their status.
According to Aurélie, these verification procedures are particularly reassuring for many clients.
Matchmaking Goes Beyond Finding a Partner
Aurélie’s role also includes coaching. She says many singles have lost confidence, with some believing they are not good enough while others focus heavily on their careers.
Her work therefore goes beyond introducing two people. She also helps clients regain confidence and prepares them for relationships.
She has observed that dating apps have changed how some people approach relationships, with singles sometimes moving quickly from one person to another when difficulties arise.
From Young Singles to Clients Over 80
Although matchmaking agencies are sometimes associated with older singles, Aurélie’s clients cover a wide age range. Her youngest client was 23, while the people she works with today range from 18 to over 80.
She has also noticed differences in the gender balance across age groups. Before age 39, she sees more single men. Between 60 and 65, the numbers become more balanced, while women outnumber men after age 65.
Some younger clients discover the agency through their families, while others found her after seeking advice from ChatGPT on how to find a serious relationship.
A Growing Network and International Connections
Since taking over the agency, Aurélie has seen clients form relationships that have led to marriages, friendships, and children. She says one couple she worked with welcomed their first child that year.
Her network now includes 13 agencies in France and around 3,000 members. The network can also facilitate connections beyond France. For example, one client who wanted to meet a Spanish woman was connected with the agency in Madrid.
The network is also developing contacts in Réunion Island and Mauritius, expanding the possibilities for clients seeking connections outside mainland France.
Aurélie says she would like the agency to support LGBTQIA+ individuals, but it currently does not have enough demand to facilitate these introductions.
For Aurélie, matchmaking has become a career that combines her entrepreneurial experience with something she has enjoyed since long before she entered the industry, bringing people together.
Originally published by: actu.fr
