GLR Spotlight is an interview series featuring Matchmakers, Dating Coaches & Relationship Experts
Global Love Report – February 14th, 2024
Interviewed by Global Love Report
GLR Spotlight was created to feature some of our industry peers as a way for our community to get to know one another. Learn from what has worked successfully, as well as gain different perspectives and insights into various business strategies. We hope to continuously grow as an industry together by sharing these best practices with everyone!
About Victoria Joseph
Victoria Joseph is the first certified matchmaker specializing in non-traditional relationships and founded Birds of a Feather Matchmaking. Based in Chicago, she caters to those who are seeking an open, ethically non-monogamous (ENM), polyamorous, or lifestyle relationship.
Discover more about her captivating journey in the interview below!
Global Love Report Interview
Global Love Report (GLR): What was your career before entering the matchmaking industry?
Victoria Joseph (VJ): Before entering the matchmaking industry, I had a 5-year career as an active-duty military member in the U.S. Navy. After my contract ended, I obtained an MBA and wanted to start my own business, ultimately leading to my boutique matchmaking firm!
GLR: Why did you decide to become a matchmaker?
VJ: I love connecting people with people I think they’d get along with! It’s pretty rewarding to successfully ‘match’ people, whether on a friendship level or, even better, a love interest level!
I was naturally matchmaking people for years, and when I thought about how this would be the perfect career path for me, I ran with it! The idea sprung in my head while road-tripping in Iceland. After the trip, I contacted a few fellow matchmakers, and it continued to feel right every step of the way!
Upon further research, I found that no matchmakers did non-monogamous matchmaking, and I thought to myself, I would LOVE to be the first matchmaker who caters to the ENM community, so I did just that!
GLR: Did your perception of what a matchmaker is/does change after being certified?
VJ: Yes, my perception of what a matchmaker does has changed after being certified! A lot goes on behind the scenes, much more than I thought.
I have been enjoying the process of what it means to be an entrepreneur and a business owner. Matchmaking is a front-loaded business, and when done right, there’s a lot of love and thought that goes into every process we implement. There’s a lot of online and in-person work necessary to get done, and both are equally important.
GLR: What are you looking forward to as a matchmaker?
VJ: I am looking forward to bringing more love into this world! It’s an honor to be a part of my client’s journey, or anyone’s journey, really, to finding love and helping them find their forever person. It’s the most important decision that anyone can make in their life.
GLR: What cities/states/locations do you cover?
VJ: I specialize in non-traditional relationships nationwide. I also matchmake for individuals locally, in or near the Chicago area, who may be seeking a traditional relationship. This is on a case-by-case basis.
GLR: Have you met any other matchmakers? If so, how has that experience been? Are you open to collaboration in the future?
VJ: Yes, and yes! I have met matchmakers locally and at the NYC GLI Matchmaking Conference, which was a fantastic experience!! I’m looking forward to more collaborations in the future. I love helping others in any way that I can!
GLR: Do you have any words of advice for people who are still considering if they want to be a matchmaker or not?
VJ: My advice would be to continue to build up your network! The bigger your reach, the easier and faster your matchmaking business can take off. I would also figure out your ‘why’ or purpose for starting a matchmaking business, and don’t forget it!
Read more Global Love Report Spotlight Interviews here.
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