Meet Christina Bloom, Founder/CEO of FindYourFaceMate.com
Tell us about your business.
FYFM is a revolutionary new dating website which employs facial recognition software and a proprietary algorithm designed to offer singles potential partners who are scientifically more likely to ignite sustainable passion and chemistry. The site is predicated on the theory that people are more attracted to those who share similar facial features to their own. There is ample scientific data supporting the theory and we hope to create matches which contain a major ingredient for longevity: romantic attraction.
Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?
My new business is a direct outgrowth of my old passion. I have observed couples for over twenty years and all the anecdotal and scientific evidence support the theory that, regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender, couples who have the most passion most often share a facial feature similarity. Of course, the chemistry needs to be buttressed by complementary values and style. I have personal experience with being with a wonderful partner with whom I had no chemistry and I know how important chemistry is to longevity. I wanted to create a website which would educate the population about the validity of this theory so that they would make better choices, ones that lead to long term happiness and compatibility. It is my life’s mission to help people find love and combine that love with the chemistry that can so often be elusive.
What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?
A good friend of mine started a small business many years ago and his passion, commitment and integrity were inspiring. I watched him meticulously grow his business into a multi-million dollar enterprise, one that employed hundreds of people and provided concrete opportunities for many. I witnessed his strategizing and planning and was impressed by how focused and organized he is. He was a great motivator for me and remains an important influence.
What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
FYFM began as a simple idea that I formulated over 20 years. I was able to fund the business, and mobilize and direct a team that has created a company and a fully functional website in less than 18 months.
What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?
I would share the importance of collaboration. As CEO, I respect and engage my team, seeking their ideas and input. We work collectively and it’s often the blended ideas that are most effective.
What has been the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your business?
A series of PR events which served to bring attention to FYFM, beginning with a remarkable story in New York Magazine and including a massive mistletoe event during the holidays, during which we invited couples at a major New York City cross-roads to kiss beneath the nation’s biggest mistletoe. It was a festive and romantic all day event which generated significant media coverage for our company and delivered upwards of $20,000 in donations for Operation Smile, a non-profit which offers facial surgeries to children with cleft palates.
What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?
In work and in life, I learned that patience is imperative. Losing one’s patience just creates tension and stress and so I have learned, via parenting and the business, to stay patient and keep a sense of humor.
Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you run your business?
Have a well-rounded staff made up of people with different and complementary skills. I have a dedicated staff of people who bring many talents to the job and it makes the office more efficient and the company more successful.
Do you have any new projects coming up (or have you just completed a big project ~ reached a milestone, etc.)? If so, please tell us about it.
Along with some summer events we’re hosting, we are completing an improved algorithm designed to be more effective and generate more matches.
What do you do for fun/relaxation?
I enjoy socializing with good friends and family over a meal or drink. And I like cinema and reading, but I am never really not working because I obsessively observe couples, in person and in the media. I am always on the lookout for faces and couples who evince our theory.
What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?
We need to generate many more users for our database (facebase) so that users have a much better experience. We’d like to increase our membership tenfold in the coming year, from 50,000 to 500,000 members, to offer more options and opportunities to find real love.
You want to write a book on …
“Love and My Life.” My personal experience with marriage and divorce has been so illuminating that I’d love to share it with others, particularly single women who might benefit from knowing my story and others like it.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Choosing a partner is one of the most important and meaningful decisions a person can make. Love and sharing are the foundations for a happy peaceful life and we really want to help people access their greatest personal potential.
What’s the best way for our readers to connect with you?
www.facebook.com/findyourfacemate
www.youtube.com/user/FindYourFacemate
http://facematcher.wordpress.com/
