This Week at Linx

Just in…a nice little testimonial from a client of Linx…

I had a great experience with Linx & Amy. She listened to me very well in the interview, & within a year, she had 2 good matches for me. The first one in September; the second one in June. One match was so close that we dated for a year, & we have remained wonderful friends.I have recommended my friends to her. Match-making is not a science; it’s not a sure thing to find a match. But the odds are better than other services where there is no screening (other than by yourself) or going out to advertised “singles” events. Her pricing is steep but life is like that at times.

This week has been super crazy busy at work especially with the mention in the Sunday style section of The New York Times. Lots of great inquires from all over have been landing in my inbox. I’ve received so many emails from prospects- especially really young movers and shakers in tech (think FB, Twitter, Palantir, Box) and a lot of folks in the VC and angel investment community as well. From San Francisco, to San Jose, Atherton, to Manhattan, and Newport Beach. Funny how the NYT mentioned LinkedIn as a resource for me scouting talent. I haven’t logged into my LinkedIn profile in probably twelve years. No offense Mr. Jeff Weiner. wink wink.

With Halloween right around the corner, why not head out in true Silicon Valley style with your own chic personalized dress-literally.
Wearing your Facebook profile as a dress takes social media to a whole new level. Talk about an ice breaker!

I‘ve seen a funny trend in the past two weeks with multiple couples coupling up who share the same name. For instance three male clients named Mark who were matched to three totally different girls named Sally and now each new couple reports back that they are going exclusive. Mark + Sally couple #1, Mark + Sally couple #2, and Mark + Sally couple #3. I haven’t seen that one ever actually. Had some great meetings today with clients and prospects and the rest of the week is about matchmaking, client calls, and some fun work related projects. That’s all for now.

Follow me on Twitter @linxdating

Linx on CNN Newsroom Live Broadcast | March 20, 2013

CNN Visits Linx

On December 6th, CNN visited our office in Menlo Park for a camera interview with corespondent, Laurie Segall. She’s a CNN Money reporter based in New York covering startups, innovation, VC’s and all things new and cool. 

They contacted me about being featured as part of a story that will air in early January about Silicon Valley culture and navigating the waters as a successful single professional in a geek culture. They wanted me to specifically talk about any trends I am seeing in the Valley, if there has been a noticeable spike in business with all the new money pouring in post FB IPO, and how I get these geeks date ready through “Amy’s boot camp.” CNN also wanted me to host a little mixer where the guests would be comprised of high caliber single tech and entrepreneur types…those who are essentially changing the world right here in Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Cupertino, and San Jose.

It was all very last minute,  so in true entrepreneurial form, I managed to get myself prepared with my interview “sound bytes”, coifed, spray tanned (lol), locate two fun outfits (a girl has to do two looks right…thanks Kate Spade), find dynamic guests who would be OK being featured on camera, and transform my office into a mixer-ready cozy den. The reporter (Laurie), producer, and cameraman were supposed to arrive at 5:00pm to interview me, followed by party guests arriving at 6:15pm to start the party on film. With holiday traffic and general 101 chaos, the CNN crew arrived an hour late. I’ve learned over the years and especially with media, you gotta roll with the punches and just “be.”

My assistant (who also took these pics!) and husband alerted those guests showing up for this little clandestine Linx soiree to come back in 45 minutes. I was so thankful to have the two of them outside helping me (especially as I was getting mic’ed and wired, as well as, really needing to channel my focus to the camera that was about to start shooting) and so appreciative that everyone was super chill and willing to come back no problem.

The interview went really well and was a standing interview compared to a more formal sit-down format. We chatted for about 15 minutes with lots of shared insights, laughs, and had a nice, easy rapport between us. She asked me a ton about the business, how I match, my success rate, the types of clients I represent, if I’ve seen a rise in business with all the money in the valley, etc.

She asked about working with these hoodie wearing nerds and how I transform them. I said “geek is the new chic” here in the valley and sometimes with even 30 minutes in “Amy’s boot camp” they are ready. It is a confidence thing. Sometimes these cerebral types are so trapped in their freakin’ head they have no idea what to say to a woman. You multiply that by woman + attractive + cool + intellectual and these guys are shakin’ in their boots at the idea of even sitting across from their date. A little time with Amy and they are ready to go!At the very end of the interview, she asked me if I am the “new millionaire matchmaker.” In other words, am I Patti 2.0? I paused and said, “I am the nice millionaire matchmaker.” And that was a wrap! All 25 guests poured in, votives in true Andersen style flickered everywhere, wine poured, jazz played, people mingled, munched on food platters I put together (thanks to Trader Joes…side note- they have great tapas cheeses, sliced meats, and so much for entertaining…love love love it), and networked. The camera got a ton of b-roll footage and also got coverage of 4 guests who wanted to have mini interviews. It was so nice to see such enthusiasm that night and holiday festivities in full swing that night!

It appears as though some possible love connections happened that night and beyond romance, a lot of guests reconnected having met prior and those who had not met one another, gained interesting new contacts in the Silicon Valley.

And to quote Ferris Bueller (which I feel is a very representative quote for Silicon Valley), “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” This story is supposed to come out the end of January 2013.

Silicon Valley Culture

This once-in-a-lifetime success on such a grand scale is so completely unique for those in the Bay Area and specifically, Silicon Valley. Moreover, our Facebook and tech clients at Linx Dating are so down-to-earth and extremely private and this is just as attractive or more so than the quantitative wealth outcome.

The culture of the Silicon Valley, and companies like FB, do not encourage “showing off” wealth like some might envision. People here (regardless of their net worth) are simply low key. Newly minted millionaires and seasoned entrepreneurs don’t really talk about it. Sure, they might drive a fast new car but most are still wearing the t-shirts, jeans, and famous “hoodie” ala Zuck or black turtleneck ala Jobs.

In Palo Alto, anyone on any given day can walk down the street and rub shoulders with a ka-zillionnaire and never know it! The flash and excess doesn’t happen here on a level that some might think. The guy or girl you pass and lock eyes with on Hamilton Avenue leaving the popular Creamery for lunch could be the next big thing but you most likely will never know. They fade into the distance and head back to work to tinker away and code deep into the night.

In the Valley, you have these incredibly bright super star entrepreneur women and men focused on the next big thing, stocking their money away intelligently and figuring out how to create their next fortune. The VCs come piling in, offering term sheets, and currently there is so much cash flowing in the Valley with all the deals that it is THE time for a entrepreneur to hit the ground running and seize their dream.

When these successful young entrepreneurs and techies are out and about socializing, they often don’t mention where they work. If they did mention “FB”, “Zynga”, “Google” etc, so many people would anchor to that, fixate, and then it can become a slippery slope of ‘how many stock options do you have’, ‘how long have you been at the company’ ‘ what is your company’s exit’ and so forth. Instead, most will just “be”, hang within a trusted circle of friends they already know over beers at The Old Pro and if meeting a stranger will be the last to brag about options or wealth.

Importantly, it isn’t just the men who are making the $. We see so many incredibly successful females of all ages (lots of 20 somethings to 60s) who have “made it” coming into our Menlo Park offices. These women desire a guy who is with them for the right reasons, who might have a similar net worth where it simply isn’t an issue and when each respective person’s net worth is equal, it dissipates any possible tension and creates a neutral playing field. A situation where they don’t have to worry and instead focus on really getting to know one another.

Enjoy this video from CNET wanted-a-single-facebook-millionaire

This Weeks Extraordinary Clients | Are You A Match?

What a whirlwind last few weeks for Linx! From filming for an upcoming CBS News story, doing countless new client interviews, and just yesterday meeting with a male client to plan a special princess proposal for his soon-to-be fiancé. I’ve gotten word on quite a few Linx couples happily coupled up- traveling the world together and putting vulnerabilities on the table as they discuss marriage.

We have so many exceptional new clients to read about high level. See if you or anyone you know might be that needle in a haystack match for them.

Client one

If you like the idea of meeting a Silicon Valley geek who is accomplished (yet super humble), witty, social, loyal, and passionate…you’ve potentially found your match. He’s 35, Caucasian, 5’10”, shaved head, sexy, and super fit. He works for a great tech company designing computer chips, never married, and considers himself agnostic.

He’s a film buff with a fondness for independent cinema, though he enjoys everything from a well-crafted blockbuster to an enthralling documentary.  Passionate about music, he not only has thousands of albums and greatly enjoys attending concerts, but has also played guitar since he was a teenager.  He loves driving performance cars, whether it’s carving up winding mountain roads or pushing the limit on the racetrack.

This gentleman is an uncomplicated guy, genuine and honest and not interested in playing games.  He was born and raised in the Midwest, so he has a bit of that Midwestern charm and kindness toward others – he’s always willing to bend over backwards to help out friends and family.

His match is 25-37 max,  petite or slender, 5’3″-5’5″, active, and loves to rock the cute t-shirts and jeans versus always doing herself up. She’s social, very playful, will appreciate his dark/wicked sense of humor, conversationally smart, and definitely quirky.

Client Two

Our next featured client is an early 30’s gentleman who was born overseas. He’s incredibly athletic , cute, and clean-cut. He is very well educated (including a post graduate degree from a top university) and works in an academic setting as an exec.

He has an intense, competitive and serious professional side but he is also very friendly, warm and curious. Growing up overseas  and then living in Paris definitely gives him a distinctive view of life.

His ideal match is 23-32 years old, slender, very feminine, yet natural. She is intellectual, talented, persistent, passionate, humorous, and has an international background as well. Icing on the cake is Jewish and open-minded.

Client Three

She’s a giving, loyal, sweet, and very fit early 30’s mother of two who is a gorgeous mix of Caucasian and Asian. She is 5’6″, stylish, and has a perfectly toned yoga body.

She’s super active (loves hiking), cosmopolitan (enjoys exploring new restaurants in San Francisco), social (hosting parties and cooking), and deeply nurturing  (spending quality time in any way with friends, family and her kids.)

Her match is early 30’s to mid 40’s, taller, darker hair,  and maybe has light eyes. He’s social,  adventurous, has a quiet confidence,  “a good guy”, family oriented, and intelligent. Icing on the cake is Jewish and in touch with his faith.

Client Four

He’s carved an incredible path for himself career wise and has achieved so much for only being in his late 20’s. Educated at Stanford and working for one of the hottest tech companies around, he’s super humble and if anything considers himself lucky to work with such smart co-workers.

He’s a total guy’s guy type who loves good country music, Stanford and 49ner football (season ticket holder) searching for the perfect  burger, entertaining for friends, shooting guns on occasion, and sticking to a regular and disciplined workout regimen.  This gentleman is Catholic (although not religious), loyal to the core, very successful, private, easy-going, and quite shy.

His match is a 22- 30 years old, petite w curves, up to 5’6″, feminine with a cute face and nice sense of style. She’s social, very sweet, intellectual, bubbly, mature, a good communicator, and affectionate in a relationship. Although young, she is ready for a serious commitment to a protective and loving man.

Client Five

She’s an attractive Caucasian lady who is mid 40’s, 5’4″, very stylish, and polished. She has pretty long brunette hair and a feminine, fit physique. She works in technology holding an exec role and is finally starting to focus on her personal life and dial back long work hours in the hopes of achieving balance.

She’s sophisticated and yet down to earth – very comfortable in elegant, luxury settings as well as relishes in the simplest things like a meaningful conversation, a bubble bath, or a  glass of wine after a long day.  She always seems to be thinking of others and leads her life with no hidden agendas or games.

Her leading guy is 40’s to early 50’s, 5’9″ and up, and clean cut. He’s confident and calm from within, supportive, witty, arrives with some battle wounds from various relationships, and lives his life with high integrity. The way to her heart is through old-fashioned courtship, so if you enjoy chivalry and understands what it means to be a gentleman, this is a great match for you.