The Scoop: Flare Events is a service bringing Canadian daters authentic, in-person experiences. Flare’s CEO, Matthew Paoli, talked to us about how the service combines speed dating, matchmaking, and dating coaching to help singles stop the endless swiping and embrace genuine connections.
When you set a goal, achieving that goal is usually a multistep process. Let’s say your goal is to eat healthier. You’ll need to plan nutritious meals, make grocery lists, go shopping, and actually cook that food.
You won’t reach your ultimate goal if you stop at browsing yummy-looking Pinterest recipes or let that fresh produce go bad in your fridge.
Online dating is a convenient and popular way to date. But that doesn’t mean you need to put all your eggs in that basket. Creating a profile and getting swiping is a good way to dip your toe into the dating scene. But if you’re looking for a well-rounded dating experience, you’ll need to diversify your resources.
Swiping, matching, and messaging are great ways to start making connections. But if you’re not going on dates and making it happen in person, the odds of you getting burned out are high.
From matchmaking to dating coaching to IRL dating events, the modern dating scene has so many opportunities for you to explore. Flare Events offers all three for a dating approach tailored to people looking for a more authentic experience.
One of the drawbacks of online dating is it can feel impersonal. You’re exposed to countless profiles, but how do you know who’s really behind those profiles? And why is it so hard to set up a date?
Flare Events simplifies modern dating. The service uses the best aspects of online dating to create in person dating experiences that save you time and frustration.
Matthew Paoli is Flare Event’s founder and CEO. He talked to us about the company’s story and why he believes there’s still a critical need for face-to-face dating in our increasingly digital world.
“Our daters appreciate the fact we’re in person and they don’t have to worry about the endless swiping anymore,” Matthew said. “People know there’s more to compatibility than just looks. And the amount of time we’re able to give these daters during speed dating events is very effective.”
What Makes an Effective Dating Approach?
Matthew’s first foray into the dating world was in college when he worked as a brand ambassador. He had the opportunity to host speed dating events in Canada and he said coordinating the events was a profound experience.
“I went into coordinating speed dating with this preconceived notion that speed dating is something our grandparents did and that it’s out of style,” Matthew said. “This was during the advent of dating apps as well.”
The reality of speed dating was far away from Matthew’s ideas about it. He said that dating face-to-face sets people up for success. “It’s a great way to meet a lot of people in person,” Matthew said. “It was just a really great dynamic and a great concept.”
Matthew had plenty of ideas for how to modernize the model and make it more approachable for a generation of daters who have always had access to dating apps. But he believed the core concept was still useful for 21st century daters.
“The idea was you get people in, you get them to date, and you get them out,” Matthew said. “I knew there had to be a better, more person-focused way.”
Matthew moved away from the dating industry when the service he was working for stopped offering speed dating. He became a marketing professional and worked for companies such as Samsung, Spotify and Microsoft.
In 2019, while moving into a new condo, Matthew unearthed his old notebook from his speed dating days. The notebooks included all his ideas for making a better speed dating experience.
“It brought a wave of nostalgia, but it also got me thinking about how the dating market, specifically speed dating, was doing,” Matthew said. “I looked into it and was shocked to see the same players still in the market doing the exact same thing.”
The industry needed a shift. Matthew decided to start Flare to bring daters engaging and unique IRL experiences. And he said daters were in need of in-person experiences more than ever.
“I think the novelty was starting to wear off, and people were starting to get frustrated with dating apps,” Matthew said. “We launched officially in January 2020, and have been growing since then.”
Combining Matchmaking, Speed Dating, and Coaching
The Flare approach has always been focused on getting people off apps. Speed dating is one of the most effective ways to make it happen, but this mission extends to all of its features and services.
“We started with speed dating, but due to the pandemic, we had to shift to Zoom,” Matthew said. “We’re one of the first companies in Canada to have a digital speed dating scorecard and make it really intuitive.”
Soon after, Flare introduced dating coaching and matchmaking. If you’ve decided to get extra dating support, whether it’s through coaching or a matchmaker, you should look for a few things:
- Qualified and professional team that gives hands-on support
- Expertise and experience with your age group and in your location
- Diverse offerings, like matchmaking and coaching combos
- Positive reviews and customer testimonials
Services with these features attract singles who are looking for genuine connections.
“A lot of matchmakers have an aesthetic with their brand,” Matthew said. “For us, it’s very important to have a fresh take and approach to it. We stress affordability and accessibility.”
Flare events promote a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. They’re designed to ward off awkwardness and make it easy for you to lean in and actually enjoy dating.
Flare hosts events across major Canadian cities, including Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montréal. Matthew said every event is meticulously curated. They select venues, themes, and attendance limits carefully to create one-of-a-kind experiences.
Matthew said he considers making speed dating more inclusive one of the most important aspects of modernizing the practice. Traditional speed dating was often strictly heterosexual. Flare offers events for both heterosexual and LGBTQ+ daters.
Don’t Be Afraid to Try Something New
Speed dating may be one of those things you’ve heard about but haven’t been sure if it’s right for you. The same thing may be true about dating coaching and matchmaking. But if you look at a more enjoyable dating experience as a goal, there’s no harm in looking for extra help to make it happen.
Dating coaches help you master the parts of dating you’re struggling with, whether it’s first date prep, unhealthy habits, or simply taking the first step to put yourself out there. Dating coaching can help when you’re struggling, but Matthew said it’s a great outlet for everyone.
“My stance is it’s not for the socially awkward or the introverted but relevant to everyone. Dating trends frequently evolve and the ability to capably navigate them is critical to anyone’s success,” Matthew told us.
Flare offers dating services online. Choosing an online dating coach gives you the ability to connect with a coach who specializes in helping singles like you, whether they live in your area or not. A great dating coach will get to know you and create a dating plan catered to your needs.
A matchmaker is similar to a dating coach, but they’re more focused on finding your stellar first dates. A matchmaker will get to know you, your dating history, and what you’re looking for in a relationship. Matchmakers are a great choice if you’re ready for a long-term and committed partnership.
The best part of Flare’s offerings is that you can find dating coaching, speed dating, and matchmaking all in one place. The team will help you find the right path to a fulfilling dating journey.
“Our team is low ego, and we’re all about celebrating the people who come to our events,” Matthew said. “It takes bravery and courage to show up.”
