The Scoop: Whether they’re single, divorced, or widowed, many mature adults still seek love and companionship. Though some turn to online dating, others find comfort in using more traditional methods, including local matchmakers like Successful Singles. The New England matchmaking service has been helping clients for more than 30 years and focuses on creating meaningful, long-term relationships. Mature singles often know what they’re looking for in a partner, and Successful Singles uses a personal touch to find them romance.
Though most singles in their 20s and 30s are on dating apps, many singles over 50 aren’t sure how to navigate this modern dating scene. Further, they’re often looking for lasting relationships — not just a series of dates. Research from Michigan State University shows that couples who meet through online and mobile dating are 28% less likely to stay together long term.
This is just one of the many reasons why many mature, selective singles in New England turn to Successful Singles, a long-standing matchmaking service that has a clientele of nearly 90% baby boomers.
Successful Singles is a matchmaking service that helps single seniors find personal connections.
Ron Cater founded the business in 1984 — long before online dating was even an idea — to connect local singles in a more personalized way. Over the last 35 years, he has continued working with the same generation of singles as many found compatible partners and had successful relationships.
Ron and his Senior Matchmaker, Roberta Diamond, said one of the primary benefits Successful Singles offers over online dating is a thorough screening of clients, and he ensures that all of his clients are looking for the same thing: lasting love.
“People are pleased with the caliber of people that we have, the screening that we do, and that 100% of our clients are looking for long-term relationships,” he told us.
Men and Women are Turning to Professional Matchmakers Instead of Online Dating
A significant percentage of Successful Singles clients have tried online dating before turning to the matchmaking service.
“About 70% of our clients have used online services. But they often feel frustrated with online dating, which is why they come to us,” Ron said.
Other clients didn’t even attempt online dating because they were worried that they wouldn’t find anyone compatible, especially at their age. Or they fear that potential mates wouldn’t be honest about themselves.
Ron Cater founded Successful Singles in 1984 to match singles in New England.
Those difficulties often lead singles from that generation to turn to matchmakers. In their region, Ron and Roberta have seen matchmaking flourish even as online dating is gaining in popularity. Daters, especially in New England, still appreciate the personalized touch a matchmaker can provide.
Successful Singles provides daters with access to an elite pool of potential mates. Many of the singles are professionals, and all of them are non-smokers. They all undergo criminal background checks and are thoroughly interviewed, so a person — not an algorithm — pairs suitable matches.
“Our clients are more serious-minded than what one would find online,” Roberta said. “They like knowing that people are who they say they are.”
Those services are especially useful to clients who have grown disillusioned with finding dates through other mediums. That peace of mind allows clients to relax and takes the pressure off their first dates.
A Personalized Process Meets Your Unique Needs
Successful Singles is selective about clients who it believes it can help find partners.That means the matchmaking service has a more exclusive list of singles, which ensures that each client has a personalized experience.
Ron shared a story about two clients he recently paired. A member was hesitant about meeting one of her matches — a man who she thought was too tall and lived too far away. But Ron insisted they would be compatible.
Eventually, she agreed to meet him and Roberta — and it turned out they all hit it off. They recently dropped Ron and Roberta a thank-you note after a month-long trip they took to Europe.
Ron said that’s why other singles should try to be more open to possibilities, and he encourages them to stay optimistic in their search because so many compatible daters are out there looking for the same things.
He also advises clients to prioritize finding a partner and building a relationship.
“You have to put yourself in a situation where you can meet people who are single and available,” Ron said. “Connect with others who desire a good, healthy relationship. If you’re open-minded, you very well might end up meeting someone nice and having a great relationship.”
Successful Singles: Word-of-Mouth Has Been Its Best Advertising Tool
When Ron started Successful Singles 35 years ago, he didn’t think he’d still be matchmaking all these years later, but the company has built a sterling reputation across New England — without even doing much advertising.
Successful Singles relies mainly on its satisfied clients telling their friends, family, coworkers, and acquaintances about the company. That also contributes to the high quality of its clientele; members recommend like-minded people to sign up for the services.
“Most people know us, and word-of-mouth has been our number one advertising tool over our 30 years in business,” Ron said.
Ron and Roberta also don’t reach out to potential clients or recruit members. If singles have an interest in matchmaking, they can connect with the company. That ensures everyone who uses Successful Singles wants to be there, and nobody is hesitant about meeting partners through a matchmaker.
“We look for a very select portion of the dating market. If someone’s a good fit for us, great. If they’re not, they’re usually not interested in matchmaking to begin with,” Roberta told us.
The dating landscape has changed a lot over the years, but Successful Singles clients still want the same thing: a long-term relationship with a compatible partner. Ron and Roberta want mature singles to know that finding a relationship is still possible.
“They wonder ‘Are there nice men or women out there?’ People can get disillusioned with dating, but the message is that there are nice people out there,” Ron said. “There are people who really want a relationship. There are people like you.”
