IN THE MEDIA
March 12, 2007
February 20, 2003
Gentlemen,
I have a problem
- we need to talk
Business Edge Advertising Feature
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Over the past 25
years, Maureen Wagner has established herself as Calgary’s
premier professional matchmaker.
When it comes to helping business people find compatible partners,
Wagner is simply beyond compare.
Indeed, her list of highly satisfied clients at Empresario Matchmaker
Inc. is the stuff of legend.
She regularly receives gifts, cards - even baby pictures - from
former clients who have found a new lease on their love life.
Yet despite a remarkably successful matchmaking career, she continues
to face a nagging challenge:
“Men over 50,” sighs Wagner. “They are very
highly sought-after but often equally evasive."
“Every other segment of my business is booming.”
In fact, Wagner turns away a staggering eight to 10 women a week
because of the shortage of over-50 men in her database.
“These men are professionals with a nice home and a nice
car, but they’ve been bitten once, sometimes twice, and
therefore are very skeptical about matching up with another woman,” she
says.
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“The pain
from a divorce isn’t just emotional - these men have been
hit in the wallet, too, and they don’t want that to happen
again. “But guess what - the women with whom I work don’t
need your cash. They are high-achieving professionals who are
doing just fine.”
They also see the benefits of working with Empresario to dramatically
improve their chances of finding a suitable mate.
The advantages of going to Empresario are many and varied.
“People love the fact that I’m working with the highest-quality
people, but our biggest secret to success is the extent to which
we go to match values,” Wagner explains.
Wagner does not use pictures as a way of selection. People want
their confidentiality respected and do not want the shopping-centre
mentality.
“Both sides would hear full information on each other,
then you are left with a decision.
“If this sounds right for both of you, then we give you
both a name and a number, and a time for you to contact the person.
Lunch or something casual in the middle of the day works well.”
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We tend to judge
in 30 seconds. But Wagner suggests we invest a little more than
that.
“Remember, this is just a lunch. And it’s amazing
what happens when people are open to all the possibilities.
We take all the practical steps - from screening to the common-sense
approach to matching value systems - to maximize your likelihood
of finding a great partner without all the hassle.
“Let’s face it, your chances of finding Mrs. Right
by chance just aren’t that high.”
The fact that Wagner turns away so many women is a strong signal
to those over-50 men.
“I’m working with an astounding selection of women,
and if you give me a call and do a bit of research, you might
be pleasantly surprised.”
For more information, call Maureen Wagner at Empresario in Calgary
at 403.252.8760. |
| April
11, 2002 "Business Edge" magazine |
The Calgary Sun,
October 14, 2001 SUNDAY
9
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"As
my business grew, it confirmed
values were the important thing" |
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| A
Perfect Match |
This comes close to perfection.
With too much time in too high heels, I'm finally sinking
into an enormous plush chair in Maureen Wagner's office.
But her Glenmore Trial space doesn't feel
like a place of work today. With its tasteful décor
of plants and collectibles, it's more like a comfortable
living room.
And Wagner, a career woman, is more like
the lady of the house, making certain all my needs
are met.
Today's lunchdate places an egg salad sandwich
on a china plate and positions petite salt and pepper
shakers on the coffee table before us. Then she slides
into a huge chair besides me. When
you think of matchmakers, you might think of your aged
Aunt Edna, trying to fix you up with her neighbour's
boy.
Well, the stylish, soon-to-be-60 Wagner,
who is unwed but in a satisfying relationship, it not
your aunt Edna.
"Why the matchmaking business instead of
shoe sales at the Bay?" I ask her, while fighting an
urge to kick off my heels.
"Do I look like a shoe salesman?" She laughs. "I
wanted to do something progressive. I'm a progressive
thinker, looking towards the future."
And I'm looking around the room.
"Your office is lined with books," I say. "There's The
Wonder of Boys."
"That book is so good because it gives
a true understanding of why men are the way they are," she
says.
(I'm sure glad some author explained it.)
"And there's Life Strategies - Doing
What Works, Doing What Matters, by Dr. Phil of Oprah fame," I
continue. "And here's another one!" Getting the
Love you Want. This is like a psychologist's office.
I thought you were a matchmaker.
"I am a matchmaker," Wagner says. "But
what I'm doing is bringing insight. I don't see it
as a psychologist, but maybe as a bit of a teacher."
A big mistake people make in the love department,
according to this teacher, is too much intensity too
soon.
"We want to fall in love so quickly," Wagner
says. "But falling in love is building history together.
It's building some trust and getting to know that person.
'We're getting married!' someone will say to me, and
I'll say, 'Do you know his second name?', 'Well, not
really,' they'll admit. People want instant."
As I find out, matchmaking is not instant.
"To start with, I sit down with you, explain
to process, ask you some questions and answer some of your
questions, to see that I've got what you're looking for," Wagner
says. |
"There's 2½ hours worth of questions.
For example, I'll ask what you want, what you don't want,
what you bring, and where you'll compromise. About an hour
is probably spent on your values."
Wagner, I discover, is very big on values.
"When I started in this business, I was not
matching on interests and activities. I was matching on
values,"
she says. "As my business grew, it confirmed values were
the important thing."
Matchmaker Wagner must be on to something,
because her client list is long.
"I have probably 1,200 people," she says.
"The average age starts at 19 and the oldest
is an 80-year-old man who has been matched to a 78-year-old
woman. He is so happy, He's just blossoming."
"How many matches would you give somebody?" I
ask.
"I give them eight," Wagner replies.
"That's a lot of dates," I say.
"That's a lot of work," she says. "And they
get nervous. But it's an adventure."
And matchmaker Wagner, who's seen thousands
of marriages as a result of her calling, admits not everyone
will win.
"Not everybody's ready," she says.
"But at least they should go out and practice."
Practice makes perfect.
Well, almost perfect.
Because Wagner insists nothing, not even a
relationship, will ever be perfect.
Although this comfy big chair, which I am loath
to leave, comes awfully close. |
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