An interview with Matchmaking Momma

Who am I?

My real name is Patsy Copus, I am a mother, wife, inventor, entrepreneur, bad joke teller and the founder of Singlescanada.com. I started this service way back in 1998. Back then people were very weary of online dating. It was like answering a personal ad in the newspaper, but now people embrace dating services online. Just sitting at home, at your leisure you can browse a catalogue of single people, see if you have common interests, check out their photos, view video, and chat. When I started this business, I did not have a clue how to build a website, I only knew that I wanted to help people connect. There were so many International sites, but none that catered just for Canadians trying to find someone in their own town or city. I spoke to thousands of singles in chat rooms, and one day a girl said to me�start the business what have you got to lose. And the rest is history.

Many sites have launched since, but most of them have started because they heard that they could make millions of dollars by launching a dating site. And that is the same reason why you see so many dating sites disappear overnight, because they realize that there is a lot of work and commitment to make it work and only the people with a love for the business can make it. I started this website on my own with the help with of a great friend who built my first website, my children and friends who often helped approve ads. I still run the site single handedly, but I have a great team who look after the dating software and tech support. I personally answer every email, do the marketing, and screen all of the dating profiles. If you do not get a fast response from your email, it is because I only have two hands and I can not type well with my feet. But you can be assured that a reply will come from me, and I will make your experience at Singlescanada.com a good one.

Why did you start an online dating site?

There are so many reasons for starting any business, but I started singlescanada.com because I wanted to help people. There is no greater power in the universe than the power of love. There are thousands of people who run dating services or are affiliates for some of the largest dating services out there, but if they do not love what they are doing, how can they help you find true love? My role here is a personal one. I love what I do, I love the single people that I talk to. We all have a common goal, and that is to meet someone and share our lives, have children or have someone to grow old with. I will never offer gimmicks or ever ask for money EVER.

I want to quote Lisa Nichols who is the co-author of Chicken Soup for the African American Soul. I don�t know how many of you who have read the secret, but for those who haven�t, this is what Lisa wrote: �You were born to add something, to add value to this world. � And that is what I am doing with this business, adding value to this world, and hope that I can help thousands of singles to find their soul mates.

What do you do in your spare time?

Spare time? What is that? O.K., seriously, I am a serious addict of Facebook. I just googled it and there is a website for Facebook addicts, go figure. For those programmers out there who keep making add-ons�I got one word for you STOP! There should be a public health warning that says �Facebook can seriously affect your home life, may stop you from doing housework, forget to start dinner, forget that important appointment, seriously hamper with your time at the office� Seriously, for those Facebook addicts out there and anyone who is good at Photoshop, change these cigarette pack warnings and send them to me. I have been poked, now super poked I know what every friend and distant relative is doing at any point in the day. All those photos that would normally get stuffed in a closet are posted on the site for all to see. Mind you, that 3d ultrasound picture that my daughters friend posted the other day on Facebook was unbelievable. Follow that link to the 3d ultrasound pictures and you will sit there for hours. It is so amazing. I was happy to just know if I was having a boy or girl never mind being shown a very candid shot of them sucking their thumb. I found the 3d ultrasound for twins to be the most fascinating and how they showed a diagram below.
When I am not researching the Internet, replying to my huge daily emails, I enjoy gardening, genealogy, and going up north for some R & R. We have a cottage north of the French River and the scenery is breath taking.

What car do you drive?

Well, my husband is British and he has always loved the Mini. So we went out and leased one a few years ago. We got a silver mini Cooper S. It is such a fun car to drive. Have you ever driven one? The car begs you to speed, ask my husband who has chalked up two speeding tickets already. Really great on gas, I have managed to stuff two people in it, with a handicapped walker, groceries and still had a little room. What I love about the Mini Cooper is the history. It is interesting to know that it was originally produced to fill the need for a car that was cheap on gas during the time of a fuel crisis. The Mini and I have something in common�we were both produced in the 50�s haha.

If you could meet anyone in the world who would it be?

That is a tough one, as there are so many people I would like to meet for so many different reasons. I guess one person would be Oprah. I am attracted to people who came from very humble upbringings. I love Ophrah�s show, the only negative thing I can say about her show is that she introduced Dr. Phil to the world. Don�t get me started on that subject. I would like to meet Angelina Jolie not because of her being an actress. I admire her for adopting children from other countries, how she balances her life as a mother, partner to Brad Pitt, actress, goodwill ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency This woman has an obvious energy level that would put many to shame. There are a handful of actors and actresses out there that take the time to give back to the world. I think it is terrible to read about actresses/singers like Madonna that want to adopt a child and give them a better life. What right do we have to criticize? There are children dying every day, or living lonely lives because they have been born into poverty. We have thousands of North Americans that are on waiting lists because they are desperate to have a child and want to adopt. Does it make a difference that it is Madonna that wants to adopt, or Angelina Jolie or Meg Ryan for that matter. Ask the fans of Angelina Jolie and see what they say. If they have the resources to bring a child into their life, give them the love, a roof over their head, then who are we to criticize? O.K, I got side tracked again. I would have loved to have met the Queen Mother. What a dear lady, who died at the age of 101. It would be fascinating to hear the history of the family and how it felt to grow up in Royalty.

What is your personal goal?

I would like to see my pay it forward campaign grow globally and use the powers of Facebook and the Internet to help raise funds for Lee. I want the Government of Ontario to take notice, and make it easier for victims of crime to get the funds that they so badly need to cover medical costs. My dream is to make enough money for Lee so that he no longer has to live in a hospital, in a hospital bed. If you read my article about victims of crime, you will be introduced to Lee.

Personally I have no dreams of wealth, I feel that my purpose in life is to help others who can not help themselves. I found my soul mate over 30 years ago so I am very happily married. I am looking forward to becoming a grandmother, my daughter got married in September 2006. I would also like to grow old gracefully which includes regular visits to my fabulous hair dresser Vince and a lot of hair dye (for me). And just to humor me it would be nice to be asked for my I.D. once in awhile. (not for senior discounts though come on!!) I enjoy the powers of the Internet and how it is allowing me to share my life, my work in the dating business, being a female entrepreneur and all its pitfalls.

Do you have any advice for someone wanting to start their own business?

I would say go for it. Do your research, find something that you love (it helps) It could be a Tim Horton�s franchise or Molly Maid. Or maybe you have the next new invention that will change the world. There are people out there that are born entrepreneurs and inventors and they are the ones that have given the Universe everything from Velcro to Ipod�s. An inventor once told me that there is no such thing as a new invention � there are only improvements. So find out what needs improving and make a business plan.

MMMomma