Perfect ma match

Mum and daughter Sue and Liz set up their own, old-fashioned dating agency

‘

That’s it, I’m done!’ my mum Sue, now 60, said. It was March 2004. She’d only started online dating a few hours earlier, but quit that same night because of the crude, smutty messages she’d got.

Mum was divorced and, soon after ditching online dating, she met her ‘Mr Right’ Steve, now 67, with a matchmakersstyle dating agency.

Over the years, lots of friends had quit online dating after going on some dodgy dates.

‘People’s profiles are so different to the real person,’ one mate moaned. ‘I feel vulnerable – but what’s the alternative?’

Hearing more horror stories from friends and the media, it gave Mum and me an idea… We’d start a dating agency! We’d been wanting our own business for a while, and felt passionate about helping folk build relationships so, in August 2015, Two For Joy Introductions was born.

With the focus on safety, Mum and I met each client in person first, did background checks.

In our weekly meetings, we’d go through each person’s file in search of matches.

We advertised our business in newspapers, magazines and on the radio. It picked up quite quickly and, within a month, we had folk on our books looking for love.

‘I can’t believe how quickly this has taken off,’ Mum said.

‘The traditional approach clearly works!’ I smiled.

Our involvement depends on the client. We can take a back seat or be more hands-on, setting up dates, even offering a chaperone service for those nervous of meeting strangers.

Mum and I love watching a couple click, and many of our clients have kept in touch.

We’ve made hundreds of matches and long-term relationships, and have loads of success stories. And we’ve recently extended the service to the LGBT community.

Mum and I have always been best friends, but Two For Joy has brought us closer.

And our venture means even more people are feeling the love!

Mum and I love watching a couple click Mum’s Mr right – we both love a love story!