Matchmaker wants everyone to find love

Carolinas Matchmaker Laurie Berzack wants to help create love for the Carolinas in 2013 and beyond.

South Charlotte resident Berzack, 44, has been bringing local singles together for more than eight years.

“Before Internet dating got going big time, I realized I had many divorced friends,” said Berzack. “At an event, I introduced two people. They ended up falling in love and living together.

“The happiness he described to me made my heart soar. Life is about creating happiness for other people, and that creates happiness for myself.”

In high school, Berzack earned the senior superlative, “most likely to fall in love with the idea of falling in love.”

“I’ve always been obsessed with relationships and friend’s relationships, maybe because I went to an all-girl’s high school in Philadelphia,” Berzack said.

Berzack is a businesswoman who makes relationships her business. Four of every five people who hire Berzack say they find love, either directly through an introduction she makes, or through her date coaching.

Berzack says that for the fifth, there is always a reason: They may not have returned emails or listened, or they created their own barriers.

Carolinas Matchmaker offers many services. Berzack keeps her service intimate, taking on only 10 to 15 clients at a time. Date coaching and becoming a free member of the service’s database also is available.

“Having a matchmaking business has actually helped me with my marriage,” said Berzack, married for 18 years to the college boyfriend she met during her junior year at Emery University.

“People come in with checklists. Everyone has faults, but I direct my clients to focus on the positive. The difference between a dating service and matchmaking is our level of white-glove service; we attempt to meet all potential matches in person to make sure the match has real potential for both parties.”

“I’ve always been a real connecter person,” she said. “When I meet someone, I like to figure out their needs and how I can help them with their needs, be it jobs, friends or love.

“When I meet people new to town, I try to connect them. A nice date makes someone feel important. When you have a nice date it shows you are invested. A proper meal is a risk, but this person could be your future wife or husband.”

It is free to become a member of the Carolinas Matchmaker’s database. Database members get matched to clients and invited to parties.

Berzack has turned down four or five reality TV show auditions and says shows like “Millionaire Matchmaker” have helped her business, because it has expanded recognition and people’s understanding of matchmaking.

Berzack isn’t critical of some other online matchmaking sites.

“Sites where you need to invest some money are best,” she said. “I recommend Match.com since there is an investment that requires commitment. Online is an opportunity you just need to be very careful, it is an issue of quality versus quantity. I am grateful that there are opportunities for people to meet each other from the comfort of their home. It is important to have tentacles out there; people are often online and doing matchmaking. Busy professional may not want their photos online and time to wink and email back and forth. I am a consultant you can just hand that project over.”

Berzack said she wants everyone to find love, not just her clients. She gives her clients the same advice: stay open to all things and don’t get stuck on age or height.

“People should focus on the soul connection and listen to advice. Say yes to everyone suggested and be patient with the process. My heart is in the right place and I want everyone to succeed. Dating can be difficult and creates vulnerability within people, which is where you need to be to open your hearts to love. My goal is to make this as easy and fun as possible.”