Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Max Alley, Founder of Match Up Coaching, located in New York, NY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I'm an online dating coach. I help individuals choose the right dating app, create their profile, send the right message to get more matches, and turn those matches into first dates.

I typically work with men and women in their 20s 30's and 50s to create their dating profiles and review their conversations on dating apps to optimize their experience. These days, most of my clients and I work together to build great Hinge profiles. Most of my clients are single.

Tell us about yourself

I have always been interested in dating and how the internet has disrupted how we meet the people, we end up dating. I wrote my psychology thesis on monogamy in college and then worked for the dating app Coffee Meets Bagel doing user experience work.

After leaving CMB, I realized people needed help representing themselves online on dating apps, so I started coaching people one-on-one to optimize their profiles. I'm highly motivated because each client is different, and I get to dive into their personalities and hobbies to write the perfect profile. Everyone's looking for something different, and each profile has to be made uniquely for that purpose.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

One time two of the clients that I coached ended up matching on Hinge and going out on a date! Many of my clients have ended up in happy relationships after working with me and have recommended their friends as well. I was also very proud when I was featured in the New York Times.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The hardest thing is learning the internet entrepreneur skillset (accounting, marketing, sales, website maintenance, SEO). I think I'm a pretty great online dating coach, but the day-to-day business operations of running a coaching practice are complicated and involve an entirely different skill set.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. When starting out, don't hire a developer to design your website. Squarespace makes it really easy to get set up with minimal complications.
  2. Prioritize TikTok over Instagram for growth. On TikTok, users are looking for content from people they don't follow, so it's easy to reach new people. Compared to Instagram, they will typically only see your content if they follow you.
  3. Prioritize scalability and create digital products over raising your hourly consulting fee. There's a ceiling to how much clients are willing to pay for hourly consultations, and there are only so many hours in the day to consult. With an e-product, you can get new clients in your sleep.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Consider a free intro call to meet new clients. You're your own most powerful salesperson if you're able to get a client on the phone. Also, keep innovating and talking to other entrepreneurs!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.matchupcoaching.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconmalley/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxalley/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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