I had the opportunity to sit down with Maureen Tara Nelson, founding father of MTN Matchmaking on Long Island. Maureen is very different from other matchmakers in that her screening process is more involved and in-depth. He is really passionate about his work and is on a mission to get as many people as possible to do I Do in the safest and most compassionate way possible.
Nelson grew up and lived on Long Island all his life. “I’m passionate about LI, its people, business owners, my friends, etc., and the main reason why LI is my area of specialization. I became a pharmacy rep when I left college which taught me a lot about human behavior and controlling and narcissistic personality styles. I married a narcissistic man. A dating service then came to LI, and that I knew it was my calling, so nobody has to live life like I was married to a narcissist for ten years. People thought I was crazy to leave the pharmaceutical business but I knew it was the right decision and had to go all in. I’m an executive certified matchmaker and that I am passionate about my business and ensuring nobody will ever meet a narcissist on my Matchmaking service. I’m also proud to be the mother of two grown kids, and that I feel I must set an example of what it is like to work hard and be the best as a mother and business owner. As corny as it sounds, I actually love what I do and for me, I never felt like it was working. I’m truly grateful to be doing what I love every day with the top singles on Long Island and New York. This is the best decision I have ever made entering the age of 22t years and that I have never looked back. Wow, quite impressive and congratulations!
How is your screening process different from your competitors? “This is a good question. We don’t accept everyone who contacts us. All my clients have to go through a screening process. Given my background as a former pharmaceutical rep, I also know how to make sure clients are matched with my own three-part compatibility test, which I developed, which includes a personality test, so they will always know they are compatible and just need to go out and see if they have chemistry.” How does it work when you work with other certified matchmakers? “Quite easy. I work with singles in Long Island and my certified partners, and that I work closely with singles in other areas around the country. When I bring in clients who live in other states, I will work closely with one or more of my colleagues, knowing that I can trust them and their screening process as well. When my colleagues face someone from Long Island, they do the same with me.”
Both the Hamptons and Fire Island are known for many singles. “Yes. Every year I’ve worked virtually with singles candidates who are in the Hamptons and this is my first year there. My team and that I are excited, to say the least! On top of that, we have MTN Matchmaking Ireland for people who live there and want to move and meet a guy from New York and get married. I’ve started that division because of my Irish heritage; I know I can make them happy too!”
We hear so many horror stories about online dating. Can you share why it’s better to meet through a professional like yourself. “It’s all about the screening process. We hear so many repeated stories about dating apps and so many guys looking for the “right time” to put it mildly. They’d ensure they got some cocktails for the women and then they’d want to go home with them. It’s the opposite of what people are searching for when they come to us. People do not want to be alone, which is one thing many people have realized during the pandemic. People call our office all the time, saying they do not want to die alone. The internet is a fast way to get dates and a fast way to meet people. However, without the screening process, it becomes quantity over quality. If you want to have sex, dating apps are for you and if you want to use I Do, MTN Matchmaking is for you!” So true and we are all guilty at some point in our lives.
I believe you can agree that both men and women make mistakes on the first date. “Yes! They speak about the taboo subjects of politics, religion and sex. The first date should be light and straightforward and not consist of heavy topics. After the chemistry has developed after a few dates, then you can discuss those topics. This is why we wanted giving our clients a list of Do’s and Don’ts to discuss on the first three dates and is one of the various reasons we are successful. We also provide advice to our adult clients who are now in their 50s and 60s and divorced. We emphasize to them to be realistic and not to make the common mistake of thinking they look, feel and act as if they were the same person they were 30 years ago Singles should embrace their maturity and be realistic in what they actually want and do not want because at this stage in their life, they’ve experienced both good and bad in life and relationships.Everyone should be honest about who they’re and what they want to attract in their life. You must have the same qualities you are searching for!”
“For those looking to get into I Do, we have dating coaches and we make couples aware that miscommunication is quite common. There are certain deal breakers, like cheating, that I would never do, but that’s why we have dating coaches to help with confusing situations and miscommunications.
Nelson takes great pride in being responsible for more than 1,000 marriages and numerous babies around the globe. Needless to say, if you’re searching for love and to get I Do, look no where else!
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