Ira and Rhoda stanger, Powerhouse entrepreneur and businesswoman, Patti Stanger has many irons in the fire, including an hour-long reality show on Bravo called the "Millionaire Matchmaker," where she matches millionaire men with their vision of the perfect woman. The show is a spinoff of the matchmaking business she launched in January 2000, the Millionaire's Club, that matches successful men with their dream woman. Other business endeavors include books, blogs, acting, radio talk shows, and her own line of low-calorie sake to name just a few. From the beginning, Patti understood the power of branding and finding unique niches that separate your business from those of the competition. She's known for being direct and to the point, which at times has resulted in her getting labeled as sexist and judgmental, earning her the title of "the Simon Cowell of dating." No matter how direct she may be, Stanger is passionate about her work finding the perfect match for her clients.
Early Life
Patti Stanger was born May 31, 1961, and is the adopted daughter of Ira and Rhoda Stanger (later her mother re-married Mel Goldstein). Following college she was scouted and hired by Janis Spindel to work in the fashion industry for giants like Saks Fifth Avenue and JouJou Jeans. She worked for Great Expectations, one of the oldest dating services in the U.S. as Director of Marketing for five years before starting her own business, the Millionaire's Club. As a third-generation matchmaker, Patti founded the business in January 2000. Identifying a niche area for busy, upscale men who had no time to search for the right relationship or find the kind of women they wanted, she decided to create a private, exclusive club where they could find the partner of their dreams.
Bravo's "Millionaire Matchmaker"
In 2008, Stanger signed on with the Bravo TV network for her own reality show called "Millionaire Matchmaker." She produces as well as stars in the hour-long show. Just as with her Millionaire's Club, she recruits beautiful women to match with millionaire men. Each episode follows two millionaires. The men submit a biographical video profile on a DVD, describing their perfect partner. Patti meets each client individually to discuss the particulars of what he's looking for in a potential partner. She then stages a meet-and-greet cocktail party, called a VIP mixer where the millionaires meet 30 to 40 potential dates. From there, the men choose their top two candidates and go on a 10-minute "mini-date" with each woman. They then choose the one they like best. She announces the winners at the end of the evening, and the millionaires then go on their master dates. Updates on each of the couples are aired at the end of the hour, telling whether or not they are still together.
Radio and Blog Brands
Patti Stanger was hired to host a special live call-in program for Clear Channel XM Satellite Radio in April 2009, titled "P.S. I Love You." It was initially planned to run for a period of four weeks but was made a permanent broadcast on both Mix and The Pink Channel. She also has a blog, PattiKnows.com, where she dispenses advice on love and relationships, daily horoscopes, wellness, beauty and more. Stanger also maintains her own columns in Star magazine and People.com. She has also ventured into the world of spirits, as in sake, not ghosts, as part owner and ambassador for TY KU Sake and Spirits. TY KU was specially developed to be low-calorie and gluten free. Her image is used to promote TY KU in various health foods stores and supermarkets, such as Ralph's and Whole Foods.
Books, Television, Film, and More
Stanger is also an author with her first book published by Simon and Schuster in 2009 titled "Become Your Own Matchmaker: 8 Easy Steps for Attracting Your Perfect Mate." Subsequent books by the same publisher include "Find Your Match," "Seal the Deal," and "Raise Your Desirability Factor." A DVD was also published titled "Married in a Year." She's also ventured into film acting, appearing in "Drop Dead Divas," and television, guest starring on the soap opera, "Days of Our Lives." She also reported plans to launch a clothing line of date-wear apparel sold online. She remains in high demand on the talk show circuit, and for magazine interviews.
Turning Lemons to Lemonade
Patti has drawn some criticism over the fact that, as a professional matchmaker, she has had trouble finding and keeping her own soul mate. In 2010, Stanger reported via Twitter that her engagement to real estate executive Andy Friedman was called off. She addresses the problem head-on as she does everything, seeking professional advice from a therapist. She believes her relationship troubles go back to her childhood and feelings of abandonment by her biological parents. In 2013, she began a search for her biological parents and works segments of the search into her "Millionaire Matchmaker" show.
In true entrepreneurial fashion, Patti Stanger has created a business empire around her interests. As a third-generation matchmaker, she used her expertise to create the Millionaire's Club as well as a successful reality TV show, "Millionaire Matchmaker." She's also an author, actor, radio personality, blogger, and has created her own line of low-calorie, gluten free sake. Potential entrepreneurs should take note of how Stanger has tapped into nearly every aspect of her life and turned it into a successful business opportunity.
