8at8 Tales from the Table

Tips for Finding Love in the New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 18:44:00 +0000

In both good and bad economies, single executives want it all. Whether the end goal is marriage or a significant relationship partner, love and romance ranks high on the executive's list of must-haves. After 11 years of professional matchmaking, and consulting for some of metro Atlanta's top leaders, I've learned a lot about the keys to achieving successful work-life-love balance. Here is a sneak peak into three key insights I revisit often with busy executives.

1. Yes, looks do matter...and not just to you. For busy executives, the greatest fear is rejection and the greatest appeal is physical chemistry. Executives want to start with physical attraction and then progress to social and intellectual compatibility. And that's not only limited to men. Women also care about physical chemistry. That's why I tell my One on One Matchmaking members to not let their bank accounts do all the heavy lifting. Our approach is very consultative - serving as a personal adviser to our members on attributes that influence their love lives. Yes, success is attractive, but it's important that you have invested in your own physical appearance. No only to get a successful love life, but to also live long enough to enjoy it.

2. Ambition pays...even outside of the 9 to 5. This is a concept that executives apply to just about every facet of their lives except their love life. They work hard to receive the best credentials or accounts; manage their financial portfolio with intention; and compete hard in extracurricular activities. However, many don't apply that same level of ambition and intention to love. Ambition does not have to mean investing a lot of time. It only means setting a plan, getting help if you need it, including, perhaps, a professional matchmaking service (shameless plug).

3. Schedule a personal life. In today's 24-7 work life cycle, all successful leaders work on a schedule. I always counsel my One on One Matchmaking members to get into the habit of scheduling time on your calendar for a personal life - at least two or three times per week - for social time with family, friends and peers. Get into the habit now. If you wait until you've met that someone special, it could already be too late and you risk foiling your chances at a major deal.

The bottom line, as my Dad always says, "life is a contact sport" and it's the contacts, the meaningful relationships, that make life worth living. In today's ultra-connected society, there really is no excuse for busy executives not to make their love life a priority. Hire professionals, like those of us at One on One Matchmaking, who can help you make time for a fulfilling love life.

Best Regards,
Sarah Kathryn Smith
Matchmaker
(404) 888-1118
sks@1on1matchmaking.com
www.1on1matchmaking.com

Boos and Brews at Sweetwater Brewery! "8at8" Discount!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:56:00 +0000

$5 off on Boos and Brews at Sweetwater Brewery! Enter promo code "8at8"!

Get your party on this Halloween!

That's one happy couple.

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 19:38:00 +0000

Today's Happy Couple is brought to you by the number 8.

Kyle and Joanna are engaged!

Happy Hour at City Crab!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:10:00 +0000

Click on the link for details: See you at the City Crab Happy Hour!

EIGHT AT EIGHT ON GROUPON!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 14:48:00 +0000

I love Groupon! Who doesn't love a great deal on food, clothing, and everything else in your life? Now you can get a great deal on your love life too. We are featured as Groupon's Side Deal of the Day! This is big news for us (and you too) because one dinner is being offered at the price of (GASP!) $**. Check out the Side Deal of the Day link to get in on the madness!

Evan Katz Talks About Why Eat, Pray, Love Can Be Harmful To Your (Emotional) Health

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:06:00 +0000

By: Evan Marc Katz, Dating Coach for Smart, Strong, Successful Women

Elizabeth Gilbert, author of “Eat, Pray, Love”, felt trapped. She left her husband, sold a book, and took her book advance to find herself (and transcendent love) in Italy, India and Indonesia.
You know the rest.

Oprah, 3 years on New York Times Best Seller list, and now, a movie starring Julia Roberts. So it should be no surprise that “Eat, Pray, Love” has been on my mind recently. Not in the least because of the big billboard right outside my house, which says: “You Don’t Need a Man. You Need a Champion.”

You like the way that sounds, don’t you?
Well, if this line speaks to you…
If this is the way you truly feel about relationships…
If you really resonate with this and are holding out for no less than your own hero…
You’re most likely making a HUGE mistake.
Click below to learn about how men REALLY are, as opposed to how you WANT them to be.
http://www.evanmarckatz.com/products/why-he-disappeared.html

As always, I don’t tell you what you want to hear.
I attempt to tell the male truth so you can make healthier decisions in love.
That’s why I feel so strongly about this email. Keep reading if you want to understand what’s REALLY on our minds…

Dear sarah,
“You don't need a man. You need a champion. You need a hero.”
Hey, those were your words. That’s what you’re holding out for in a man. Fair enough.

So, for a moment, I’d like you to imagine a movie designed specifically for men. Not an action movie, not a horror movie. A movie about one man’s perfect love. After years of being trapped in a sexless, emotionless marriage to a woman who didn’t want to have a baby, Alex leaves his wife to go find himself. Distraught, he decides to have an adventure.
He drives to Vegas. He flies to Ibiza. He journeys to Thailand. Until finally, he discovers the woman who gives him everything he needs.
He writes a book: “Drink, Play, F@#%”.

Howard Stern and Maxim magazine promote the hell out of it, and Alex sells the movie rights. Soon, it’s in a theater near you. You won’t see it, of course, but you can’t miss the ubiquitous billboards: “You don’t need a woman. You need a pornstar who cooks.” I said this to a private client the other day and she couldn’t suppress her cackle. Because she knew it was true.
You hold out for your hero, sarah. We’ll hold out for our Supermodel/Top Chef/Rhodes Scholar.
And all of us will end up alone because there’s nobody that fits the bill. The end!

Not a very happy ending, is it?
To learn what’s important to find in a man, check out “Why He Disappeared: The Smart, Strong, Successful Woman’s Guide to Understanding Men”, which shines the light in your blind spots and shows you a much more effective way to connect with guys. Click here to learn more:
http://www.evanmarckatz.com/products/why-he-disappeared.html
Yes, I’m teasing about the billboard, but although my example may be a bit hyperbolic, it’s not that far from the truth.

Men really DO want the Supermodel/Top Chef/Rhodes Scholar. Women really DO want a hero and a champion. And yet, in order to find happiness, we both must relax our fantasies a little bit.
Not because they don’t feel great. They do. The reason to relax your fantasies is because they’re unrealistic, and they almost invariably lead to disappointment.

Take Bill, for example. Bill’s not a bad guy. He just wants his unrealistic male fantasy. If Bill really expects you to have the same body at 50 as you did at 20, he’s going to be really disappointed.
If Bill really expects you to allow him an “open relationship”, he’s going to be really disappointed.
If Bill really expects you to feed him, while he doesn’t even have to listen to you talk about your day, he’s going to be really disappointed. For Bill to be happy, we can all agree, he has to adjust to reality. If you’re coaching Bill, you tell him that he should be thrilled that he has an active, healthy, sexual woman who knows her way around the kitchen at all. You don’t encourage him to hold out for Angelina Jolie meets Rachael Ray. Do you?

Yet you still feel entitled to hold out for your fantasy. The hero. The champion. Listen, as a dating coach, my job is to help you find happiness in your love life. Because of this role, I have a unique access to your inner world. You might even say that I often understand you better than your own boyfriend. Which is why it’s very easy for me to observe that your expectations of men are RARELY met. Sometimes, you’re 100% correct in your assessment.
If he doesn’t call you regularly…
If he doesn’t want to be your boyfriend…
If he doesn’t ever hint at a future…
Dump his ass NOW. But these aren’t the only expectations that aren’t being met by men. I usually hear something like this: “I don’t know, Evan. I just don’t feel INSPIRED by him.” Come again? “I want to feel that thing in the pit of my stomach. To get nervous when he calls. To admire him and think about him all the time when we’re not together. ”You realize that every time you’ve had that feeling, it’s never worked out, right? “Yes, but I can’t help how I feel.” Fair enough.

Just know that, percentage-wise, the number of men who are cute, smart, kind, tall, funny, generous, ambitious, successful, and family-oriented is miniscule. Now you want to add in “inspirational”? You know how many men are left? That’s okay. Neither do I.

The message of this email isn’t about settling. It’s not about being with a man you can barely tolerate.It’s about the expectation of what a man is capable of delivering. There are millions upon millions of decent looking, thoughtful, bright, solid men who want to marry you, cherish you, build a family, and create a life together. If only you would love them and accept them.

Believe me, nobody wants you to achieve your dreams more than I do. But if you’re holding out for a hero, yet no guy ever fits the bill (and also sticks around!), it may be time to act like Bill, who finally gave up on his Angelina Jolie fantasy and is thrilled to have found YOU. This is how a man finds love. By accepting all that you are, imperfections included. You need to do the same with him. And if you don’t know where to find a man, I have a few ideas…
Click here to learn more about Finding the One Online, which shows you how to use the internet successfully to find love, just like thousands of my clients:

Warmest wishes and much love,
Your friend,

P.S. My client, Holly, who is 80 lbs overweight, didn’t believe in the Finding the One Online technique until she actually tried it. Here’s what she had to say after 4 weeks:

On a personal note, I am BUSY!!! I almost feel like it has turned into a game show with me yelling NEXT every couple of weeks. Men continue to seek me out and I am loving it. I have 3 guys "on the line" right now and am having the time of my life. Having worked with you, I fully believe that I am a PRIZE to be won. If a man isn't willing to do the work, show he cares or does things that drive me crazy, I move on. My friends laugh because I have a preset phrase I send in an email. Everyone laughs at work when I say, I had to send the "after much thought and consideration" email. I continue to slave away at the gym and am quite happy with the results. Thanks for everything you have done for me. You totally ROCK!!
Holly

Click here to feel more in control of your love life – to attract more men and higher quality men online.

Connect with Me on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

The Dao of Dabbling in Digital Dating

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:15:00 +0000

DO!

Honesty, honesty, honesty. You turned to online dating so you could avoid flying to every city to sift through eligible singles. Why would you sabotage your odds of finding your ideal match by misrepresenting what needs to be matched?

All in the details. A rockin’ photo alone can get you dates, but as far as a committed relationship, put time and effort into the information you dispense about yourself. It’s a reflection of you – don’t cloud your mirror!

The picture is worth all your words. If your profile is a wheel, your photo is the hub and the information represents its spokes. The homerun photo should show you smiling directly into the camera.

Practice safe dates. When meeting someone in person for the first time, always tell a friend about the meeting and make sure to choose a public place.

DON’T!

It’s not personal. Who knows the real reason why flyfishin75 didn’t return your wink? It’s probably not an intentional blow to your ego. Move on – there are countless fish in the online ocean.

Unicorns don’t exist. While you try to keep things honest, some people may still be telling the same lies that didn’t work for them offline. Examine profiles with a skeptical eye and keep a watch out for the unicorns – profiles that sound too good to be true.

Here’s my card. There’s never a need to hand out protected, privileged information to an online interest…Unless you’re an officer of cyber justice trying to trap online scammers.

The Key is Finding Someone to Love!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 18:35:00 +0000

I've got lots of clients that are picky. They are often dismissing the opportunity to meet quality introductions that I'm suggesting on a snap judgment. I was up the other night because I was worried about a particularly picky client and challenged by his lack of adventure when it comes to dating! I remembered a section of one of my all time favorite books - How to Stop Looking for Someone Perfect and Find Someone to Love by Judith Stills, Ph.D.

This book is no longer in publication - if you buy it on Amazon you'll pay a premium. But it has lots of excellent advice for singles. I highly recommend it. Here is an excerpt that has helped me lately - hope it helps you too!

Sarah Kathryn

*****

You walk into a party or a bar and in three minutes (more likely three seconds, but I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt) you've made a judgment: There's no one here who's my type. They're all jerks. You may even pride yourself on knowing your tastes and preferences so well that you seldom err in your first impressions of potential mates.

I would like to focus your attention on two points. First, if you are a person who takes pride in these lighting-quick judgements of others, I'll bet that you find your judgements are predominantly negative. People who allow themselves to make rapid judgments most often make negative ones because they're very safe. If you avoid someone because, in your opinion, he's a fool or she's flaky, how can you ever really be proved wrong? you can simply chalk it up to matters of taste, pride yourself on your selectiveness, and avoid that person so you never have an opportunity to discover if you're wrong.

Positive attitudes and positive judgments are riskier. They open you up to more people, more experiences, and the possibility of disappointment. Of course, they open you up to the possibility of more happiness as well, but many people cling hard to the better-safe-than-sorry stance.

Please forgive this lecture. It's just that it has sometimes been so frustrating to listen to genuinely lonely people who react critically to a potential partner because of the most trivial idiosyncrasies and based on the most premature of opinions. Most men and women report to me that they judge whether or not someone could ever be a potential partner at first glance. These same people would report that physical appearance is only one, and not the most important one, of many criteria for choosing a mate. Then why screen out so many potential candidates at first sight?

This is the most negative attitude of them all: the perspective that someone else must push all the right buttons and your response is entirely out of your control. Of course, anyone who is so helpless before his or her own negative attitudes has only one option - to wait for magic. The catch is, it can be a very long wait and the magic can be a very short ride.

End of lecture.

Clever Table at Emporium Brasil!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:01:00 +0000

At Eight at Eight Dinner Club, we are huge believers in round tables. They are conducive to conversations and flirtatious winking, everyone can see everyone, and it creates the perfect setting for a dinner party. This is the holy grail of table shapes for us, but sometimes, our clever hostesses create an equally enchanting table all on their own!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:52:00 +0000

Matchmaker Jen Moeller on

Airs Saturdays after SNL on NBC8at8

Featured on 7/31 - select cities

On July 31, watch Eight at Eight Dinner Club's very own Matchmaker Jen Moeller will compete in The Match Off! Each week two professional matchmakers compete to find the best date for a tough-to-please single. Only one will win and be crowned the ultimate Cupid.

The show airs right after NBC's Saturday Night Live. You can tune into Jen's artistry on July 31st on NBC stations in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Dallas, San Diego, San Francisco, Hartford and Washington, D.C. If you're going to be out of town, schedule your business trips to the cities listed above! Otherwise, you can check out "The Match Off" archives. I can't wait!

Love,
Sarah Kathryn

The Sweaty, Crooked, Tattered Truth For Blokes

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:25:00 +0000

As a matchmaker I walk a fine line between speaking the truth and biting my tongue. Oftentimes, the easiest way to deliver bad news to bachelors is to give them feedback I'm getting about them. Let me tell you GUYS what I hear from ladies as turn-offs. Warning: May induce vomiting or trigger gag reflex.

Turn-off #1 EXCESSIVE SWEATING
Sweating coincides with being overweight. If you're a dead ringer for pre-Subway Jared, you have got to get some help! Being overweight means you're out of shape or lazy. There is nothing - I mean NOTHING - grosser than sitting across from a guy who can't put a dam on his waterfall. Pit stains just don't compare to the tributaries of sweat forming over your face from a brisk walk to the restroom. I see it all the time and it has to stop! Do you really think any woman wants to see you naked?! (Deep breaths.) There's good news: You can control this. The body loses its ability to regulate itself when it doesn't get enough exercise, so get your feet treading on something. Take walks, swim, hike, skate, rumba, etc. There's ten million fun ways to get back into shape, and a dainty dab of deodorant never hurts either.

Turn-off #2 BAD TEETH
It it amazing how simple getting your teeth fixed can be. Your smile might be okay but why not make it perfect? It's somewhat affordable and for 50% of women, it's the first thing they notice about you! I wish so badly that I could recommend Invisalign to all my clients. Maybe your teeth are "sort of straight" but you want your front line soldiers to be the best that they can be! This product will line them up perfectly and you only have to wear a retainer at night. Dental imperfections may work in favor of some people - gap-toothed David Letterman, gnarly-mouthed Steve Buscemi, and fang-toothed Christian Bale - but if you aren't a household name, get rolling with the whitening and straightening. You might think they're "not all that bad", but trust me: They are!

Turn off #3 OLD CLOTHES
Repeat after me: If an article of clothing is over 3 years old, throw it out. If it needs carbon dating, BURN IT. Working with a stylist is not expensive. Macy's and Nordstrom have ladies who do not work on commission who will help you assemble a reinvigorated wardrobe. Trust me, it really makes their day to turn an Ugly Duckling into the Swan Prince. Plan on investing in a first date outfit (including shoes, a watch, and a belt) and wear it religiously. Even if you're dating 7 nights a week, no one will notice the outfit recycling but you! You will be so amazed at the compliments you receive just by cleaning up your fashion act.

I am on the front lines talking to over 100 singles every week. I'm merely a messenger (don't shoot me!), but to optimize your chances of finding the best person out there please take these into consideration. Best of luck!

From 8at8 with love,
Sarah Kathryn Smith

Are You the Chips to My Salsa?

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:49:00 +0000

Eight at Eight Dinner Club vigilantly aims to find you the Jim to your Pam, sun for your sand, and just maybe the chips to your salsa. We get so excited when we find singles who we think would be a perfect match for one another. To keep this happiness train chuggin’ along, we want to help you know yourself better, a vital factor in setting up your hot coco with your very own marshmallows.

Do you have two left hands when it comes to silverware? Get a few tips on fine etiquette for that special dinner at 8 o’clock! The Emily Post Institute offers numerous blogs, articles and advice on improving your professional and social swag here.

There’s room for two in a warm bed, so don’t ruin it by pulling UFC moves on your sleep buddy. There’s only one way to find out if you and your new 8pm flame fit best as Excalibur dozers.

With the advent of the sexiest mobile device ever conceived by Steve Jobs and the Apple brigade, I thought I’d touch on the following. It’s impossible to keep up with technology, so as life is to a garden, I try to “just dig it”. There’s an app for everything these days, from apps that help you avoid dating disasters to apps for wine lovers. Who knows? These may come handy when you least expect it!

What are your ideal pairings? We hope it includes you and Eight at Eight!

Michael Bolton-less Love Songs Mixtape

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:35:00 +0000

I am not ashamed to admit that once in a while, I get hooked on the soft rock station and do the most spectacular renditions of songs like "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "More Than Words". Although I have the time of my life belting out the chorus and mumbling away or brushing my teeth to the rest of the song, most times I prefer something much less...sensational.

When I want love songs, I look to songs that do not repeat "I LOVE YOU" into the high double digits. Some of the best love songs don't even use the word love. If they do, it is done ever so tastefully, and most importantly, a good love song certainly does not contain earth shattering keytar solos.

Here's a quick list of love songs that always give me butterflies without (too much) reverb. Click on the songs to listen to them:

Idea of Growing Old lyrics By: The Features

If There's Love lyrics By: Citizen Cope

And He Gets the Girl lyrics By: Lupe Fiasco

Pressure Suit lyrics By: Aqualung

Funny Valentine lyrics By: Frank Sinatra

I Miss You lyrics By: Incubus

A Little Bit lyrics By: Lykke Li

This Will Be Our Year lyrics By: The Zombies

Day Too Soon lyrics By: Sia

I Will Follow You into the Dark lyrics By: Death Cab for Cutie

Have stories about love songs that are so bad they're good? We want to hear from you! Go to 8at8.com to meet the person of your dreams to whom you would dedicate your modern mixtape! See you at 8 o'clock!

Well Worth The Wait

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Fri, 14 May 2010 14:28:00 +0000

Angie is getting married!

Our matchmaker who has worked with Eight at Eight
for over 5 years is getting hitched to a fantastic guy.
If you get a chance, shoot her a congratulatory email!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Mon, 10 May 2010 22:31:00 +0000

Happy Birthday Eight at Eight!

I can't believe it has been 11 years!!!!! Thousands of first dates, 200+ marriages, dozens of children, and lots of fun.

Love you little one! xo sks

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Mon, 10 May 2010 22:08:00 +0000

One on One Matchmaking!
Check out our updated website!
https://www.1on1matchmaking.com/

Be Selective. Be Discriminating. Find the Right One!

One on One Matchmaking is an ultra-exclusive, boutique matchmaking service for single gentlemen interested in the highest level of personal attention. All potential dating matches are carefully selected, filtered, and tailored to your specifications.

Imagine having a dedicated staff solely focused on your romantic life, acting as your own personal scout and matchmaker! We will interview and screen all potential matches for you, resulting in quality matchmaking that meet your very high standards.

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Fri, 07 May 2010 15:30:00 +0000

OUT & ABOUT

Stephanie Keating, Membership Director,

dining at Murphys with 8 at 8 Dinner Club

"We had so much fun having her at our table. I had a good time meeting everyone and have already heard from one really nice guy!"

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Thu, 06 May 2010 15:30:00 +0000

"Wanted to send along a little note to let you know of another 8 at 8 success. My husband and I met through an 8 at 8 event a couple years ago, and we just had our first baby on May 5th. We are grateful to 8 at 8 for helping to bring us together."

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Tue, 04 May 2010 14:42:00 +0000

Eight at Eight's matchmaker Jen is going to be featured on an NBC reality show -

The Match Off.

The filming will take place Spring 2010 in Chicago. Jen will interview, recruit, and screen all potential matches for one lucky single. Eight at Eight's Chicago Database alone contains over 5,000 quality singles.

Interested in participating? If so please respond to this email and let us know! If you are looking for love and are willing to take on the adventure of reality TV - this is your chance!

Our Clients Must
· Be completely open and honest about dating
· Put their trust in us to deliver singles that match their specifications
· Follow our advice - Trust your dating coaches!

What Makes Us Amazing
· A successful track record that boasts over 200 marriages
· The youngest group of professional matchmakers in the country-no old-school, outdated dating advice here!
· Individual, personalized attention.

8 at 8 Hostess Marries!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:02:00 +0000

Congratulations to our wonderful DC hostess, Marin Graney, who was married last week! Check her out in the Washington Post. She is one of the 4 pictures in their main online article this morning! It rotates through them on http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/29/AR2010042905276.html?hpid=artslot&sid=ST2010043001129

Another Great Evening - FEEDBACK FROM HAPPY CLIENTS!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:54:00 +0000

"Another great evening with fun attractive people! My third event and really enjoyable! Actually, I had a date with someone from the first dinner, a date with someone from the second dinner - no great sparks or romance yet but we had a good time, and I may see one or both of them again. And I fully expect to go out w...ith someone from this third dinner party! So 8-at-8 is fully meeting my expectations which is to be introduced to and meet intelligent, attractive women! Thanks!!!"

There are Plenty of Fish in the Sea....

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:58:00 +0000

But it's bone dry on your couch!

You. Yeah, you!

You're not getting any younger and time's-a-wasting.
Eight at Eight continues to arrange fantastic dinner parties.

Start 2010 on the right foot with everyone's favorite matchmakers!

Go out with 4 men/women this week!
No chat, no email, no weird profiles, no fake pictures
Great restaurants, fantastic food and drink
Eligible, professional singles.
Outstanding networking opportunities.

There ARE plenty of fish in the sea,
but you won't catch any of them
with that remote control in your hand.

GET MOVING AND GET SIGNED UP!

Our Holiday Intern - Emily!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:02:00 +0000

Sarah Kathryn offered me an internship for Eight at Eight while I was home for the holidays, I didn’t have to think twice before accepting her offer. I’d seen her advertisements and read several newspaper and magazine articles about the incredible success of her business.

The bright, modern office that I strolled into Monday morning emulates the new age twist on dating that Eight at Eight promises. SK greeted me with an organized schedule of my week; initially overwhelming, but definitely manageable once I’m acquainted with the phone system and member database. Creating Facebook ads targeting single clients, answering the phone (which rang off the hook all day!), and my favorite, calling all the previous male members to touch base were just a few of the tasks she delegated to me on the first day.

Tuesday brought a whole new level of responsibility: lunch at Bones with a potential client! It didn’t take much to realize that I was not a lowly intern; I had already become an integral member of the Eight at Eight team for this week’s sales. I’d like to think it was me, the cute intern, that turned the potential client into an actual client, but I know I can’t take all the credit for winning him over. One signed contract later, it’s obvious that SK knows what she’s doing!

Once we got back to the office, I was in charge of perusing the Atlanta database for current and previous female members, to try and scout someone out for our newest customer. Taking into account our client’s specific requests (a nice-looking woman aged 30-38, no children, non-smoker, big drinker but politically conservative, preferably from the Midwest), I came up with a handful of women to pass along to SK for further review.

On Wednesday, I reviewed my Facebook ads to see which ones were performing the best. I scrapped the ones that hadn’t been clicked yet and created additional ads with similar text but more alluring images. My last assignment was to help SK sell some old office electronics on Craigslist. I researched the products, typed up informative reviews, and determined a price for each item.

After three short (but sweet!) days, I’m headed back to the University of Michigan to finish up my sophomore year. I can’t wait to try out some of the dating tips I learned over the week! Watch out, bars, here I come!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:08:00 +0000

Spread the Love - Creative Marketing Ideas from Eight at Eight

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Kathryn Smith - Eight at Eight Dinner Club) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:26:00 +0000

Running a small company takes chutzpah and creative shoe-string marketing ideas right? We've come up with some strange ones over the years.

The two guaranteed elements of a successful marketing stunt: Alcohol and Beautiful Women.

So on a freezing fall afternoon Sarah Kathryn, Kaitlyn, and Catherine hit the Decatur Beer Festival to mix and mingle. The t-shirts generated a lot of interest and we were able to successfully recruit new members.

Got any creative ideas you want to share? Please send them our way!