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Lori Cheek

Cheek’d CEO Lori Cheek shares on the business of dating

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As your dating coach, I was lucky enough to snag an invite to this amazing soiree with Lori Cheek, a Digital Dating Disruptor, Founder & CEO of Cheek’d, and get the low down on the latest dating app. But I got so much more than that and I am sharing it all with you.

Lori Cheek

Lori Cheek, the dating app founder

“Prior to launching Cheek’d, I worked in architecture, furniture and design for 15 years for companies such as Christian Dior, Vitra & Karkula. Trained as an architect, I began my career with multiple project management roles in New York City focusing on architectural interiors. A few years ago, I came up with an idea that led me into the NYC World of Tech and I’m loving life more than ever.” (From TEDx Fulton Street )

Plenty of beauty, brains and grit were delivered by former Shark Tank contestant Lori Cheek at a fireside chat with Unstoppable.life founder Zenaida Lorenzo. Lori talked about the truth that must go into the plight of a successful entrepreneur as she shared with the audience her latest startup “Cheekd,” a dating app that makes missed connections obsolete. This event was made possible by the collaboration of Ali Curi, Founder of Hispanic Professionals Networking Group (HPNG) and Paul Snatchki of Joynture, an innovative workspace in the heart of Wall Street.

Yes the app is amazing and FREE to download!  If you have an Apple device, you want to download it right away! It helps make REAL TIME connections. (Android version coming up soon.)

(L to R) Zoraida Lorenzo, Danny Sanchez, Lori Cheek, Ali Curi and our LIBizus coach Jennifer Castaneda

(L to R) Zoraida Lorenzo, Danny Sanchez, Lori Cheek, Ali Curi and our LIBizus coach Jennifer Castaneda

How many times are you at the gym or coffee shop and you run in and out and don’t even look around because you are on your phone or super distracted? Well now your phone alerts you in real time when there are people you may be interested in right around the corner!

Cheek’d ensures you’ll “Never Miss A Connection.” It works on a train, plane, pretty much anywhere; you get notifications in real time if someone within 30 feet of your location meets your dating criteria.

But here is the kicker: it has to be mutual!

I love this app’s idea because the truth is we are missing out on what’s around us, on what’s present.  Lori’s moment of inspiration came when she witnessed a handsome architect leave his card with a woman he didn’t even know in hopes she’d give him a call.  This sparked something in her, this connection between strangers that wouldn’t have otherwise happened.

She realized this interaction is missed hundreds and hundreds of times a day due to fear, time and just plain “life”.  She shared, “I feel it’s so hard to meet people, especially at online dating sites! There is a personal touch that is lost,” she said, and joking she added that it took her up to 17 hours once to set up one dating site for herself.  She said, “Pay attention to what’s around you and you could find that your love is right here!”

As for the grit I mentioned earlier, Lori has plenty of it. When she decided to take the entrepreneur’s leap, she never looked back.  She sold her lovely designer wardrobe to stay afloat, then rented out her gorgeous apartment and lived with friends to keep her dream alive.

You've been cheekd with Lori Cheek at Shark Tank

You’ve been cheek’d with Lori Cheek at Shark Tank

When she was voted off Shark Tank on National TV, well, she KEPT GOING.  When asked if she ever thought about quitting she said, “As an entrepreneur you have to be a little crazy; I never wanted to quit, there’s no turning back, even if this version doesn’t work I will pivot because I KNOW this is what’s missing.”

She goes on to say something I am sure we can all relate to, “I felt like I never really fit in with my hair, clothes, or personality.” In her previous life, she felt she needed to fit into a box. At the beginning she didn’t even know how to run a business but now she is getting paid to live her own dream.

She can be who she wants to be and would do ANYTHING she needs to do to figure things out and make it work.  “Every day I come up with new ideas to figure things out. They may not all work; yes, you will hit road blocks but you have to continue figuring things out. If you want things bad enough you have to keep moving,” she shared with the audience.

Dedication, perseverance and of course the willingness to take risks are important factors in building a business. Her final advice is to have by your side a great team of people who believe in you and your dream. “I would say the same about your partner and other relationships in your life.  A boyfriend or husband that doesn’t believe in your dreams can really weigh you down,” she concluded.

Download your FREE APP here!

 

Jennifer Castaneda profile3

For her introduction to LIBizus, Jen is offering three (3) mini sessions “Find your Blind Spots in Love” (40-minute session) where she will help women discover the #1 biggest challenge in their love life, and give advice on how to proceed.  If you are interested in contacting Jennifer for one of these coaching sessions, please leave your name and email address below or Like Us on our Facebook page, leaving your contact information, and she will be happy to speak with you and give you sound advice and an exciting new start!

Claim your mini-session now!

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Pretty young woman dating over mobile phone

5 Top online dating profile mishaps you can avoid (free session)

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Pretty young woman dating over mobile phone

(Photo courtesy: https://onlineforlove.com/)

So you are an awesome person, good-looking, sociable and your friends love you.  You would love to be in some sort of relationship but you are so busy with your career and work that you just don’t have the time. You figure, “I might as well try online dating,”  especially since online dating has been losing its stigma with 59 percent of Americans actually stating it’s a good place to meet someone.

You finally take the leap to put your profile up, take the quiz, answer 100 personality questions, go through a zillion pictures to pick your favorite three –which you will constantly change anyway–,  not to mention retyping your one liner screen name and tagline several times.

Then you wait. And wait.

So you courageously decide to send some likes, winks and emails to those who you think would be a good partner for you at your next work or family party.

Then you wait again. Wait some more. Nothing. Crickets.

So here are the top 5 mishaps I see my clients are doing that, although they are awesome people, their online dating profile isn’t translating their best image and features.

  1. Your grammar:

According to studies done by Zoosk.com, men and women both preferred people who had a grasp of good grammar and spelling. If you chose to answer messages with “cuz,” “im” or “u,” on average you received 13 percent fewer messages on Zoosk.

Match.com revealed this was the number one turn-off for daters (even over text), with 54 percent of women and 36 percent of men agreeing to this statement.

Solution: Proofread; have someone else read it for you. Don’t type while you are tired!

girl taking photos with her phone

  1. Bad pictures:

Your picture is your first impression; you in person, the second one. How many years between the day you took the picture and you today? Also, are you showing who you are?

Solution: Try not be wrapped up in scarves, hats and coats.  Outdoors and action shots get the most return messaging. Full body shots are the best. And men, please avoid the “selfie” shots. Don’t take pictures with other people in the picture. Smile!

3.  Personal interaction:

When you interact with someone and really want to send them a message, read their profile, be specific and ask them just one question.

Not so good: “Hey what’s up, liked ur profile, think we have alot in common. Wanna chat some time. What’s ur fav restaurant?”

Instead: “Hey, Gabriel, congratulations on your art being presented at the NYC museum, sounds exciting. Is your artwork still up?”

Better. Feel the difference?

  1. Intuition versus judgment:

Before you decide to say no to someone, stop judging them so easily.  There is a difference between using your intuition and being judgmental.  Some people are better in person than on screen, just like some people are way smarter than the way they take standardized tests.

Couple drinking wine at beach restaurant on sunset

  1. Just date:

Finally, stop hunting for your soul mate or spouse. Just date for now, have a good time, be open to a new experience, and have fun. If you keep wondering “is he the one?’ or “is she the one?” you will be too blinded to see them for who they really are.

 

 

Jennifer Castaneda profile3

Jennifer Castaneda, R.N., B.S.N., is our brand new relationship coach.

Jennifer Castaneda, R.N., B.S.N., is our brand new @LIBizus relationship coach. She contributes to our Life and Work section, and advise you on workplace matters and beyond. She will help you handle touchy subjects with success.

For her introduction to LIBizus, Jen is offering three (3) mini sessions “Find your Blind Spots in Love” (40-minute session) where she will help women discover the #1 biggest challenge in their love life, and give advice on how to proceed.  If you are interested in contacting Jennifer for one of these coaching sessions, please leave your name and email address below or Like Us on our Facebook page, leaving your contact information, and she will be happy to speak with you and give you sound advice and an exciting new start!

Claim your mini-session now!

 

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Romance in the workplace and dangerous liaisons

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Romance in the workplace? Your boss is friendly and supportive. He is a real gentleman, open to your questions, always ready to help or explain, generous with praise, and married. He invites you to discuss the project you both have been working in for the last few weeks over dinner after a late work night. Would you accept?

So you are in your 30s and single, and have a hard-working schedule; long days, long after work hours, little time to lunch –if any – or eating at your desk. Day after day, the routine repeats. Then one day, one of your co-workers stops by your desk and tells you they are meeting at the bar across the street for happy hour. Would you like to join them?

flirting in the office romance in the workplace

Let’s face it, people spend more and more time at work, connected to their office by phone, devices, email, social media, you name it. We are wired into our work life almost 24 hours a day. We relate to all sorts of people, co-workers, colleagues, supervisors, supervised, mentors, mentees, high executives, managers, entry-levels, vendors, clients. There is no larger variety of potential candidates right at your fingertips other than in the workplace.

You might like or not like some of the people you work for or with, but the truth is romance in the workplace happens because of the closeness, daily contact, shared activities and interests, and chemistry.

Not all workplace romances cause problems but companies are exposed to lawsuits for sexual harassment, damaged morale, loss of productivity and more if they do not handle these type of situations properly.

Employee looking at her boss relationships in the workplace5 Ways to avoid heartache in the workplace (Dating a co-worker)

We spend most part of our days at work and it isn’t uncommon to fall for someone who works side by side with you. Office romance happens more often than we think and it can have consequences. I will share the top 5 ways to navigate romance in the workplace so you don’t lose sleep or your job.

 

5 Ways to get along with a rude (overbearing) boss

We all have had them, bosses who micromanage, bosses who are ungrateful and focus on our weaknesses rather than our strengths.  There is a way out! You don’t have to pull your hair. I will share the 5 ways you can stop getting stressed by your rude boss and actually get on his or her good side.

You might be interested: 3 Ways to stop being a doormat at work 

All work and NO play: Where to find a date when you are always at work, on the commute or exhausted at home

I will suggest great places and ways to find a date even if you are at work, on the commute or when you just feel like being home!

Is your strong personality intimidating your co-workers?

I will share the truth behind this myth. NO, men are not intimidated by strong independent women. They are intimidated by women who are closed off. Sometimes we mistake being strong with being closed up because being vulnerable is seen as a weakness. So it’s time to show women that this is an asset!

Are you tired of being a doormat at work?

Being nurturing and forgiving is in our blood and sometimes we end up being doormats in the workplace. It’s time to set up strong boundaries while still being able to give as much as we’d like. We don’t have to become frosty to get our needs met. There is a balance.

So hurry, contact me below and find the balance you always wanted in your relationships!