Meet Joanna Mandell of Boulder, Co

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanna Mandell.

Hi Joanna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have always been a networker and a connector, someone who loves making things happen for others, My career began in New York City, where I worked as publicist for NBC television shows like Law and Order, Homicide: Life on the Street and many other amazing shows.. I loved watching actors start out as unknowns and then, after the magic of PR, suddenly appear in magazines, on TV and in films. I loved seeing people shine, and got so much out of seeing a project through from start to finish. My husband and I fully embraced that NYC life. We were exposed to so much excitement, and loved the energy. Life definitely shifted when we had kids and moved to Boulder in 2006 for exciting opportunities for my husband. Suddenly entertainment wasn’t much of a thing here, and social media was still just emerging. I found myself searching for something that could use my skills, light me up and keep my heart open. I found some interesting jobs, taught exercise classes, did lots of laundry, kid pick ups and made amazing friends. I am a terrible cook so that was not on my list of things I did during those years. I kept busy, but nothing fully clicked until matchmaking. I saw an ad on Craigslist, applied, and from that moment I was hooked and never looked back. Matchmaking brought all the pieces together. My love of connecting people, celebrating relationships, creating opportunities, and being part of someone’s journey to shine. This job blended everything I love about PR and human connection into one career. After years of working with other matchmakers, and a new empty nest, entrepreneurship finally felt possible. Around that time, I connected with Alessandra Guzman, who had just launched Meet Cute Matchmaking in Boulder. It was an instant match. We officially partnered in April, and it has been a blast ever since. We are both fascinated by what makes people click and the importance of love and connection, We are also nosy, curious and love to bring people together. We are very down to earth people want people to feel so comfortable and at ease when working with us. Our vibe is definitely more casual, but still professional. Falling in love is the best feeling in the world. Nobody can deny that. I feel so lucky to play a role in helping others find love. Truly, it’s the best job ever.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I definitely had some struggles for many years leaving behind NYC and the entertainment industry. The normal hardships of losing my identity when I was focusing on kids and family. It has been difficult to reinvent myself through the years, but now it all makes sense and matchmaking checks all of the boxes. I love being a mom, but I appreciate that the kids are partly launched and out of the house, and it is my turn again. It is pretty exciting. The matchmaking industry is definitely happening. Television shows, movies and social media have made it very popular. There are many matchmakers out there, but it is so collaborative which is amazing. Even though we are a small boutique agency, the collaboration and team work from other matchmakers makes the process more exciting and we are able to reach more people. It can
be very challenging keeping up with the dating culture, apps and social media, but we do our best to help clients navigate all of it. My favorite part of all of this, is merging with Alessandra in our matchmaking business, Meet Cute Matchmaking. I could not ask for a better partner. We balance each other perfectly. We have different personalities for sure. I am absolutely more off beat and extroverted, and really enjoy sharing my life online using my Cuppa JoJo persona. I love to make people laugh and connect and find that posting on social media fills me up both personally and professionally. It’s not for everyone, but at my age, kids out of the house, my supportive husband, David (married almost 28 years), I think they understand there is no stopping my wackiness now. My business partner Alessandra, she also gets me. She is a great compliment to my zaniness. She is very grounded, practical, wise and professional. Together we make magic happen.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Meet Cute Matchmaking is a modern, down to earth matchmaking service that helps singles find real connection. We are approachable, accessible, and focused on creating real introductions that feel natural like a true meet cute. We interview, vet, coach and curate dates. We also provide a service where we can help you write and set up online dating profiles, choose pictures and coach you through the process. We are a boutique matchmaking agency in Boulder, but we work all over the Front Range. We absolutely love what we do.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Boulder is home. It is beautiful, welcoming and has the warmth of a small town. I love that it is a college town, and enjoy seeing the college kids thrive and how Boulder families feel part of the college town. Boulder attracts amazing, interesting people who love so much of the best of life. My least favorite is the lack of diversity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.meetcutematchmaking.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannamandell/ and https://www.instagram.com/meetcute_matchmaking/
• Facebook: Joanna Giddon Mandell https://www.facebook.com/joannagiddonmandell/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannagiddonmandell/

Image Credits
Photos from the last shots by Amelia Pane Schaffner
Insta @z.tasty.life
Her website is ztastylife.com