Thirroul local Bella Vend is offering her services as a coach to help dating app users give their profiles a makeover.
Please tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a bestselling author and an award-winning journalist for Marie Claire and a proud Thirroulean to boot. I'm currently undertaking my psychology training to register as a psychologist. I'm a travel lover and have been to 60 or so countries and lived in diverse places like New York City for six years and Costa Rica for a year. The travel, funnily enough, has given me a greater appreciation of the similarities of us humans, not our differences. We mostly want the same thing with regard to relationships, to be appreciated and loved for who we are.
What inspired you to start your own business?
Psychology tells us we have a blind spot when it comes to ourselves. Therefore, too many good people have bad dating profiles. Unflattering photos, no written content. I began to do profile makeovers for friends and the results were phenomenal. I presented their best selves and they got great dates, whether they found the love of their life or their love for that night.
Best part of your job?
Seeing those genuinely happy smiles. That moment when they see themselves in a whole new light and the confidence that gives them. I love that. Some people feel intimidated by doing a photoshoot, so when they discover it’s a positive, casual and fun experience, that’s a boon. Mostly though, it’s hearing about the success stories; getting those dates.
Most challenging?
As a start-up, the challenge is getting those first few clients, as after that, word of mouth blossoms the business. That’s why chatting to the Illawarra Flame is so terrific. There will be people reading this who will need this service for themselves or somebody they love. A fabulous Christmas present.
Where do you see your business going?
I’m aiming to eventually expand the service and offer my clients dating coaching. That’ll allow me to go that step further to help people with any blocks they have, help in improving their dating technique, self-concept and esteem. We do have a love of our lives, it’s just that we have many lives. When we figure out that dating and relationships are a skill we can learn and not an innate trait, a whole new world opens up.
Are your dating profile tips personally tried, tested and approved?
They sure are. I enjoy dating, it's a wonderful way to meet people. There's always the excitement that they could be "the one" and if not, you have a good coffee and enjoy spending time getting to know somebody or even nab a new friend. It's win-win. However, for that to happen, you need to get the date. Psychology tells us we can't see ourselves objectively, so of course presenting yourself is horribly difficult. That's where I come in.
What is on offer?
I’m doing a special start-up offer of $199 for the entire package, the photoshoot and the written profile, with a good chat to help clarify their goals thrown in for free.
What is your favourite local way to relax?
Waking up at dawn and getting over to Austinmer beach for my morning coffee to watch the sunrise. Mother nature is such a showstopper, the sunrise is a great beauty strutting down the runway of the sky. We’re incredibly lucky to be part of this romantic landscape. A perfect place for a date, in fact!
Contact Bella at bellavend@gmail.com
