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Irene
Valenti
(Valenti
International)
(Ranch Santa Fe, CA)
(Top
Independent Matchmakers)
Address
P.O. Box 2534, 16909 Via De Santa Fe
Suite 202
Ranch Santa Fe, CA
92067 (800-200-8253)
www.valenti.org or
www.valentiinternational.com
Valenti
International has been in business at the same
location in Rancho Santa Fe, CA for 15 years. Irene
Valenti is President and founder of her company. She
works with a staff of Ph.D. Psychologists and an
experienced team of professionals.
Matchmaker and
relationship expert, Irene Valenti designed Valenti
International in 1990 when she first arrived in
California from Western Canada. She utilizes her 20+
years of experience in business and dealing with
matters of the heart to successfully match
exceptional individuals. Valenti makes an unlimited
commitment with each client.
A profile of
Valenti clients is as follows:
– Busy executives,
professionals and entrepreneurs
– High achievers
aged 22 to the 80s
– Never married,
divorced or widowed
– More than 50%
have advanced degrees (approx. 90% or more have
at least a
professional 4 year degree)
– Average annual
income is over $100,000, with a 7- figure net worth
– Worldwide
clientele, primarily in the United States (no
geographical limits.
Marketdata
analysts interviewed one of the staff persons at
Valenti. Irene Valenti was not available for
interviews. Her assistant informed us that Valenti
is different from most matchmakers in that it
does advertise, in a very wide variety of
upscale magazines. And, as far as we can tell,
Valenti has the largest staff of any matchmaking
service weve come across so far35-38 consultants,
many or all of which are licensed psychologists
that work in-house and on-site at Valenti offices.
These consultants actually perform the matchmaking
and do the groundwork, with Irene Valenti approving
all the final matches.
Valenti staff
claim that they handle a caseload of 1,500-2,000
potential clients monthly, but that many of these
people are turned away/screened out. Valenti could
not provide an estimate as to how many matchmakers
operate in the U.S., but they fell that their number
has remained stable the past few years. They say
that many matchmakers last 1-2 years, then
disappear.
Valenti claims a
mix of 50% male/50% female clients. However, it was
estimated that for services that charge women fees
to belong to a service the ratio is more like 2 to 1
female/male.
Valentis staff
includes licensed psychologists, lawyers,
photographers, and administrative personnel.
Psychologists present a good fit for the company.
Many have their own practice and work part-time for
Valenti. They actually enjoy working for an
introduction service, since its a break from
their regular clientele, which is usually difficult
work.
When asked about
forming a trade group for the profession, Valentis
staff replied that most matchmakers are out for
themselves and dont want to share their secrets or
operating methods. Consequently it would be
difficult to form a trade group.
Regarding expenses
and profit margins, Valenti personnel said that
their profit margins will be lower than most
one-person operations since they usually have to pay
$150-250 per hour for psychologists and as much as
$20,000 for a full-page ad in an upscale magazine.
Added to this are expenses for phone bills, rent,
and a high speed T-1 line.
Marketing
This firm prefers
not to be featured by the media or TV. Their
magazine ads and word-of-mouth referrals provide all
the business they desire and they prefer to remain
discreet. They will not talk about their competitors
either.
Valenti
International advertises in the following
publications:
Delta Sky Magazine
United Airlines
Inflight Magazine
U.S. Airways
Inflight Magazine
Millionaire
Magazine
DuPont Registry
Magazine
Robb Report
San Diego Magazine
Luxury Magazine
Naples Illustrated
Magazine
Resort Living
Magazine
Smart Money
Atlanta Magazine
Boca Raton
Illustrated
How The Valenti Service Works
Valenti
International takes into consideration social and
economic backgrounds, family values and interests,
as well as personalities and other individual
considerations necessary for a successful match.
Most clients are
referred to Valenti by other clients, family
members, or the companys established reputation in
national and international markets. A detailed
questionnaire begins the process that allows Irene
Valenti to get a feel for her clients personality
and preferences.
A private
consultation is then arranged to determine mutual
compatibility between the client and Valenti
International. There is no fee or obligation
associated with this consultation.
Once the decision
is made to proceed, the client signs a contract with
Valenti that includes unlimited selective
introductions. A retainer fee is paid to begin the
process. The company would not divulge the amount of
its fees.
Next, the client
meets with a staff psychologist to establish a
profile based on personal background, relationship
history, family values, and interests, as well as
personality type. A unique Psychographic Matching
Process delves into the basic character and
personality traits of clients. There are no
impersonal methods or computers used for making or
selecting introductions.
Normally Valenti
recommends that clients meet with the person they
introduce them to at least 2 or 3 times and if it is
long distance, they suggest that the gentleman makes
arrangements to travel to her area for the first
meeting.
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