Today we’d like to introduce you to Renu Eapen & Christie Bates
Hi Renu Eapen & Christie Bates, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Christie and I have had our fair share of online dating horror stories. While building our friendship over the last 2 years, we bonded over dating mishaps and relationships that blew up in our faces and realized that online dating has changed and lost a lot of its excitement over the years. We also had a couple of single friends who swore to never try online dating and we realized there was a need for space where singles can meet organically.
We decided to give it a try and host a singles mixer, only to see so many singles in Charleston excited to take a break from online dating and meet people in person. Since then, we have hosted approximately one event per month. Our goal is to create a space where singles, who are intentional about meeting someone, can come together and have fun mingling and flirting. Long term, we hope to see couples who have connected through our events form lasting, meaningful relationships.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As any small business there are ups and downs. We want to make sure every event we host has a lot of thought and intention behind it, so we try to learn from each event to improve the next one. Each event has its own fair share of struggles, whether it be finding the right venue, or coming up with the right marketing strategies, or thinking of new ideas for activities. However, all the struggles are worth it when we see two individuals exchanging numbers or leaving the event together to continue on their own little date.
Our goal is to also work with other small businesses so we can support each other and promote their work at our events as well. Networking is a huge component to our growth.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Christie is a violinist. She has been practicing the violin since she was 7 and it has now become her full time gig. She plays at weddings, small business events, grand openings, corporate parties, anniversaries, proposals…you name it. Christie has built a name for herself here in Charleston. She also previously worked in interior architecture for 5 years during & post-college.
I (Renu) am a certified Project Manager. I was a wedding planner in Canada, where I was raised, and since then have worked in the marketing field.
While Christie and I come from two different backgrounds, we balance each other well. Christie and her creative side comes up with marketing strategies and networks with other businesses, venues, and individuals. With my project management side, I review all the planning and details to ensure the event runs smoothly. Whatever weakness one may have the other has been able to fill, which makes us a really good team.
Both Christie and I are proud of our professional journeys. We have both experienced layoffs and the struggles of starting over again, and the fact that we both have a sense of wanting to build something great keeps us motived and working together well.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
A few resources that help me (Christie) to stay focused & on an upward trajectory are: The Tony Robbins Podcast, words from David Goggins/Ed Mylett/Jocko Willink, “The Courage To Be Disliked” by Ichiro Kishimi, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.datingchs.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingcharleston/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561267632095
