Home: Sydney, Australia. Age: 48. Birthplace: Bari, Italy. Profession: Matchmaking, client screening and onboarding. Organization: Beau Brummell Introductions. Title: Co-founder. Significant other: My husband, Vinko Anthony. Alma mater: Roma Tre University (Architecture). Languages spoken: Italian and German.
What do you actually do all day? Interview and screen prospective clients. The filtering that happens before anyone joins is where good matchmaking actually starts. Recent recognition: A client recently told me they felt genuinely seen and understood through our process. Latest contribution to others: Helping clients clarify what they really want in a partner, often before matchmaking even begins. What’s been your big (or biggest) leap? Co-founding Beau Brummell Introductions and betting that gay men wanted something more serious than the apps. Hobbies: Architecture, interiors, art, travel, food and design. Recent travel or adventure: Australia, Italy, Croatia, Thailand and Vietnam, including design and renovation projects in Dubrovnik and Lopud. Last book read: All In, by Vinko Anthony.
Personality profile: Warm, intuitive, direct, emotionally intelligent, curious, discerning and creative. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Passionate. Moral compass: If I would not accept it for a client, I do not accept it for the business. How do you define a perfect friendship? Being able to say the honest thing kindly. What is your greatest joy? The moment in a first conversation when someone realizes we actually understand what they are looking for. What word or phrase do you use far too often? Let's be honest. What natural talent have you neglected? Drawing and painting. How do you relieve stress? Walking, thinking things through, organizing spaces and being near the sea.
What was your first paying job? Waiter, then catering. What was your favorite college course? Building planning, restoration history and theory. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Meccano construction set. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Australian modern art and international photography. What’s the best advice you received growing up? You are not special. Everyone struggles. Keep moving forward. What’s the best advice you received in your career? In business, things always change. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Travel, architecture, art, old buildings, beautiful interiors and nature. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Meeting Vinko. It gave me love, purpose, courage and the possibility to build a life across countries, businesses and shared dreams.
What is your big idea?
Who you let in matters more than how many people you meet. Careful screening is the kindest thing a matchmaker can do for clients.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Raising the standard of vetting in matchmaking so that joining a service means every introduction has been genuinely considered. What change would you like to see in the world? Less judgment and noise. More kindness, patience and respect for people's different lives and stories. What message do you want to send out into the world? Be as honest about what you want as you expect others to be with you. What widely held belief do you reject? That more choice leads to better relationships.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? All In. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Antonio Banderas—if he were younger than me. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? Pizza maker, so I could eat all the pizzas, then owner of a greenhouse full of flowers. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With Vinko and the people I love, surrounded by beauty, good food, music, conversation and the sea. What advice would you give your younger self? Don't waste a single day.
Personal mission: Protecting the people who trust us with their search for love. Personal motto: Never stop growing. Never lose your standards.
