Shyrell Tamayo
- Christiana Maxion became a matchmaker for ultra-high-earning men after getting fired from her job.
- She charges up to $350K to match clients with one of the more than 40,000 women in her database.
- She advises clients to ditch their "type" and explore in-person connections.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Christiana Maxion, a matchmaker and founder of Christiana Matching Solutions in Dubai. It's been edited for length and clarity.
Many people are shocked when I tell them my clients pay $350,000 for my matchmaking services. I tell them it's a small price, to pick the right partner the first time.
I'm best known as Dubai's billionaire matchmaker, helping ultra-high-net-worth men find their partners. My clientele can be demanding of my time, but they value my expertise and are serious about finding love.
I tell them the quickest way to find their match is to ditch their "type" and get offline and meet people in person.
I moved to the UAE for love
I moved to the UAE in 2016 to chase a man with whom I had a whirlwind romance the year before. Though we separated shortly after, I fell in love with city life in Dubai and decided to stay permanently. I worked my way up as a teacher and, by 29, became a primary school leader, guiding a team of 55.
In 2020, my work turned remote, and I channeled my restless energy into creating an Instagram account called Dating in Dubai, where I documented my experiences dating in the city.
My profile quickly gained popularity, and I realized I had hit an untapped market in the UAE.
A recent influx of people moved to Dubai, transforming it from a notoriously transient city to a permanent home. Visas were made more accessible, and laws were Westernized to allow residents to share a house and have children out of wedlock. People were looking for serious relationships more than ever, and so they clung to my content as a pillar of relatability.
I got fired and decided to build my matchmaking service
The school I was working for at the time caught wind of my Instagram account and fired me, saying my Instagram didn't match its ethos. It was hard saying goodbye to my career, but I understood why they made that decision. I spent my remaining months, on salary, growing Dating in Dubai into something bigger.
Then I realized that everyone outsources everything in Dubai. I can't remember the last time I did my laundry, cleaned my house, or cooked for myself. I figured, why not outsource help for your dating life as well? I'd always been a connector and the "therapist friend," so it felt right.
In October 2021, I decided to create and launch my matchmaking agency. The service was built exclusively for accomplished professional men looking for women. My starting charge was 10,000 Dirhams, which roughly translates to $2,700.
My initial business model revolved around concierge services for dating
I'd match my exclusively male clientele with a woman from my database and plan, book, and confirm their dates. My role as the intermediary would expedite the dating process and remove the fear of wasting precious time and energy on an unfit match.
I built up my database of women by getting my friends involved. I knew so many successful single women who were fed up with the traditional online dating scene and didn't want to be seen on a dating app at their status.
I had them complete a questionnaire describing who they are and what they're looking for in a partner. Then, through word of mouth and promotion on my Instagram, I grew my database and felt steady enough to start taking on male clientele.
As the demand grew, so did my prices
The demand was immediate and my database of women was growing by at least 10 daily.
Within the first year, my agency racked up over 100 media mentions, including magazine covers and podcasts, and the desire for services skyrocketed. Six months into my business, it wasn't realistic to continue as a solopreneur, so I partnered with Cinqe, a global elite matchmaking service, to take on more clients.
We started hiking up prices and decided to only work exclusively with ultra-high-net-worth men. My services now cost roughly between $30,000 and $350,000, depending on how much time a client desires.
To become clients, applicants undergo a four-step vetting process, including a general application, phone interview, preliminary match call, and payment. During the call, I present them with current women in our database to learn their type and explore how we mesh as partners. If they're approved, we follow through with payment and contracts.
My ultra-high-net-worth clients expect my undivided attention
One commonality between most of my clients is the urgency for immediate results.
I've worked with five billionaires this year, and they all have one common thread — they want 100% of my time. So, I've had to introduce a complete buyout package that includes my assistance and seven matchmaking employees stationed in different time zones across the world. Someone from my team is always available to them.
I hand-select profiles from our database of over 40,000 women and send them to clients for review. If they select a woman, we reach out to her and schedule an in-person meeting. They aren't permitted to communicate online before or after the date.
I gather feedback from both parties and decide whether they'll meet again. I stay involved in the process until they find a lasting relationship.
But they respect my role
I prefer working with high-earning clients because they treat me like I work with them, not for them. When I charged less for my services, my clients engaged with me more passively but expected the same results. However, clients willing to pay six figures value my service and are serious about the process.
Additionally, they don't want their time wasted, which works for me because I'm a straight shooter. I skip past the niceties and cut to the chase. Very rarely will you find me on a lengthy client call because we understand that shortness isn't personal, it's business.
My advice for high-earning men looking for love
The first thing I tell high-earning men looking for love is to throw your physical type out the window. The swipe cycle on typical dating apps encourages snap judgments based on characteristics like height, age, and ethnicity, which, in my book, are not compatibility factors. Prioritize finding a secure partnership that's built on honest communication and a shared value system. You want to find a partner with whom you can grow an ever-expanding empire.
Also, skip the dating app chat and meet in person because you can't gauge true compatibility from a flat profile. You don't have to commit to an elaborate three-hour dinner date; go meet for lunch or a quick drink to feel the energy. Trust me, it'll work in your favor because, in my experience, the good guys don't know how to sell themselves online. They have the worst pictures and have no idea what to put on their dating profile.
I've had successful politicians and celebrities who had lost faith in the dating scene leave my services with beautiful lifelong partnerships. This fuels the part of me that came to Dubai for the same hope.
If you've had a unique experience with a matchmaker and would like to share your story, please email Tess Martinelli at tmartinelli@insider.com