Ferndale Gal Creates Dating Site w/Business-Friendly Twist
(Crystal A. Proxmire)
Online dating meets game show in a new match-making website started by Ferndale’s own Erin Rose and business partner Sean O’Brien. Pickmidate.com launched last month with a unique spin that gets people out and having fun at businesses along the Woodward Corridor.
“The concept is seven guys and seven girls are on the site each week. We send the winning couple on an individual date, and everyone gets to go on a big group date,” says Rose.
Local businesses provide the dating fun exchange for promotion. “It gets new people into the businesses and there’s less pressure on the dates because there are more people in a fun environment,” Rose said. “Even if people aren’t a match they can still have fun meeting new people. Plus with the economy the way it is, cost can be a barrier to going out. This way the date is on us.”
Rose came up with the idea after seeing how other dating sites disappointed users. Her blog, Positive Detroit had enjoyed some success, but she wanted to add to it and connect people more directly. O'Brien, who is happily married with children, brings the promotional aspects to the mix. “Dating, for the most part, is not fun. But you have to keep trying. You never know how you’re going to meet someone. Just because you don’t click it’s still good because they may know someone else who may be good for you.”
Pickmidate.com is a site for extroverted singles that aren’t afraid of having their picture up on a website to compete for votes. Personal information isn’t posted on the site, but contestants do fill out a personality profile. “We try to ask about what is important without making it feel like homework,” Rose said.
So far over 100 people have signed up, and the site has been featured in MetroMix Detroit. Businesses such as Go Comedy and Zumba Mexican Grille in Royal Oak have already signed up to be date-places for the lucky couples. They are starting with cities along Woodward from Detroit north to Pontiac.
You can go to Pickmidate.com to sign up to be a contestant or to vote. They are also looking for more businesses to get involved.
