Life & Work with Jennifer Champion

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started? 
I have always been passionate about connecting people.– even from a young age. When I read Malcolm Gladwell’s Tpping Point 20+ years ago, I realized I was a Connector at heart. I get my energy from connecting people. I love to help, give, and bring people together. 

My career started as a Matchmaker and Singles Recruiter for Its Just Lunch where I recruited singles for their Elite Division. I recruited and interviewed singles all over Houston and funny enough mostly in a Starbucks. This was before the boom of the boutique coffee shop. I realized quickly how easy it was for me to find the right candidates, but many of these recruits came back to me dissatisfied or never matched. I saw an opportunity and grabbed it. I couldn’t resist the opportunities to help singles and be a connector, but with a smaller and more personal approach in hopes for a better outcome and better experience. 

So, I started my own business, Champion Connection 14 years ago which then led to DateShape in Houston. It has expanded to working with singles not only in  Houston but also Dallas and Austin. I most recently launched a membership program in Austin. I’ve hosted many awesome events and private meetups for my clients & members in Austin.  I have met so many awesome singles in Austin and Dallas at private events & interview sessions. What I have realized is that singles can be open to dating in a different cities or potentially moving for the right person. 

I love what I do, and singles trust me with their hearts. I don’t take it lightly… My work is my passion. I wake up every day motivated to help people meet their person. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Overall, it’s been smooth. I am constantly wanting to better my services for singles to have success in dating so as in any business ideas and offerngs have evolved.

Covid created some waves as it did with everyone. In hindsight, the waves were beneficial for my business and led me to where I am today at DateShape. I started video dates on Zoom during Covid while also arranging dates for singles to meet in parks for walks and grab a coffee, if possible. Covid helped me realize that first dates do not need to be fancy and this is how I created what I call the Date Shape Method which is how we assess each match through the first three dates.

 First dates at DateShape are a coffee/cocktail/Mocktail to evaluate energy and compatibility. It is important to have very little distraction on a first date in an environment that singles can hear and be present. The goal is to walk away knowing if we have a vibe and are we compatible?

The second date at DateShape is an activity to explore character and personality. There’s so many wonderful activities for a second date activity to allow single the ability to evaluate a person’s character. The DateShape Method allows singles to get to know each other’s character while doing an activity both enjoy. That is Lifestyle. Sharing Lifestyle is hugely important for two singles to connect. Sharing the same hobbies and interests is so important in a long-term relationship, and all singles at DateShape wants a long-term relationship.