Interview: Founder of Lunch Appeal
Scott Stowell Talks About Marriage and Matchmaking
The founder of New York-based Lunch Appeal discusses how he and his wife used their successful marriage as inspiration for a new type of lunch dating firm.
Pam and Scott Stowell started Lunch Appeal with a desire to help singles meet quality people. After twenty years together, they realized they were fortunate to have met the right person, and wanted to share that happiness with others.
How did Lunch Appeal begin? What prompted the idea?
Pam and I would talk about what it would be like to be single and how would we meet someone after so many years together. Because our marriage is so strong many female friends and relatives would reach out to Pam and ask her: “What is the secret to why you two are so happy together?”
I started doing research locally on what was available to the “singles” market and saw no one was addressing it. Then we happened to catch a TV show that said the Matchmaking Institute of New York was offering courses in professional matchmaking. We both looked at each other and said: “That's what we need to be doing.”
It sounds as if Lunch Appeal is a combination of matchmaking and lunch dating. How is Lunch Appeal different from other lunch dating companies?
I am sure in concept there are many similarities between us all. We do set up entire date and get feedback from that date within 24 hours. We try to do lunch due to the fact that it is less intimidating; there is less alcohol and a more defined timeframe. Many of our couples do agree to dinner or after work drink and we set that up as well. We have set dates up at the zoo, golf courses, and sporting events as well.
Where are you located? What areas do you service?
We are located in Liverpool, NY, which is a suburb of Syracuse. We pretty much cater to the Central New York area, which is about 100-mile radius. We plan to open a satellite location in Rochester, NY before the end of 2007.
Has there ever been a time when you can’t find a match for someone?
Not been a problem since we make sure in the face-to-face interviewing process that people are emotionally ready, here for the right reason (not a player), realistic in their expectations and are marketable.
How will someone's experience with Lunch Appeal be different from that of online dating?
The biggest and most significant difference is that clients of Lunch Appeal are emotionally and financially committed. The human interaction is also huge. We give feedback so people know exactly where they stand. Also because we meet everyone there is no room for misleading on age, looks, body type etc.
What kind of feedback have you received about Lunch Appeal?
People just love the concept and how it plays out. Our success varies but even the people who have not yet found the right one have enjoyed meeting other singles.
