Meet Millionaire Matchmaker Janis Spindel [Can She Find Your Perfect Match?]

Janis Spindel is one of NYC's most well-known elite matchmakers, running Serious Matchmaking since 1993 alongside her daughter Carly. This luxury service starts at $25,000 with Carly and $65,000+ for new clients working with Janis, plus success fees that double your investment if you find lasting love. The highly selective process includes home visits, simulated dates, and global scouting. Women can join the database for $25–$1,250 screening fees.

Key Insights:

• Janis Spindel founded Serious Matchmaking in 1993; daughter Carly joined in 2009 as VP
• New client signing fees start at $65,000, with total costs ranging from $25,000 (Carly only) to $1,000,000 (Janis)
• Success fees equal your signing fee—paid when you're together 12 months, living together, or engaged
• The screening process includes home visits, closet/fridge inspections, and simulated dates
• Women join the database for $25 application fee plus $250–$1,250 screening fee
• Paying clients are typically men; women are potential matches from the database
• Spindel actively scouts for matches at SoulCycle, on the street, and during international "world tours"

Our team has reviewed over 200 matchmakers & their services, diving deep into their success rates, processes, and client experiences. Our reviews leverage our 14+ years of industry experience, extensive research, and keen understanding of the matchmaking landscape.

Janis Spindel Serious Matchmaking was founded in 1993. It's truly a family business—Janis's husband Allen serves as Chief Operating Officer, and their daughter Carly joined as a professional matchmaker in 2009, eventually becoming VP.

The company has grown into one of New York City’s most elite dating agencies, with Janis Spindel joining the “millionaire matchmaker” ranks alongside people like Patti Stanger.

Janis often credits her success to being a people person and having a matchmaking sixth sense. She’s been described as a “clairvoyant matchmaker” to the elite. As she shared in an interview, 

I have the gift of gab and an uncanny sixth sense. Since I was a little girl, I’ve always been able to talk to people wherever I am.

Spindel’s ability to strike up a conversation with just about anyone means she doesn’t hesitate introducing herself to complete strangers to see if they are single.  

As she told Business Insider,

Wherever we go, we're always on the lookout, starting up conversations, giving out our cards, and telling people who we are and what we do. Whether it’s at SoulCycle, walking down the street, or in an elevator, we’re always scouting.

She's also gone on "world tours" to scout perfect matches for her clients.

For new clients, there is a signing fee that starts at $65,000. The signing fee is paid up front. You’ll also pay for any expenses, such as travel and lodging for your matchmaking team, incurred during your search.

Whatever your signing fee ends up being, it will be equal to the "finding fee" you'll pay if the service is successful. Success equates to being together for 12 months, living together, or getting engaged.

The final cost also depends on who your matchmaker is. Working directly with Janis starts around $50,000 and ranges all the way up to $1,000,000.

Working with Carly costs less, starting at $25,000 up to $350,000+. Or you can work with the mother/daughter duo, starting at $75,000.

Factors affecting the cost include whether you want a local, national, or global search, and how difficult it may be to find your ideal partner.

As Janis told Urbanette, men often have their "perfect match" lists engraved in stone:

“In an already superficial world, these men have their future lady chosen down to preferred eye color, hair color and weight. No ifs, ands or buts about it.”

Paying clients are typically men. Women can apply to join Spindel’s database, which has an associated $25 application fee. That’s the first step to becoming a potential match for paying clients. There is also a one-time screening fee, which can range anywhere from $250 to $1250. 

The cost for screening depends on what type of interview it is, with a one-on-one interview being more expensive than a group meeting. If the women meet her strict criteria, she’ll list them in the database as a potential match.

Before working with Spindel directly, you’ll have a phone interview with one of her assistants. If that goes smoothly then she will schedule a meeting to get to know you better at your place of residence. Spindel explains that home visits are fairly in-depth. 

We look inside the drawers, the fridge, the closets, as you know best, someone’s home is very telling of who a person really is and I need to know it all to find the right one.

Next you’ll have a series of simulated dates with Spindel so she can evaluate how you treat women. With such a personalized service, she likes to spend a lot of time with her clients to really gauge who they are as a person. 

As she explained in an interview, 

We get to know them and exactly what they’re looking for. We don’t fit a square peg into a round hole. Just because we really like two people, we don’t introduce them unless they’re a perfect match.

Now it’s time to scout for your potential matches in the number of locations covered in your contact. Spindel feels confident in her abilities to find clients someone special expeditiously.

She says that if a client hasn’t found “the one” after meeting his first few matches, she'll set up a time to speak with him personally. 

As she puts it, 

If he doesn’t find “the one” in these first two or three dates, I talk to him about this because either he is not articulating what he wants or he is just “dating.” 

If you do meet someone special, your membership can be frozen for up to a year. If a client has been dating someone for 12 months and hasn’t popped the question, Spindel suggests there might be other issues at play. 

According to her, “If he’s been dating someone for a year and he’s not to “I do” then there is something else wrong.”

Dating Advice

Spindel and her daughter often share dating advice on social media, as well as content related to Serious Matchmaking.

Their Instagram and Facebook accounts celebrate success stories, list what cities they’ll be visiting to interview women for their database, and promote their weekly podcast. 

For instance, the “Our Love Sphere Podcast,” gives women a glimpse into the minds of men and guidance on how to land the relationship of their dreams. In one episode, they discuss the positive first impression you can make by avoiding ‘diarrhea of the mouth’ during your date:

“Filtering what you discuss is very important to create a positive impression. Avoid controversy, maintain mystery, and focus on genuine conversation. You don’t want to have what we call ‘diarrhea of the mouth’.”

In a nutshell, they believe it’s best not to overshare as you’re getting to know each other because you can come across as “too opinionated”. These deeper conversations can take place later on, after you’ve already established a connection.

And here's a taste of their best advice for men looking to create a lasting relationship:

Janis Spindel offers a highly personalized, luxury matchmaking experience with 30+ years of track record. The intensive screening process—including home visits and simulated dates—appeals to clients who want thoroughness and selectivity.

The service works best for high-net-worth men comfortable with $65,000–$1,000,000+ total investment, clients who want intensive vetting including home inspections and simulated dates, those seeking local, national, or global searches, and men who appreciate a hands-on, personality-driven matchmaker.

There are factors worth considering carefully. The success fee structure means your investment doubles if you find lasting love. Upfront signing fees start at $65,000 for new clients. Travel expenses for your matchmaking team are additional costs. And the process requires significant time investment with home visits and simulated dates.

Looking for Flexibility?

NYC doesn't lack for elite dating agencies. For singles seeking month-to-month flexibility, VIDA Select offers matchmaking starting at $1,595/month with no long-term contracts or success fees.

VIDA's elite matchmakers leverage New York City's largest pool of incredible singles—not limited by database size—and you pre-approve every match based on full profiles with photos. Most clients meet someone special within 3 months.

Ready to explore your options? Schedule a free, confidential consultation to see which approach fits your goals.