Meet LunchDates Matchmaker Laura Kenney

Wondering if Laura Kenney from LunchDates is the right Boston dating service for you?

From how she got her start in matchmaking to what type of dating advice she doles out, this short profile will help you decide if Kenney has what it takes to try and find your perfect match. 

With over 14 years of first-hand industry experience, our team of matchmaking experts knows what clients value most in a service. We’ve reviewed more than 200 matchmakers and their companies, taking a deep dive into their process, cost, success rates, and more. 

Let’s dive in!

Meet Professional Matchmaker Laura Kenney

LunchDates has been helping singles in and around Boston find love for over four decades, but Laura (Paluch) Kenney didn’t come on board as an executive matchmaker until 2012. 

Prior to that, her professional background was in business development. She has a BA in PR and Marketing from Suffolk University, and BA in PR from Marymount California University. 

With a background in public relations, it’s no surprise Kenney is frequently interviewed by the media, along with her LunchDates colleague, Jill Vandor. The duo often reflect on their shared passion for helping people find love, and offer dating advice and perspectives. 

For instance, Kenney recently remarked on the trend Plenty Of Fish dubbed “main character energy.” Following lockdown periods in recent years, many singles have spent time focusing on themselves and honing in on their expectations for a potential partner.

Here are a few more of her top dating tips:

And when it comes to meeting fellow singles, Kenney dishes out advice for that too:

“There are a million and ten avenues to go out and meet people. Number one, you just have to do the work and take initiative to do it. And number two, it’s just a matter of how often do you want to be dating? Do you want to be swiping and going on a ton of first dates, messaging everybody? Or do you want a matchmaker to take control and do it for you?” 

Now, let’s take a peek at what you can expect if you hire Laura Kenney as your Boston matchmaker.

A Quick Look At LunchDates

LunchDates has 5 branches serving the Greater Boston region, including an office in Boston proper. The other locations are in Nashua, Newton, Burlington, and Braintree. 

Matchmaking packages are offered at two levels of service, with contracts typically lasting 6 or 12 months. Basic service starts around $3,000. Options like having photos included in your potential match profiles and having the dates arranged on your behalf require a larger financial investment.

Kenney has expressed that her “bread and butter” clients are in their 30s and looking for a serious relationship. As she said during an interview with the We Are Never Truly Alone podcast:

“The biggest thing I want to know about my clients that are walking through the door is are you serious? You’re not just coming to me looking for a rebound… You are looking for a partner.”

Dates aren't just for lunch, despite what the name of the service might imply. The matchmakers often recommend or arrange for meeting your match over drinks and apps after work, or for an activity on the weekend.

You'll be meeting other clients, or people selected from the LunchDate's database of Boston singles.

However, there’s no guarantee each match will work out – that will be up to you and the person you’ve been set up with. In Kenney’s words:

“I can’t predict chemistry… But, at the end of the day, I will introduce you to people that check all of your boxes and then it’s up to you guys to do the rest of the work.”

Kenney also explained during an appearance on Morning Mix that working with a matchmaking service is preferable to finding someone on a dating app.

"I think the personalized approach is the best way to go about it. We really get to know you guys. We're matching you guys up based on lifestyle, compatibility, versus just pictures and your resume... with online, it's all a numbers game. You go, go, go and eventually you find the one. But I tell my clients, you don't have to kiss a ton of frogs to find your prince."

And in a discussion with CBS News, Kenney shared that a matchmaker's role at LunchDates extends beyond just pairing individuals. She also coaches clients throughout their self-development journey and does what she can to prepare them for successful dating experiences. 

 As she puts it, part of her job is: 

“Just making sure that they are being the best version of themselves, asking the right questions, telling the right stories, and not talking about exes on a first date.” 

To learn more about this Boston matchmaking service and see what former clients have to say about their experience, check out this LunchDates review!

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