Playing with Love to $10M: SeekingArrangement Founder Brandon Wade (Part 4)

Sramana: How did the revenue track beyond 2007?

Brandon Wade: It doubled almost every year. We are close to $10 million dollars this year. In the meantime, we have been launching new websites in the same space. SeekingArrangement is about successful, generous men. We have morphed and created new websites with the same theme. In 2008 we launched SeekingMillionaire, which is a dating website for those who want to meet millionaires.

The next website I launched was WhatsYourPrice.com. That is a controversial and interesting twist to dating. We basically took the charity dating auction concept, where people would bid on the chance to go on a date with a fireman or prom queen, and we put it online. We turned it into a dating website. Geeks like me bid for the chance to go on a first date with a really hot girl. That was very controversial, and was also picked up by other news outlets.

Sramana: I can imagine what kind of controversy you are creating in feminist circles! Tell me more about it.

Brandon Wade: Some feminists are upset. They think that to expect a man to pay for a meal is a reverse of what they have fought for until now. Women want to feel that they are equal [to men]. To say that a man needs to be chivalrous or a gentlemen seems by some to go against that agenda.

Sramana: I would disagree. There are many women who would be delighted to be wined and dined by a successful rich man. That is the reality in many cases.

Brandon Wade: I also think that successful women secretly wish that they were treated like princesses every once in a while.

Sramana: I am a successful women. I am often treated like a princess, and I like it very much!

Brandon Wade: Obviously there are a lot of natural arguments for the website and why it makes sense. I am out there defending the website, and it makes for great entertainment. The likes of Anderson Cooper, Dr. Drew, and Dr. Phil love to engage me in such conversations. Again, that is great for business. The more publicity you get, the more money you make.

Sramana: There are several types of guerrilla PR that would probably be good for you. I would think that some single mothers would be looking for these types of men.

Brandon Wade: You are right. Terms like “sugar daddy” and “millionaires” are becoming so expensive that we do have to think outside the box. We are bidding on words like “single mom” and “government assistance.” We are looking for different keywords.

Sramana: I would start guerrilla PR campaigns and tell your story on single mother sites.

Brandon Wade: Absolutely, that is a great idea.

Sramana: I’m joking as I banter with you, but the reality is that no matter how angry some may be with what you are doing, it is based on social beliefs that are still prevalent.

Brandon Wade: I think you are right. I am not one to shy away from controversy, either. I think it is amazing for business as long as I can defend my stance.

This segment is part 4 in the series : Playing with Love to $10M: SeekingArrangement Founder Brandon Wade
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