Daichman didn’t jump into the business world straight out of college. She realized every graduate’s dream of taking time off to explore the world. "I spent over two years in Europe, traveling to Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and other countries," recalls Daichman.
When she returned to the United States, Daichman chose to relocate to the Tidewater area. "My family would take vacations in Tidewater and spend summers at Virginia Beach," she says. "I developed an affection for the area, plus I wanted to escape the inclement weather in New Jersey."
Daichman managed a family-owned nightclub for several years. After seeing a lot of unsuccessful attempts by single people to meet someone, she discovered another people-oriented industry that interested her -- personalized introduction services.
"It was an opportunity to interact with people," she notes. "I saw the market for these services because 40% of the population are single." Daichman amassed over six years of experience at a Richmond-area dating service before having the courage and conviction to start her own company, It Takes 2, in 1998.
As a single female professional, Daichman understands the challenges that her busy clients face when trying to develop a life outside of their jobs. Many clients are goal oriented and are used to taking the appropriate measures to get what they want, but they don’t know how to meet their relationship goals.
"I can relate to the difficulties that single people have in meeting individuals with similar values and interests," she describes. "Our service allows people to take control of their social lives without having to devote the time they don’t necessarily have. It’s hard to find the time, especially when you are an overachiever."
Daichman has seen busy singles trapped in a vicious cycle. They pour a lot of their time and energy into their work because there isn’t a social life to tend to, but the reason why they have no social life is because they aren’t devoting enough time to fostering one.
How does It Takes 2 break this cycle? Daichman believes the secret is to provide clients with one-on-one attention and guidance, something that she says is hard to find at larger dating service companies or franchises.
"If I’m not interviewing potential clients, I’m chatting with members regarding their dates," says Daichman. "I think it’s very important that I make myself available to everyone."
Instead of using impersonal computers or videotapes during the matching process, Daichman interviews each client. After compiling a profile listing what the client is like and what kind of person he/she wants to meet, she searches her database and tries to find a compatible member.
"I encourage members not to put pressure on themselves," says Daichman. "We want them to look at the individuals we select as newfound friends that they have a lot in common with and let the situation evolve naturally. Those are the people who have the most success with our service."
Members are also encouraged to call Daichman after their first date to give her feedback. "If things don’t work out, it gives us a feel for which direction we need to go in," she notes. "If we hit the nail right on the head, I’ll take them out of the matching process."
The ironic aspect of It Takes 2’s business is that a success story leads to two lost members, so Daichman must work hard to recruit new members every day. Because there is such a high turnover rate, she won’t say how many members make up It Takes 2’s pool of eligible bachelors and bachelorettes.
Her company’s success is measured in another way -- word of mouth. "For the most part, people attach a stigma to dating services and don’t feel comfortable discussing their experiences with others," notes Daichman. "But I have found that because our members are successful in meeting their social goals, we are overcoming the stigma that only a desperate or socially inept person would go to a dating service. Our members are always willing to refer others to us."
Although It Takes 2 generates referrals, Daichman doesn’t depend on them. She performs targeted recruiting via print advertising and radio commercials to attract quality singles.
When Daichman isn’t recruiting or matching clients, she is always willing to sponsor fund-raisers or volunteer at charitable organizations throughout Richmond. She has contributed to the YMCA’s Bright Beginnings program and played in a Caddyshack tournament at Highland Golf Course to raise money for the program.
Although golf isn’t one of Daichman’s extracurricular activities, she does enjoy working out and participating in outdoor activities like mountain biking.
Her favorite pastime of course is assisting her clients in meeting their social goals. "There is nothing more satisfying than seeing my clients achieve the happiness they deserve."
"Now I get to deal with big kids instead of little ones," says Daichman, referring to her early career changes from restaurateur to personalized introduction services. Today, she runs Innsbrook-based It Takes 2, which strives to help single professionals throughout Richmond meet their social goals.