8minuteDating founder shares practical business tips
Tom Jaffee, E85

Tom Jaffee, E85 CEO, Match Events, Inc.

May 10, 2005--Alumni looking to reinvent their professional direction and connect with the right people (and perhaps even find their perfect mate) were inspired by the words of Tom Jaffee, E85, at the Lyon & Bendheim Lecture on April 20. As CEO of Match Events, Inc., Jaffee oversees two very successful businesses, 8mintueDating.com and NetworkingMatch.com.

The theme of career “variety” clearly underlined the evening’s discussion. Jaffee’s latest business ventures are only the most recent in his varied history of entrepreneurship. He described his experience working in the technology sector in the late eighties and early nineties, working at Martin Marietta and later at Microsoft when Windows v3.0 was just being rolled out. Jaffee also reflected on a memorable moment giving his first demonstration of the new product, Windows 3.0 as a new employee for Microsoft.

“I was scheduled to give my first demo at a hotel ballroom in San Francisco. Just before presenting, I found out that the expected audience was nearly double than what was anticipated and they needed a larger room! I was thankful for my Tufts education during that time of accelerated learning, and it helped keep me to stay cool under the pressure!”

Naturally, the Windows software (which had to be launched from DOS back then), crashed during his demo in front of the full audience, but Jaffee dug in and rebooted.

Jaffee appreciates his experience working in larger corporations, but admits he never really saw it as his long term goal. After recognizing that the singles population needed a better way to meet new and interesting people, Jaffee formed 8minuteDating.com. In its first two years, the company grew from a one-man start-up to the world's most popular speed dating service, with more than 60,000 customers and 150 Event Organizers planning and holding events in 55 cities in the US and Canada. His newest business, NetworkingMatch.com, builds on the 8minuteDating concept and applies similar strategies to making business contacts.

Tom also shared his "Tips for Business Success" which he collected when reflecting on his own background.

The Lyon & Bendheim alumni lecture brings prominent and successful alumni to campus to share their wisdom and experience with students and is now directed by a steering committee of four undergraduate students. Following the lecture, a small group of students gathered at Brown & Brew near campus to continue an in-depth conversation with Jaffee.

“This lecture series brings back alumni to the students, not just the school. That personal connection is vital and it was hard not to be inspired given the intimate setting and the enthusiasm with which Jaffee spoke," commented Joe Mead, A05, member of the steering committee.

The Lyon & Bendheim Lecture series will continue with the next lecture in Fall 2005.