
Cheek'd vs. Luv@FirstTweet | This or That
Remember back in the late ’90′s where meeting people online seemed scary and dangerous? Now online dating is the new norm and it’s meeting people in real life that seems intimidating. How do you approach that cute stranger on the subway, in a coffee shop, the book store…? And what do you say? “Missed Connection” ads are a fine idea, but only if your mystery person actually happens to read it. Cheek’d is a dating site determined to bring dating back to the real world and get people to approach one another by making flirting playful and fun again.
The way it works is simple – set up a super short free profile on cheekd.com. Purchase a set of cards (only $5 to start) that have cute, flirtatious phrases and an personal access code. When you meet someone intriguing just hand them a card that directs them to your profile where they can contact you if interested. You needn’t say a word (but, you can, of course). The premise is kept as basic as possible to bypass the often annoying task of writing online profiles that feel like college admission essays or scrolling through thousands of profiles to find someone you like. Cheek’d is to the point and essentially acts like a personalized site, designed to showcase you and you alone. Most online dating sites also ignore a primary and essential part of attraction – chemistry. As good as someone might seem typed out, you may meet them in real life and find you’re not as attracted to them as you thought. Cheek’d reverses this process and adds a layer of fun to it that makes it much easier to engage with the site as well as other potential love interests off-site.
As founder Lori Cheek puts it:
“It’s almost like a childish thing of passing a folded up note…Almost like ‘tag, you’re it’ for urban singles!”
Cheek’d has thousands of users in 39 states and 12 countries. Users can buy customized cards with whatever phrases they like, including choosing from pre-written one-liners and the cards can be printed in any language and are gender neutral, making them accessible to any user. Cheek’d is also developing more specialized pre-designed decks including a New York City deck, a fitness deck for gym goers, and a business deck (“My Amex is also this color”). Other future plans include launching a Facebook where virtual cards can be sent to friends and an iPhone app that lets you connect to nearby Cheek’d users.
Cheek’d is also on Foursquare and plans to integrate location-based apps more in the future, such as partnering with bars to offer free cards to the mayor and free exclusive giveaways. They already host monthly mixer parties where cards can be purchased and activated on the spot. New York singles are invited to attend one of these parties on the Lower East Side tonight. Swing by and be reminded of when dating used to be fun!
Cards cost anywhere from $5 (5 cards) - $25 (43 cards) |
Sometimes it’s not easy to strike up a conversation with that good looking stranger from across the room. Lori Cheek knows this and has come up with cheekd.com, an easy and less intimidating way for singles to connect and flirt. Read below to find out more about Lori and her unique business. Enjoy!
Hometown: Taylorsville, KY
Current Residence: New York, NY
Education: Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Kentucky
Professional Background: Architecture, Design & Furniture Project Management & Sales for 15 years
What you wanted to be when you grew up: A Performer
What you are: An Entrepreneur
Brief Summary of your Start Up: Cheek’d is a savvy online social circuit which draws on the age old custom of networking with business cards. The company designs personal cards with clever catch phrases and unique ID numbers which direct card receivers to an online profile to learn more about the card giver. It’s like online dating, only backwards.”
Company Website? www.cheekd.com
What inspired you? A few years ago, I was at dinner with a guy friend of mine. I had excused myself to make a phone call and when I returned, he had written on the back of his business card, “want to have dinner?” and handed it to a woman at an adjacent table as he and I were leaving the restaurant. There was an immediate light bulb above my head. Two years later, I launched Cheekd.com– It’s like online dating, in reverse and the flirtation is performed via a business card sized introduction minus the personal details.How long have you been in business? May 2010
How did you fund it? Self Funded
Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? No
Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? On a weekly basis, I attend startup & tech mixers in NYC.
Current Business Challenge? As mentioned earlier, I’m self funded and need funding to scale the business.What are you doing about it? I’m actively seeking a seed round of investment and am currently pitching the idea to investors.
Favorite motivational quote: Build your dream.
Family? My parents, brother & his family all live in Kentucky.
If so, how do you balance family and business? I speak to my parents on a daily basis. They’ve been a major mental support from many miles away.
Favorite book? City Mouse and Country Mouse
What do you do to relax? It’s been a while since I’ve really relaxed, but I work out daily, which is where I seem to find tranquility at the moment.
What do you want to change most about your world? I want to bring people together. I love romance and now I’m connecting people that may not have met otherwise.
What are you most proud of? I’m proud that I came up with an idea that has taken off. The New York Times coined my idea as “the next generation of online dating.”
What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Dream big and don’t give up. Make your idea happen.
Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? My interns and the internet.
If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Sapphires—my birthstone and Diamonds—a girl’s best friend!