What was your life like as a geek?
When I was in the PhD program, I never took my eyes off my work. I had no idea how to meet new people and expand my social circle.
What did you do to change that?
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
I got a job as an intern at a company in San Francisco called PickUp 101, which helps guys work on their social skills. I observed the workshops and practiced on my own. Then I met the casting team of Beauty and the Geek and got on the show.
How did you become a dating coach?
After the show, I went to New York for an internship in engineering. Seeing what my job would be like, I wasn't that happy. PickUp 101 was doing workshops in the city and asked me to be a field instructor. I worked my way up to head instructor.
How do you teach someone to date?
We work with guys on making first impressions and connecting emotionally. We have them practice with instructors and each other before we take them out into the real world.
So you feed them pickup lines?
One thing we teach is how to walk up to a stranger and start a fun, flirty, interesting conversation.
What's the pay like?
The company charges $200 an hour for a one-on-one lesson and $2,000 for a weekend workshop. But I get paid a stipend, travel expenses and commissions for recruiting new customers.
Was it hard to walk away from a lucrative career like engineering?
I believe the road to financial success involves finding something you're passionate about and then throwing yourself into it completely. I'll continue to work with PickUp 101, but my goal is to start my own company that will bring the social skills we're teaching people to the corporate world.
Have you found true love?
I am enjoying the dating world, and all of my relationships are stronger than they were before -- not just with women, but with friends and family, too.
-- Interview by Jessica L. Anderson
-
Aging: The Overlooked Risk FactorSponsored Elder care is a personal and financial vulnerability many people fail to plan for.
-
AI vs the Stock Market: How Did Alphabet, Nike and Industrial Stocks Perform in June?AI is a new tool to help investors analyze data, but can it beat the stock market? Here's how a chatbot's stock picks fared in June.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2025Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up. Here's what you need to know.
-
How to Search For Foreclosures Near You: Best Websites for ListingsMaking Your Money Last Searching for a foreclosed home? These top-rated foreclosure websites — including free, paid and government options — can help you find listings near you.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnbreal estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute VacationTravel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
-
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?insurance When assessing how much life insurance you need, take a systematic approach instead of relying on rules of thumb.
-
When Is Amazon Prime Day? Everything We Know So Far, Plus Early DealsAmazon Prime Here are the key Amazon Prime Day dates and details you need to know, plus some of our favorite early deals to shop ahead of the sale.
-
How to Shop for Life Insurance in 3 Easy Stepsinsurance Shopping for life insurance? You may be able to estimate how much you need online, but that's just the start of your search.
-
Five Ways to Shop for a Low Mortgage RateBecoming a Homeowner Mortgage rates are high this year, but you can still find an affordable loan with these tips.
