Success Match celebrates 20 years this month — a milestone that fills me with pride, gratitude, and reflection.
When I became a dating coach for successful professionals in 2005, my children were just 9, 7, and 4 years old. After years of working as a headhunter, I wanted to create something deeply meaningful — a bespoke service helping successful, educated professionals find genuine love.
Being my own boss offered flexibility: I could take my children to their field hockey practices, drive them to their trainings, and cheer them on from the sidelines. Yet I quickly discovered that entrepreneurship doesn’t mean working less — it means working harder, but with passion and purpose.
Facing Life’s Toughest Challenge
Three years into running Success Match, my life took an unexpected turn — I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
What followed was an intense period of operations, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and five more years of hormonal therapy — all while raising young children and keeping my business afloat.
I still remember traveling from Geneva to Zurich by train to interview new clients the day after chemo. Looking back, I’m still not sure how I managed it all — but somehow, I did.
That experience taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of truly living and loving every day. It helped me see what my clients are really searching for — not just companionship, but connection, meaning, and emotional safety.
Life Transitions and New Beginnings
In the years that followed, life continued to evolve. Our family went through an intercontinental move, navigated the pandemic, and eventually, after 32 years of marriage, my husband and I decided to separate amicably.
Becoming single again after so long was both daunting and eye-opening. I suddenly found myself in the same position as many of my clients — navigating modern dating with new tools and expectations.
The first man I met after my separation seemed charming. There were red flags, but I chose to ignore them — and, to my surprise, I ended up in an abusive relationship. It was a painful but deeply instructive chapter of my life.
After reflection and therapy, I began dating again. This time, I applied everything I teach my clients: clarity, boundaries, and self-awareness. I wanted to experience firsthand what I coach others to do — and to my great joy, I met my wonderful partner.
That journey gave me deeper empathy and insight into what my clients truly experience. I don’t just understand their challenges — I’ve lived them.
The Evolution of Success Match
Success Match has grown and transformed with me. When I launched, I focused solely on matchmaking. My market research with highly educated, successful single professionals revealed a common theme: “I don’t need help dating — I just need introductions.”
For several years, that’s exactly what I did. I introduced exceptional singles, and some fell in love, some married, others began wonderful relationships. Yet when I analyzed the data, only about 3% of clients were in a lasting relationship by the end of their membership.
Despite my best efforts, the number didn’t improve. That was a turning point. I realized that finding the right partner requires far more than just meeting someone new — it takes preparation, awareness, and skill.
From Matchmaker to Science-Based Dating Coach for Single Professionals
That realization sparked a transformation in my work. I immersed myself in the science of love, attachment, and relationship dynamics, becoming a science-based dating and relationship coach.
Today, I work holistically with clients through my unique Three Pillars Methodology: Being, Finding, and Choosing the Right Partner.
1. Being – Setting Yourself Up for Success
Everything starts with you. Together, we uncover and break old dating patterns, release emotional baggage, and replace limiting beliefs with empowering perspectives.
2. Finding – Creating and Recognizing Opportunities
I help clients design a strategy to meet the right partner — both in real life and online. From optimizing dating profiles to navigating conversations and first dates, I guide them step by step.
3. Choosing – Building a Lasting Relationship
Once clients begin meeting potential partners, I help them assess compatibility, align values, and build the relationship skills necessary for a healthy, secure, lasting bond.
Interestingly, I no longer make introductions — yet over 85% of my clients are in happy relationships by the end of their program. They take ownership of their journey, understanding that love isn’t about luck — it’s about clarity, intention, and conscious action.
Why Coaching Works Better Than Traditional Matchmaking
We all have blind spots. A dating coach helps you see what you can’t see yourself.
As your coach, I accompany you through every step of the journey — holding you accountable, keeping things real, and ensuring you maintain momentum. The process is transformational: more effective, rewarding, and enjoyable than traditional matchmaking alone.
Working in this way doesn’t just help my clients find a partner — it helps them grow into the best version of themselves, ready for a lasting, fulfilling relationship.
20 Years of Love, Learning, and Gratitude
After 20 years of working as dating coach for successful professionals, my passion for helping people find meaningful love is stronger than ever.
Throughout this journey, I’ve had the honor of serving on the Board of Advisors of the Matchmaking Institute in New York, speaking at international conferences, hosting events and workshops, and mentoring fellow coaches.
But my greatest reward remains the same: seeing my clients step into happy, secure relationships — their own Success Match.
To all the clients who have trusted me over the past two decades — thank you. Your courage and commitment inspire me every single day.
Here’s to 20 years of love, learning, and transformation — and to many more success stories ahead.
Warmly,
Trea Tijmens
Founder & CEO, Success Match
Ready to Find Your Success Match?
If you’re a successful, educated single professional who has everything — except the right partner to share your life with — I’d love to help you make love your next success story.
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