American entrepreneur
Andrea McGinty (born May 18, 1961) is an American dating coach, author and businesswoman. She is the founder of It's Just Lunch.
Early life and education.
Andrea McGinty was born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 18, 1961. She completed her education, graduating from John Carroll University with a degree in accounting. McGinty's career in the dating industry was triggered by a personal experience. In her early 20s, just weeks before her wedding, her fiancé called off the ceremony.
Entrepreneurship.
Founder of 'It's Just Lunch'.
McGinty introduced 'It's Just Lunch' to downtown Chicago in 1990. Previously, the only matchmakers were small, localized people with a handful of clients. She aimed to create a service that functioned like an executive recruiter but exclusively for personal life, not the professional arena. The success of 'It's Just Lunch' rapidly gained recognition, with publications such as Crain's Chicago Business, Chicago Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and People Magazine featuring her approach.
McGinty, the dating consultant, quickly expanded the concept to twenty company-owned locations before launching into a full-scale global franchising strategy. It’s Just Lunch quickly grew, and McGinty was the spokesperson for the company on many talk and radio shows. The Oprah Winfrey Show featured McGinty fixing a couple up on a date and following the couple on a date. People Magazine called McGinty the yuppie yenta. The matchmaking service expanded quickly, stretching from Chicago to major cities across the United States and internationally, reaching 110 locations globally. The service arranged over 2 million dates, resulting in many marriages. By 2004, 'It is Just Lunch' had over 800 employees and generated $90 million in revenue.
McGinty sold the company in 2008. She retained some ownership and a Board seat, which she later decided to sell her ownership and relinquished her Board seat.
Other entrepreneurial activities.
McGinty acquired Native Foods LLC, and expanded the restaurant chain from 3 units to 30 before McGinty sold her interest. She is also the founder of BabyDagny.com, an online retailer for European baby goods. ;ref name="chicagotribune.com2011/08/09/" ; ;/ref ;
As online dating gained prominence, McGinty observed that many people struggled with online dating and found it challenging to navigate the process. There was a lack of dating consultants who could help singles in their 40’s through 70’s navigate online dating. She identified how older daters who have been out of touch with the new online dating tools had difficulty writing dating profiles, choosing photos, and identifying the correct online dating sites/apps to be on. McGinty, leveraging her expertise, she established '33000Dates.com' in 2013 and put her expertise as a dating consultant to work.
Personal life.
During her time at 'It's Just Lunch,' McGinty met and married one of her clients, an attorney Daniel G. Dolan, a merger and acquisition specialist and welcomed her daughter in 2005. After being divorced for four years, McGinty personally went to online dating. She found love online in July 2022 after five dates.
References.
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