Dating site aims to spread web nationwide

Feb 12 2009 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

AN ONLINE entrepreneur whose networking website has played Cupid to hundreds of North Eastern singletons is preparing to spread the love-bug nationwide.

In less than a year, businesswoman Sara Halman, of Gosforth, Newcastle, has seen her dating website reel in over 600 people looking for love or friendship.

Although her website, isuki.com, has attracted people from outside the region, its client base is largely in the North East.

The 28-year-old now aims to replicate her success in the region in other parts of the country and is currently planning to step up the company’s presence in London through various advertising avenues including on the Tube.

She said: “There are a lot more young professionals in London and they all get the Tube.

“I am hopeful that I will be making a profit by November this year.

“We are looking at the idea of [the type of] regional roll out which has been very successful in Canada, America and Australia.”

Last year Ms Halman was named in The Journal’s Rising Stars, Future Leaders supplement as a young entrepreneur with a bright future.

The Liverpool University graduate set up the business after discover- ing her busy friends were finding it difficult to meet potential partners.

isuki.com, which is aimed at 18-40 ABC1 professionals, has enforced a “three-strikes” system where members can report people who are pretending to be something they are not, in a similar way to auction site ebay.