How an Instagram joke turned into a matchmaking business

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In March 2020, Olivia Atwood of Los Angeles was, like many people sheltering in place, spending a lot of time at home on Instagram. She was also watching the Netflix reality show “Love Is Blind.”

“I just posted something on Instagram that I thought was basically a joke,” Atwood said, inspired by the reality show. “I posted, being like, ‘Do you want to go on a blind phone call date from the comfort of your home? DM me three facts about yourself.'”

When Atwood checked Instagram a few hours later, she was shocked to find nearly 100 direct messages from both friends and strangers. The matchmaking venture evolved into a business called Liv’s Love Pool, which now has around 2,000 customers. Six couples whom Atwood matched have or are about to celebrate their two-year anniversaries.

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