Students launch Coast speed dating business
A lack of speed dating services on the Sunshine Coast has prompted final-year University of the Sunshine Coast students Ashley Joel and Rian Cope to start their own business.
Ashley, an accounting student, and Rian, a tourism and management student, joined forces to create Switchdate, a company they believe is the first speed dating service of its kind in the region.
“We were looking for something to do on a Saturday night and thought let’s try speed dating,” Ashley said.
“There was nothing on the Coast so we found somewhere in Brisbane. We had a good time but, on the way home, we found ourselves talking about all the things we could improve”.
The duo then created Switchdate, a company which offers speed dating for singles in three age groupings: 18 to 30-year-olds, 30 to 45, and 45 years and over.
Switchdate held its first event on Saturday 11 August at Mooloolaba’s Dusk Room, which the duo said was a success. Each date lasts six minutes, with the women remaining seated while the men move around the room.
“It was aimed at 30 to 45-year-olds and was a good trial,” Rian said. “We were aiming for 20 males and 20 females and we had 10 of each which we found was enough”.
Ashley and Rian said the skills they learnt at University had helped them launch Switchdate.
“USC has helped me big time,” Rian said. “We have already put these skills into practice.
“A perfect example is last semester when I had to create a small business plan. When we decided to create a plan for our business, it was easy”.
Future speed dating events are planned to be held on alternate Friday and Saturday evenings.
Ashley and Rian can be contacted by email at info@switchdate.com.au or through www.switchdate.com.au.
– Katrina Scott