Karen Howells

dating expert makes sparks fly in Calgary

By Angelica Nancoo

February 14 brings upon diverse thoughts, emotions and facial expressions, depending on who you are. For numerous men, their cerebrum habitually forgets this day, in comparison to the many women that turn into giggling school girls at the dawn of this exact day. For singles worldwide, this same day forces all to cringe. If you haven’t already figured out, or have suddenly had a revelation, the aforementioned day is Saint Valentines.

There really is no wrong in being single on Valentine’s Day, but even the biggest cynic would admit that it is nice to enjoy a romantic dinner and share a dessert with a special someone on this commercialized day. And although several people will claim – even insist – that getting a date is effortless, there are the rest of us who aren’t blinded by our pride and will admit, out loud or not, that dating is really not their greatest prowess. For the former, maybe it was time to show some humility and hire a professional.

In Calgary, our city holds one million and some odd tens of thousands of individuals, which calculates to many hundred thousands of singles. For Karen Howells, our metropolis is the ideal place for her to start her Dating and Relationship Coaching business.

As the founder, owner and sole leader behind www.yoursuccessfuldatingcoach.com, Howells is very passionate about helping people find the love of their lives.

“I’m working my business, to go out of business,” says Howells.

Since March of 2009, when the website was launched, the response has been truly tangible. Clients of Howells range from ages 18 to 72, equivalent females and males, heterosexuals and homosexuals, divorcées and bachelors – evidently the singles club does not discriminate.

The main focus behind the mechanics of Howells’ program is helping people see who they are as a person, and then helping them discover what they truly want in a partner. Unlike dating websites, where they match individuals systematically based on appearance, location and lifestyle, Howells constructs her program through attitudes, behaviour and personalities. With a B.A. in psychology, Howells has the education and the background that aid in her profession today.

Howells also states that her method of work is very individualized and she admits that what works for one person, may not always work for another.

Four years ago, she decided to turn to dating and relationship coaching after seeing countless individuals struggle in the unforgiving dating realm. For years, she gave advice to friends and acquaintances in regards to their love lives, and finally, a mere eleven months ago, she decided to permanently and formally become “Your Successful Dating and Relationship Coach.”

“I don’t call it a job,” says Howells. “It is part of me.”

Despite the seeming simplicity of this job, Howells works 14 to 16 hour days turned to nights, Monday to Sunday, making sure she is available to all her clients at unspecified hours of the week. Her services include conducting the initial consultation; making a unique online profile on a local online dating website; taking distinctive photos to put onto the profile; helping with relationship, dating and intimacy issues; and just being a friend and supporter that her clients can converse with before, sometimes during, and after dates.

“My clients deserve my ear,” says Howells.

Another service that she offers is being a wing girl, which is not entirely how most may define it. Granted, Howells has gone out with clients as a crutch to help them meet other singles, and also to give clients an opinion on a potential relationship spouse, but her wing girl assistance refers mainly to the online service she provides for her clients once their profile is set up.

With permission of her clients, Howells goes onto their accounts to search for people that she deems suitable and compatible from the knowledge she gained from an initial in-depth questionnaire.

“In looking at profiles, I can read into their personalities,” says Howells.

Once she finds these potential prospects, she sends the profiles to her clients and leaves it to them to decide if they want to pursue or not. Meant as a support system, Howells doesn’t push her clients, but rather leaves them to conclude whether or not they want to continue with her services.

In spite of the daunting hours, Howells has absolutely no complaints about her job. She is happiest when dealing with clients one-on-one, and helping them realize the potential that she sees in them.

Another aspect of her employment that keeps her motivated is the gratification that she receives from clients who have triumphed. She states that she loves hearing the giggles from clients after a promising first date.

Having already found her very own half, Howells has been married for almost a decade. She aspires to help individuals all over our city find happiness and lasting love.

If you, or someone you know, are having problems finding a date, keeping a healthy relationship, or just need advice on how to put some excitement into your love life, Karen Howells can be contacted via her website www.yoursuccessfuldatingcoach.com.