Christine Baumgartner has capitalized on her 25+ years as a top wedding planner working with brides and couples through one of the most emotional and stressful situations of their lives. During those years, she personally witnessed the benefits of people meeting and marrying “the perfect catch” and the huge challenges that arise when they don’t. This inspired her to transition her skills to focus on what happens before the marriage.
After years of working as a top relationship coach for an internationally recognized relationship organization founded by a well-known New York Times bestselling author, Christine has successfully helped hundreds of individuals and couples through their dating and relationship processes. Christine Baumgartner also brings to her relationship coaching the knowledge gained from her own online dating experience.
Not only is she an expert in online dating, but she actually figured out how to have fun while dating. And, by going through the dating process, she created the system she teachers to others, which she knows works because it led her to meet her husband Tony. They were married in 2007. Creating the programs included in The Perfect Catch was a perfect “marriage” of her life experience and talent.
Christine Baumgartner has studied with M.P. Wylie, Ph.D., creator of the Journey to Love course and founding president of Relationship Research Foundation.
What are you working on right now?
Blog entries each week and creating YouTube videos to discuss dating challenges and solutions. They will begin releasing December 1. I am also writing a book filled with dating advice.
Where did the idea for The Perfect Catch come from?
I participated in online dating for 5 years and learned how fun it could be. When my friends found out I was having fun, they asked me to teach them. When their dating lives improved, they introduced me to their friends and so on and so on until I had a business.
What does your typical day look like?
1. Checking and answering inquiry emails.
2. Answering questions from my blog.
3. Taking coaching calls with my clients.
4. Speaking to groups.
How do you bring ideas to life?
When I am talking to my coaching clients, I use lots of visual cues. Even though most of my coaching is over the telephone, I find this works great.
Three trends that excite you?
1. The wealth of information available on the Internet and how savvy we are at using it.
2. Social media and the wealth of options available to fit anyone’s knowledge, needs and budget.
3. Cooking shows.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
Controller for a copy machine company. This confirmed that full-time accounting is not my strong suit and is truly torture for me to spend all day working on. I will always have an accountant for my business.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I would start telling more people about my coaching sooner instead of relying completely on referrals.
What is the one thing you did/do as an entrepreneur that you would do over and over again and recommend everybody else do?
Tell everyone what you are doing.
Tell us a secret…
I am a pretty neat and clean person but I love to squish my toes in fresh mud.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Determine your exact ideal client. Keep your focus narrow and your ideal client will recognize themselves and contact you as a pre-qualified client.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
The Millionaire Messenger by Brendon Burchard. I was reminded about business practices I forgot and learned even more.
If you weren’t working as a dating and relationship coach, what would you be doing?
I would be teaching others how to coach.
Three people we should follow on Twitter and why?
1. Marie Walker Riddle: She has a beautiful line of women’s and children’s clothing.
2. Oprah: She is currently sharing her 25 years of wisdom.
3. Merna Thorne: Coaches Mastermind Group and Self-Discovery Coach Academy.
When was the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?
Skyping with my 2-year-old great-niece who asked with wonder in her eyes, “Did I know that outside the leaves had turned red?” They live in Virginia.
Who would you love to see interviewed on IdeaMensch?
Merna Thorne of Self-Discovery Coach Academy. She was one of my original mentors.
What is the most important thing to remember as a coach?
First do no harm. Then help people in the way they want to be helped, not the way you think it should be.
What do you do when no one is around?
I sing in the shower and in my car really, really loud.
Connect:
Website: ThePerfectCatch.com
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.