Uwa Jesuorobo is a 1st generation Nigerian immigrant, who came to America at the age of 7 and became a naturalized citizen at the age of 14. At 19 he joined the U.S. Army as an intelligence analyst and served 8 years with 2x deployments to Afghanistan. He also received an associate of applied science in intelligence operations studies from Cochise college.
He has been married once before and is currently divorced. The unique challenges and experiences of his 1st marriage led him down the path to becoming a certified matchmaker. After the divorce, Uwa came away from that experience believing there had to be a better, safer, and smarter way of finding a life partner. Around the same time, he was introduced to the science of numerology which would ultimately change the course of his life. The accuracy and simplicity of numerology convinced Uwa of the potential applications for finding love based on the numbers. This began a 6-year process of education and developing a totally unique system of matchmaking that is positioned to revolutionize the entire matchmaking industry. Uwa is also a graduate of the “Global Love Institute”, which is the leading matchmaking institute in the world.
While serving as an intelligence analyst in the military, Uwa received highly specialized training essential to performing the duties of an intelligence analyst. The highly valued skills he gained during his time of service, have now allowed him to transition into a career as a certified matchmaker. During his time in the service, Uwa was the recipient of numerous awards and decorations to include Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ 2 Campaign stars, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2nd award), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Services Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, and the NATO Medal.
His unique background and experiences have proven to be invaluable as a certified matchmaker. They have allowed Uwa to find and recruit quality singles; to really know and understand the desires and motivations of his clients by conducting thorough pre-screenings and personality assessments.
What is ODU`WA`RE MATCHMAKING all about?
Odu`wa`re Matchmaking is a numerology-based matchmaking service, we offer face-2-face personal introductions for successful and professional singles in the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia metropolitan area. Our company’s approach combines experience with a fresh perspective on dating, matchmaking, and coaching. Our clients and members are from all racial and ethnic backgrounds, however, Odu`wa`re Matchmaking specializes in working with 1st and 2nd generation immigrants.
Odu`wa`re Matchmaking was founded upon two basic principles, first is that as 1st or 2nd generation immigrants there are many unique challenges we will face in this lifetime. One of those major challenges is the question of how much we will assimilate into our new culture; for some of us we completely wrap ourselves in the American flag and for all intents and purposes are as American as they come. but there are also those who have no interest in assimilating and vehemently resist any attempts to “water down” their culture. Most of us, however, fall somewhere in the middle, we have successfully assimilated into the culture and yet still, we have been able to preserve our cultural heritage and identity.
This theme of assimilation will continue to play out throughout the course of our lives. No more so than when we are ready to settle down and build a life with that special someone…..do you seek out someone more traditional in an attempt to preserve and pass on your culture to the next generation?…..do you seek out someone with no connection to your culture at all?…..or do you seek out someone who has managed to find that balance, that sweet spot. Someone who has managed to find a healthy balance between the American culture and that of the countries of their origin.
Whichever category you happen to fall in Odu`wa`re Matchmaking was created for you. Our entire purpose for existing is to help you find the best match for YOU.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your company?
I am a 1st generation immigrant from Nigeria, who came to America at the age of 7 and became a naturalized citizen at the age of 14. At the age of 19, I joined the U.S. Army as an “all-source intelligence analyst” and served 8 years with 2x deployments to Afghanistan. I also received an associate of applied science in intelligence operations studies from Cochise college. I have also been married once before and currently divorced.
After the divorce and end of my first marriage, I came away from that failed relationship feeling bitter and disenfranchised about relationships in general, but that would not last very long because at my core I am a hopeless romantic and problem solver. So, I ultimately walked away from that experience believing there had to be a better, safer, and smarter way to find the person you are meant to settle down with.
Around the same time, I was introduced to the science of numerology which would go on to change my life. The accuracy and simplicity of numerology convinced me of the potential applications for finding love based on the numbers. This began a 6-year process of education and developing a totally unique system of matchmaking that is positioned to revolutionize the entire matchmaking industry.
While serving as an intelligence analyst in the military, I received highly specialized training and gained valuable skills that have allowed me to transition into a career as a matchmaker. In my role as an analyst, I had many duties and responsibilities which could be summarized as FIND, KNOW, and BE. As an analyst, one must possess the necessary skills required to FIND people and information relevant to their organization’s operations. An analyst must also KNOW their target/person of interest by becoming intimately aware of their behavior patterns, tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses. An analyst must also conduct war game scenarios, during which they BEcome their target/person of interest to determine how said individual would react in any given situation. These skill sets have proven to be unbelievably valuable as a matchmaker. They have allowed me to find and recruit quality singles; to really know and understand the desires and motivations of my clients by conducting thorough pre-screenings and personality assessments.
How do you separate yourself from your competitors?
There are so many aspects about me and our process that separates us from our competition that I am not even sure where to start. For starters, I am a man in a female-dominated industry, which gives me a unique perspective and allows me to really speak to what men are looking for in today’s day and age. Compared to the average matchmaker, our prices are drastically more affordable, making the service of matchmaking more accessible to the average individual.
As a 1st generation Nigerian immigrant myself, I am intimately familiar with the unique challenges that present themselves when trying to date across different cultures, so I created Odu`wa`re matchmaking with the intention of focusing on cultural considerations as an integral part of our matchmaking process.
If all of that is not enough to distinguish me from my competitors, then I am pleased to also inform you and your readers that we are the first and only numerology-based matchmaking service in the world. Our unique and revolutionary use of numerology as the foundation of our matchmaking process allows us to identify chemistry with potential matches early in the matchmaking process and allows us to highlight value (80/20 rule) for our matches.
What are your plans for the future, how do you plan to grow this company?
My plan is to completely transform the relationship and marriage industry, much in the same way Netflix and other streaming services have transformed the way we watch movies and TV shows; or if you look at what Uber and other ride-sharing services have done to the taxi industry, that’s my vision for this company. 5 years from now I want people to scratch their heads and wonder why we used to look for a husband or wife at a club or bar, we should have just picked up the phone and called Odu`wa`re matchmaking.
How have the pandemic and lockdown affected you or your business?
- In 2012 when I began my journey to becoming a matchmaker, I knew that I wanted to impact people’s lives in a meaningful way and help them find true love. However, I was also aware that one of the challenges we face as matchmakers in society is convincing people to understand and appreciate the value of the services we provide. So, I knew that part of my mission would have to center around creating a paradigm shift in society.
- A paradigm shift is defined as “an important change that happens when the usual way of thinking about or doing something is replaced by a new and different way”. For example, Uber vs. traditional taxi cabs, Netflix vs. traditional cable, or even social media vs. traditional TV. These new paradigms entered our lives and changed everything.
- Paradigm shifts typically happen over long periods of time, due to people’s inability to let go of old and outdated beliefs. However, some paradigm shifts can happen seemingly overnight when major events such as a global pandemic occur that demand our attention as a collective society. These types of events urge us to stand back and take inventory of our lives. So, from the perspective of a matchmaker, the pandemic has been a good thing because it has facilitated the birth of a new paradigm shift.
If you’ve had to quarantine by yourself or with a significant other you were not truly compatible with, then you know the importance of getting it right. Maybe you are single and quarantined with family and friends, then you‘ve become all too aware of what is missing in your life. In either case as a society, we are starting to question how and why we get married and enter relationships. This is why I love being a matchmaker! As a matchmaker, I get to play an active role in guiding quality singles into this new paradigm.
What is your favorite quote?
My favorite quote is “KNOW THYSELF”. I love this quote for several reasons, too many to list here. If I had to summarize all the reasons why this quote resonates with me so much, I would say it’s because it’s so simple and yet so complex.
We are all created by a higher power with a purpose or assignment for our lives and until you figure out what that purpose is and begin to apply yourself diligently in that assignment, you will never find true happiness and fulfillment.
What valuable advice would you give new entrepreneurs starting out?
- There are three key pieces of advice I would give to an entrepreneur just starting out. First, “know thyself”, don’t choose a career or business based on how much money you could potentially make, figure out what you love to do and then figure out how to make money doing it.
- Second, “remember your why”, always remember why you got into business in the first place. When things start to go wrong (and they will), remember your and use it to keep pushing you forward.
- Third and last, surround yourself with the right people. You don’t have to be an expert or know everything there is to know about marketing, sales, or accounting. You simply have to know enough to identify the right people for those positions.
How do you personally overcome fear?
This is such a good question; there are a couple of ways I personally overcome my fears. The first is knowledge of how God/universe works, specifically the law of duality, meaning for every action there is a positive and equal negative outcome. So, I don’t fear the negative because I know that no matter how negative a situation or outcome may appear, there is always a positive I can take away from it.
The second way I overcome fear is through preparation. Fear comes from uncertainty; not knowing what’s ahead or if you have what it takes. Therefore, the best way to counter that is to over-prepare. Why do basketball players shoot a thousand free-throw shots every day in practice…because it prepares them mentally for when they have to make just one clutch free-throw to win an actual game. The point is if you make it your mission in life to learn everything there is to know about your business and practice your craft regardless of who’s watching or whether you are being paid for it when the time comes to show what you are made of and what you have to offer, your fears automatically move into your rearview mirror.
What would you say are the top 3 skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur, and why?
- The top 3 skills I think you need to be a successful entrepreneur are “Goal-setting”, “time management”, and “problem solving” skills. As an entrepreneur you need to be able to effectively set goals for your business because this is how you map your way forward and objectively assess your success or failure over time.
- Time management skills are an absolute must if you want to run your own business. You will need to identify and prioritize the most pressing tasks of the day or week and plan accordingly. As simple as it sounds, you would be surprised how many businesses fail because of this one simple skill, or lack of.
- Finally, I am sure you have heard the saying that “life is what happens to you while you are busy planning your life”. The moral of the story is that although you would be a fool to not have a game plan, you also must be aware that life will throw you some curve balls and you will have to improvise, adapt, and overcome if you want to be successful. So, if you are not good at problem-solving, you probably want to surround yourself with people who are.
What are the top 3 online tools and resources you’re currently using to grow your company?
The top 3 online tools I am currently using to grow my company are Facebook, Instagram, and Clubhouse.
Facebook and Instagram allow me to be very specific when advertising and are incredibly valuable in terms of recruiting. However, my absolute favorite at the moment is Clubhouse. Clubhouse is the gift that keeps on giving, it is phenomenal as a recruiting tool for adding singles to my database and it affords me a platform to establish myself as a subject matter expert in my field.
If you started your business again, what things would you do differently?
If I could turn back the hands of time and start my business again, I would definitely hire someone to handle all the marketing for me. I would still be involved in creating and driving the vision but having an experienced expert to handle all the specifics and tactics we use, would have freed up a significant amount of my time and allowed me to grow the business quicker.
If you only had a $1000 to start a new business, knowing everything you know now, how would you spend it?
If I had only $1000 to start a new business, I would spend $200 or so on my business license and legal documents, and then I would spend the rest on marketing. Marketing is the engine that drives your business, it does not matter if you have the greatest product or service in the world if no one knows about it.
Founder Interview: Leonard Tatum – Aims to Help Mobile Game Developers Succeed
