Isabel Reed and Monika KhairkhaSo my friend Isabel recently founded a startup in the Dallas area, No Excuses Texas, and I decided dig into what she's doing a bit more. This kind of startup has been traditionally out of my scope as a technology entrepreneur, but recently I've been noticing alot more starups getting into this particular field. And let's face it - a startup is a startup.

So here's the nickle tour, maybe most of us tech folks are just too geeky, or just don't have that swanky style that's appealing to members of the opposite sex. Or...better yet...maybe we're too busy hanging out in cafe's surfing the web with those steriotypical white ear buds plugged into our laptops - getting our gmail/pandora therapy session on.

Whatever our reasons, I've been noticing a growth in personal introduction and concierge services. Not of the virtual type - but of the real world type. It makes sense though - we're human! And regardless of how fast we can txt, email, or gchat - we still need that realword touch. If someone can create a scalable version of this type of service...this might become quite a lucrative market with premium payers. Check out my interview with the founders Isabel Reed and Monika Khairkhah. Give em a call if you need a kick in the right direction!

1. How did you first get the idea for No Excuses Texas?
 
Isabel: Two years ago, I was set up on a blind date by a female friend who had a single guy friend that she thought would be perfect for me.  As it turns out, we are now married.  This sparked the idea for creating No Excuses Matchmaking and the "friends of friends" style dating.  No Excuses Concierge is an idea to help married people maintain the interesting and exciting life they had as a "dating couple".

Monika: I found myself always setting up all of my guy friends.  I thought, why not make money doing what I love.
 
2. Give us the elevator pitch for No Excuses Texas? 
 
No Excuses Introductions is not online dating; it's all done in person and we send you matches directly to your e-mail.  It's efficient and affordable and all of our clients are successful, attractive, and commitment oriented.
 
No Excuses Concierge is basically like having an on call personal assistant only an e-mail, text, or call away.  We can assist you in almost anything as long as it's legal, ethical, and moral. Just try us…No Excuses!

3. Tell us about the company founders, and their backgrounds?

I’m Isabel Reed and my best advice to you is to “take a chance, be open to new things; life is an adventure so hold on for the ride!“ Not only are introductions a passion of mine, I believe in ithem 100%. I was set up on a blind date. Little did I know that this man who was a “friend of a friend” would one day become my husband. I was set up through a friend who is now one of our clients. How great it is to be able to return the favor!

I’ve always loved getting to know people and setting them up. I am responsible for introducing one of my very best friends to her husband and for many more successful set ups! I pride myself in “never meeting a stranger” which is important in finding you your perfect “someone”. I grew up in Midland, Texas and attended the University of North Texas  I graduated with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in business, psychology, and hospitality management-what a perfect combination it’s been for my career in marketing. I was previously involved in health care marketing where I was the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for a hospital. I’ve traded in the wonderful world of health care because I have the desire to help people find love and make their lives easier! I enjoy running, traveling, community service and spending time with friends and family.
 
My name is Monika Khairkhah and I want to help you meet your match. I have a passion and a knack for playing Cupid. I became interested in matchmaking when realizing that I matched my guy friends with great girls all of the time. By default, setting up all of them began my career. I grew up in Plano and graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelors of Arts in Journalism and Political Science. Luckily, I have a good eye for character, I am an excellent listener and I can sense chemistry from a mile away. I am here to help you find true love with “No Excuses.”

4. What was your first "a ha" moment, when you knew you were on to something really good.

Isabel:  "A Ha" Moment is when you tell some one about your service and they smile, send them on an amazing date and they say they had the best time they've had in years, or hear a sigh of relief from a husband who wants to make his wife feel special and is swamped at work--if I am bringing happiness to people's lives; I know I am doing something right.

Monika: "A Ha" Moment - is when i wake up and i cant wait to get to work! And that's when I know I'm doing something right.

5. What can we expect to see in the future from No Excuses Texas?

Our goal is to expand our service coverage area, first, in Texas.  We want to be the one stop shop for all introductions and concierge services across the board.  In the future, we will also do business introductions, friend introductions, investor introductions....almost any kind of introduction that you can imagine.