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Houston, it's no secret that Houstonist can be found out and about all over this fair city. But when we're not writing, we're locked up in our cages high atop the Houstonist building at our downtown headquarters watching TV until our next event.
And that's where we have the guilty pleasure of watching Bravo TV's hit show Millionaire Matchmaker. The show is based on millionaires, mostly men, looking for their true love. Pattie Stanger is the founder and president, but she can't do it all alone.
That's where the lovely, girl next door Chelsea Autumn comes in. She's been with the company since 2003 and she is Stanger's right-hand woman as V.P. of Matchmaking.
Chelsea, you came from Chicago, what made you to decide and get up and move to L.A. and how did you come across this job?
I am actually originally from Springfield, Illinois, but I have lived in downtown Chicago as well. I've always wanted to live in L.A. ever since I can remember. I worked five jobs over the summer and took one last math class that I need to graduate. I graduated from Western Illinois University with my major in Psychology. Now, looking back, I definitely think that was the best major for what I am doing now.
I moved to LA not knowing a soul and found my roommate on Craigslist. Working for Patti was my second job in L.A. My first job was at a little gym on the infamous Robertson Blvd. I was sharing a room with a girl I hardly knew and paying $400 in rent! The money I made over the summer had run out so I figured Craigslist worked for finding me a place in L.A., why not post my resume on there and see what kind of job I could get. I posted my resume and I got a direct e-mail from Patti that asked, “How fast can you type?”. Then at the bottom was her signature and contact info. I called her and she LOVED me on the phone. I started working as her assistant the next day!
What's a typical day for you like at the office?
Very rarely am I in the office, which is why I love my job so much. I work from home a lot and am out in the field with my clients. All I really need to have for my job is my Sony Vaio and my Blackberry which goes off the hook non-stop as I am on call 24/7 for dating dilemmas. I have my own clients all over the world. I just got back from visiting a few of my clients in Florida. What Patti does on the show, I do in real life as well.
I know it's called the Million Matchmaker's Club, but does having a million dollars guarantee someone into the club? I've been saving up since last week and I'm on par to hit one million in May of 2055 so I'm all ears.
You are too cute! It’s actually called Millionaire’s Club and our website is www.millionairesclub123.com . Having a million dollars does not guarantee you into the club, it's more about how you are going to treat the women. We are big on old fashioned values here at Millionaire’s Club and our No. 1 priority is that you be a gentleman to the ladies. The reason it is called Millionaire’s Club is to weed out the lookie-lou’s. Our member are serious about finding true love. So, in May 2055 I better be getting a call from you if you are single!
Talk about some of the girls that are looking to find their million dollar mate. How do y'all come about finding these lucky ladies?
The women come from all over. We have over 30,000 women on file. We have been in business for almost 10 years now. One girl registers and tells five of her friends. Our show Millionaire Matchmaker also has been helpful. Everywhere Patti, Destin (Jude Pfaff), Rachel (Federoff) and I go we are recognized and stopped by beautiful women that want us to fix them up. Patti’s book, Become Your Own Matchmaker, also just came out. Women and men are reading it and then wanting to join.
Working for Patti Stanger seems like its very demanding, especially since she has a 99% success rate. What's that like working for her?
I have been working with Patti since 2003. She was my first “real job” out of college and yes, we have had our ups and downs, however, she is family to me. I love her like a mother, friend and boss. Once you get to know her she is a big teddy bear! As far as the 99% success rate goes, that doesn’t put pressure on me as I am a matchmaker at heart. I have had tons of marriages myself and I am the Vice President of Matchmaking. Like I said before, we are family and if one of us has a high maintenance client or needs help matching them, then all of us get involved.
What do you look for in a guy? And please tell me you're single!
I am looking for a man who has integrity, ambition, class and who is funny, family-oriented and tall! I am 5-9 and I love to wear heels, so I like men who are six feet (tall) and up. At the present moment I am not dating anyone. I am single and ready to mingle.
What's a typical weekend for you? What are some of your favorite things to do and favorite places to eat?
Lately I have been traveling a lot so my weekends have been different. However, when I am at home in L.A. a typical weekend for me is running on the beach, laying out, going out to eat, going to charity events, volunteering with children, reading, watching my favorite shows on TIVO, going to the movies and spending time with friends. Basically relaxing. As I get older I am really loving the simple things in life. I love all food and trying new restaurants. I especially love eating outside and people watching. As far as restaurants go, I have a favorite one for every type of food; (I have) way too many to list.
What does your family think about your new found success? Do you feel like a celebrity yet?
My family is very proud of me. I am very blessed in that way to have a family who will be proud of me no matter what I do. My mom and a few of my sisters have met Patti and love her! Patti loves my mom. We call my mom a wind goddess because she is so earthy and calm. My mom also makes the best vegan cookies in the world called "Carley’s Cookies”. Whenever the MC staff needs something sweet we have my mom make us her infamous cookies.
I also was a matchmaker at a very young age. My best friend in third grade is now my sister. My mom and her dad met at a PTA meeting at our school and got married a year later. I now have four sisters, a stepfather, a mother and a niece and nephew. I love having a big family and can’t wait to have my own someday.
I definitely do not feel like a celebrity yet. However, I have had some interesting things happen to me. A few weeks ago I was in the grocery store and noticed a little girl about eight or nine in a shopping cart staring at me. I went about my grocery store business to get laundry detergent and all of a sudden the little girls grandparents asked me if I was “that girl from Millionaire Matchmaker”. I replied "yes" and her grandparents were floored. They couldn’t believe it and didn’t believe their granddaughter when she told them it was me so they had to come over and ask me themselves. It was very surreal to me that a little eight or nine year old girl knew who I was and told her grandparents. Kids are so smart.
Please tell us Patti plans on expanding and you'll be heading down to Houston to head the operation? There's a lot of rich oil men and journalists down here in case you didn't know.
Actually, I have a few clients in Texas. Everyone I meet from Texas I love! Y'all have such nice people down there. I have some HOT Texas ladies as well and could always use more. All you single Texas ladies, let me find you your millionaire! Also, 99% of our women will relocate for love. So, all you Texas millionaire’s out there, feel free to contact me. I would love to help you find the love of your life.
Millionaire Matchmaker can be seen on Thursday's on Bravo TV at 7:00 p.m.
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Photo provided by Chelsea Autumn
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