Most of us picture a “matchmaker” as a village elder with a little black book. Amber Lee flips that script. As co-founder of Select Date Society, she runs a boutique, white-glove matchmaking firm for high achievers and ultra-high-net-worth clients — pairing deep psychology with ruthless vetting to protect time, energy, and hearts. In this conversation, Amber shares how a near-death cardiac arrest became the wake-up call to launch her own firm, why self-awareness is the #1 predictor of dating success, and how real compatibility goes far beyond a great photo or a perfect résumé. From attachment styles to the quiet biases of wealth and status, this is a masterclass in modern matchmaking — and building a relationship that lasts.   🔑 What you’ll learn Modern matchmaking, de-mythologized: why boutique > volume, and what “white glove” really means. Self-awareness as a superpower: the non-negotiable trait Amber screens for before taking any client. Attachment styles 101 (Attached, Gottman, IFS): secure vs. anxious vs. avoidant — and why “opposites” only work with skills and awareness. Attraction isn’t a headshot: how smell, voice, presence, safety and ease drive true chemistry. Protecting high-profile clients: filtering for intent, lifestyle alignment, and authenticity (beyond status and money). From boardroom to first date: softening your “operator mode” so connection can breathe. Resilience in love: the same trait that builds companies also sustains great relationships.   🧭 Episode Highlights The hospital-bed epiphany: turning a survival story into a purpose-built business. Why big agencies fail great clients — and how Amber’s team sometimes meets 50–100+ candidates for one match. Chemistry vs. checklists: when photos mislead and a great match needs a gentle push to say “yes.” How Amber vets for intent and integrity — especially with fame and wealth in the mix. Money can’t buy love, but lifestyle fit matters (values, time, travel, how you spend). Why many high-achieving women hire matchmakers (signal, safety, filtering, dignity). The “kite and string” metaphor: complementary differences that actually work — when you communicate.   🗣️ Key Quotes “We don’t want clients falling in love with potential. Our job is to find the person who really fits.”“Attraction happens in how someone makes you feel — safety, ease, presence — not a flat photo.”“You’re not in the boardroom on a first date. Bring the softer version of your best self.”   👤 About Amber Lee Amber Lee is the co-founder of Select Date Society, a boutique matchmaking firm serving high-achieving and high-profile clients with a 90% success rate. Trained by the Global Love Institute and the Gottman Institute, Amber blends rigorous vetting with relational science to create matches that last. Connect with Amber: Website: www.selectdatesociety.com/about Instagram: www.instagram.com/amberleematchmaker/?hl=en LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/amber-lee-matchmaker   🙌 Support & Subscribe If this episode sparked a few “aha” moments, share it with a friend who’s serious about love — and subscribe to The Inner Entrepreneur for more conversations at the intersection of life, business, and meaning.   About the host: Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.   Connect with the host:   https://www.theonehourceo.com/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/