Rising Stars: Meet Amanda Hood of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Hood.

Hi Amanda, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Amanda didn’t set out to become a matchmaker—but in many ways, her career feels like a natural extension of who she has always been.

Based in Dayton, Ohio, Amanda is the founder and CEO of The Crush Confidential, a nationally recognized relationship curation agency that works with high-caliber, commitment-minded singles. Her work today blends strategy, psychology, and intuition—but the foundation of it all began long before she ever launched her company.

Before entering the matchmaking industry, Amanda spent nearly a decade as a college instructor, while also building and operating multiple businesses. That chapter of her life sharpened her ability to understand people—how they think, what drives them, and where they tend to get stuck. At the same time, she was building a full life of her own: a 22-year marriage, raising three children, and navigating the real-world complexities of creating long-term relationships.

It was through both her professional and personal experiences that Amanda began to notice a consistent pattern: successful, accomplished individuals often struggled the most when it came to love. Despite thriving in their careers, many found themselves frustrated, burned out by dating apps, or repeating cycles that weren’t getting them any closer to the relationship they truly wanted.

What started as informal guidance—helping friends, colleagues, and acquaintances navigate their dating lives—quickly evolved into something much bigger.

Roughly eight years ago, Amanda made the decision to formally step into the matchmaking space. But rather than replicate the traditional model, she built something entirely different.

She founded The Crush Confidential with a clear vision: to create an elevated, highly personalized experience that removes the friction, confusion, and emotional fatigue from modern dating. Central to her approach is the agency’s unique, evidence-based three-date model—designed to foster genuine connection while reducing the common pitfalls of early-stage dating, such as miscommunication, misalignment, and premature drop-off. Rather than relying on chance or chemistry alone, this structured process allows relationships to develop with intention, clarity, and guidance. Amanda’s work goes far beyond introductions. She partners closely with her clients as both a strategist and advocate, curating matches, coaching through each stage of the dating process, and ensuring alignment from the very beginning.

Today, her clientele spans across the country, though she maintains a strong presence throughout the Midwest. Her clients are often high-achieving professionals who value discretion, efficiency, and intentionality—people who are no longer interested in casual dating, and are ready for something meaningful and lasting.

At the core of her work is a belief that love is not something that should be left to chance. With the right guidance, structure, and support, she believes finding the right partner can be both efficient and deeply fulfilling.

For Amanda, this isn’t just a business—it’s a calling. One rooted in helping people build the most important part of their lives: their relationships.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all—this path has been anything but linear.

Like many entrepreneurs, Amanda built The Crush Confidential from the ground up, without a blueprint for what she ultimately wanted it to become. One of the earliest challenges was educating the market. Matchmaking is often misunderstood, and positioning a premium, highly personalized service required shifting perceptions—helping people see the value beyond dating apps and traditional introductions.

On a personal level, building a business while raising three children and navigating her own life transitions demanded resilience and discipline. There were seasons that required her to stretch in ways she hadn’t anticipated—both as a business owner and as an individual.

Additionally, working in such an emotionally driven space comes with its own challenges. Amanda is often walking alongside clients through vulnerability, disappointment, and high expectations. Learning how to hold that level of responsibility, while maintaining clear boundaries and perspective, has been an ongoing evolution.

Today, The Crush Confidential is still very much in a growth phase. Amanda has recently expanded the team with the addition of a new matchmaker and a dedicated recruiter, marking an exciting new chapter for the company. With continued momentum and a clear vision for scale, she is especially energized about what lies ahead for 2026.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Amanda Hood is the founder of The Crush Confidential, a full-service relationship curation agency that works with high-caliber, commitment-minded singles who are serious about finding a long-term partner. Her work goes far beyond traditional matchmaking. She and her team specialize in a comprehensive, hands-on approach that includes strategic match selection, personalized coaching, date curation, and ongoing guidance throughout the early stages of a relationship.

What truly sets Amanda apart is her proprietary, evidence-based three-date model—something no other agency in the industry is currently offering in this structured, guided format. Rather than relying on a single introduction and leaving the outcome to chance, her process intentionally supports clients through the first three dates with each match. This reduces common breakdowns like miscommunication, premature rejection, and uncertainty, allowing connections the space and support they need to develop naturally and with clarity.

In addition, The Crush Confidential is the only agency of its kind in this region offering such an elevated, high-touch experience. While many services focus solely on introductions, Amanda’s model is rooted in advocacy, strategy, and accountability—ensuring that clients are not navigating the dating process alone.

What Amanda is most proud of is the level of care and intention behind every client experience. Each relationship is thoughtfully curated, and every client is supported not just in finding a match, but in becoming a stronger, more self-aware partner. She has built a company that prioritizes quality over volume, depth over convenience, and real, lasting connection over quick wins—something that continues to resonate deeply with the clients she serves.

What does success mean to you?
I define success very simply: when a client leaves me better than when they came.

While The Crush Confidential is known for curated introductions and high-level matchmaking, the most meaningful part of the work is the transformation that happens through coaching. The reality is, no ethical matchmaker can guarantee that someone will meet their spouse within a specific timeframe. What I can guarantee is that my clients will walk away with a deeper understanding of themselves, clearer standards, stronger communication skills, and a more refined approach to dating.

For me, success isn’t measured solely by whether a client finds a partner during their time with us. It is measured by whether they become a more confident, intentional, and effective dater. When someone leaves with the tools, strategies, and self-awareness to navigate relationships in a healthier and more empowered way, that’s a win.

Because ultimately, those are the things that create lasting relationships—whether it happens through our process or shortly after.

Pricing:

• Packages start at $25k

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.thecrushconfidential.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecrushconfidential?igsh=MXRqaTNseTBwZ2J2Ng==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BufKFAD36/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-crush-confidential/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thecrushconfidential?si=-dvZBv1E_OUIO8rL
• Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/the-crush-confidential-centerville