Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Frankie Bashan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dr. Frankie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I spent nearly a decade working as a clinical psychologist specializing in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder. Eventually, I began noticing concerning signs of burnout. Alongside my work at a large HMO, I was also building my private practice, focusing on singles and couples navigating the complexities of dating. During sessions with my single clients, I often felt a strong urge to introduce one client to another, imagining how well they might connect. But, of course, privacy and confidentiality made that impossible. I remember thinking, “If only I could introduce my 9 a.m. client to my 6 p.m. client.”

My partner at the time—who is also the other mother of our 19-year-old boy/girl twins—suggested that I consider channeling my passion for matchmaking into a business. I’d always enjoyed bringing people together, and it felt like a calling. I had been matchmaking since childhood; at age 14, I even introduced my father to my eye doctor, who became his wife of 25 years and mother of three more children. With some encouragement, I decided to explore the possibility of turning my passion into a business.

Being deeply connected to the LGBTQ+ community as a queer woman, I decided to focus on serving this community specifically. My market research revealed only a handful of queer matchmakers and just one other firm in the U.S. that worked exclusively with women. There was minimal competition, and I saw a real opportunity to support a community so close to my heart.

I launched a website and hit the pavement with business cards in hand, hoping to spread the word and attract a few clients. My twins were four at the time, and I was still working full-time at the HMO, so time was limited. It’s 16 years later and thousands of successful matches later. and I haven’t looked back.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a natural connector and a true people person. My superpower lies in my ability to connect with others, supporting them as a bridge to healing or meaningful companionship. I’ve always had a keen intuition about people and who they might connect with; it’s something I recognized in myself as a young girl. Over time, I turned this gift into a career. Growing up in New York City, my parents placed me in therapy as a teenager, and it was there I realized I could make a positive impact on others. Pursuing psychology felt like the right path, but in time, I realized that it wasn’t my forever career. Reflecting now, I see how I leaned into my strengths to forge a career path that truly excites and fulfills me. While it’s an unconventional journey for a psychologist, it felt deeply aligned and needed. Thankfully, I was able to silence the doubts from others and remain focused on my purpose, even when I faced skepticism.

Today, as a clinical psychologist, board-certified sex therapist, dating and relationship coach, and professional matchmaker, I help clients break unconscious behavioral patterns that may be holding them back. I support them in developing self-worth and confidence, and if given the honor, I work with my team at Little Gay Book to find someone with whom they can build a life. Few matchmakers in the industry bring a clinical psychology background, and that insight into human behavior makes a profound difference. You can be a skilled matchmaker, but if you don’t create space for clients to understand themselves more deeply and develop the skills needed for a lasting relationship, even the best matches may not endure.

I’m incredibly proud of the career I’ve built by following my heart and staying true to my vision, regardless of outside voices. I often say there’s no other career I’d rather have; each morning, I look forward to my day, and every night, I feel grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact in people’s lives. I’m endlessly thankful for the support of my family, friends, and colleagues who’ve helped me find my way here.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What’s helped me build a solid reputation in my field is staying true to authenticity, honesty, ethics, and professionalism—with unwavering integrity from day one. When you’re in alignment with your purpose, passionate about what you do, and walking the talk, people can sense it. You shine in a way that’s impossible to ignore. It’s only when we’re out of alignment, pursuing things we’re not genuinely passionate about, that we struggle to gain traction or be noticed. True success flows naturally when our work reflects our deepest convictions and values.

If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?

I strongly believe in having multiple revenue streams because they bring stability and flexibility. In life, there’s a natural ebb and flow, and when one area experiences a slowdown, another can often pick up the pace. For instance, during times of the year when matchmaking slows down, our singles events tend to gain momentum. We offer a range of services—professional matchmaking, nationwide singles events, dating and relationship coaching, and educational programs—allowing us to adapt to changing demand and consistently serve our clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.littlegaybook.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drfrankiebashan/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drfrankiebashan/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drfrankiebashan/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drfrankiebashan?themeRefresh=1
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/little-gay-book-oakland