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

Katya, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

In the online dating industry, AI’s emergence is a double-edged sword. On one side, it offers groundbreaking tools like enhanced matchmaking algorithms and safety features, bringing efficiency and security to online dating. For example, AI has the potential in the near future to drastically transform how we find matches, with a more nuanced understanding of user behavior to suggest more compatible partners. Also, AI can act as a useful guide, suggesting creative date ideas and conversation starters, nudging users towards more meaningful interactions.

However, this trend also brings risks. The rise of AI-enabled catfishing, where artificial personas deceive users, raises concerns about online fraud and increases safety concerns. Consider this: a Wakefield study found that 36% of app users matched with a fake profile. One user shared how they spent weeks conversing with someone who turned out to be an AI-generated persona, highlighting the need for a careful balance in AI’s application. Furthermore, over-reliance on AI for communication could diminish our social skills, creating a dependency that might deepen loneliness. These contrasting aspects of AI in dating highlight the need for careful balance, ensuring its benefits don’t overshadow the human essence of dating.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Katya, a co-founder of FFWD Dating, an innovative app revolutionizing online dating with video profiles, or “Scenes.”

My journey into online dating was born from personal frustration during a sabbatical from my corporate law career. Like many others, I turned to online dating, only to encounter its inherent flaws: static photos that often led to misjudgments and missed genuine connections. This common frustration among online daters was my call to action, fueling my resolve to innovate.

FFWD Dating emerged from a deep-seated commitment to foster authenticity and meaningful connections. Our approach, featuring in-app recorded video profiles, offers a genuine glimpse into our user’s real life energy and vibe. This strategy not only enhances the dating experience’s authenticity but also addresses issues like catfishing and awkward first dates, effectively reducing wasted time and transforming dating into a more certain and exciting journey.

At FFWD, we combat the digital dating problems like ghosting and superficiality, advocating for authentic, transparent interactions. This resonates particularly with our target audience of professionals and intentional daters aged 25 to 49, who seek more meaningful connections then mere vanity clicks.

Our brand’s voice is like that of a witty, casual, and confident best friend. Shunning clichés and formality, we embrace relatability and realism, always with an underlying current of optimism.

FFWD aspires to be more than a dating app. We’re spearheading a shift towards a more optimistic, honest, and efficient way of dating. By bridging the gap between digital and real-world interactions, our goal is to reinvent the dating landscape. We’re committed to creating a space where real, heartfelt connections flourish, one match at a time.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One significant lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that it’s too late to pivot in one’s career or life path. When I first thought of the idea of FFWD, there was a lingering sense of it being ‘too late’ for such a drastic change. I had built a career in law, a field known for its traditional path and stability, and stepping away from that to start something entirely new in the tech and dating industry felt like a monumental shift.

This transition required me to unlearn the idea that our professional lives are linear and once decided, unalterable. Embracing the entrepreneurial journey with FFWD taught me that it’s never too late to pursue a new path, especially when driven by a passion to innovate and solve real-world problems. It was a lesson in flexibility, adaptability, and the courage to embrace change, no matter the stage in one’s career.

In hindsight, this unlearning has been pivotal. It allowed me to transition from a structured legal career to launching a creative, dynamic startup. This journey has not only been a personal transformation but also a testament to the idea that it’s never too late to pursue a new dream or challenge the status quo.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I think my resilience story begins in middle school, when I immigrated to the United States from Belarus. I came here with significant barriers: I didn’t speak English and we had no financial or social resources. Despite these challenges, I harbored a dream to become a lawyer to help advocate for human rights. I was told this would require me to attend a good college.

Given that I was a recent immigrant, I encountered skepticism from my school counselors, who warned me not to aim too high. In a pre-Google era, I took it upon myself to research the best pathways. I learned that my best bet was a specialized school in New York City, which required me to take a placement test. Though my math scores were exceptionally high, given my very limited English proficiency, I did not score high enough in English. Undeterred, armed with my strong math scores in hand, I approached a number of top rated private schools and boldly asked them to consider me for a scholarship. It proved to be a pivotal step in asserting my potential and determination. One of the schools, though two hours away from my house, recognized my drive and awarded me the scholarship. This opportunity was crucial. There, I was able to rapidly improve my English skills and started to build an important network of friends, all of which built my confidence to ultimately apply – and get accepted to – an Ivy League college.

This accomplishment was particularly sweet because it defied the limitations others had set for me. It was a profound affirmation that with resilience and proactive effort, even the most challenging dreams could be realized.

Contact Info:

• Website: ffwd-dating.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/ffwd_dating
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/ffwd-dating
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ffwd-dating/featured
• Other: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ffwd-video-dating-profiles/id1542948244