Matches Made in Heaven (er, Make That New York)

Shoshanna Rikon is the founder and CEO of Shoshanna's Matches (https://www.shoshannasmatches.com/), located in "fabulous New York City."

She grew up with "a strong desire to own a business. A lot of it stems from my parents; they've always encouraged to me to be extremely ambitious and to follow my dreams. I set goals and I achieve them."

She majored in advertising at NYIT, because she has "always been fascinated by how the public receives and reviews information. Everyone is influenced by something and that is what drives me. I'm a very visual person and my business requires having a keen eye." Shoshanna always enjoyed doing matchmaking during her college years.

"I was constantly matching my sorority sisters and friends throughout campus. After I graduated I opened up my own employment agency but I could feel something was missing. Instead of asking clients about job related questions I was more concerned with their personal lives. I just knew that it was the perfect time to make my dream of owning a matchmaking company come true!"

Her initial strategy was simple: "bring people together. Once you've got a superior product, everything else falls into place."

Her biggest challenge? "Understanding the emotional needs of my clients. I'm in the business of love and sometimes love hurts." But she knew she was successful "when I received my first wedding invitation in the mail. I'll never forget the first couple I got married. It's the most incredible feeling knowing that you gave these two people the greatest gift of all; true love."

Her future goals include expanding her company. "I wouldn't mind seeing Shoshanna's Matches make its mark on other cities within the United States or even internationally." And her advice to other women who want to start their own business?

"I would tell them that no matter what... you have to follow your own path, it may not always be a smooth one, but it will always be yours," says Shoshanna.