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Suzanne Lafleur was newly single and not wishing to live the dating app life, but she did want to meet new people. While hesitantly turning to the usual dating apps, she kept seeing people write they were looking for friendship—and not love—just as she was.
“And I’m like: Why do we not have a platform that is just that, with no pressure?” Lafleur said.
Instead of complaining about it, Lafleur did something about it.
She started MusterPoints Connect Inc. with her business partner, Tully Johnson. MusterPoints is a way for people to connect in a “safe and inviting place,” and it is also an opportunity for businesses to host their own MusterPoints events.
“It’s really nice for people who are separated, divorced, widowed, those who travel for work, travel by themselves, or even for friend groups who want to get out and meet new people,” she said. “We have also incorporated a couples profile option for those couples who would like to get out and meet new people together. It simply offers an opportunity to bring back a little bit of traditional socialization.”
Members can download the MusterPoints app, which will notify them about upcoming events. MusterPoints Connections can also be found without technology, as business owners can offer their clientele a MusterPoints sign to put on their table. This indicates to other patrons that you are inviting them to join you. Business owners can also put a MusterPoints sticker on their front doors to signify they are MusterPoints locations.
Lafleur and Johnson got MusterPoints rolling in 2019 and held several trial events, including a memorable one at Kelowna’s Kettle River Brewing Co.
Image: Contributed
“By the end of the night we were squeezing cheeks on the benches at the biggest table at Kettle River,” Lafleur said. “There were probably about 30 people around the table. Some were work networking. Some were just getting to know one another over a pint. Two girls were in the corner comforting one another about their lost boyfriends. A couple of girls were even flirting with my developer. It was just a group of people socializing and having fun. I would say ages ranged from 20 or so to 55 years. It was awesome. It was exactly what we hoped for.”
COVID-19 then put an end to in-person events for the following two years, but MusterPoints is back and ready to create as many friendships as it can.
“With COVID becoming more manageable, we’re comfortable now to start promoting a little bit more,” Lafleur said. “We want to give people who have lost their friend group through COVID an avenue that might help them out a little bit.”
Lafleur is monetizing her venture by charging a “reasonable fee” to businesses that want to host MusterPoints Connections and have them promoted on the app, which can be downloaded on Google Play and on the App Store. It is currently being used in the Okanagan but could work anywhere around the world.
Some of the businesses that have hosted MusterPoints events include Freddy’s Brew Pub, Bad Tattoo Brewing Company, Milestones, Red Bird Brewing, Okanagan Lavender and Herb Farm, The Vibrant Vine and Urban Fare.
Businesses interested in partnering with MusterPoints can contact Lafleur at [email protected].
