Meet R. Tony Smith | Founder & Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with R. Tony Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi R. Tony, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
“Everyone Deserves Love” — I literally woke up one day with the inspiration to be a matchmaker. This epiphany was based on a lifetime of experiences with our community fighting for equal rights, identity and fairness in society. Many in our community are continually reminded that we are less than equal, so “Denver’s Cupid” is my gift back to our community to provide opportunities for love, friendship and connection that we ALL deserve.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Denver’s Cupid is the only LGBTQ matchmaking service based in Denver, and we offer personal matchmaking services (and virtual speed dating — all based on personal intuition, not apps — no more swiping left or right! For millennia, all cultures and communities all over the world have had their own respective matchmakers, and there are not any matchmaking companies based in Denver dedicated to our LGBTQ community. Not only are there no matchmakers, there are not ways for all of our diverse segments of our community to meet — let alone via video speed dating. Our company primarily curates groups by your desired age group (all ages 18+, I might add — and over 50 have been left out of the dating world!) We also curate by all LGBTQ orientations and genders, and yes, including Trans and Genderqueer, as well as other groups such as Bears and Sports League participants — it makes an incredible difference if you speed date with people you already identify with and have things in common from the beginning — especially in our diverse community.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Yaaas! Entertaining is in my genes, or should I say Designer Genes LoL — genetic from not only a Gay male point-of-view — but also my Mother’s Filipina heritage – born to throw parties, gurl! First thing is getting a cocktail in your hand, whether at our house or a fabulous patio — we love the bar at Avenue Grill in Uptown Denver — old school! Then gotta take friends to Hamburger Mary’s, and I especially love their back patio, all served up with Mary’s realness — a little bar scene + gay locals always = a great time. I also love sharing our fun bars, The Triangle, X-Bar, and Tracks, to name a few! The week would also include shopping and lunch in Cherry Creek North — my stomping grounds, as well as all the fun shops, eateries and bars near our home in Congress Park and on Colfax. I also love sharing the Denver Botanic Gardens, taking people to South Central Cheesman Park (where the LGBTQs hang out, as well as play a little grass volleyball.) And almost every time, I make it a point to take people downtown to the Denver Art Museum, dinner at Larimer Square, and fabulous drinks with a view at The Peaks Lounge at the Hyatt Regency — best view of the front range! If we have time, I love 1/2 day trips to Boulder, Colorado for a hike at Chautauqua Park and shopping on Pearl Street Mall.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m most thankful for the unconditional love and support of my husband of 18 years, Jim Peterson. Everyone of us has a person like this in their life — either past, current or future. This journey begins with self-love in each of our own hearts, and we must love and respect ourselves FIRST to love and connect with others.

Website: denverscupid.com
Instagram: instagram.com/denverscupid
Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/denverscupid
Twitter: twitter.com/denverscupid
Facebook: facebook.com/denverscupid
Yelp: yelp.com/biz/denvers-cupid-denver
Other: Rocky Mountain PBS Interview: https://www.rmpbs.org/blogs/rocky-mountain-pbs/denver-man-creates-citys-first-lgbtq-matchmaking-service/

Image Credits
Kalen Jesse Photography