Name: Jacqui von Hardy
Age: 34
Title: Founder/President of elevateYOU, where nice guys finish FIRST!
Married/Single: Married since 2009
Kids: two, ages 12mo & 3 years
City you live in: Phoenix / Desert Ridge / Aviano
A typical day in my life includes…
motivating, talking to and meeting singles all day, which is funny given I’m married however, it’s also my credibility. I’ve been happily married close to 10 years, traveled all over, bought our dream home by working together, have amazing friends and left my fancy 6-figure corporate job to pursue my dream of elevateYOU! I want that for everyone! In a typical day I meet single men, to either consider for membership or to help them be their best. I take them shopping, coach them, send them on cool excursions like ropes courses 60ft in the trees. I support elevateYOU’s single sisterhood throwing women’s only events. We just had a ladies lunch a few weeks ago. I love seeing the women root for one another. We have no desire to be an episode of the Bachelor. I check out unique event spaces and come up with fun ideas! I’m involved in lots of charities. We just did a date auction with three elevateYOU girls where we partnered with Sonatas and raised money for Lucky Dog Rescue, Grateful Hearts in Glendale and the Educational Assistance Resource (EARN) Network. I even scored eight laptops for EARN this week which are going to be used at a foster group home for kids school! My husband was also nominated for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ‘Man of the Year’ so elevateYOU is helping with his fundraising efforts. In the end, we’re good people that want to help others find love. I married the nerdy pharmacist…give the nice guy a chance. I package them so ladies finally do! ElevateYOU members are exceptional: educated, successful, friendly, active, value fitness, are screened for integrity, etc. I am always talking to people about getting away from online dating. It’s become so fake and creepy; I like humans and in person and that’s what were all about. We screen (and help) everyone then bring them together among friends at included events!
I was born…
in Cleveland, Ohio but have been here since 2005.
My favorite thing about Arizona…
the people and the venues. I like to get out and socialize with great people in fun spaces. Those good old Irish pubs of my college days will always be in my heart but the Phoenix scene is much more exciting!
I’m listening to…
Brittney (sorry, not sorry!) LOL.
My family…
is my heart. I hope to give elevateYOU to them one day (if it’s their passion)! My daughter is already a total social butterfly!
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be…
Stephen Hawking (RIP).
One thing I cannot live without…
self esteem. It’s the foundation for everything.
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
a marine biologist! I love the ocean. I’ve swam with sharks, in cages and outside of cages. Instead I got two Masters in Business and HR from Cleveland State.
I’m inspired by…
those who value balance. I like people who know in order to be happy all your buckets need tending to.
The one person who motivates me is…
my husband and my friends. They believe so deeply in what I do that it keeps me going full steam ahead!
If I could change anything in the world, it would be…
child suffering from abuse of all kinds.
The perfect day would be…
waking up in Grand Cayman with a day or snorkeling, Caymana Bay happy hour (its Kierland on the beach basically) and beach BBQs on the agenda! In fact, I hope to renew my vows for our 10-year anniversary there next spring with friends.
My first job was…
hostess at a bar & grill!
My favorite escape…
snorkeling or a great Scottsdale happy hour with a big group of friends.
My life…
is blessed.
I’m currently working on…
building elevateYOU! SO many plans! From writing books to national expansion.
Always…
be honest.
Never…
do behind someone’s back what you wouldn’t do their face…with your mother watching!
Favorite Quote…
“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”. “Self care isn’t selfish, it’s self-esteem.”
Biggest Dream…
I have so many. I keep a big bucket list on my wall at home and add to it frequently. The biggest would be to watch my kids build happy, meaningful and successful lives! Also drive cultural change back to the human/people factor. We need to start connection directly again. Too many phones, Internet, etc. It’s depressing the world.
My Pet Peeve(s)…
any form of dishonesty. When everyone is clear and honest about their feelings and intentions the world becomes much easier to navigate.
