Turning a Dating App into LinkedIn

Six months ago, I was on Bumble for one reason: something casual, something light.

Work had always taken center stage in my life, so dating felt like a side quest, something you pick up when you have the bandwidth.

Then I stumbled across a profile that stopped me. I messaged, he replied, and the conversation effortlessly flowed. Since my world revolves around digital marketing, it became our everyday topic until he eventually got curious.

At that time, he was in a place of uncertainty: working as a customer service representative, taking calls for eight hours straight, often getting laid off due to quotas. He felt lost, stuck, and unsure of what direction to take next.

He asked what I do.

I asked if he really wanted to know.

When he said yes, I told him, “I can show you how.”

And that single moment shifted both our lives.

He explored digital marketing, and something inside him lit up. I offered him the chance to be my apprentice, using my brands as his training ground. He was fast. Focused. Hungry to learn.

Eventually, we talked about shifting our dynamic, from casual connections to mentor-and-apprentice.

And honestly, it became the best decision we ever made.

Today, Mark is Abby Laine Digital's Operations Manager; someone I trust deeply, someone who has consistently proven that he’s not just reliable, but exceptional. In just six months, he transformed from someone unsure about his path into a full-fledged digital marketing professional.

What started as a random swipe became the moment that saved A/D.

He arrived when the agency was at its lowest. He became my right hand, the person behind securing some of our biggest clients to date.

It’s funny how life works.

Sometimes the people you meet casually end up playing the most pivotal roles in your story.

This experience reminded me that dedication, eagerness, and willingness to learn can radically change a person’s life—and in this case, it didn’t just build a better career for him… it built a stronger A/D.

And we’re just getting started.