Amanda Bradford on Disrupting the Dating App Game

Amanda Bradford

Let’s have standards that are high, and let’s be unapologetic about themAmanda Bradford

In this episode of Entreprenista, we sit down with Amanda Bradford, the mastermind behind ‘The League’ dating app, as she offers a candid peek into the world of app development tailored to the ambitious and discerning dater. Having navigated the challenging terrains of the tech industry, she sheds light on the obstacles female app developers often face, from gender bias to limited funding opportunities. Her bootstrap beginnings, despite raising $2 million, have led to innovative marketing strategies, leveraging local events, and Facebook ads to help build out The League’s presence in cities like San Francisco, LA, and New York.

But it wasn’t just about the tech. Amanda grappled with press criticisms, labeling her venture as elitist and solely catering to the “1%”. Rather than rebrand, she’s leaned in, pivoting her marketing with her clever “Gold Digger” campaign, which celebrates goal-driven individuals, rather than the materialistic chase. See? Genius. This episode is jam-packed with value as it delves into the crucial aspects of app development, discussing the significance of features like face recognition, the ever-evolving role of AI, and the importance of user feedback. As the conversation unfolds, Amanda offers invaluable insights into combating negative press, scaling businesses, and the essence of entrepreneurship – resilience, problem-solving, and turning a “no” into a “yes”.

We talk about: 

  • Creating a curated ecosystem 
  • Using events as marketing tools 
  • The beauty of strategic collaborations 
  • Crafting a dating app and selling your business  
  • Learning to dodge curveballs like a pro 
  • Transforming challenges into opportunities 
  • Dating advice for the shamelessly ambitious and goal-oriented
  • What every budding app developer needs to know 
  • Finding a technical co-founder 
  • Equity distribution for early employees in a start-up
  • Having a mix of full-time employees and contractors 
  • Milestone Agreements 

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Connect with Amanda: 

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Whether you’re looking to scale your existing business and want to make the right connections, or you’re thinking about finally taking the leap to launch your business, we’re here to give you access to a community of women who will celebrate and support you every step of the way. 

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