One day while listening to the Back To Community podcast, I was captivated by the story of Paul Bronson, a serial entrepreneur who ventured into the world of matchmaking. Despite initially receiving only 7 to 10 views and subscribers per episode on his YouTube channel about matchmaking, little did Paul know that Oprah Winfrey herself was one of those viewers.
Oprah became aware of Paul early on and subscribed to his early episodes, intrigued by his commitment and determination to keep showing up. This led to a collaboration between Oprah and Paul on the reality TV series “Lovetown, USA” on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in 2012. This story holds valuable lessons, emphasizing the importance of self-belief, cultivating impactful connections, staying committed in the face of challenges, and the exceptional outcomes that personal accountability and determination can bring.
Paul’s path intersected with Oprah’s when he connected with a client who happened to be a writer for O Magazine during his pro bono matchmaking work. This client recommended Paul to Oprah, who was seeking a fresh voice for a new TV show. As a result, Oprah watched his YouTube series and eventually offered him a job to co-host a television show on her brand new network [1]. This powerful narrative highlights the significance of quality over quantity and underscores the idea that the identity of the viewer matters most.
In addition to these insights, Paul’s story encompasses several valuable nuggets of wisdom:
1. Paul believed in himself wholeheartedly and consistently showed up, even when he believed no one was watching.
2. He was unaware of the impact he had already made in the matchmaking field, as his connections would mention him even when he wasn’t present.
3. Despite facing moments of self-doubt and paying attention to his YouTube subscriber count, Paul remained committed to his mission, refusing to succumb to imposter syndrome.
4. Oprah Winfrey, being one of his few subscribers, stayed invested in his journey and observed his dedication.
5. The story ultimately emphasizes the significance of personal accountability, unwavering determination, and self-belief in achieving exceptional outcomes.
Ultimately, Paul’s collaboration with Oprah on “Lovetown, USA” aimed to foster a loving community in Kingsland, GA. Today, he continues to create content and serves as an expert for “Married at First Sight UK.” The most significant lesson to glean from this story is the importance of consistently showing up, doing your best, and following through on your commitments, as you never know who might be watching—perhaps even Oprah herself.
Listen to the episode with Paul Brunson now!
