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The HBCU Network: I have to let everyone know that you're the Chief Flirting Officer of FlirtingTime. What's the difference between that and a CEO?

Sabrina: There's no difference - my title is more fun! And it fits what FlirtingTime is all about!

The HBCU Network: Back to the issue of speed dating. What is it about the Black community that made you think that speed dating wasn't the best option?

Sabrina: Before we can do any kind of "speed" dating, we have to clear up this traffic jam that has prevented our community from improving in economics, cultural expansion and politics. I hear the term 'networking' but I don't see it happening. I see folks trying to get their drink on, but they're not talking to others, and when they do, they're trying to qualify the person based on transitory issues, such as cars, houses and money in the bank. We have to stop that.

There are some very dismissive attitudes among our people - especially our women. We need to get rid of those attitudes and embrace everyone. We need to slow down and take the time to get to know each other. So, what we need is not speed dating, but slow flirting.

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The HBCU Network: There may be people hesitant to participate in something with "flirting" in the title. How do you allay their concerns?

Sabrina: Well, 'flirting' is not a sexual connotation it simply means to be warm and gracious to everyone.

This is not a dating service - it's a flirting service. If you come in looking for a husband, you're going to miss out on so many good people. People just need to learn to enjoy being with other people. Don't block your blessings - just stop and breathe. You'll benefit from it.

You may not have a connection with the person sitting in front of you - but you might have a connection with his cousin. But tell me this - how are you going to get to this person's cousin if you're rude to him? You could even be sitting in front of a potential business investor, but again, if you're rude... you'll miss out.

It's amazing to me how rude we are to one another. Some of us with so-called professional credentials have zero social skills and I dont know why we think thats okay! And often I see negative attitudes emanating from Black women, whom I am afraid if they continue on this path will end up alone.



The HBCU Network: I can tell you're very passionate about this topic, and I'm sure your message is a wake up call for many people. How do you get the word out about your company?

Sabrina: The main promotion is word-of-mouth. I have a relationship with the radio station Kiss FM in New York, so we get the word out that way, too, as well as on various television talk shows.

The Internet is a powerful marketing tool, so weve used that to promote FlirtingTime.com, as well. We have included videos from two television shows on the web site, so you can see what we do instead of just read about it.

The HBCU Network: What was the most interesting FlirtingTime incident that you've ever witnessed?

Sabrina: In Atlanta, where couples were flirted using our icebreakers, people started to spontaneously hug one another. It also happened in NY and DC. We target different groups for our various events, and we had an event for the 50+ crowd a few weeks ago. One lady said it was an oasis for her, and she gave me a big bear hug. Those are some really nice moments.

The HBCU Network: You have coordinators that host FlirtingTime soirees in several cities and states. How do you recruit your coordinators?

Sabrina: They reach out to us. It's a franchise so to speak, and they agree to use our format for hosting events, and host them in several cities.

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The HBCU Network: Where do you see FlirtingTime 5 or 10 years from now?

Sabrina: FlirtingTime.com will be in all parts of the world - Caribbean, Africa, and Europe - wherever "we" are - I want FlirtingTime to be. As a result, the artic air and dismissive attitudes will be dissolved between our people. If it does not, we are headed towards our own genocide.

The HBCU Network: You usually have a maximum of 25 men and 25 women participating in your soirees. Do you plan to increase those numbers, as FlirtingTime continues to grow?

Sabrina: No. I want to keep it small, because people get tired. After meeting the 10th person, everyone else starts to become a blur. So, we couple the flirting with spoken word or some other forms of entertainment, or we focus on a quality business, product or upcoming event.

The HBCU Network: What are some of the accomplishments your company has made that you are most proud of?

Sabrina: In general, I really love how people come in the door one way - and leave another. What I mean is, they're surprised at how we deal with them - from the way we greet them at our soirees, to the way we handle customer service. Our soirees are an oasis, because there's nowhere else where Black folks can just be.

At our soirees, every woman rises to greet the man that comes to her table. And having the woman rise to greet him, tells this man - "I have her respect." There's no place in this community where our Black men feel comfortable. It's time for Black women to start honoring Black men. Often Black men feel shot down not only by racist people but when they deal with Black women.

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The HBCU Network: What do people say when you tell them you own a company called FlirtingTime?

Sabrina: Actually, I don't have that conversation too often, because when someone asks what I do for a living, I answer, "Do you want to know who I am, or how I make my money?" As a matter of fact, at our soirees, people are not even allowed to ask the question of what someone does for a living.

The HBCU Network: Interesting. That's often one of the first questions people ask. Why is that Taboo?

Sabrina: Because it doesn't matter. Men are tired of tap dancing, wondering if their jobs make them good enough. I've met wonderful, supportive brothers - but they're not flashing the bling-bling, so women don't give them a chance.

I overheard a flight attendant from San Francisco discussing men she's dated, and she'd always identify them by their job titles. My stomach was turning. She went on to say that none of those relationships worked out. And do you know why? It's because she was dating a job title - no wonder it didn't work.

I want us to start engaging with one another based on our connections with family - how loyal, encouraging and humorous we are. That means more than any job.

The HBCU Network: How do you handle the copycatters?

Sabrina: We don't have any. There may be others doing speed dating - but not flirting - there's a huge difference, and we're the first to do this. I recently ran across an article about firsts - and we were included in an article with Madame CJ Walker - not bad company to be in.

The HBCU Network: How can The HBCU Network help FlirtingTime to grow?

Sabrina: Thanks for asking! In the beginning, I just knew I could be in two cities at the same time, hosting soirees, but I soon learned otherwise. So, I would love to get more coordinators onboard. We have coordinators in 12 different locations, but we're definitely looking for more.

There's a nominal investment, training and support involved in becoming a FlirtingTime coordinator. (You can learn more on the FlirtingTime web site). All of our coordinators have a certain energy about them. We need capable people with event-planning experience. I mean real event planning and promotion - not just planning your friend's baby shower.

The HBCU Network: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Sabrina: I'd like everyone that's attending the cruise to come with an open spirit. Start by engaging with people on a new level. Kick the boundaries of your social circle wide open.

Go with the attitude of: "I'm going to deliver a gift to everyone - my best self, my best smile." The mindset should be, "How can I leave this person feeling a little better? Instead of having them dance for me - I'm going to give them my best self." If you can just be - there's no telling the opportunities that lie ahead.

We have to change what we've been doing, if we expect different results.

The HBCU Network: Thank you Sabrina, this has certainly been a lively interview. We appreciate your time!



Check out: http://www.FlirtingTime.com