Xpat Interview: Nora Kenyeres, Founder & CEO, Match Made Abroad

  • 11 Nov 2015 11:00 AM
Xpat Interview: Nora Kenyeres, Founder & CEO, Match Made Abroad
Nora Kenyeres is the Founder and CEO of Match Made Abroad. Match Made Abroad is an exclusive international matchmaking agency headquartered in Budapest. Nora is the first certified matchmaker in Hungary who completed the Matchmaking Institute’s training program in New York.

She has a first class degree in Finance from International Business School and a Postgraduate diploma in Digital Marketing from the Digital Marketing Institute. She started her career working in project finance.

However, she always wanted to set up her own company and having seen many lonely colleagues working at the bank, she decided that there has to be a better way of finding love! And Match Made Abroad was born.

Nora is proud to represent her company and Hungary at several international dating and matchmaking conferences in London, New York, Los Angeles and in other cities around the world.

1. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Gyöngyös, a small town in Heves county.

2. If you could be an expat anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
I am fascinated by the US! I’ve been there several times and I instantly fell in love with New York!

3. What would you miss most if you moved away from Hungary?
I would miss the cuisine, friends and family.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
I would tell them just to get lost in the downtown and get the feel of the city. And of course, hop on a bus tour and check the attractions: Heros Square, the Buda Castle etc. The spas are not to be missed, either!

5. What is your favourite food?
If I have to choose a Hungarian dish, it would be derelye (I have no idea how to translate it!). And I also like sushi.

6. What is your favourite sport / form of exercise?
I like going to the gym, doing aerobics and bodyart (similar to yoga and pilates).

7. What is your favourite place in Hungary?
Budapest and Tihany!

8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
It is an interesting question! I like being an entrepreneur so I would have my own company even if it would be something different. I could also see myself as a spa owner/manager. If I could go crazy and say anything, I would love to breed cats and take them to competitions.

9. What’s a job you would definitely never want?
I could never work as an administrator or something equally monotonous.

10. Where did you spend your last vacation?
In the US.

11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Can I say in the US again? Or in Dubai.

12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I liked playing tennis as a teen.

13. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?
If I see an abandoned cat, I can’t resist to help! That is how I adopted 3 cats from the street.

14. Red wine or white?
Red!

15. Book or movie?
Depends on my mood, but I like both!

16. Morning person or night person?
Well, I neither like waking up too early nor staying up too late. I find myself the most productive during the afternoon and evening.

17. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
I feel very strong about the welfare of animals. Many people are irresponsible when it comes to buying a pet and keeping it in proper conditions and they show bad examples to their children. This issue should receive more attention.

18. Buda or Pest side?
Buda.

19. Which achievement in your life are you most pleased about?
I am very happy that I have my own company from a young age.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
I believe that you can always make progress and change your situation. And as an entrepreneur, I really like the following quote: “There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: Those who are afraid to try and those who are afraid you will succeed.”

  • How does this interview make you feel?