Founder and President, Designed2Date, Inc.
Vernon Hills
Beth McElroy had a traditional corporate career. After 15 years, she was Vice President of Human Resources for a large landscape company. But she was ready for a change. So, the single mother with a 14-year-old son did something very bold: She resigned. She knew she wanted to own her own business, but wasn’t sure what to do.
“My favorite part was meeting people,” says Beth.
She also firmly believes in the power of networking and is an active member of her area Chamber of Commerce. With those two ideas and encouragement from her longtime boyfriend, she started researching matchmaking and online dating. She knew she could improve the options.
“Single people over 40 wanted a way to meet naturally, face-to-face,” she says. So she started Designed2Date, a membership-based social club with events twice a month at local, upscale restaurants. She meets and screens every applicant.
“At the least, you’ll make new friends and at the best, you’ll find someone to date,” she says. But the best has happened instead. Successful relationships and friendships have grown.
And Beth uses her entrepreneurial skills to benefit her community. She’s chairing a benefit gala for Meals on Wheels of Lake County, and she continues to be involved with other groups.
“I have deep roots in this community,” says the Libertyville native. And she’s helping other singles find roots of their own.
