Innovator Insights: CEO / Founder of Underground Unattached Christina Weber @christinalweber
Name: Christina Weber
Title: CEO / Founder of Underground Unattached
Twitter: @christinalweber
Christina Weber is an entrepreneur with a background in marketing, event production and community building — and a great career story of gaining amazing corporate experience and listening to her gut. She came to NYC for a job as a media research analyst, but after struggling to pay the rent, she moved into the lucrative world of sales, working for campusfood.com. From there she had a stint in pharma sales before working for The Mixx. Tapped by leadership, Christina confessed her heart wasn’t in it and her boss encouraged her to follow her passions. Christina’s focus is now in the dating space. She’s the founder and CEO of the UNDERGROUND UNATTACHED Curated Dating Experience, aiming to make finding romantic partnership less labor-intensive than dating apps and more cost-effective than hiring a private matchmaker. Christina is also a member of Dreamers // Doers, a highly curated community of high-achieving trailblazing women who come together to support each other on their entrepreneurial paths. The community encompasses a diverse mix of female founders, women working at startups, and other female creators, change-makers, and influencers.
Me: Why are you an entrepreneur?
Christina: Life didn’t feel magical and right underneath corporate America’s roof. Throughout my twenties I worked for various firms from startups to pharma companies and marketing agencies. After about two years with each, I felt my learnings peaked and that my thoughts were contained.
I have wild ideas and new ways of thinking. As an entrepreneur I decide when to execute on these thoughts. It’s an open sky and although I listen and take other’s opinions into consideration, ultimately, no one can tell me what to do. I am 100% responsible for my life and I don’t have to deal with anyone else’s ego. Instead, I can walk away. There’s power in choosing who to work with and where to spend your energy.
Me: What problem would you like solved?
Christina: My current focus is in the dating space. I didn’t expect to be here. A year ago I was working on the development of a women’s lifestyle/movement called Feminine Weapon. After the production of three concerts and a crowdfunding campaign, my mother asked me if I was dating anyone.
Blank stare.
With that question I realized the need to focus on that area of my life too. We must inject energy in all of our desires. I signed up for Tinder and began “playing.” A few weeks later, I was drained. I had spent countless hours messaging with and meeting men who had no positive impact on my life.
Although the online dating market is booming, it’s also labor-intensive. Add in that 50% of people lie and 30% of them never leave their phone or computer to meet anyone in-person.
With the thinking that “there must be a better way,” I founded the Underground Unattached Curated Dating Experience. We bring together an even amount of men and women at private locations for three hour experiences. There we have food, drink, and guide attendees through a series of activities designed to foster connection and accelerate closeness. This includes eye gazing, customized games, and prompted storytelling. The objective is for all singles to engage and discover things about each other which may not be possible in normal social settings.
Computer devices and phones are tucked away that entire time. Identities remain confidential and no photography is allowed. Following the experience, attendees receive a password protected link. Once logged in, they see images and emails of all those whom they met. Having some type of interaction prior to viewing these photos, helps one to know if someone is worthy of deeper engagement.
We produced ten Underground Unattached experiences in New York City within our first year. Over 400 people have joined us, most learning about the experience through friends and word of mouth referrals. By filling the void between the dating apps and private matchmakers, we’ve learned that we’re gifting people with a much needed dating alternative. The work has been extremely fulfilling.
Me: Advice you’d wished you’d had or had followed?
Christina: Do I wish I had all of the lessons that come from receiving an MBA? Sure. But I don’t. Instead I rely on mentors, advisors, and the various lessons that come from nearly every interaction with another.
Although I’ve been fooled by my intuition, I continue to strengthen my gut feelings, trusting myself and my decisions. There’s a lot more to be learned.
Me: What does success look like for you?
Christina: Great question! A dear friend of mine, Ilona Royce Smithkin, is 95. She says that she didn’t have confidence in herself until after 80 years of age. It’s said that most don’t reach “enlightenment” until then. My goal is to live in prep for that moment and aim to reach it earlier.
For me, success includes many outcomes, like:
- Financial freedom and security.
- A romantic partnership which I’m inspired by and continue to learn from.
- A tribe of friends bound together by love.
- Healthy foods and an active lifestyle, free from pain and illness.
- A comfortable home where I feel safe.
- Intellectually stimulating people, conversations and unlimited opportunities to learn more about myself and life.
- Play, fun and lots of laughter.
- Change. I want to build things, create a family, and travel. Nothing should ever stay the same.
- All of the above so that I can share it; gifting time, my craft, income and lessons learned to friends and those in need.
Me: Who are your heroes?
Christina: Entrepreneurs like Richard Branson and Bill Gates who have the intellect and drive to build, but also share their success as philanthropists.
Andrew and Dilia Stein, the power couple of The Orphaned Starfish Foundation and ARTEAMOR. The two of them live in a modest apartment in Queens. They spend nearly all of their time and money helping underprivileged children survive and thrive through computer education and inspiring art programs.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama for using nonviolent actions to try to bring freedom to Tibet; for continuing to spread love despite the harsh realities of this world; and for being one of the greatest champions of humankind.
Lastly, my four parents. They’ve taught me the value of family, given me unconditional love and continue to inspire my journey as a startup entrepreneur… even though I know at times they would feel more comfortable if I had chosen a more simple path.
Me: What is your best discovery?
Christina: Interesting, soulful people. I collect humans. Light exists within all of us. Sometimes the light is so bright that it acts as a path to help my future unfold. I found that throughout my lifetime the Universe presents me with various people to teach me lessons. I tend to have a tough time letting go of them though. Not everyone is a match for your tribe. I’m learning to be ok with that.
Me: What would the title of your biography be?
Christina: Feminine Weapon: Aware of Her Life Desires and On a Mission to Fulfill Them
Me: What is your biggest regret?
Christina: No regrets. The Human Design System groups people into one of four categories: Manifestors, Generators, Projectors and Reflectors. I’m a Projector and my chart reads that there is no energy in my past. This seems accurate with my existence.
Rather than think about the “should’ve, would’ve, could’ve,” I’d rather trust and see life in it’s divine order. There are still many people and lessons out there for me to discover. I believe I’m exactly where I’m suppose to be with the right amount of knowledge for this moment in time.
Me: Anything else we should know about?
Christina: After ten successful productions of Underground Unattached in New York City, we’re expanding the concept to other markets beginning with Los Angeles on Thursday, March 24th.
Details here: undergroundunattached.com/experiences
We’re currently looking to connect with single souls in Los Angeles. Please reach out if that’s you and/or share with your single friends. You can email me directly at: cw@undergroundunattached.com to inquire.
We want to help ready ones find and establish romantic partnerships for all kinds! This includes reaching other cities, countries, ages and the LGBT sector in the future.
