Suzanne Lafleur Suzanne Lafleur was newly single and didn’t want to live the dating app life, but she wanted to meet new people. While she was hesitant to turn to mainstream dating apps, she kept seeing people post that they were looking for friendship—not love—just like her. “And I say: Why don’t we have a platform that’s just that, no pressure?” Lafleur said. Instead of complaining about it, Lafleur did something about it. Started MusterPoints Connect Inc. with her partner, Tully Johnson. MusterPoints is a way for people to connect in a “safe and welcoming place” and is also an opportunity for businesses to host their own MusterPoints events. Photo: Contributed Tally Johnson “It’s great for people who are separated, divorced, widowed, traveling for work, traveling alone or even groups of friends who want to go out and meet new people,” he said. “We’ve also incorporated a couple profile option for those couples who would like to go out and meet new people together. It just offers an opportunity to bring back a bit of traditional socializing.” Members can download the MusterPoints app, which will notify them of upcoming events. MusterPoints Connections can also be found without technology, as business owners can offer their customers a MusterPoints badge to put on their table. This indicates to other patrons that you are inviting them to join you. Business owners can also put a MusterPoints sticker on their front doors to indicate they are MusterPoints locations. Lafleur and Johnson earned MusterPoints in 2019 and held several test events, including a memorable one at Kettle River Brewing Co. Image: Contributed “By the end of the night we were cheek to cheek on the benches at the biggest table in Kettle River,” Lafleur said. “There were probably about 30 people around the table. Some were job networking. Some barely knew each other over a pint. Two girls were in the corner consoling each other for their lost friends. Some girls even flirted with my developer. It was just a group of people hanging out and having fun. I would say the ages ranged from about 20 to 55 years old. It was awesome. It was exactly what we expected.” Photo: Contributed Then, COVID-19 put an end to in-person events for the next two years, but MusterPoints is back and ready to build as many friendships as it can. “With COVID becoming more manageable, we feel comfortable now to start promoting a little bit more,” Lafleur said. “We want to give people who have lost their friend group through COVID an avenue that can help them a little bit.” Lafleur monetizes her venture by charging a “reasonable fee” to businesses that want to host MusterPoints Connections and promote them to the app, which can be downloaded on Google Play and the App Store. It is currently being used in the Okanagan, but could work anywhere around the world. Some of the businesses that have hosted MusterPoints events include Freddy’s Brew Pub, Bad Tattoo Brewing Company, Milestones, Red Bird Brewing, Okanagan Lavender and Herb Farm, The Vibrant Vine and Urban Fare. Businesses interested in partnering with MusterPoints can contact Lafleur at [email protected].
