Welcome to “How I Made My First Million,” Fortune’s latest series where we interview influential individuals about their journey to wealth accumulation. In this series, you will hear from founders, entrepreneurs, investors, and creatives from around the world as they discuss how they joined the exclusive seven-figure-club, reflect on what they would have done differently, and offer their best advice for building wealth. Here are the key takeaways from this interview:
– Age: 39
– Career highlights: Created dating app The League and sold it to Match Group in 2022 for an undisclosed amount, reportedly around $30 million
– Approximate net worth: $10 million
– Age at first million: 37
– Prior debt: $200,000 from business school
Amanda Bradford, a 39-year-old computer science enthusiast and former Salesforce employee, had high standards when it came to dating apps. While pursuing her MBA at Stanford, she felt disappointed by the existing dating apps, which she described as a mere “game of hot or not.” Determined to revolutionize online dating, Bradford created The League in 2014, during the peak of Silicon Valley’s startup boom. The app aimed to cater to “ambitious, high-achieving people who want a partner that’s equally motivated,” a niche that Bradford herself belonged to. Despite graduating with a substantial debt of $200,000 from business school, Bradford managed to transform The League into a top-tier dating app. Last year, she successfully sold the app to Match Group, the parent company of Tinder and Hinge, for a reported $30 million. This sale instantly made Bradford a millionaire, with her and her team earning over $10 million from the transaction. Her first significant purchase was a down payment for a retirement community for her parents, followed by paying off her student loans.
In an interview with Fortune, Bradford discusses her experiences working under Marc Benioff, the process of designing The League, how it generated millions, and her biggest financial mistake. Her most significant takeaway from her journey is having a “bias towards action,” which she applies to both dating and work.
The interview transcript has been lightly edited for clarity. Bradford grew up in Silicon Valley, Austin, Texas, and North Carolina. Her father worked for IBM, leading to frequent relocations, while her mother primarily focused on raising their children. Being exposed to technology at a young age, Bradford witnessed the rise of social networking and its potential in the dating space. Financially, she had to work hard to secure a scholarship for college, as her parents couldn’t financially support her education. This instilled in her a strong work ethic and a desire to make her own mark in the world.
Bradford’s first job was as a lifeguard, which she considered the best summer job after going through CPR training and various classes. Her first entrepreneurial venture involved selling friendship bracelets in third grade, followed by selling mix CDs in high school. These experiences taught her valuable lessons about time management and the challenges of running a business.
After college, Bradford landed her first professional job at Salesforce, where she witnessed the rise of software-as-a-service and learned from CEO Marc Benioff. Inspired by the booming dating app industry during her time at Stanford Business School, Bradford decided to create The League. Frustrated by the superficiality of existing dating apps, she wanted to provide a platform where individuals could find like-minded partners based on their professional backgrounds and ambitions. She built The League with the intention of finding her own life partner and creating a community that embraced ambition and motivation. She started the development of The League at the age of 29 after the end of a long-term relationship, wanting to find someone who supported her career-driven mindset.
Bradford began realizing the potential for significant financial success with The League when she shifted the business model from a monthly subscription of $20 to a yearly membership of $179. This change allowed her to generate more revenue and build a sustainable business.
Overall, Amanda Bradford’s journey with The League demonstrates the importance of identifying a niche market, pursuing innovation, and having a strong work ethic. Her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in the business world.
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