Solopreneurs, Beware: Entrepreneurship Is Attractive in Dating—But Romance Scams Can Wreck Your Business

Entrepreneurship is more attractive than ever—at least when it comes to dating. A recent survey found that 21% of women are drawn to business owners, making it a more desirable career choice than finance (18%) and tying with creative fields like artistry. Other highly hot ranked careers included healthcare (29%), science (16%), education (23%), and emergency response jobs such as firefighters, EMTs, ER doctors/nurses, (19%).

The survey, conducted on 1,000 men and 1,000 women who are single or casually dating, revealed that ambition plays a key role in attraction. Nearly half (44%) of respondents prefer a partner who shares their level of career drive, while 34% are even more drawn to those with higher ambitions.

Beyond professional goals, financial independence matters too—39% of those surveyed want a relationship where both partners contribute equally to household income, with this preference being more common among women (45%) than men (33%).

With career ambition shaping modern dating dynamics, many singles are eager to discuss work early in the relationship. One in five respondents (22%) believe conversations about professional goals should happen before a first date, while others naturally bring up their job within the first hour of meeting someone.

However, this career focus isn't just about money. Passion and purpose are just as important—40% of singles are looking for a partner who genuinely enjoys what they do, while 34% value work-life balance.

Career values important in a potential new partner:

Passion for what they're doing — 40%
Prioritizing work/personal life balance — 34%
Understanding that there is always more to learn/ways to improve — 28%
Ability to work well with others and build relationships with colleagues — 25%
Desire to leave a positive impact on society or other people — 21%
Competitiveness or wanting to be successful — 19%
Desire to leave a positive impact on the environment — 15%
Desire to be a good manager or leader — 15%
Commitment to pushing the boundaries and paving new ways — 15%

This growing admiration for entrepreneurs isn't surprising. Running a business takes passion, independence, and the ability to take risks—traits that make business owners attractive not just to potential partners but, unfortunately, to scammers as well. While many entrepreneurs focus on growing their ventures and making smart financial decisions, some don't realize that romance scams can be just as damaging as a bad investment.

How Business Owners Get Targeted in Romance Scams

1. Fake Investors, Partners, and Business Collaborators

Entrepreneurs are naturally open to new business opportunities. Scammers take advantage of this by pretending to be investors, business consultants, or potential partners. They initiate conversations under the guise of discussing business but slowly steer the relationship toward romance.

Once trust is built, the scammer might claim they need money to finalize a big deal, pay a lawyer, or cover unexpected business costs. Small business owners—especially those looking for funding—are vulnerable to these emotional and financial traps.

2. Romantic Manipulation Scams

Fraudsters often target entrepreneurs by forming romantic relationships and then convincing them to give them money. They craft emotional narratives—such as having a sick relative, losing a job, or facing legal issues—to manipulate their victims into providing financial support.

Unlike traditional business fraud, these scams depend on trust and emotional connection. The scammer may initially request a small amount of financial help, but over time, these requests grow larger, ultimately resulting in significant financial loss.

3. Fake Long-Distance Relationships Leading to Financial Exploitation

Many small business owners operate in global markets and connect with people online. Scammers exploit this by creating long-distance romance scams. They claim to be successful professionals living abroad, making their absence seem reasonable.

Over months of messaging and video calls, they build a deep emotional bond. Then comes the financial request—help with travel expenses, medical emergencies, or business investments. Victims don't realize they've been scammed until they've lost large sums of money.

4. Crypto and Investment Fraud Disguised as Romance

A growing trend in romance scams involves cryptocurrency and investment fraud. Scammers convince business owners to invest in a "sure thing," promising high returns. Because entrepreneurs are used to taking financial risks, they might be more willing to invest, especially if they trust the person recommending it.

These scams often involve fake trading platforms, where victims believe they're making profits—until they try to withdraw their money. By then, it's too late. The funds are gone, and the scammer disappears.

Protect Yourself and Your Business

Here's how to stay safe:

Verify business opportunities – If someone claims to be an investor or business partner, research them thoroughly. Check credentials, look for reviews, and never send money upfront.
Be wary of financial requests in relationships – If someone you've only met online asks for money—no matter how convincing their story sounds—it's a red flag.
Avoid mixing business and romance – Keep personal emotions separate from business decisions. If someone pressures you into making financial commitments, step back and evaluate the situation.
Stay skeptical of crypto and investment advice – If someone you're dating insists on an investment opportunity, research it independently before putting in any money.

Romance scams don't just break hearts—they can break businesses too. As a solopreneur or small business owner, staying vigilant against financial fraud disguised as love is just as important as protecting your digital assets. Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security offers advanced scam and fraud protection, helping you spot suspicious emails, phishing attempts, and fraudulent transactions before they impact your bottom line. With built-in AI-powered Scam Copilot, phishing protection, and breach monitoring, you can keep both your business and finances safe—not just on Valentine's Day, but every day of the year.

Check out plans, here.