Trevor Harrison, a junior from Washington majoring in hospitality and tourism management, is the founder of North Shore Facilidate, a small business that sets up scavenger hunts for dates. “We realized there is a dating issue here, and people are pretty lame when it comes to dates,” said Harrison.
Harrison said, “Basically what we do is set up scavenger hunts with notes in a bottle like a treasure hunt style, and we will lead people through these scavenger hunts.” Holt said this concept of a scavenger hunt allows the couple to both be surprised without having to put any of their own planning into it.
Fred Parker, assistant professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management, said he overheard Trevor in one of his classes discussing his plans for the business. He said he thought it sounded like a lot of fun and wanted to do it with his wife.
Parker said, “I didn’t have to do anything except pay for it and that was it. It was super fun - the right amount of time, the right amount of challenge, and the food was great. The best thing about it is he can tailor it to whatever your needs are.
“The location that they found for us to have dinner was perfect. It was right at sunset, so the time couldn’t have been better.”
For Parker, his favorite part about the date was he didn’t have to worry too much or put an incredible amount of effort into planning it. Parker said Harrison allowed him to personalize the scavenger hunt, putting notes he wrote for his wife with the scavenger hunt clues.
Harrison said, “This is a date that honestly all they have to do is show up. It will be the date they always wanted.”
Parker said, “It is fun for anybody, and Trevor can match it to any person’s income, time, or transportation level.
“I think it’s a great activity that is reasonable for students to do on dating. I think the things you normally do on dating don’t allow you to talk a lot. With a scavenger hunt, it allows you to talk all the time.”
Colten Roney, a senior from California majoring in psychology, said he works with Harrison as a “facilidater,” meaning he plans and helps organize the dates.
Roney said, “I remember we were talking about the best dates we have been on, and there was this one date we went on where [Harrison] basically invited me on a double date. We went on a scavenger hunt, and he had some great ideas. I told him, ‘Hey you are a really great planner and good at coming up with ideas.’”
After that experience and conversation, Harrison decided to make the idea into a business. Roney said, “We both have awesome ideas and always wanted to start a business together.
“Trevor is a good friend of mine, and I definitely would do a business with him and support him 100 percent.”
Emily Holt, a junior from Utah majoring in hospitality and tourism management, worked for Facilidate as a waitress for Parker’s date. She said she hopes to continue as a business partner with Harrison. She said it’s hard for people to do different dates around Laie. “I think [the business] will take off because it’s different and exciting.”
Harrison said each scavenger hunt is different since it is adapted to couples and their preferences. “We allow people to choose where they would like to end their date. We try to make them as personalized as possible.”
Roney said, “My favorite part is seeing how happy people are about it afterwards. It is fun to see that the word is getting around and starting to take off where people like it.”
Harrison said they offer a basic package starting at $35; a picnic package with a cold-style picnic at $50; and a beach picnic for $100 that comes with a warm dinner and waitress in a location the couple prefers.
The service is for all students, said Harrison. “It’s not just for people who are getting married or in a serious relationship. We set it up so if you want it to be, it can be a serious thing or casual first date. We don’t want to make it awkward, so we are definitely here to make it perfect for the students depending on what they specifically want.”
To contact Facilidate, visit www.facebook.com/northshorefacilidate.