In a world where dating has become more polarized and performative, Harrison Smith is daring to build something radically different. As a licensed mental health counselor and founder of the groundbreaking dating app BAEsed, Harrison is carving space for those who feel politically homeless in today’s love landscape. With a bold voice and a background in trauma therapy, he’s unafraid to challenge taboos and bring healing into the heart of tech. His platform is more than an app — it’s a cultural movement rooted in authenticity, connection, and values-driven matchmaking. Harrison’s journey reveals how mental health, identity, and modern relationships intersect in powerful ways.
LISTEN TO THE FULL PODCAST EPISODE HERE
Beverly Hills Magazine: Harrison Smith, welcome to the show! It’s so good to see you. How are you?
Harrison Smith: Good, thanks for having me back. I’m happy to be here and excited. How is everything going?
Beverly Hills Magazine: Everything is wonderufl. God is good. Today s a gift that’s why it’s called teh present, and I’m so glad to have you here in it. Let’s dive right in. Can you tell us about your journey to becoming a licensed mental health counselor?
Harrison Smith: I kind of fell into it. In college, I majored in political science, planning to be a lawyer like many in my family. But I realized I wanted to be happy, and law wasn’t for me. I dated someone studying mental health counseling, fell in love with it, and switched to psychology before my senior year. It meant two extra years of college, but I applied to grad schools and got into Florida State.
Beverly Hills Magazine: That’s a bold pivot. You’ve also ventured into entrepreneurship with BAEsed. What sparked that direction, and what courage did it take to start your own business?
Harrison Smith: My private practice was my first taste of entrepreneurship, working for myself. In December 2023, after a bad date, I wondered why there wasn’t a dating app for conservative gay men with my values. I Googled “gay conservative dating app” and found none, so I decided to create one. It took courage, but I believed in it so much I self-funded it, driven by the need for a community where I could be authentic.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Congratulations on launching BAEsed! How does your mental health expertise inform your work in the dating and tech space?
Harrison Smith: My therapy background shapes BAEsed’s approach. I’ve noticed in couples’ sessions that issues often stem from individual baggage, so BAEsed incorporates personality assessments to foster personal growth alongside dating. This helps users work on themselves, making healthier relationships—romantic or platonic—possible by addressing their individual journeys.
Beverly Hills Magazine: That’s brilliant. The app is called BAEsed. What does the name mean?
Harrison Smith: It’s tongue-in-cheek. The right uses “based” to counter the left’s “woke.” I played with “BAE,” slang for “before anyone else,” and combined it to create BAEsed, implying authenticity and prioritizing meaningful connections for conservative gay individuals.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Love the creativity. What were your biggest fears when launching BAEsed, moving into the tech space?
Harrison Smith: I don’t think I had fears, maybe because I’m a bit nuts. I knew failure was possible, but I believed in the project so strongly I funded it myself. Feedback from conservative and gay conservative events confirmed the need for it, so I focused on the vision of building a community, not just a dating app.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Did you face any early setbacks or obstacles in launching BAEsed that other entrepreneurs should know about?
Harrison Smith: The pushback was expected, as conservative gay individuals, like myself in L.A. and West Hollywood, often face hostility. For example, in Mexico City, someone messaged me, wishing harm because I’m conservative, assuming I look down on Mexicans. Such evil is unfortunate but reinforces the need for a safe space like BAEsed where people can be authentic without backlash.
Beverly Hills Magazine: That’s heartbreaking. What have you learned about product development in the tech space that surprised you?
Harrison Smith: I knew nothing about tech or app development initially—I Googled “how to make an app.” I thought it’d take a month or two, but it’s far more complex and hands-on. I embraced the learning process, realizing how much goes into creating something like BAEsed.
Beverly Hills Magazine: What systems or routines keep you productive as a founder, especially in the tech space, to stay focused on your vision?
Harrison Smith: Discipline, instilled early through my practice and fitness, keeps me focused. In moments of self-doubt, I revisit my “why”—building a community for authentic connections, not just for myself but for others. This alignment with my true self motivates me to stay on track, even when questioning if I’m doing the right thing.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Going back to your “why” is powerful. Do you have a team, and if so, how do you build one that aligns with your vision?
Harrison Smith: I’ve built BAEsed mostly solo, hiring a trusted team of developers I meet with multiple times weekly to ensure they understand my vision. For marketing and PR, I work with friends whose values, work ethic, and discipline I know. Trust is critical—betrayal can derail a project, so I only involve people I rely on.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Trust is key. How do you define success personally and professionally?
Harrison Smith: Success is paradoxical. When self-funding BAEsed, I considered failure but was okay with it because starting was a win. Most people never act on ideas, so doing it was success. Broadly, success is being better than the day before, growing authentically in all aspects of life.
Beverly Hills Magazine: That’s inspiring. What’s your leadership style, and how has it evolved?
Harrison Smith: I’m hands-on but avoid micromanaging. Trust is huge—if I can’t trust you, we can’t work together. I researched and consulted to build a team that carries out my vision. My OCD drives me to stay involved, ensuring everything aligns, but I give trusted team members autonomy to execute.
Beverly Hills Magazine: A bit of “insanity” fuels greatness. How do you apply your counseling skills in the tech-driven space, especially with BAEsed’s assessments?
Harrison Smith: My mental health background inspires BAEsed’s personality assessments, promoting personal growth for stronger relationships. Assessments like a humor styles test reveal how your humor influences social and dating dynamics, while others analyze thought patterns and behaviors, offering tips to improve or enhance what works, fostering deeper connections.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Those sound amazing. Why should tech founders take mental health more seriously?
Harrison Smith: Technology reflects who we are. If you’re not your best self, it shows in what you create. To build the best tech, founders must be their greatest selves, mentally and emotionally, as their state of mind directly impacts the quality and impact of their products.
Beverly Hills Magazine: That’s profound. How do you stay innovative in the competitive dating app market?
Harrison Smith: I listen to what people want but aren’t getting. As a therapist, I see loneliness and lack of purpose. BAEsed counters performative, shallow, or hyper-sexualized apps by fostering deeper connections through personality assessments, addressing the hunger for authenticity and community.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Love is what we’re designed for. What’s your philosophy on finding love, and how does BAEsed help?
Harrison Smith: Finding love is complex, but it starts with connecting to your true self. BAEsed’s assessments help users understand their values and align with them, making it easier to choose compatible partners or friends. Listening to your inner self guides clearer decisions in relationships.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Beautifully said. How do you decide which features to include in BAEsed or test?
Harrison Smith: User feedback drives decisions. Before building, I attended dating service conferences, asking what people wanted and how they’d feel using the app. Ongoing ground-level conversations ensure features meet real needs, fostering authentic connections.
Beverly Hills Magazine: What’s your desired legacy as a founder in the tech space?
Harrison Smith: I want to inspire people to stay true to themselves. Many confuse their persona with their true self, leading to inauthentic choices. BAEsed helps users connect authentically, and I hope my legacy encourages others to live and create from their true selves.
Beverly Hills Magazine: How can people achieve authenticity and align with their true self?
Harrison Smith: Therapy is a great start. Self-reflect: Are your actions aligning with your five-, ten-, or twenty-year goals? If what worked before no longer serves you, pivot. Recognize when you’ve outgrown patterns and adjust to align with who you are now.
Beverly Hills Magazine: BAEsed feels like a movement, not just a tech product. What’s the thought behind that?
Harrison Smith: BAEsed addresses loneliness and the struggle of closeted conservatives, especially gay Republicans, who hide their authenticity. It’s a platform for living authentically without fear of backlash, fostering community and connections, as suppressing one part of yourself affects your whole being.
Beverly Hills Magazine: What’s next for BAEsed, and where can people find it?
Harrison Smith: BAEsed is on the Apple Store and Google Play Store. Visit baesed.com for more on our mission and links to download. Next, we’re aiming to go global, tapping into markets like Europe, especially Eastern and Western regions, to offer this platform to gay conservatives worldwide.
Beverly Hills Magazine: It’s been an honor speaking with you, Harrison Smith. We wish you boundless success with BAEsed and your mission to foster authentic connections!
Harrison Smith: Thank you so much. It’s been a joy, and I look forward to continuing this journey and building a community where people can be their true selves.
Harrison Smith is more than a tech founder — he’s a cultural trailblazer reimagining what it means to date with integrity. Through BAEsed, he’s offering a voice to the unheard and building bridges in a world often divided by identity politics. His work reminds us that real connection begins with self-awareness, courage, and shared values. As the dating landscape continues to evolve, Harrison stands as a beacon for those seeking depth, clarity, and new connections.