I can go by my experience only with a male daycare provider. Our first one for ds was male, before we moved. I loved him
Also, his name was Mr. Mike
He was an older gentleman, probably near 60 at the time. One day he asked me if I went to church. I said yes, at the Catholic Church (not anymore, but then, yes). He replied, "It's so odd. All of my clients are Catholic!" We lived in a primarily Baptist area, so not too many Catholics.
Anyways...I guess my advice is to open near a Catholic Church!