April: What a Q1!
A new job, new inspiration, and a first birthday.
Well friends, it has been quite the eventful Q1, and I’m excited to be back to my positive, creative, inspired, and goal-driven self! Truth be told, it had been a while.
After leaving my old company at the start of the year, I planned to build a firm of my own. One focused on an amazing team of A-players, a culture of winning, and best-in-class results-oriented solutions, all with a little swagger.
That changed when my buddy Eric told me the company he works for already had all of those things and was launching a consulting arm. They asked if I wanted to help. Not that I don’t love a challenge, but not having to worry about cash flow or rebuilding a network was too appealing to pass up.
I started at The Select Group in late February, and it has been a very refreshing experience. The people and culture feel like what I experienced at Under Armour from 2010 to 2013: gritty, results-oriented, amazing people who want to work together and WIN.
All of this isn’t to say I don’t have other things cooking (I always do). The Mattis Foundation is already making an impact, Jenelle is sourcing land for our first real estate development project, we’re thinking about funding a roll-up of local septic companies, and we’re looking at a short-term funding solution for small businesses.
Oh, and I’m back to writing and thinking through new ways to solve complex business problems.
Oh, and I launched The Adam Mattis Show because I miss giving people a platform from which they can tell their stories.
Oh, and I bought a Corvette that I’ll start racing in time trials this summer.
Oh, and Ford turned one. He is walking, starting to talk, and at the rate he’s progressing he’ll be our CPA by October.
But hey, you know, things have been pretty chill around here. 😉
Latest Writing
It’s amazing how the ideas flow when you remove stress variables from the system. It has been a long time since I’ve experienced such mental clarity, and damn — it feels good.
Things really began to unlock when I co-hosted the Triangle Digital Products and Innovation Meetup with my friends at Lucid. It didn’t occur to me until I arrived that it had been four months since I had been on a stage or even presented to a small group.
It felt great, and the next day I was back to writing.
Here’s what I’ve published over the last month (as always, your feedback and comments are appreciated!):
Date Your Wife.
Last week, for my wife’s birthday, I arranged for a photographer to meet us at the restaurant. She had been feeling a little bummed about turning the age she did (I’ve learned my lesson about disclosure and won’t be sharing the number 🫢), so I wanted her to have the chance to see herself the way I see her every day.
For just $150 and 15 minutes, the photographer completely changed the tone of the night and shifted Jenelle’s perception of herself.
I’m sharing this because last night reminded me that the best gifts don’t have to cost a fortune and sometimes they require a little sacrifice (photos are definitely not my favorite way to spend time).
That, and because she’s an absolute smokeshow and I wanted to brag a little. 😎
Ford’s First Lap
I can’t believe our little dude is already one. What an insanely fast year it’s been!
Being Ford’s dad is hands-down the best thing I’ve ever done. He’s incredibly smart, loves people, is endlessly curious about how things work, has a big personality, and loves cars and motocross almost as much as I do.
It’s been so cool watching the things that light him up — and seeing him learn to love our dogs, Bailey and Ellie.
I love being Ford’s dad.
A Business You Should Know: Crawford Hospitality
Guys Mills, Pennsylvania, the small town where I grew up, isn’t exactly known for producing internationally renowned talent. We do have a few standouts, though. For example, Tiffany Beers built the actual self-lacing shoe from Back to the Future for Nike.
So when someone from your hometown makes it big and lives in your current town, I feel it’s my responsibility to help them compound their wins.
Scott Crawford, the nephew of the guy my dad worked for growing up, is a Michelin-recognized chef who operates six amazing restaurants in Raleigh.
I never reached out directly. I’m always paranoid about seeming like I’m using a loose family connection to “get” something. Instead, I supported him from a distance: Jenelle and I have eaten at every one of his restaurants, and I’ve followed him on Instagram.
After I interacted with one of his stories, Scott messaged me: “Are you Jeff’s son?” Shocked he even knew who I was, I replied yes. He remembered meeting me when I was about Ford’s age and said my dad had made a positive impression on him.
We exchanged numbers and now stay in casual contact over our shared love for fast things on two wheels.
While planning Jenelle’s birthday, I asked Scott for advice about his new speakeasy, Sous Terre. He not only helped with the key for a nightcap but also rolled out the red carpet. Even on a busy Wednesday night, he sent his General Manager and hostess to take excellent care of us.
Absolutely not expected. Absolutely appreciated.
If you’re ever in Raleigh, check out one of Scott’s restaurants. Even if you only make it to the airport, you’re in luck. He’s got one there too.
Cheers.
Thank You.
As always, I appreciate your support of myself, my family, and my people. The fact that so many of you have been following along with my shenanigans for all of these years is humbing.
I know I dropped the ball in terms of value over the last couple of newsletters, but in the immortal words of Frank Costanza: I’M BACK, BABY!
More to follow.
Cheers,
-AM
