Have you defined the big-picture vision of your business? Often immersed in the day-to-day grind of business, many entrepreneurs become focused only on short-term profits that they fail to define and cultivate the vision and ideals that will guide and propel their business forward. With a roadmap of where you want your business to go in the future and what type of everyday work your team should be doing, it will be easier for you to inspire your team and empower them to actively work toward realizing your vision. How, then, do you develop your big-picture vision?
Continuing our conversation with Matt Stone of SVN Stone Commercial Real Estate today, we discuss Matt’s big-picture vision for his business and his life. Learn how Matt went through the process of asking critical questions to be able to define his business vision anchored on what God has called him to do. Find out how by cultivating confidence in their vision, Matt motivates his team to adopt a kingdom perspective in decision-making and strategies-building.
Key Points From This Episode:
Tweetables:
“My vision has gotten quite bigger. It is to understand that God has opened up my eyes to the fact that all that we're doing, as we're here, is building His kingdom.”
“I'm looking at everything from a bigger-picture vision of “we're all in this together for Kingdom growth.”
“My discipleship starts at home before I go out and giveaway to the rest of the world.“
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
SVN Stone Commercial Real Estate
Three Mile an Hour God by Kosuke Koyama
Click to Find out more about our upcoming event: "Crafting Your Kingdom Investing Thesis"
About Matt Stone
Matt Stone, CCIM, SIOR, MBA is the Managing Director of SVN Stone Commercial Real Estate. Since 2006, Matt has been the trusted advisor for many clients in transactions within the retail, office, industrial, multi-family, and hospitality product types. Matt personally oversees the day-to-day operations of the company, brokerage of commercial investment properties and user properties, as well as property management. He has worked with banks, private investors, and as a receiver to help with asset management and evaluation for distressed loan purchasing, workouts, REO disposition, and general opinions of value. Matt and his team continue to perform property management and bookkeeping services for retail, industrial, office, and multi-family properties throughout Central Kentucky.
Have you defined the big-picture vision of your business? Often immersed in the day-to-day grind of business, many entrepreneurs become focused only on short-term profits that they fail to define and cultivate the vision and ideals that will guide and propel their business forward. With a roadmap of where you want your business to go in the future and what type of everyday work your team should be doing, it will be easier for you to inspire your team and empower them to actively work toward realizing your vision. How, then, do you develop your big-picture vision?
Continuing our conversation with Matt Stone of SVN Stone Commercial Real Estate today, we discuss Matt’s big-picture vision for his business and his life. Learn how Matt went through the process of asking critical questions to be able to define his business vision anchored on what God has called him to do. Find out how by cultivating confidence in their vision, Matt motivates his team to adopt a kingdom perspective in decision-making and strategies-building.
Key Points From This Episode:
Tweetables:
“My vision has gotten quite bigger. It is to understand that God has opened up my eyes to the fact that all that we're doing, as we're here, is building His kingdom.”
“I'm looking at everything from a bigger-picture vision of “we're all in this together for Kingdom growth.”
“My discipleship starts at home before I go out and giveaway to the rest of the world.“
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
SVN Stone Commercial Real Estate
Three Mile an Hour God by Kosuke Koyama
Click to Find out more about our upcoming event: "Crafting Your Kingdom Investing Thesis"
About Matt Stone
Matt Stone, CCIM, SIOR, MBA is the Managing Director of SVN Stone Commercial Real Estate. Since 2006, Matt has been the trusted advisor for many clients in transactions within the retail, office, industrial, multi-family, and hospitality product types. Matt personally oversees the day-to-day operations of the company, brokerage of commercial investment properties and user properties, as well as property management. He has worked with banks, private investors, and as a receiver to help with asset management and evaluation for distressed loan purchasing, workouts, REO disposition, and general opinions of value. Matt and his team continue to perform property management and bookkeeping services for retail, industrial, office, and multi-family properties throughout Central Kentucky.
EPISODE 31
[INTRODUCTION]
ANNOUNCER: Imagine taking your generosity to the next level, impacting more lives, and leaving a godly legacy for generations to come. Get ideas and strategies to do just that when you listen to these personal stories from high-level Kingdom champions.
The Kingdom Investor Podcast showcases business leaders who have moved from success to significance, sharing how they use worldly wealth for Kingdom impact. Discover how they grew in generosity, impacted more lives, and built godly legacies. You'll find motivation, inspiration, and practical steps to grow as a Kingdom Investor.
[INTERVIEW]
Daniel White (DW): Welcome to The Kingdom Investor Podcast This is your host, Daniel White. And today we get to interview Matt Stone. Matt Stone is the owner of SVN Commercial Real Estate here in Lexington, Kentucky. This is part two of a two-part episode. If you want to go back and listen to part one, if you haven't yet, then go ahead and do that. And if you're ready to start part two, let's get into the show.
[INTERVIEW]
DW: So in your business, do you have certain systems or different operating systems that you use, like you know, the EOS system, or different things that have been helpful?
Matt Stone (MS): We did put a lot of systems and processes and a little shout-out to my admin team. If they listen to this, they love talking about systems and processes and make fun of me. But we did have to go back and put a lot of that in. Some are commercial-real-estate-based that would just be kind of, you know, like build-out behind the scenes and things like that. It is actually called "Buildout". And so we use that. Asana would be one that a lot of people would know on a national level of just one where we like a task-management system where we can share tasks with each other and things like that. And we've done that. And then we have we've had to get into sort of our marketing side. And then we have bookkeeping as well. And so we use software to do all of our bookkeeping, that's not QuickBooks, a little more robust, a little more commercial real estate focused.
And so we spend time building that process so that when we had two properties, well, actually, I think we got it when we had about six. And now we have 25. So it's kind of like, I don't know if we'll ever have 25 properties we're going to manage, that's what I said to our team six years ago. But we have to get something that can house more than the six that we have. Because if that's all we have, and we can afford them to do it, then at least it's going to be done, those are going to be done really well. And if God decides to multiply this, then we're ready for it. But if we don't have capacity, then I'm not sure how He's going to multiply, then we're going to be stuck. So, I do think that, I mean, God gives us a brain, right? So he doesn't just want us to sit around and you know, just all snap, and it all happens. We have to work through the process. I mean, it has been a grind. 2016 and 2017, those first two years were a lot. And you know, and I struggled through different things as a leader and trying to understand what that looked like.
But ultimately, you know, when your heart is in a place where you're trying to say, I'm open-handed, it's all His, what does this look like? How do we walk forward? Who are the right people at the right time when you're really processing all those things with the Lord? Then, I think He just, you know, ultimately puts you in the place where you need to be. But in that, yes, absolutely. We've had the, you know, get into the daily process of what does it look like and, you know, to go from a company that had, you know, probably 40 closings or so when we started and I think last year we did 167 deals. So, I can't do 167 deals by myself. I mean, I guess I could but I would, you know, you'd explode. But, I can't do that by myself. So now we've built out a system, and an administrative team and an advisor team where we can actually process each individual, one has its own deal within the system. But then from there, you know, you can do more and more and more. And then if you don't do more then at least you've got the system to be able to handle it with ebbs and flows. Don't know if that answers your question, but that's kind of where we've had it.
DW: Yeah, that does. Yeah, that helps. The other question I had was more relating to the very common struggle of trying to do it in our own strength versus trusting God and allowing him to do it in his timing and his way. Do you have any advice on that? Because it sounds like something that's come up a lot and you've been able to make progress in that.
MS: I think God has, you know, worked on my heart to a place where as I read those different scriptures over the years, I mean, Matthew 6 has been one I've been in many, many times. Psalm 25, four through five is one that I've leaned on a lot. "Show me your ways, oh, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me for you are God, my Savior. And my hope is in you all day long.” So, it's like this guidance piece that I always want. It's like I want him to just tell me what to do, show me, show me the way. But it's also, wait a second, that same, you know, in that same breath as that Scripture is going, it goes into "my hope is in you all day long". So, you're looking for him to show you but even if you don't know, you know, where your hope truly, you know, where you're leaning in. So yeah, that has helped me a ton to kind of think through that. But it's a journey, it's an absolute journey, it's, you know, there's been different people that have invested in me. I do think that for those who haven't done anything with generous giving, it's a great place to work on where your heart is with generosity, compass, finances God's way as one. Those have a lot of materials and journeys and stories and things you can interact with where you can really process your own situation because different people struggle from a different place. My story and my struggles are going to be a touch different, they're going to have some similarities, you know, we're all humans are gonna have similar things, but there'll be a little bit different. And so I'd encourage that as well as people process. But you know, absolutely, you know, it's a daily journey. It's, you know, it's waking up and processing as you go.
DW: I know, we touched on this a little bit before but would you share more of the vision that you have or that God has put on your heart?
MS: I think the vision for me is even and I don't know if you mean just for the business, but my vision has gotten quite a bit bigger. It is just to understand that God has opened up my eyes to the fact that all that we're doing, as we're here is building his kingdom. So what does it look like to do that? And each of us is going to play different roles within different spheres within different groups of people as we're doing that. And so for me, the business is a conduit to Kingdom growth. Some of that is really direct with an individual person within a business that works with me, that then is going in investing their time into volunteering into specific ministry or Kingdom growth opportunities. Some of it is them giving their actual dollars, right? The time talent treasure idea. Some of it is periphery opportunities that come from us running a company where people get to interact with people who are doing that. And then those people now there's the ripple effects that come so some of it's really direct that we can see. And some of it, you know, kind of ripples out over time. You know, I'm really excited to kind of understand this idea of God giving me seats at tables, that's kind of a phrase I use.
And so over the years, I always kept thinking, I'm gonna have to get to the place where I have worldly success to be invited to these tables, to be invited to speak on a podcast, to be invited to be on a board. And what was interesting about my story is most of the boards that I got invited on to, I was invited before I took the company ownership. Now a few of has happened since. But a majority of those I was invited as I was leaning in and trusting the Lord more. And it was almost like I was saying, people were saying, we want you to come because we feel like you're discerning and you're listening to what God wants you to do, what God wants to do and all that. Then I said, this will be a lot easier if you didn't put that much pressure on me, maybe a lot easier if you just say you're kind of the young up-and-coming entrepreneur who you know, we want to come onto our board. But it was a good thing because I was able to say, wow, if that's what's happening inside of my heart, then that's encouraging because it wasn't the worldly story. It was the story that God opened the seat at the table. God asked me to sit at the table and be a part of what He was doing already.
And so, National Christian Foundation is one I've gotten to be involved in. I'm on the board for Kentucky which has been incredible to see the growth there. And just the release of resources into kingdom. That's been really fun. It's been exciting to see how Young Life has grown nationally and internationally but really specifically in Kentucky. There's some awesome things happening right now. Very excited about that. Had been invited recently to be on a bank advisory board. So, you know, there's a business board side, there's also a ministry board side, the bank that I'm asked to be on the board of has a Christian base within who they are, Bank of the Bluegrass here in Lexington. And so that's been really fun to kind of see how that's aligned and benefit as well and just how God again continues to open those seats and tables.
So I just keep looking at how's he doing that? And so my guidance to those around me and those I'm influencing and helping is for them to be looking at those doors again. Back to that analogy of knocking the door down versus knocking on the door, and allowing when God opens, you walk through. And, you know, that's been really encouraging for me as I look at the big picture. So, back to your vision question. I'm looking at everything from a bigger-picture vision of, we're all in this together for Kingdom growth. I mean, you and I are on the same team, we're working together. And whether you do commercial real estate work or not, we're all working for the same common good. So that's exciting for me.
And then within the company, it's just this understanding that we get to wake up each day and say, Lord, what do you want me to work on? Who do you want me to serve? How do you want me to do like the regular day-to-day blocking and tackling of the actual work that's in front of me to do that which you already gave me? So we already have relationships, we already have work. Some of that we just have to do the roof leak call comes in. We call the roofing company, and we figure out the problem and we try to solve it, right? I mean, that's just part of our job. But also, it's who's the next group that we're supposed to serve? How are we supposed to take the call that comes in when somebody's really frustrated and handle it differently? What does that look like? And so leading the team from that place, and just having that vision, and not necessarily having the vision be focused on how much more money can we make? Or how many more clients can we grow the, you know, for volume purposes? But how many poor people can we impact? How many more people can we truly serve? And in that, yes, there are sometimes dollars that come out. We do some deals, and there's very few dollars that come and we do other deals, and there's lots of dollars that come through it. But it's how do we invest knowing that when God brings that person along, there may be a reason to do that deal, or to care about that person or to build that relationship is completely outside of the deal itself. Still get the deal done, but the door may have opened, because we could help them with a commercial real estate transaction but there may be something totally different that could ripple out because of it. And we're just looking for those. And excited to see where those go.
DW: Yeah, yeah. Wow. So changing the direction just a little bit, is there a particular failure that you could share that maybe we can learn from?
MS: Sure. I think probably back to that season in the desert, I had a few times there, a couple different assignments, a couple different clients, where I was focused on trying to make things happen. I was really trying to become somebody, instead of my identity being in Christ. And so in that, I rubbed some people the wrong way. You know, tried to try to rise up and show my worth and my value, here's how much I know, here's how much I can do. I'm important, those kinds of things. Not literally saying that out loud, but just sort of acting that way. And I was growing up, and I did know things but I also felt insecure in the fact that I was being expected to know more. And I think we struggle with that tension of as you're learning and growing and I've learned and I've grown, and I'm in a place where I really truly am an expert. And I was sort of in that in between of, I have to, I don't want to say fake it till you make it because that's a little extreme. But I have to take what you already know and sort of pressed to the next level and kind of let people in the room know, hey, I'm, I'm good at what I do. That to me was not who I was. And I struggled with it. And it was not a great place. It wasn't very fun.
And what I learned in that was I had to go back and apologize to people as I learned through that, and to realize I want to grow and learn and I want those doors to open in the right time without me trying to, again, force them, without me trying to, you know, say look how great I am. But instead say, if God opens the door, I'll walk through. And it felt much more natural for who I was. And so I guess that was, you know, that was a failure. And it was a season. I mean, that was, looking back, it was multiple years of that struggle kind of rising and, you know, going up and down.
DW: Real talk.
MS: It was real. And it was difficult at times. And it was not easy to go back and apologize to folks or, you know, to kind of tell them I struggled but I think it was good. And it was helpful for me. And I think it was helpful for them to say oh, wow, they're kinda like yes, yes, you are kind of annoying. You know, you did kind of wear us out or you did you think that you knew more than you did or those kinds of things because no one likes that, right? And so, I think that's important, you know, for us to understand.
DW: Yeah, I think of a lot of times I try and walk with God but then I walk too fast or I try to walk too fast and God's like, well, why don't you slow down, walk with me, at my pace.
MS: That's good. I had someone encouraged me to read the "Three Mile An Hour God" recently. And that's what that's about, Jesus walked the earth and, you know, a typical pace is three miles an hour. And so, what does it look like to you know, walk at the pace that God walks in. I'm very similar to that where I want to run out ahead, want to jump ahead, want to do things, kind of, in my own time. And I think, you know, that's okay, to kind of be excited and to have vision and to want to go forward. I just think it's got to be coupled with prayer and surrender to kind of ultimately what God's doing.
DW: Alright, fun question, what is the greatest investment that you've ever made?
MS: Oh, that is a great question. I'd say from a kingdom perspective, investing in Young Life, because it's impacted my life, and I just have seen the ripples from a business perspective. Gosh, I mean, financially, you know, we were able to make quite a bit of money on our first home, just percentage-wise. Yeah, when you look at what happened there, so that was really good. And then from a commercial real estate standpoint, we were able to bind to a warehouse a few years ago, that has really been pretty cool. And got an opportunity from a client who asked me to kind of help put the deal together. And you know, that he was gonna buy it, but said, you know, I want you to do this with me, because I don't have the expertise to do all the things that it takes. So would you be interested in kind of partnering with me and putting this thing together, and that has been an incredible journey, one from a learning experience, but also financially, it's been, you know, it's a, it's a good investment, it's, you know, we were able to buy it for a little bit less, fix it up, you know, put tenants in it, do all the things that value add creation of wealth within commercial real estate, that's sort of what you're taught, right? You know, you get the, you make the money on the buy. And so we had that opportunity and it's something that we'd love to keep long term. And so that's also something I'm excited about in this have an opportunity. So those are a few. More than one, I guess.
DW: Yeah. So in your journey of generosity, is there anything that stands out as maybe a factor or a contributing factor that we could learn from?
MS: It's good, you're thinking specifically with Generous Giving? Yes, I think understanding really clearly that people could be radically generous, not one with money, for sure, but also with their time and with their talents and kind of just lay it all open for the Lord and say, okay, if you really have, you've given me all of this to steward, how can I truly be a conduit? And what could this look like in a radical way, and be open to saying, it doesn't just have to be 501c3, you know, tax write-off type of giving. We've done a few cool things within our office and within our family, where I've said, let's just bless this person, let's help this person, let's do something outside the box, that we feel stirred and prompted to do, and not worry about the fact that from a financial standpoint, we're not going to actually get a tax write off because it didn't go through a ministry and didn't check the box. But this is just what God's opening the door for. So let's do that.
And I heard a lot of stories within Generous Giving of people doing things like that, and just kind of the permission from other than to watch other's lives and kind of go, they're having a blast sort of saying, what could this look like if I just opened my hands to all of this, and started becoming more available to what God's doing and we're aware. Because a lot of times we've been aware, but not available, or available but not aware. Like I'm available, I'll do whatever you want God, but I'm not really listening. And then other times, I'm listening but then when he opens the door, I'll, whoa, whoa, whoa, I don't have time for that or I'm not really going to write the check, or I'm not really going to show up and volunteer or whatever the case may be. So I think really getting to a place where I've seen a whole bunch of people who are trying to be available and aware simultaneously and leaning into that. Different people, different journeys, different amounts. The other thing that's really cool about generous giving is it's not prescriptive. It's not Daniel, you need to do this because this is how Matt did it. It's, listen to Matt's story, process the story, take the principles of the generosity of the fact that God has, you know, owns it all and you're stewarding it, and then walk in your own journey with the Lord and see where he wants you to lean into generosity in your life.
DW: It's really good. So, Matt, if there's one thing that you could be remembered for, what would that be? What would you want it to be?
MS: I mean, I think it goes back to that definition of success that if someone said, Matt was successful, that they understood that my definition was loving God and loving people. And that amidst the struggles of doing that within my family, within my own journey, within business, all those things, that ultimately each day I woke up and said, "What does it mean to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind, strength, and love my neighbor as myself?" And just knowing that I was truly when everything boiled down, that's really what was driving.
DW: Before we enter the mentor minute, is there anything else that you want to share with our audience?
MS: Mentor minute, that sounds exciting. Um, no, I think I shared, you know, quite a bit of my journey. I mean, obviously, there's all kinds of folks that have mentored me back to the mentor minute and a lot of folks that you could sit here and name all your mentors and all those things, but and other people that have invested in me, but you know, incredibly thankful. One last thing I'll say about my wife, who doesn't like to be, you know, in the limelight, but she was really the one when I got an opportunity to do commercial real estate that said, maybe that maybe you could just view this as an internship. And let's give it a try for a year because you're doing a one year MBA program, most MBAs are 18 months or 24 months. So look at it, like an internship, if it takes off and goes, well, great. If not, you can go do something else. And that was really encouraging to have a wife who said, hey, I just got, you know she had just gotten her master's. And so now she gets the job. And so she had vision and things where she saw things in me where she was going, we're going to be okay, number one, God's got us. But number two, I really trust that you will be able to figure out a way to go vocationally, you know, get-a-job type of situation. And so, I'm always grateful for that, because, you know, many of us who kind of get the accolades, and you know, people say, oh, look at what he's done. Well, now you know a little bit more behind the story with you know, it's really God doing the work in me and through me but also that you've got an incredible family typically behind that that has sacrificed and given a lot, or given vision or encouragement along the way to somebody who needs to show up and take a risk.
DW: Yeah. And a lot of times, I think of it as a damper because as entrepreneurs, we're constantly on this, like, emotional roller coaster, you know, if something goes really great, or something goes terrible, and we come home, and in that peaceful environment of hey, you know, everything, everything's okay.
MS: Right. Well, in reminding you of reality. How do other people feel or like when you're out there saying, Look how great I am, and they're gone. And I don't want to come across that way, or stop and listen, and quit talking so much. Just things like that, that she shared with me over the years that really kind of bring you back to reality and help you think from a different perspective. And she's been really good at helping me build the team. And she's not in most of our interviews, but she helps me think well so that when I'm listening to people, I'm thinking from a different place, maybe a perspective that she might have that I wouldn't have as a business owner.
DW: Yeah, my wife is very good with people and understanding that dynamic and so, I always ask her, hey, you know, what do you think about this, you know, people's decision, and she always has a lot of wisdom there. So that's really good.
MS: One last thing I'll say before the mentor minute, too, is in the last few years, as my kids have gotten into middle and high school, I think it's important for us to understand our role with them. And so I have had to step away from a Bible study that I was usually in in the morning to then spend time with my kids and Scripture and talking to them about what it means to really follow Jesus as a middle and high school student. And there's part of me that misses going, but there's another part of me that realizes this is a season of time that I won't get back. And so you know, just an encouragement to all of us. And I need it as much as anyone to invest in your family, understand what that means for you specifically, in the season that you're in. You got really little kids, it looks totally different than when your kids are teenagers but just kind of getting into that rhythm of what does it mean to invest in them first, and realize that my discipleship starts at home before I go out and giveaway to the rest of the world. And that's, that was a hard shift for me. Because I like to go and do and be and connect with people. I love to go to big networking events and shake hands and see everybody so I'm still doing all of that but understanding that I've got to, you know, spend that extra time at home right now. And that's been really good.
DW: So, just a teaser for you guys. We are doing a mini-series on how to invest well in the next generation and what that looks like, and family discipleship is a big part of that. So, we're bringing on experts in that area to interview and we'll do a couple of episodes of that, which I'm really looking forward to.
MS: That sounds cool.
DW: So let's jump into the mentor minute. Okay, so the first question is, who is the most influential person that you know, and how have they impacted you?
MS: I would say, somebody that has impacted me and influenced me, probably the longest in my walk is a guy named Tom Pruden. And he was my Young Life leader in high school, and helped lead me to Christ, and has stayed with me. I was texting with him this morning, actually. And just he stayed with me over all these years, and, as you know, spent time with our family, and I mean, he lives in Missouri now, and, and all those things, but over the years, he's consistently you know, every few months, whatever it is, he's always checking in, seeing how I'm doing, and has really shown me what it looks like to just continue to follow Jesus. He's been on Young Life's staff for basically his whole career. And so he was the one that kind of stayed in that vocational ministry. And it's just been incredible to watch all the different things that God's opened up that he's gotten the chance to be a part of, you know, on local levels, where he's been. And then on some national levels, he's doing some pretty big stuff for camping for Young Life. And that's a big piece of what they do. And so he's doing a lot of fundraising and things. So that's been really fun. But now he's, he's a very faithful, faithful person, following Jesus, caring for his family and caring for Kingdom growth, specifically through Young Life. And I'm very grateful for him for, first, introducing me to Jesus truly, and helping me understand what it means to walk with him for the first three or four years of my life, or the first three or four years of my faith journey.
DW: Yeah, absolutely. So what book or podcast is your absolute favorite? You can say this podcast.
MS: It is an awesome podcast. You've had some great guests so great, great kickoff and great start. I'm really proud of Weston Lockhart too. He's done DevelopLex most recently. So both of you all, taken off very quickly, and had a lot of listeners and people get excited about it. So shout out to Weston and DevelopLex and what they're doing specifically around Lexington, Kentucky, Central Kentucky and commercial real estate growth has been one really, really fun one. I do love Every Square Inch which is Robert Cunningham. He's starting to spend more time on that. And I think you're gonna see more of that next year. But he was a pastor at Tates Creek Presbyterian Church here, has stepped away from that role, and is now going to spend more time looking at sort of the cultural issues that we're in and 2022 with a biblical worldview and a Kentucky lens as well and sort of say, what are those of us who are trying to follow Jesus in 2022? And Kentucky? What does this look like for us as we intersect with the cultural concerns and the cultural situations that are going on. So those are some that have really been, you know, good. So, yeah, definitely this one as well.
DW: Final question, what's the largest or the biggest lesson in leadership that you've learned?
MS: Listening. I think back to that comment that I made earlier is being available and aware for God's kingdom, being available and aware to people and what's really going on with them. So, a few years ago, I tried to shift, and my administrative staff would make fun of me because I'd say I'm gonna come in the office at nine, and I'd pull in, and I'd sit in the car for 30 minutes or an hour, and I'd walk in at like 9:30 or 10. And they'd be like, you know, thought you were coming in? Well, they've soon realized I was sitting in my car, because I was wanting to get through the calls, and the emails and the texts that I really felt like I needed to get finished. So that when I walked into the office, I could fully be available to what was going on in the office. Because for the first few years, I didn't have that luxury. I was walking in stressed about what I needed to do plus what we as a company to do plus what the people needed to do individually in their role. And I couldn't, couldn't navigate and help as well. So I'm trying to get to a better place where when I walk into the office that I'm available to what you need, and I'm saying, how can I help you? What have you got going on today? What is it that I can best do? What's one thing I can do to help you today? Whereas before I felt like I've got 40 things to do today, and I'm only going to get 20 of them done. So I hope they know and doesn't ask me. So that's kind of a leadership piece that I've learned is that I need to work on my work at 5am. I need to work on the things that I'm thinking about at 9pm.
DW: Yeah, that's one thing that really stood out to me when I read really early on when I was a teenager. I was reading John Maxwell's "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership". In the beginning of the book, he talks about how he enters the organization and how it's all about the people and the relationships and that I just really valued that and thought that that was really neat how he does that. And if
MS: And if you can't do that, I mean, practically some people are going, well, I'm where Matt was where I just we kind of it's all hands on deck. And we have days like that still with what we do. But I would just encourage you to start to segment a little bit more. Even if it's just sitting in your car from you, you show up to the office at 8, pull in at 7:45 and sit there for 30 minutes and just tell your staff I'll be in as soon as I can. Get the things done that you've got to get off your plate, and then walk in with a fresh mind at least for an hour or two. And then, you know, things hit the fan and you go again, but try to create those segments or those pockets.
DW: Yeah, that's really good. Thank you so much for that. And thank you for coming on the show. Is there any way that we can be praying for you or your family?
MS: Yes, I think, um, you know, our investment in teenagers in and around our kids is really important to me right now. And so understanding kind of how to do that, it's a little kind of new for us as they're growing up and as we're opening up from COVID and can open our home. And then pace, just back to that walking, the pace. So those are two things.
DW: All right. Well, let's pray now.
MS: Thank you.
DW: God, I thank you and praise you for just this opportunity to talk with Matt. And hear some of his wisdom and some of the experiences that he's had following you. And I pray that you would watch over him, watch over his family, and that you would really continue to walk with Him, guide him in every decision. And as he leads, leaves his business and leaves his family, that he wouldn't invest in both well and invest in your kingdom in both both situations. God, we thank you for all of our listeners and those that have tuned in to grow in their walk with you and really put you on the throne of their heart. God, I pray that they would help to, that you would help them to do that, and that you would get all the glory. We pray these things in your name, Jesus.
MS: Amen.
[END OF INTERVIEW]
[OUTRO]
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