Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Steidl.
Hi Matt, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I had already worked in an office for over 20 years at the age of 44, with no creativity involved, when the company closed the office and moved away. I knew I didn’t want to do that again but I also suffer from anxiety so the idea of interviews was scary again to me. I spent a few years just being there all I could, on my time, for my daughter. It was a good gig and along with a good severance package we were doing good. While my daughter was at school during the day, I felt lost so I finally broke down and ordered a laser cutter and engraver to fill my time. I wanted to make unique things for my family and friends but it soon became something bigger. In March 2021 I was signed up for my very first craft show by my mother, Thanks Mom, because she could see I was creating so many new things but did not have an outlet for any of it. I embraced the chance to put myself out in public, the scariest thing an introvert with anxiety to do, because I didn’t want my daughter to learn to be afraid from me. I put myself front and center and it worked out great! I had a good show, made some money, gained some confidence and decided that this would be my path. Thanks to the Shady Hollow Flea Market south of Detroit Lakes, I spent the summer putting myself out there for people to see and slowly I got more and more comfortable. I started doing craft shows in my area and people seemed to like my stuff! I happened upon J2K who organize craft and vendor shows all fall and winter. They took me in and helped me so much. I became comfortable doing shows and they would recommend me to do interviews for the news or show my work and to help me way beyond anything they had to do. It has given me the confidence to do as many shows as I can and now a year and a half later I am now a known up and coming business: Matt’s Mess.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve had anxiety since I can remember and am an introvert so my happy place is alone or in small controlled groups. I’ve learned to smile and talk to everyone and learned how to not take it personally if someone doesn’t think much of my work.
We’ve been impressed with Matt’s Mess, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Matt’s Mess is a one-man business with lots of help from my family! I make laser-cut silhouette art, boxes, key chains, magnets and anything else I can think of. My main claim-to-fame would be my silhouettes. All my work is made from wood but it is painted to look like metal. It is a super lightweight alternative and costs just a fraction of what metal would.
What sets me apart is sometimes I look at something and see what I could make it into instead of what it is. Proud is the fact that I would rather have someone speak highly of Matt’s Mess than just make a few quick bucks. This is my business, my life now and I will do anything to make it positive and good for customers.
Every tiny bit from customers helps so much, a $10 purchase from you means so much to me!
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Honesty. I’d rather lose money than being thought of as crooked or as making bad products.
Pricing:
- Most of my silhouettes go for $15-$30
Contact Info:
- Website: MattsMess.Etsy.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattsmess
