After a successful but brief relationship with the music
industry, Matt sought a more balanced life.
He returned to his roots in search of outlets for other passions of his,
in addition to music. He found those
outlets and more, including better health, a better perspective, and the
building blocks he needed to begin to build a life of meaning and value.
First, Matt explored his interest in finance and economics,
determined to address what he saw as a negative reputation within the financial
services industry. What he learned was
that much of that negative reputation was well-deserved. He created Porter Avenue Capital Management
in 2013, an independent, Fee-Only investment advisory firm with the goal of
providing ethical and transparent portfolio management services, free from the
conflicts of interest prevalent in the industry. Now in business for more than a decade, PACM
has become an example of how an ethical approach can still be successful in an
often unscrupulous business.
Second, Matt pursued a long-held passion for architecture by
purchasing and beginning the long process of first saving, then restoring one
of the old historic buildings in his home town.
He does nearly 100% of the work with his father and together they successfully
saved and restored a 125 year old, mixed-use, brick building to full occupancy
and better-than-new status. Their
success in this venture led to the purchase of other buildings in similar
condition and more ambitious restoration projects. Each room in each building allows Matt and
his Dad the opportunity to patiently devote their skills and meticulous nature
to creating the most beautiful and functional space they can, and the results
have been not only valuable and appreciated by the communities, but
particularly satisfying work.
Third, and perhaps the most important revelation Matt
experienced, was a desire to help others in whatever way he may be able. A more balanced life led directly to a more
outwardly-focused perspective and that change led to the realization that there
was some good he could do. And so after
a chance meeting with a young man in Kenya who runs a small orphanage, Matt
founded HopeFire, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with the goal of addressing
the needs of these children in some small way.
The efforts of HopeFire proved to be so successful that the organization
has begun to focus on domestic needs as well.
In interviews Matt has described the experience of helping the children
in Kenya as “powerfully humbling”, and through it he has stated that he was
able to experience “real gratitude and appreciation” for all the gifts he’s
been given in his life.
And the beautiful irony of it all is that as Matt’s life
grew and his world-view expanded beyond his own goals and needs, he found new love
in these new endeavors and in the new people these pursuits brought into his
life. And as that happened, his love and
passion for music returned. These days
Matt finds great joy and gratitude in the variety of his day to day life. New passions have brought life to old
passions and music is all around.