Hi! I’m Matt. I’m a part of the Out-Crowd. I’m a serial entrepreneur who doesn’t smoke cigars or show off expensive vehicles. I wouldn’t know a Ferrari if I was inside one (I’m sure that’s not quite true because the owner would have told me several times about his Ferrari.) I’m quite happy to buy used Subaru Outbacks for the rest of my life no matter how much money I make. $20 million dollar houses, or $50 million dollar houses for that matter, don’t turn me on. I’m not negative or knocking anybody. I just don’t care.
For the longest time, I thought there was something wrong with me. I wanted to tap into an abundant lifestyle, but when I critically looked at this lifestyle, I realized that it wasn’t for me. I struggled to WANT to be like the folks that were into all of this stuff. I dug deep trying to make myself desire it. When I couldn’t do that, I thought that I probably wouldn’t be wealthy and wouldn’t be successful because I didn’t fit into the crowd of people who were.
But I only had these thoughts for the briefest period of time. Because I have an incredible wife and two amazing children, a handful of friends and mentors, a house with some woods, and of course a Subaru. Wealth is my starting point. Anything else is a bonus.
I built up a business from scratch, and in 18 months it was grossing $220,000 a year at a 40% profit margin. And I spent four of those months in and out of the hospital dealing with major medical issues. I built up a second business that helped gross another $200,000 a year, and I receive 20% of that revenue.
I have a podcast with more than 100 episodes. Since February of 2019 I’ve read 350 books on marketing, business, sales, personal growth, behavioral economics, real estate investing, psychology, and social science. (I also still keep up with Stephen King novels.)
Even with my successes, I haven't automatically earned a spot in the In-Crowd, nor have they readily accepted me. Once I chose my own path in entrepreneurship and the values I will talk about in this book, I never sought entry to the In-Crowd nor have they rolled out the welcome mat for me. My experience with the In-crowd is turning into a two-way street of indifference. I take some pride in the mutual disengagement.
I’m not a fan of showing off, I rarely post on Facebook, and false humility makes me ill. I have an extreme dislike of seeing people quote themselves unless they are quoting their own published book.
I am a part of the Out-Crowd. I choose not to add to the noise - the volume of the world is already loud enough. In-Crowd people don’t like me because I’m different - and because I have no interest in seeking their approval or affirmation. I don’t fight for their attention. I don’t want to be like them.
I have great respect for other Out-Crowd people - others who are tired of all the posing and posturing. I place a lot of value in seeking authentic relationships where both parties - whether family, friends, or network - are consistently putting effort into providing value to each other whether it’s a kind ear, a helpful tip, or a challenging correction from a caring perspective.
It’s hard to put myself out there in the world - don’t get me wrong, I’ve played live music and done magic shows and even some preaching on thousands of stages for almost 30 years. But when I put myself out there in video on social media, I have a fear of being perceived as one of the In-Crowd - or even worse - as if I’m “trying to be” part of the In-Crowd.
So I promote myself with caution making certain that my true heart can be seen in my message. I don’t want to be a “guru,” I don’t want to tell people I have the secrets to anything, I don’t want followers - I don’t really even want to be a teacher. But I do feel obligated to pass the torch. There is wisdom out there that changed my life. I consider it my purpose and mission to pass it on, filtered through my perception and experience, and hopefully reach a new audience who otherwise might not have heard.
This passing of the torch, above all, makes me part of the Out-Crowd, a position I happily accept. We welcome you in with open arms.
#AuthenticEntrepreneurship, #ValueCreation, #GenuineRelationships, #ImpactOverStatus, #PurposeDrivenLife, #RealSuccess, #OutCrowdEthos #OutCrowd #TheOutCrowd
