Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Matt Nelson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Matt, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear your thoughts about family businesses.
Family businesses have a unique dynamic that can be both incredibly rewarding and challenging. In my experience, our business is truly a family affair. My dad is the owner, and our team consists of close family friends who feel like extended family. This creates a strong sense of trust and unity, which makes working together feel more personal and fulfilling.
What works well for us is the shared vision and commitment to success. Everyone involved has a personal stake in the business, not just financially but emotionally. This encourages open communication and accountability, as we all want to see each other succeed.
When it comes to whether I’d want my children to join the business, I believe it depends on their interests and passions. While I’d love for them to carry on what we’ve built, I’d also encourage them to find their own paths and pursue what makes them happy. If they choose to join, I’d want them to feel ownership and pride in contributing to something meaningful.
One story that has shaped my perspective is how our family came together during challenging times, such as the COVID-19 crisis. We relied on each other to keep the business running, which strengthened our bonds and reminded me of the resilience a close-knit family can bring to a business.
Ultimately, family businesses thrive when there’s a balance between professional and personal relationships and when everyone involved feels valued and supported. For us, it’s been a journey filled with hard work, shared successes, and lessons that continue to shape who we are as a family and as a business.
Matt, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Our story is deeply rooted in family and resilience. My dad, Joe, spent over 30 years running Saddleback Materials, a sand and gravel business. He dedicated his career to building a thriving company that supplied essential materials for construction projects. However, being in an industry so reliant on weather came with its challenges—especially during El Niño years, when unpredictability made operations tough.
In 2014, we made a bold shift as a family. My dad decided to pivot from the materials business to follow a passion that had been simmering for years: surf culture and apparel. That’s how Joe’s Surf Shop was born. It was more than just a business move—it was a leap into a world of creativity and community, something we had always cherished.
At Joe’s Surf Shop, we focus on bringing back old-school surf culture. Our mission is to create classic, meaningful designs that capture the spirit of surfing, the ocean, and the laid-back lifestyle it represents. We don’t believe in mass-producing generic designs just to sell to discount shops. Instead, we take pride in crafting high-quality, heavyweight cotton apparel with designs that tell a story. Each piece is thoughtfully created to resonate with people who live and breathe the surf culture.
What sets us apart is our authenticity and family-driven approach. Our business isn’t just about products—it’s about creating a community. We solve a simple but significant problem: we provide surf enthusiasts with apparel that feels nostalgic and genuine, not just trendy or fleeting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://joessurfshop.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joessurfshop/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joessurfshop/?_rdr