We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Matthew David Garth. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Matthew David below.
Matthew David, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
As a child, I dreamt of entertaining the world. My humor and creativity were my superpowers. But corporate life slowly dimmed that light. Fifteen years felt like a constant battle, my creative ideas suffocated by endless “no’s.” The toll it took was heavy, leading to a difficult divorce.
Faced with this challenge, I knew I had to chase my dreams. It wasn’t easy. I found myself temporarily living at a friend’s place he was selling. But even with limited resources, I found my focus. Days were spent at the library, feeding my hungry mind with knowledge. It was a reawakening, a flame reignited within me.
Nights were dedicated to networking events. My goal was clear: to find a place where my creativity could thrive. One event led to a pivotal meeting with Neil Harp, the owner of 646 Entertainment. He saw potential in me and offered an internship. This opportunity opened doors to a whole new world. Through hard work, I climbed the ladder, becoming Artist Developer and now Vice President! We’re even shaking things up, transforming 646 into an artist-centric record label. It’s a new way of doing business, one I truly believe in.
Being homeless while networking with music industry giants? Talk about a surreal experience! But the most rewarding part was the incredible community I found. Surrounding myself with creative minds like Neil was incredibly inspiring. We, the creative bunch, are known for wearing many hats. So, while thriving at 646, I also started consulting for other businesses. I offered customized executive-level services to help them succeed, all while getting back on my feet. One of my clients, Tre Cardwell, just celebrated his company’s first half-million!
Matthew David, 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?
Hello, I’m Matthew David Garth, founder of Love’s Beloved Garden. We empower individuals facing challenges like poverty, inequality, or mental health struggles to achieve a fulfilling life. This is a cause close to my heart because, as someone who is neurodivergent, I’ve navigated these hurdles myself.
Understanding Your Needs:
At Love’s Beloved Garden, we recognize that everyone’s journey is unique. We offer a supportive and inclusive environment where you can explore self-mastery, spirituality, holistic health, and self-help practices.
Personal Transformation:
My own path led me to explore spirituality. Initially skeptical, I discovered its power to bring clarity and connection. Through practices like meditation and mindfulness, I gained a deeper understanding of myself and the world. I also delved into the power of intention and how our thoughts and energy shape our reality. These principles helped me overcome homelessness and create a fulfilling life.
Sharing the Knowledge:
Love’s Beloved Garden is about sharing the transformative tools that helped me. We offer workshops, retreats, and personalized coaching to guide you on your path.
Unleashing Your Potential:
By focusing on self-mastery, spirituality, holistic health, and mental well-being, we empower individuals to unlock their full potential and create lives filled with joy, purpose, and abundance. We do this by providing tailored guidance and resources that fit your unique needs.
My Creative Journey:
My experience guiding artists and musicians through Love’s Beloved Garden sparked my own creative pursuits. With my friend and former comedy partner, James Bishop Ward, we co-founded Wildcard Productions, a film company (link: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wildcard-productions).
Music is another passion I’m pursuing. I’m starting Slimelight Records, an independent label, with my bandmate Zachary Sullivan Carson (link: https://www.slimelightrecords.com/). Additionally, I’m currently Vice President at 646 Entertainment (link: https://www.646entertainment.com/). I’m also on the board of the Acadiana Film Association, a new organization dedicated to growing the film industry in Louisiana, where I live.
The Importance of Community:
Surrounding myself with talented and supportive people has been crucial in my journey. I believe collaboration is key to success, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.
Conclusion:
This is just the beginning for me and Love’s Beloved Garden. We’re passionate about empowering individuals to thrive, and I’m always looking for ways to expand our reach and impact.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My creative endeavors are deeply rooted in a personal mission: healing my inner child. For most of my life, I battled severe depression and suicidal ideations. The pain started young, with my first attempt at suicide at the age of eight. I was a silent storm, the suffering hidden beneath the surface for decades.
The path to self-discovery is a continuous exploration. Through self-mastery practices, I’ve embarked on a profound healing journey. Just recently, a monumental shift occurred. The constant, intrusive voice of suicide finally dissipated. This breakthrough allowed me to face the core of the issue – the abandoned child within.
At eight years old, I witnessed a traumatic event involving my mother that forced me to shut down emotionally. That child, trapped in silence, continued to cry out from the depths of my being for 31 years. It wasn’t until I began pursuing these creative endeavors that I realized they were leading me back to him. Building trust with my inner child took ten dedicated years, but the connection has been transformative. The stronger it becomes, the more vibrant my creativity and overall life flourish.
Holistic healing requires patience, and I’m living proof of its effectiveness. My methods have yielded significant results. Now, with a clear path forward, I’m eager to share my journey and inspire others to embark on their own healing adventures.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
For many creative entrepreneurs, the biggest challenge isn’t just the work itself, it’s the leap of faith required to pursue it without a traditional safety net. I can definitely relate. There were times when the path seemed stagnant, and the thought of returning to a more secure job – perhaps even sales again – was tempting. However, the idea of sacrificing my creative freedom and living a life that wasn’t authentically me just wasn’t sustainable.
The truth is, every successful creative entrepreneur I know has taken similar leaps of faith. The journey may not be linear, with some missteps along the way. But the lessons learned from those missteps are invaluable when you’re carving your own sovereign path.
In my case, I decided to go all-in. I wanted to test my theories about creative fulfillment and see what happened. Now, the concept of faith might seem a bit abstract for non-creatives. But it doesn’t have to be about religion.
Here’s the key: you need to believe in something, whether it’s yourself, your vision, or a higher power. For me, it was a combination of self-belief and a desire to reclaim my life.
Here’s a unique exercise I used to jumpstart my faith: I wrote my own obituary. Yes, a bit morbid at first glance, especially considering my past struggles with suicide. But the purpose was to create a future vision. I envisioned what I wanted my life to say, the accomplishments I aimed for.
That obituary became my roadmap. With that clarity in mind, I actively pursued any connection, opportunity, or resource that could bring me closer to that vision. It was a powerful way to ignite my own creative fire.
This may not be the exact strategy for everyone, but it highlights the importance of taking that leap of faith, believing in yourself and your path, and actively pursuing your dreams. Life wants us to live, to thrive creatively. And sometimes, a little push in the right direction is all you need.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.matthewdavidgarth.com
- Instagram: mardukthemaster
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mgarth/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewdgarth/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC12uB3p_8iRGNmXynA3_bNg
- Soundcloud: https://linktr.ee/davidchristandtheapocalypse
- Other: www.slimelightrecords.com
www.646entertainment.com
www.lovesbelovedgarden.org
www.davidchristandtheapocalypse.com
www.wildcardproductions.com
Image Credits
left to right, Matthew david Garth, Taylor Cooper, Troy Mclanahan, James Bishop Ward