We were lucky to catch up with Matthew Pierce recently and have shared our conversation below.
Matthew, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
I’ve faced countless turning points; some uplifting, others brutal. More times than I can count, I’ve had to start over: rising from hardship to success and then back again, always finding my way back to calm. Those upheavals reshaped how I view work. I used to see a career simply as a way to earn money, cover bills, and maintain my lifestyle. But when my income dropped from six figures to the low five figures, I had to ask myself what really matters. I learned that when the work sparks and makes me happy, I thrive; the moment it feels like a chore, my energy fades, and I feel the need to move on. Add to all the unexpected health setbacks, complex family challenges, and life’s curveballs, and you’re left identifying what isn’t working and fixing it. It’s tempting to wait for someone else to save you, but ultimately, you’re the one in control of your life and your career.
Matthew, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Dr. Matthew A. Pierce, a graphic designer, web developer, automation specialist, IKIGAI trainer, and metaphysical guide with a doctorate in Metaphysics from the University of Arizona. I fell into technology early, building my first HTML site in college (around the MySpace days). In college, I didn’t follow a spiritual path, so my work in Communication and Radio/Television broadcasting was my focus. Later, after college, it was my work as a life coach and tarot reader that taught me how deeply design, strategy, and human insight intersect. Over the years, I’ve built Connections Design Studios to streamline businesses’ online presence (WordPress, WooCommerce, automation via Make.com, SEO, and branding) and launched Metaphysical Events LLC, a website where the Metaphysical community can support each other through business listings, advertising, and learning.
My talents span hard and soft skills: I deliver websites and digital workflows that not only look sharp but automate away busywork, and I craft metaphysical experiences with intuitive guidance and workshops that help people make clear, confident decisions. Clients also hire me for my technical expertise when they need a site that converts, an email funnel that runs itself, or an unforgettable event experience grounded in positive, uplifting insight.
What sets me apart is the bridge I build between systems and soul. I’ve walked the roller-coaster of six-figure wins and five-figure resets, and I know how to translate big visions into practical steps. I have written books on marketing for event planners, and I’ve set up automation scenarios that process 25,000 records with zero manual effort; and I’ve designed brands that capture both corporate polish and mystical warmth.
I’m most proud of empowering clients to reclaim their time and their stories—whether that’s through a self-service web portal, a metaphysical workshop that sparks growth, or a streamlined automation that frees them from grunt work. If you work with me, expect clear goals, honest feedback, and a partner who treats your success like their own. My motto has always been, “If you succeed, I succeed.”
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
In 2019, I had an amazing job, loved what I was doing, and thought life was going really well. I had the two cars, the nice uptown apartment, blah blah blah. On October 31, 2016, I went to the doctor for what I thought was a routine checkup. As I got home and settled, the phone rang. It was my doctor’s office. “We need you to come back to the hospital immediately.” I was panicked. When I arrived, I was instantly ushered into a room, and the tests began. About two hours later, my doctor came in and announced I was in Stage 4 kidney failure and I needed to start dialysis immediately. I knew my life was about to change forever.
My first dialysis was the next morning, and I continued the dialysis regimen (3 times a week for 4 hours at a time) for almost 5 years. With as much time as dialysis took, I couldn’t work a full-time job. So I lost everything. My cars, my home, and my lifestyle. And had to adjust very quickly. Then a glimmer of hope.
As I was teaching a metaphysical class in my home around 9:30 pm, I got the call. “We have a kidney match, we need you to come in for the transplant.” So I went in and it was DIVINE PROVIDENCE. How do I know? The day was 8/9, my last dialysis was 8 am, my transplant surgery ended at 8 pm, I was transferred to the ICU and placed in Pod 8 for observation, then transferred to room 4031 (add up the numbers.) The donor I found out later was an 18-month-old little boy, and if I remember correctly saved 8 people with his organ donation. There are too many 8’s to deny.
I took all that as a sign that I was indeed going to survive and I had more work to do.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
This is a tough question. The reason is that we are taught as we are growing up that we need to graduate from high school, go to college and learning a marketable skill, get a well-paying job, and live a happy life. This was a lesson I took all too seriously because my parents expected it. I attended Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (yes, it’s a real place) and graduated with a BS degree in Radio and Television Broadcasting and a Minor in Communication Theory. I hoped to get a job behind a camera, build my way up to a producer and director, and then go up and up from there. Things didn’t work out like I planned.
I use some of the skills that I learned in college, but found most of them were “theoretical” and not based on what’s out there in the real world. I started learning new skills in order to compete in the real world. And continued that trend as opportunities presented themselves. I was an avid learning and started studying HTML and hand-coded web pages, and kept learning as the Internet developed and grew. My first copy of Photoshop was delivered in a paint can full of 3.5″ floppy disks and took almost two hours to install on my computer. And I continued learning.
That’s the backstory, but what I had to unlearn is that SOMETIMES, college isn’t the place you need to be. I will never discourage it, but some people are better suited for trade schools, being entrepreneurs with an amazing business idea or entertaining people with their acting, musical, and comedic talent.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.connectionsdesignstudios.com
- Instagram: @mpierce1970
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mpierce1970
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-pierce-b392817/
Image Credits
All image credits belong to Matthew A Pierce and Connections Design Studios 2025