We recently connected with Richard Mathes and have shared our conversation below.

Richard, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Covid has brought about so many changes – has your business model changed?

Covid created opportunity! It made me work mentally. Mental work play a physical role. I had to learn a new balance as well as create new things from a skill we use everyday. It challenged the future of marketing. Our vision statement became a reality. “Bridge the gap between marketing and humanity” We added brand brokerage to Distributor, Big Box Stores, C-Stores and Independent Markets. A sales skill well suited for online meetings. We found that mailing samples work in the short term for demo. Finally our email list was worth it’s weight in gold. Everything online became a tool!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

As an touring artist I searched for sponsorships. After being sponsored by brands like Xing Tea, Silver Coin Tequila, JR Repair and others I had a feel for experiential marketing. Through sponsorship the owners of Xing Tea/New Age Beverage offer me a chance of a life time. I became the Director of Marketing for Xing Tea and was able to continue doing music as a sponsored artist. Developing in marketing I learned the ways of sales and distribution. After 8 years with New Age Beverages I created Market Horse. We contracted tons of New Age brands and grow to work with other distributors. Today we service 26 overall brands 20 of them being Colorado Proud!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Never let a past business or conversation control what you do in your next business.

Conversations about M&A are often focused on multibillion dollar transactions – but M&A can be an important part of a small or medium business owner’s journey. We’d love to hear about your experience with selling businesses.

I have always a hand in the sales and beverage business. Before music I started a vending company called “Bowa Vending”. Titled after our music company Bowa Music I had high hopes. I put soda and candy machines out in apartment complexes, small store and businesses throughout Colorado adding up to 30 machines. As music grow I learned about selling a route. A route is defined as all of your machines, product and locations. With music being an investment based business that is very time consuming I sold Bowa Vending and perused music at a higher level.

Contact Info:

• Website: markethorse.net
• Instagram: /markethorse
• Facebook: /markethorse
• Linkedin: /markethorse

Image Credits
Market Horse