As a young freshman intent on becoming an architect or civil engineer, Matthew Jay quickly realized he had a problem: he hated math. Ironically, a two-step equation ultimately led Jay to a career in the print industry.
Step 1: Develop a love for building catapults. Step 2: Make sure your dorm room is in close proximity to the Graphic Communications (GC) building.
On his way to and from classes, Jay observed students inside the GC building running small AB Dick presses, washing out silkscreens, wearing aprons and "making things." "I can remember thinking, 'Great, I'm on my way to Calculus 4000 and these guys are in here playing,'" he recalled. "Little did I know that a short while later I'd be spending countless hours in that exact lab diving feet first into the printing industry."
Jay currently serves as business development director of Greenville, South Carolina-based growll.com.
Here, he shares his thoughts on the industry.
Print Professional (PP): Tell us about your background.
Matthew Jay (MJ): My hometown was great. [You could] drive down a dirt road on a lazy Sunday to catch a polo match, head downtown for a great meal or spend a day enjoying nature at the local gardens or hiking trails. As far as education, I'd say I started life going to the Old School. My grandfather had a big impact on my younger years and we hung out a lot. After high school, I went to Clemson University [where] I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Communications and a minor in Business Administration.
PP: What is the best business advice you ever received?
MJ: My dad once told me that you can never buy back your character or integrity, so you must never allow it to be compromised. This advice has served me well thus far. It has taught me to deal with things straight up and on the table, although that doesn't always allow for easy decisions or discussions. And I can always defer to the simple, yet effective, advice of my grandfather, "Give 'em hell"—because sometimes you just have to.
PP: What do you think is the most exciting, cutting-edge thing your company is doing right now?
MJ: Building—in a very strategic, deliberate way. We've adapted, we've acquired and we're cultivating. I love the brainpower here. Creativity and ideas are ping-ponging back and forth all the time. Out of the gate, 2012 has been a year of excitement, but we have a nest of embryos that will also see daylight this year.
PP: What do you think will be the printing industry's biggest challenge in the next few years?
MJ: Accepting change. Many people talk about change in the printing industry and they'll quote business books and summaries they've read. But, most of them are like that scratch-off stuff on a lottery ticket. It looks shiny and promising and receives an initial reaction of "this one might be a winner." Unfortunately, it's often hard to find any existence of change at all once the surface has been disturbed. We've got to move past just scratching the surface hoping that winning ticket will come our way. But, that's easier said than done. It takes courage and strategy to execute. Courage—mostly to let go of what you've grown up with and what you're used to and to become relevant again.
PP: What would people be surprised to learn about you—hobbies, special interests, etc.?
MJ: I have a weird bucket of random facts that I've acquired over the years. I think it's because we didn't have cable when I was growing up and only two or three (of the eight) channels kept my interest. I would find myself watching random operas or a Romeo & Juliet performance at night with my grandmother. I'd also watch things on PBS or ETV: Marty Stouffer (who is the only man I know of that could give Chuck Norris a run for his money), Nature, NOVA, Norm Abram and Rudy Mancke. I also enjoy drawing when I have the time. Perhaps the biggest surprise about me would be my 1988 National Championship title in the Pogo-ball Freestyle Competition. Just kidding—I couldn't stand those things.
- Places:
- Greenville, South Carolina