Today we’d like to introduce you to Cary Matthews.
Hi Cary, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
After working for Fortune 100 companies at the start of my career, I moved to a smaller local consulting firm and then a dot-com company around the year 2000; my passion for small businesses and the impact they have on people and communities was born.
I spent the next 15+ years leading operations for small businesses. That’s really where my growth and business education took off. The business owners entrusted parts of their businesses to me, and I was exposed to all aspects of the business – operations in general plus project management, engineering, logistics, HR, finance – you name it. They also invested in continuing professional education and development, including peer advisory groups, coaches, and executive classes at Georgia Tech and MIT. I learned more about running a business and, more importantly, myself than I ever had before.
A little over seven years ago, I decided I wanted to help small business owners that haven’t had others invest in them, to help them reach their goals and get all they can out of the businesses they created. Since then, I’ve been a Fractional COO and Business Coach serving the small business community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As I look back over my journey as a solopreneur, I realize how fortunate I’ve been to be surrounded by good people. Atlanta is really a small town when it comes to business, and friends and colleagues are quick to offer advice, make introductions, or give feedback. Other people have made the journey easier and more enjoyable. Knowing that there are others who have shared the same experiences makes you realize you aren’t alone.
Of course, nothing is easy. When I first started out, like any rational person, I had doubts. Was I doing the right thing? Do people even know what a Fractional COO is? Those concerns forced me to be clear on what I wanted and how I served clients, and the business began to ramp up. Then there are times of uncertainty like the pandemic that you are never prepared for, but Opal Partners weathered the storm.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Opal Partners was created with one thing in mind: serving small businesses. Given my background as an engineer and an operations leader, I tend toward practical solutions that make a difference,
Business owners don’t always know the root cause of their challenges or the solutions, and I don’t expect them to know. That’s my job – working alongside them to uncover what is working and what could be better and then helping them implement change in their organizations.
Working with my clients can take different tracks. Sometimes, they need help with the day-to-day operational issues, so I step in as a part-time leader to fill those operational gaps. Other companies are growing or have experienced significant change, and then I work with the leadership team to drive alignment, build a healthy culture, and get the results they want by implementing a sound business framework.
Certifications in System & Soul business coaching and The 6 Types of Working Genius give me a broad range of proven tools to bring clarity, drive accountability, and improve communication and how the team works together overall.
When clients tell me I make hard things simple, that I give them honest feedback, and help them turn vision into reality, that makes my day. I like helping leaders get unstuck.
The bottom line is that I help companies execute their strategic plan, and if they don’t have one, I can help them build it.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Atlanta and North Georgia is a great place to live and work. You experience all four seasons, and you can be at the lake, beach, or mountains within hours. There is no reason to run out of things to do, whether you want an activity or a good meal. Atlanta is home to so many great people that it makes it easy to build community both personally and professionally. It’s not perfect – no place is – but if I had to choose one thing, I like the least, the easy answer is “traffic.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://opalpg.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmatt/
