Today, we’d like to introduce you to Matt Corker. Matt was introduced to us by one of the most helpful folks we know, Donna Giraud.
Matt, thank you so much for joining us today. We’d love for you to bring our readers up to speed – can you introduce yourself and share your story?
I started my career in alumni and student engagement for the University of British Columbia – helping young alumni reconnect to students in meaningful ways. I loved this because I was working with folks who still had an optimistic lens about the world and their potential impact on it. It was exciting to help inspire that next generation of dreamers.
I then moved into the private sector at lululemon athletica – starting in people development, moving through international retail operations, product quality, and finally landing in product operations/strategy. Through my 5.5 years there I also got my MBA at the Copenhagen Business School – a goal of mine since I graduated from my undergrad.
My sister started a HR consulting company nearing the end of my time at lululemon. I shortly thereafter joined her company as CEO to help develop our online manager training program, executive coaching options, and other opportunities that would help companies invest in their most important resource – their people. I got to work with a number of brands across North America in developing their people strategy and training their leaders.
After becoming a father in 2020, I took a parental leave. My son was also born with a congenital heart defect that required open heart surgery at 4 months old. The first six months of parental leave totally changed my life – my values, my relationships, my perception of what was worth my time, my own health, … the list goes on.
I was soon connected with the CEO of Smash + Tess and I was ridiculously inspired by their purpose of empowering women to live big lives with ease and confidence – one romper at a time. I jumped on board to this rocketship as COO in March 2021 and have been loving every Monday since.
Let’s talk about your work and career – what else should we know?
I love working with folks that care about how we show up in the community – how our product impacts the environment, how our financial success can be shared with initiatives that make a difference, and how our #smashtessfam supports one another in feeling their best. Intersectional diversity really matters to me so I love working with others that share that value.
Donna Giraud has been a great friend to us and I know you’ve got a great relationship as well. Maybe you can tell our audience a bit about Donna and your experience with them.
I have known Donna for the better part of 8 years. Her and my husband have been friends for over 30 years, so when we started dating, Donna became an important person in my life as well.
I am in awe of her amazing career as a visual artist. I admire not only her work, but her work ethic and brand strategy. She has set herself apart by engaging with her audience in an authentic and unique way, making her brand approachable and attainable. Often in the art world, I find myself feeling intimidated or nervous – two things I never feel with Donna’s work.
We own one of Donna’s early large scale paintings and it has been a centerpiece in all of our homes over the years. The work fits so beautifully in any space.
I can’t say enough of the experience of buying from/working with Donna, as she is one of a kind. She is humble, yet confident and provides an experience that leaves you feeling as though you’ve truly invested in someone good. Its one thing to buy a beautiful piece of art, it’s another to buy a beautiful piece of art from a beautiful person.
Website: www.mattcorker.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matt_corker
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattcorker/
