Transcript

Wendy Cohen

(0:11) Hello, Powerhouse Smart friends and colleagues. (0:15) I am so honored today to be sitting (0:17) with a new Powerhouse Cool Collabs podcast guest. (0:23) His name is Matt Hudson, (0:24) and we're gonna learn all about him.
(0:26) So I'm not gonna take up valuable time (0:28) and do the introduction (0:29) because we're gonna let him tell his story. (0:31) But once again, you're here. (0:33) I'm Wendy Cohen, founder of Powerhouse Companies.
(0:36) And this podcast was really created (0:39) so that I can share with all of you (0:42) some of the coolest people in the industry (0:44) that are open to collaboration and living this life (0:49) with giving back and an attitude of gratitude. (0:52) So without further ado, Matt Hudson, (0:56) please introduce yourself and tell us your story.

Matt Hudson

(0:59) Sure, sure.
(0:59) Hello, thanks for having me. (1:01) My name is Matt Hudson. (1:02) I am the principal landscape architect (1:03) of M. Hudson Design in Jupiter, Florida.
(1:06) We specialize in residential design (1:08) and construction management. (1:10) We're super fortunate to be in this market down here. (1:13) It's a really hot market and we have lots of opportunity.
(1:16) We've been working with some great clients (1:18) doing really wonderful projects. (1:20) This market is always changing (1:22) because we're a secondary market. (1:24) It's always second homes and people's vacation homes.
(1:28) A lot of people move here to retire. (1:29) So there's always a lot of action (1:30) and dynamics going on down here, a lot of change. (1:33) So we're very fortunate.
(1:36) Been in the design build business since I was in college (1:40) as a landscape architecture student, (1:42) always gravitated towards the residential world. (1:46) So I've stayed there, done a few commercial projects, (1:48) but it's not really my thing. (1:51) Yeah, I mean, early in my career, I loved building things.
(1:54) So I was more of the contractor than the designer. (1:57) After about a decade of that, I learned that, (2:00) or I decided not learn. (2:01) I mean, there's nothing wrong (2:02) with being a contractor or a builder, (2:04) but we shifted more towards the design phase.
(2:08) And now we just, like I said, do construction management. (2:11) We oversee projects, but we don't staff contractors (2:14) and equipment and trucks and employees and all that. (2:17) So we moved out of that phase of things.
(2:21) But yeah, that's who we are. (2:24) I love meeting Wendy and learning about Powerhouse (2:26) and the attitude of gratitude. (2:29) And we hit it off really well on our first call (2:31) from a mutual friend.
(2:32) And my life and my firm and my worldview (2:37) has been driven by collaboration (2:39) and communication and empathy. (2:42) So we talk about those things in our office a lot. (2:45) I spent the first 20 years of my career (2:48) not really defining my values, (2:50) but in the last five or six years, (2:52) we've been defining them and really driving them.
(2:55) And it's amazing how often they come up (2:57) if you define them and live by them. (2:59) So we talk about those things in our office a lot. (3:02) It's a lot of what I teach my staff.
(3:05) I tell my clients about our values (3:07) and they're very similar to what Wendy's doing here. (3:09) So a lot of synergy there.

Wendy Cohen

(3:11) Absolutely.
(3:12) And so Matt, you touched on something (3:14) that I think is important for the audience (3:16) is you and I didn't know each other, (3:18) whereas I'm excited that I have a network, (3:22) but I'm also excited when I meet someone (3:24) who I've never met before. (3:26) And so Darren Leonardi, (3:27) who happens to be Darren Joshua Photography, (3:30) and I knew him years back in the Chicago land market (3:33) and he's in the Florida market as well. (3:36) And he said to me, (3:37) Wendy, there's this landscape architect (3:39) that's just doing some amazing work, (3:41) some beautiful, beautiful work.
(3:43) And I know he has a great eye. (3:44) So as soon as he suggested that I meet you, (3:49) I checked out your website and I was of course in awe. (3:52) And then I reached out to you through him (3:55) with a virtual connection.
(3:55) And I've learned over the years (3:57) that really to be open collaboration, (4:00) when you get those virtual introductions, (4:02) responding and treating everyone with the mutual respect (4:06) is so critical. (4:07) And you were right there. (4:09) And I really appreciate that.
(4:11) And I guess the lesson learned is (4:13) we should follow your role model there. (4:16) And you and I chatted (4:18) and then it led to another conversation. (4:20) Now you're gonna be a speaker at the Naples.

Matt Hudson

(4:23) Moderator, yes.

Wendy Cohen

(4:24) I've spent an expert moderator speaker (4:26) at the Naples Luxury Conference (4:27) and a beautiful relationship has started (4:30) and there'll be more collaborations as we go. (4:33) So just getting to meet you, of course, (4:35) first being excited about the kind of work that you do (4:38) and your reputation and obviously the awesome introduction.
(4:43) So let me go back now and talk a little bit (4:46) about what everyone's gonna wanna know. (4:48) And they'll see the link below and how to reach out to you. (4:51) So you talked about your firm, (4:52) how long did you go right out of, (4:56) after you were a contractor (4:57) and go right into opening up your own firm (4:59) or where did you get that first initial introduction (5:03) to being an entrepreneur?

Matt Hudson

(5:05) Yeah, well, I knew real early in my life (5:08) that I wasn't a great employee (5:10) and I would rather struggle through entrepreneurship (5:13) than be an employee.
(5:15) And I tell people all the time, (5:17) I just, I'm not a good employee. (5:19) I've got too many opinions. (5:20) I've got too many ideas.
(5:21) I'm too ambitious. (5:22) And so really in college, (5:24) I started a landscape company while I was in school. (5:27) So I took my loan check one month, one quarter, (5:31) we were in quarters back then, University of Georgia.
(5:33) And it was, I think it was like $3,500 or something I got. (5:37) And it was supposed to cover my rent (5:38) and my food and everything. (5:39) And I went and bought a lawnmower with it.
(5:41) And I had no money in my pocket, but I had a lawnmower. (5:45) And that's how I got started. (5:47) I just started cutting grass and made my way through (5:50) and I had a paid lawnmower (5:51) and it was a nice lawnmower and bought a trailer.
(5:54) And so I was working in college and studying (5:57) and was an entrepreneur. (5:59) I've really only had, since college, (6:02) I've been an employee for one period. (6:05) We had a life event with a child that was sick (6:07) and different things that happened.
(6:09) And after I came out of that, (6:12) I didn't have the energy to be an entrepreneur anymore. (6:15) So I went and worked for someone at a firm here in Jupiter (6:18) for a few years. (6:19) But that soured as well, not in a bad way, (6:23) but just I have the burning desire to be an entrepreneur (6:26) my whole life.
(6:27) So it's where I'm happy. (6:29) 60 hour weeks are what I know, the stress and all that. (6:34) That's just what I thrive on.
(6:35) So yeah, I've always been in my innate personality (6:39) to be out there on the limb, if you will.

Wendy Cohen

(6:42) Well, that's amazing. (6:43) That's great.
(6:44) And then you took your entrepreneurship (6:46) and kind of became a mentor (6:48) because you have people, you have a team. (6:50) So tell us a little bit about your team.

Matt Hudson

(6:52) Yeah, that was a big step.
(6:54) For many years, it was just kind of me (6:56) and laborers, contracting, working, (6:58) kind of built a little business. (7:00) And then like I said, life threw a curve ball (7:02) and I had to start over in different directions. (7:05) But now, as I turned 50 last year (7:08) and I've got some years behind me and some experience.

Wendy Cohen
(7:10) You're young, young.

Matt Hudson

(7:11) Well, old enough to be able to slow down a little bit (7:15) and take responsibility for myself, my firm. (7:19) I put a lot of energy on being an employee focused business.
(7:24) And my staff is of three people here in the office. (7:28) We have a staff of about six overseas. (7:31) We have a completely remote drafting team (7:33) that I've built out over the last five years.
(7:35) But with all that said, (7:37) we have pushing 10 people in our business (7:39) and I take great pride in being a mentor (7:42) and bringing people along (7:44) and giving them an opportunity to move their career forward (7:47) and learn from what I know. (7:49) And I do take pride in that. (7:52) I do enjoy that.

Wendy Cohen 
(7:53) Yeah, that's wonderful. (7:54) That's music to my ears. (7:56) So as far as collaborating with other architects (8:00) and other interior designers and builders, (8:03) how do you find finding those relationships (8:05) and how have you built this wonderful network you have?

Matt Hudson

(8:09) Sure, and that's really our core marketing.
(8:11) I mean, we invest a lot into B2B marketing, (8:16) building relationships with other, (8:18) we call them trade partners, referral partners. (8:21) We don't do a ton of marketing B2C (8:24) because we value those collaborations (8:28) both from a professional experience, (8:30) but also from a business and marketing experience. (8:32) So I invest a lot of time (8:34) in developing those relationships.
(8:36) And it's wonderful when you get the right team together, (8:39) it makes our job so much more fun (8:41) and enjoyable to work on these beautiful projects (8:45) we're fortunate to work on. (8:46) So we have a suite of architects, (8:48) custom home builders we work with. (8:50) Those are our main source of work and collaboration.
(8:54) We overlap with some interior designers a little bit. (8:57) We do some collaboration with landscape contractors as well (9:00) because they're on the front lines with homeowners (9:02) that buy new homes. (9:03) They go to the landscape contractors and they come to us.
(9:06) So that's kind of our mix of referral partners, (9:10) networking, contracting. (9:14) You just find the people that fit with you (9:16) and you move forward.

Wendy Cohen

(9:17) Yeah, I call that birds of a feather flock together, right? (9:20) Like-minded mutual respect.
(9:23) So did you just do your work in this facility, (9:28) Jupiter, excuse me, vicinity (9:29) or how far do you geographically do your magic?

Matt Hudson

(9:33) Well, this is where that entrepreneurial story comes (9:36) and I try not to complicate who I am, (9:38) but our firm here, (9:40) we like to stay within a 30, 40 mile radius of this office. (9:43) But I do have another company (9:45) that's called My Landscape Architect (9:48) where we are a nationwide company. (9:51) It's a startup, we've been doing it for a couple of years (9:54) where we've leveraged my overseas team, (9:57) drafting professionals and graphics (9:59) and everything that I've built there.
(10:00) I realized that was an asset that I had (10:02) and that other firms could use that. (10:05) So we work directly with other landscape architects (10:07) and landscape contractors, not in our market, (10:11) outside of our market. (10:13) And we offer design and drafting services for them.
(10:16) So it's a B2B. (10:17) So I wear a couple of hats, my main hat's (10:19) the licensed landscape architect here, (10:22) but we do offer, I do have another business (10:24) where we pretty much work nationwide. (10:27) We have clients in the Northeast, (10:28) we have clients in Atlanta, (10:30) we have clients in different parts of the country.
(10:32) So yeah, we're burning at both ends here.

Wendy Cohen

(10:35) Yeah, so is for the My Landscape firm for that division (10:39) or that separate company actually, (10:42) is it the same level or caliber of projects (10:45) that you're doing in Florida (10:47) or is it all across the board or?

Matt Hudson

(10:50) Yeah, it depends on the client. (10:51) We'd like to bring our level of graphic standards (10:54) and design process to the client and support them.
(10:58) Some landscape architects have their own workflow (11:00) and their own process. (11:01) And we are just a drafting service for them. (11:04) And we can help with design and support when they need it.
(11:08) Others come to us and want us to be lead designer (11:10) and work out the schematics and the details for them. (11:14) So we just really respond to their needs. (11:16) For landscape contractors who are more focused (11:19) on putting things in the ground and making the job go, (11:23) the design is just a necessary evil sometimes (11:25) or it's a piece they have to have.
(11:27) So they lean on us a little harder (11:28) to do the design, develop it. (11:30) Sometimes we even present directly to clients for them. (11:33) So we wear a lot of hats.
(11:35) It's all built on the fundamentals of our design process (11:38) and our drafting team, (11:41) and knowing that we can help other firms (11:44) increase their revenue without the staffing hassle. (11:46) That's kind of our hidden benefit, if you will.

Wendy Cohen

(11:51) Yeah, well, it looks like you're mentoring (11:52) for other companies using, again, (11:54) that entrepreneurial streak that you've beautifully honed.

Matt Hudson

(11:58) Sure, sure.

Wendy Cohen

(11:58) That's really cool. (11:59) That's awesome.
(12:00) And that's great because when you, (12:02) for sure at the Naples Luxury Conference, (12:04) but even as we get to know each other, (12:06) I'm in the West Coast, I'm in the Midwest, (12:09) so I'll be able to connect you to other people. (12:11) And that's wonderful to now know that (12:13) you have that available. (12:15) And again, that'll be in the links below.
(12:17) So one of the aspects of this podcast, (12:21) at least for me as I'm on my spiritual journey, (12:24) is waking up every morning and recognizing (12:27) that you create your own reality, right? (12:31) So how do you wake up every morning (12:34) and feel like you're living with an attitude of gratitude?

Matt Hudson

(12:39) Yeah, I mean, I've referenced it earlier, (12:40) and this one thing you and I connected on (12:42) was a life event. (12:44) And we had a child that passed away at four months of age, (12:48) and we went through a big life event for us. (12:51) And it's not unique to me.
(12:52) I mean, everybody has their journey, (12:54) but that thing, that really shifted me, (12:56) that experience. (12:57) I went from waking up every day, (13:00) trying to make my mark (13:02) and feeling the pressure and the weight of the world. (13:04) And it's always there, (13:05) but it's a shifting to gratitude (13:07) and learning that we're gonna be just fine (13:11) and get through this.
(13:12) So why not go through the day (13:14) with a little bit of a smile (13:15) and a bump in the step where you can (13:17) and not take things so serious all the time, (13:21) be outward focused towards other people? (13:23) How can we help others? (13:26) So that's truly what I get, impacting lives. (13:31) I mean, that's what I enjoy. (13:32) I mean, I love my business (13:34) and we're pushing hard to grow revenue (13:37) and expand and hire, (13:38) but it's really about the people.
(13:40) I always say I'm very fortunate (13:42) in this B2C world where I live, (13:44) where I'm designing (13:45) is just the collaboration with the clients (13:47) and getting to know people and know their story. (13:49) And you don't always get that on a B2C level. (13:52) Things are more transactional.
(13:53) So that's one thing I've loved about our firm (13:56) and doing residential design (13:57) is you work with a client for six months, (14:00) you kind of know a lot about them (14:01) and they learn about you (14:02) and you meet new people on this journey. (14:05) And so we approach that with gratitude each day (14:09) and try not to complain too much (14:12) and just be grateful for the opportunities that we have (14:15) and who we get to meet, (14:17) every day is something new.

Wendy Cohen

(14:19) Well, you are a beautiful soul there, Matt.
(14:21) And of course my heart is with you (14:25) as a shining light parent, (14:27) for those of you who know what that means, (14:29) that's anybody who's lost a child across the veil (14:32) and the fact that you and your wife started a foundation, (14:37) is that correct? (14:38) Could you share a little bit about that?

Matt Hudson

(14:40) Sure, his name is Harrison. (14:41) And when he was alive, (14:43) we put our life on hold. (14:44) We were living in Galveston, Texas at the time.

(14:46) We were on exile from South Florida (14:48) because of what I call the Bernie Madoff (14:52) tidal wave that came through here. (14:54) All my clients are finance customers, (14:56) that's the big money down here is finance. (14:58) So we went from not having any work, (15:02) so we went to Galveston, Texas, (15:03) we followed a hurricane over there, (15:04) we had our second child, Harrison.
(15:06) And he was born sick, (15:08) he never left the hospital (15:09) and we ended up moving back to Florida (15:12) to be with family to care for him. (15:14) And he lived about four months. (15:17) And when he passed away, (15:18) we started our nonprofit called Hope from Harrison (15:22) and we provide resources, awareness and hope (15:25) for children with critical medical needs.
(15:27) So it's a by design, (15:29) it's specific but broad. (15:32) We help basically sick children and their families (15:35) because we were the family, obviously. (15:37) We know what it's like to be the parent of a sick child (15:40) and to be in that hospital room day in, day out, (15:43) the loneliness, the darkness, the fear, the unknown.
(15:47) It's just a place that never shakes from your soul. (15:50) I can go back to that place in a minute (15:52) and know what it's like. (15:54) So, and there's not services for that.
(15:56) There's not a code. (15:58) My son didn't have a diagnosis. (16:00) So that was the other thing we'd struggled with (16:02) is we didn't fit in a box in the hospital system.
(16:05) We didn't have a disease that we could link ourselves to. (16:08) So we find the most value and benefit (16:12) we can offer the community is just by filling the gaps. (16:14) And so we started Hope from Harrison (16:17) to help him live on and help other people.
(16:21) And to be honest with you, (16:23) it was a response to what the community did for us. (16:27) So I always say, (16:28) I had a little thing for a while (16:30) there called Project Project. (16:32) And they're spelled the same way, (16:34) but it was Project Project.
(16:35) And our project was to project the love that we received (16:39) while he was alive back into the community (16:42) to other people that are going through those scenarios. (16:44) So that's our core mission, our core belief. (16:49) And we just show up in people's lives (16:50) when they're going through it (16:52) and we just help them where we can.
(16:54) A lot of it's financial. (16:55) A lot of it, thanks to my wonderful wife is emotional. (16:58) She can talk to the moms and be there for them (17:02) in ways that I can't because I didn't give birth.
(17:04) So, but that's it. (17:06) It's Hope from Harrison. (17:07) We do an event a year or it's nothing, (17:09) we'd love to have it grow over time, (17:12) but right now it's an event a year.
(17:14) We help a family a year and we fill some gaps (17:18) and just spread that love back to the community.

Wendy Cohen

(17:20) I would love to meet your beautiful wife. (17:24) And if she's available, she's my guest.
(17:26) If she'd like to join us at the luxury conference, (17:28) I know it's a drive for you to come to Naples, (17:30) but if not, maybe another time that we're in town, (17:33) we can all have dinner because what you're doing (17:36) is so important and so special. (17:38) And I just, I have to say thank you. (17:41) And gratitude, such gratitude.
(17:43) Even if it's your only, in what we do, (17:46) what we can do is reach out to one or two or three families, (17:50) even one person, it's such an impact (17:53) because it's like what they call the butterfly effect (17:55) where you feel something here (17:57) and you see the impact across the world. (18:00) So I love-

Matt Hudson

(18:01) The place that I feel the most alive. (18:04) You do work, you get busy, you raise kids, (18:06) you're not always whatever, (18:07) but that's the place where for me, (18:09) the meaning of life comes from.
(18:11) It's all right there. (18:13) That source, that spirit, (18:15) that's as spiritual and religious as I get (18:19) as being there and feeling that (18:22) because while it's tragic, there was a gift there. (18:25) And I always say the darker the night, (18:27) the brighter the light.
(18:28) And you gotta have one to have the other. (18:31) And the darkest place he took us (18:33) allowed me to see the most love and light (18:35) I've ever experienced in my life. (18:36) So you can't have one without the other.
(18:38) And you can live in the middle of your whole life, (18:40) but he and that journey was a gift (18:43) because I got to see how bright things can be. (18:47) We just open our eyes to see them. (18:49) So it's a blessing.
(18:51) It's a blessing to be able to help others (18:52) and do what we do. (18:53) And it was a blessing to have him (18:55) and go through that experience. (18:57) And that was the biggest takeaway.
(18:59) Back to your question earlier, (19:01) which I may not have answered as well as I wanted to, (19:03) is that when he was sick, (19:06) there was a moment that came along (19:08) where everyone in the first month or so (19:10) and everyone was saying, (19:11) what's wrong with him? (19:11) What's wrong with him? (19:12) What's wrong with him? (19:13) And that's natural. (19:14) Let's fix it. (19:15) Let's diagnose it.
(19:16) Let's fix it. (19:16) And then at some point, it all changed for me (19:18) when I realized that there's nothing wrong with him. (19:20) He was born exactly who he was supposed to be.
(19:23) As soon as I opened my eyes to seeing that, (19:26) the whole world changed. (19:28) And that's kind of something I carry into each day (19:31) is the day's gonna be how it's supposed to be. (19:33) The people you meet are gonna be who they're supposed to be.
(19:35) And when you come with an acceptance of that (19:37) and not a resistance to that, (19:39) then there's more possibilities for your life. (19:43) So there's a lot of lessons learned through that process. (19:46) And again, we just try to pay it forward.

Wendy Cohen
(19:49) Oh my God. (19:50) Well, talk about attitude of gratitude right there. (19:52) That is the actual definition (19:54) is just understanding that it is what it is (19:57) and there's a gift in everything.
(19:59) And as much as it could be hard at some certain times, (20:02) we ebb and flow and we learn with that. (20:04) And we're all human. (20:06) We're all spirits having a human experience, right? (20:09) It's all unconditional love.
(20:11) And everything that you just said today, (20:13) I mean, I share my podcast with everyone, (20:15) but I also send it to people (20:16) that I know who really need to hear it. (20:19) And especially today, there are some people, (20:21) specific people that I wanna make sure get this message (20:24) because you say it so beautifully (20:26) and you are really sharing a very special gift (20:32) in articulating that and being there for other people. (20:35) So I really appreciate that.
(20:37) And I'm so excited to meet you in person. (20:41) Yes.

Matt Hudson

(20:42) I'd love for you to meet my wife someday too.
(20:44) I tried to get her to come, (20:45) but she's in her busy time of the year down here (20:48) in South Florida with her events and such. (20:50) So we'll catch up.

Wendy Cohen

(20:51) We'll come there.
(20:52) We'll make a date and we'll come there. (20:54) All right, everybody on this beautiful day, (20:57) we hope you've enjoyed meeting the beautiful Matt, (21:00) Hudson Design, M. Hudson Design, right?

Matt Hudson

(21:03) Yep, M. Hudson Design.

Wendy Cohen

(21:04) And Matt is also gonna be (21:06) at the Naples Luxury Conference on February 5th (21:09) and I'm gonna be there with him.
(21:10) And then of course this lives on on the internet. (21:13) So you'll be able to hear this next year (21:15) and all the years thereafter. (21:16) And Matt, I look forward to giving you a big hug (21:18) and thank you again for your time.

Matt Hudson
(21:20) All right, thank you.

Wendy Cohen

(21:21) Thank you. (21:22) Namaste.