Hayden Mater, a dynamic professional who seamlessly blends the worlds of commodity lumber trading and innovative watchmaking. With years of experience in the lumber industry, he has honed his skills in navigating complex markets and securing top-tier deals. In addition, as the founder of Mater Made his microbrand watch company, Hayden brings precision and passion to every venture. Dedicated to excellence in health, work, and family life, Hayden cherishes every opportunity to grow and inspire others. With a commitment to professionalism and a drive to motivate those around him, he is a true leader in both the lumber industry and the entrepreneurial world. Click to learn more about his journey and vision.
Hayden Mater, Serial Entrepreneur
Please tell us more about you.
I refuse to believe the answer is no and refuse to believe that it can’t be done. At the root, I am a professional life enthusiast, cherishing every chapter of life and every person/experience I encounter along my journey.
Tell us a bit about your story, how did you build your career until this point?
I built my two businesses on passion and willingness to learn. For me, learning is a hobby. There is something incredibly satisfying about growing as a person and learning skill sets and qualities of a successful person. To further explain passion, I have an unwavering desire to build something that I can look back on and see progress made from ground zero. I believe life and business are just big puzzles. The first steps are to find the pieces and the next few steps are learning where they fit and why they fit into the places you put them. After that you move on to the next puzzle and hopefully do it in less time with less hurdles.
What drives/inspires you?
What motivates me the most is providing a comfortable life for my family and exemplifying the qualities of a hard-working, well-balanced individual. I draw inspiration from a wide range of sources, with much of it being internal. The joy of personal growth, in any form, is a powerful motivator for me. Additionally, my competitive nature drives me to achieve new levels of success that others have attained. A quote from my second-grade teacher, which I still remember vividly, encapsulates this mindset: ‘Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.’”
What is your motto?
You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
Are there additional qualities that contribute to success?
For this one, I want to quote Tom Brady, who said it best in his retirement speech.
“To be successful at anything, the truth is you don’t have to be special. You just have to be what most people aren’t. Consistent, determined and willing to work for it.”
What inspired you to create (your company name)?
Mater Made was born from my last name, Mater, and my passion for crafting watches. Growing up, I was always into everything—learning new sports, picking up new skills, you name it. That curiosity never faded, even as I transitioned to college. My hunger for knowledge only grew stronger. I dreamed of a career that would place me in exciting environments, where I could get paid to attend events, meet unique people and keep learning.
Right out of college, I took the first job offer I got , a day trader at a commodity lumber company. I learned how to day trade lumber in my 20s. While I was busy cutting my teeth in the lumber trading industry, I inherently learned numerous life and business lessons. This prepared me to step out on my own to create Mater Made.
Ultimately, I put my dream of blending work and life passions on hold. But my love for watches never wavered. I always wore them, and as I found some success in trading, my watch collection began to grow. I started analyzing the marketing of microbrands and increasing my watch knowledge. This led me to generate my own brand positioning gameplan having surveyed this landscape for a few years.
I had more than a few eureka moments of why I should start the company instead of waiting. Those eureka moments from my past kept nudging me, reminding me of my true passion. And that’s how Mater Made came to be—a perfect blend of my name, my love for creating and my passion for watches.
What sets Mater Made apart from other services in the industry?
We focus on maximizing value at the price points our watches exist in. Outside of that we want to promote a lifestyle that encompasses innovation, well roundedness and exploration. It’s not all about the product. We want to generate a community of like-minded individuals connected by the watches we produce.
For readers inspired by this conversation and eager to start their journey, what first steps would you recommend?
Read, research and then research and read some more.
Starting a business is an exciting journey, but it’s crucial to lay a strong foundation with thorough research and continuous learning. Dive into books, articles, podcasts and case studies to understand your industry, market trends, and potential challenges. Stay curious and eager to learn from every source available, whether it’s successful entrepreneurs, mentors, or even your competitors. Embrace a mindset of lifelong learning, as this will not only help you make informed decisions but also adapt to the ever-changing business landscape. Remember, knowledge is power, and the more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to navigate the path to success.
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