Meet Matt Gustafson | Island Fin Poke’ Franchise Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matt Gustafson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matt, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
I think the average outsider has a notion that someone who ‘owns a business’ must be rich. Probably the most inaccurate statement that could be made. Most business owners grind out a modest living by spending a tremendous amount of time in and on their business trying to shave out a razor thin profit margin. Understanding that there are many in business who do very well for themselves, most do not fall into that category.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am not really sure what sets me apart from anyone else, I would leave that for others to decide. I just know that life is about living and finding something you have a passion for and want to chase down. I know that success is a flag you plant on the top of a mountain of failed attempts. Most that succeed only do so after failing again and again and again. But when you do plant that flag, and look down on how far you have come, and how much adversity you have survived, it makes that success mean so much more. Don’t be afraid to fail. That fear of failure is what keeps most from chasing after a dream or goal. I don’t believe myself to be successful yet by any stretch of the imagination. I am still building my mountain of failures to plant my flag in one day. And if I never get to plant that flag, I still know I put everything I have into chasing my dream and I see that as success regardless..

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I think the first thing we would do is to go watch a Houston Astros baseball game at Minute Maid Park. Houston has one of the coolest open roof stadiums in baseball and there is nothing better than a day game with the roof open at Minute Maid Park. Houston is a foodie town also, so the options on amazing places to eat and drink are almost limitless. There would definitely be a crawfish boil in my backyard with all my family and friends that week for sure. The best part of this town is the people and community we are a part of.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would have to give credit to my wife and family for their support and contributions to our business over the past 3 years. It would have been nearly impossible for me to pursue something like this without the support of them.

Website: https://www.islandfinpoke.com/spring-texas/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifp_spring_tx/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gustafson-mba-0193b37/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ifp_spring_tx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ifpcspring

Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/home/5xPpHvn62nzMDDxsTNuzNQ

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@islandfinpokespring5838