Matthew Smith

The optician from Chattanooga

Name: Matthew Smith

Age: 32

I live in: Chattanooga, TN – United States

1. What do you do for a living? Are you happy about your job?

I own an optical boutique for eyewear and sunglasses that I just opened at the end of April in this year! I love this new path, and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. As you can imagine with a new business it’s a rollercoaster of emotions and excitement.

2. If you hadn’t done this job, what would you have wanted to do?

I’m not entirely sure what I would’ve been doing if not this. Had I never gotten into the optical field I likely would’ve just kept trying to climb the corporate ladder in the car rental world (my first real out of high school job).

3. Your favorite sunglasses?

My favorite sunglasses, Now that normally would be quite a tough question to answer. As luck would have it, I’ve recently gotten in a rare piece that I’m absolutely in love with! The new Porsche Design Glued Visor P8664. Limited to only 911 worldwide, and only a handful were distributed to the U.S. I have number 737/911 in my boutique. I’m not sure that I really want to sell it, hah!

4. How do you imagine yourself in 20 years?

In 20 years, I hope this boutique has grown into a few locations with varying attributes, my kids will be long since grown and settling into their adult lives, and there really is no telling where I will wind up in that timeline. Of course I have plans, but I learned early on in life, that plans are meant to be adapted to circumstances.

5. The best and the worse moment of your life?

The best and worst moment I would have to say was marked as a single event. The birth of my son. Of course always an exciting moment and an impactful one wrought with joy, this was also a very traumatic day, as my wife suffered an abruption. There was a short window where no one knew if she, or the baby, either one would survive. In the end it all turned out great, they were able to perform an emergency cesarean and everyone recovered just fine.

6. Do you remember one time when you thought “wow! Life is wonderful”?

I’m quite odd in this respect, as I never really look at one single moment as an “Oh my, life is simply amazing” and rather try to celebrate every little thing as the huge victory that it is on the amazing path we each are given the chance to create.

7. Being a parent is one of the most difficult jobs. What kind of father are you? Are you strict? Loving? Permissive? What do you like to do with your child? What teaching do you always try to give him? What would you like to do when you grew up?
I tend to think of myself as a loving but strict father. We all love going to the park and playing games together, whether just sitting at the table for a game of uno, or yelling over who threw that eggshell on Mario kart. I try to teach them to respect others in general and make them understand that their personal feelings matter as well as those of others.

8. The 3 favorite songs?

My three favorite songs of course vary with what’s going in in my life, but I would say three I’ve seen stick around throughout the years that I enjoy would be

“Speed” – Montgomery Gentry

“Turn the Page” – Bob Seger

“Shatter Me” – Lindsey Stirling.

9. What do you think it is important to fight for?

I think it’s important for each person to fight for what they believe in! Everyone should have the chance to be happy with their life, and that requires putting in the effort and the work to become better. You don’t get there without believing something is worth fighting for and being passionate about it!

10. What is your way to release tension?

I find release through a variety of modalities! A daily workout for me is a must, but I find a relaxing drive or even working on new marketing ideas just as much of a release.

11. What do you think about the place where you live? Have you ever thought about changing your life and going to live in other place?

I quite love Chattanooga! I often dream of living closer to the beach, but I don’t think I could ever give up the small town in a big city feel that Chattanooga has to offer, and with so many different things to do in a rather small area, there’s just not much else out there like it! I certainly couldn’t give up the mountains to be on a beach.

12. What is the dream of your life?

Funnily enough, I would say I’m living out my dream as it is. I’ve always wanted to run my own business, and while I’m just getting started in that venture, every day offers up a new challenge that I just couldn’t see getting any other way, and I absolutely love that. Add in a loving family, and a dash of amazing cars, and I’m not sure it can get any better.

13. What do you think about Italy?

I think Italy is a beautiful place and an amazing culture. A fire and passion comes from there that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

14. What do you think about environmental pollution? What can we do to save the world?

I’m not quite sure what to think about it. It’s undeniably a large problem across the world, but certainly one fit for sharper minds than my own. I do what I can when it comes to using recycled goods, and reducing my personal carbon footprint and I suppose that’s a good start.

15. The most exciting experience of your life?

I would love to tell a wild tale here, but as an adrenaline junky, not much does it. The most thrilling and exciting moment I can recall relates back to my true passions as a gearhead. My wife surprised me with a track day in a Ferrari F40 for my birthday one year, and as if that wasn’t good enough, once we got there there was a McClaren MP4-12C available that wasn’t listed as an option. I had to go for it, so I did. 3 laps around Atlanta Motorsports Park at the helm of a supercar I never thought I would so much as sit in. The pull of the lateral G’s in the turns, and the power accelerating out from the apex are an exhilaration I’ve yet to forget five years later. It started a shocking addiction with mid engine cars for me!

16. If you could talk for an hour with a person of your choice in the world (living or not), who would you choose?

I tend to think we can learn a lot from the experiences of our peers, but I’m not sure I could narrow down one specific person as an influence I would love tp spend an hour chatting with… and if I could, it would likely be someone nobody has heard of that has built an empire of optical shops like my own, hah!

17. Favorite movies?

So many favorites! But to narrow it down with one, I’ll stick to Gone in Sixty Seconds!

18. If you were an animal, which would you like to be?

A tiger. I’ve always admired them for their speed, power, and intelligence!

19. Are you optimistic or pessimistic?

I tend to see myself as an optimistic realist. I set high expectations and stay positive about them where I can.

20. What is the thing that makes you more angry?

It’s that darn gearhead passion of mine. Slow drivers and door dings get me riled up faster than anything else

21. When you see carefully yourself at the mirror, what do you see?

A man with a strong absolution to lead and make an impact. Driven to taken on any challenge that comes his way and push through in any way possible.

22. Do you like travel? The best place you ever seen?

I enjoy travelling, of course! Surprisingly, though, I find some of our local bluff views in Chattanooga approaching sunset some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen!

23. Have you ever made or received a surprise?

Of course!

24. Do you think you are a lucky person?

I would say so! I certainly can’t take credit alone for my successes at the least.

25. A perfect day for you?

The perfect day for me would start with the perfect cup of coffee, and a late midmorning start with a nice hearty breakfast. From there leading into a long day cruising a long never ending mountain roads without another car in site. Ending with the perfect sunset just as storm clouds are rolling in to make for an extravagant sky.

CONTACT:

Matt Smith
Owner/Optician
That Glasses Guy Optique De Luxe

1110 Market St. Ste #113
Chattanooga, TN 37402
(423)541-3792

Matthew Smith

The optician from Chattanooga

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