Strategy, Sweat, and Soil: John Matthews’ Unconventional Work-Life Balance

In this episode of Founders Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with John Matthews, President and CEO of Great Cat Enterprises, a retail consulting firm with over 20 years of transforming brands like Little Caesars, Jimmy John’s, and Deluxe. John shares his journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, driven by his father’s advice to "gather knowledge and go out on your own." He dives into the three core pillars of Great Cat—strategic scaling, senior project management, and interim executive leadership—and how he helps businesses navigate growth, acquisitions, and operational excellence.John also unveils his Great Cat Learning Series, a digital extension of his expertise designed for smaller businesses, and reveals how LinkedIn has been the cornerstone of his client acquisition for 15+ years. With a unique approach to time management and a passion for gardening as his "mental reset," John offers invaluable insights on balancing high-impact consulting with a fulfilling lifestyle—proving that success doesn’t require a massive team, just relentless focus and relationship-building.