Meet Matt Rice
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Matthew Rice
Owner Uppercut Creations LLC 5220 Sheridan Road Saginaw MI 48601 [email protected] www.uppercutcreations.com |
Q: When did you begin working at your company?
A: I started my business in December of 2020.
Q: When did you become a Chamber Ambassador?
A: I was just recently awarded the position this year in 2025.
Q: What motivated you to become an Ambassador?
A: I have a passion for learning, and I find it exciting to engage actively with other professionals to gain knowledge and insights. Understanding their experiences, strategies, and perspectives on business operations is incredibly valuable to me. As an Ambassador, I am thrilled about the opportunity to use this knowledge to connect businesses and promote growth and new opportunities.
Q: What’s the most memorable connection you’ve made as a Chamber Ambassador?
A: As a new ambassador, I can’t say I’ve made any meaningful connections yet. However, my most memorable connection as a Chamber member has been with my ambassador, Laurie Barr. I’m excited to be working directly on her team and hope to have a similar positive impact on other members, just as she has impacted my experience with the Chamber.
Q: What Chamber event do you look forward to the most and why?
A: I am excited about the upcoming ribbon-cutting events. Having just acquired my first commercial building, I understand the significance of witnessing the launch of a new venture; it truly is priceless. It will be an honor to share in these celebratory moments with other business owners.
Q: What’s one networking tip you’d share with new Chamber members?
A: Make the Most of Business Card Exchanges! Although it may feel uncomfortable at first, just like anything else, practice makes it easier. You never know who you might meet or what opportunities they could bring your way.
Q: Tell us one fun fact about you that might surprise people.
A: I operated a recording studio in the late '90s and early 2000s. During that time, I was the music producer for the Miss Saginaw Pageant for ten years. I also created competition music for several local dance studios in the area.
Q: What was your first job?
A: My first job was as a forklift driver and tire technician at Quality Farm and Fleet on Holland Road, right after high school.
Q: What was your dream job as a child, and how does it compare to what you’re doing now?
A: My dream job was to become an R&D Engineer. I believe I possess many of the qualities that I find appealing in research and development, as well as in my current work. Creating custom signs and personalizing unique items often requires reverse engineering existing products, allowing me to modify them for specific applications. Through this process, I have developed my own signature "hidden hardware," which I use on most of my signs.
Q: What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
A: Professionally, starting my business. Personally, stand-up jet-skiing on a half frozen lake.
Q: What inspires or motivates you to keep giving back to the community?
A: My faith inspires me to give back to the community and was the main motivation for starting my business. Being in control of my business finances while contributing to a community that I personally see in need is incredibly meaningful to me. During my time working for the Hall family at Glastender, I witnessed firsthand the positive impact a business can have on a community, often "behind the scenes." I deeply respect what they do for the community and aspire to do something similar with Uppercut Creations. Acts 20:35 "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Published: February 2025
A: I started my business in December of 2020.
Q: When did you become a Chamber Ambassador?
A: I was just recently awarded the position this year in 2025.
Q: What motivated you to become an Ambassador?
A: I have a passion for learning, and I find it exciting to engage actively with other professionals to gain knowledge and insights. Understanding their experiences, strategies, and perspectives on business operations is incredibly valuable to me. As an Ambassador, I am thrilled about the opportunity to use this knowledge to connect businesses and promote growth and new opportunities.
Q: What’s the most memorable connection you’ve made as a Chamber Ambassador?
A: As a new ambassador, I can’t say I’ve made any meaningful connections yet. However, my most memorable connection as a Chamber member has been with my ambassador, Laurie Barr. I’m excited to be working directly on her team and hope to have a similar positive impact on other members, just as she has impacted my experience with the Chamber.
Q: What Chamber event do you look forward to the most and why?
A: I am excited about the upcoming ribbon-cutting events. Having just acquired my first commercial building, I understand the significance of witnessing the launch of a new venture; it truly is priceless. It will be an honor to share in these celebratory moments with other business owners.
Q: What’s one networking tip you’d share with new Chamber members?
A: Make the Most of Business Card Exchanges! Although it may feel uncomfortable at first, just like anything else, practice makes it easier. You never know who you might meet or what opportunities they could bring your way.
Q: Tell us one fun fact about you that might surprise people.
A: I operated a recording studio in the late '90s and early 2000s. During that time, I was the music producer for the Miss Saginaw Pageant for ten years. I also created competition music for several local dance studios in the area.
Q: What was your first job?
A: My first job was as a forklift driver and tire technician at Quality Farm and Fleet on Holland Road, right after high school.
Q: What was your dream job as a child, and how does it compare to what you’re doing now?
A: My dream job was to become an R&D Engineer. I believe I possess many of the qualities that I find appealing in research and development, as well as in my current work. Creating custom signs and personalizing unique items often requires reverse engineering existing products, allowing me to modify them for specific applications. Through this process, I have developed my own signature "hidden hardware," which I use on most of my signs.
Q: What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
A: Professionally, starting my business. Personally, stand-up jet-skiing on a half frozen lake.
Q: What inspires or motivates you to keep giving back to the community?
A: My faith inspires me to give back to the community and was the main motivation for starting my business. Being in control of my business finances while contributing to a community that I personally see in need is incredibly meaningful to me. During my time working for the Hall family at Glastender, I witnessed firsthand the positive impact a business can have on a community, often "behind the scenes." I deeply respect what they do for the community and aspire to do something similar with Uppercut Creations. Acts 20:35 "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Published: February 2025
Thank you to our Chairman's Circle Sponsors
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SILVER LEVEL
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