Matt Carle

Main Ascent Business Brokers & Advisors

Business Broker & Advisor

Matt Carle, Business Coach

Business Coach

Eastside Timbers

Program Director

Valentis Athletica

Non-Profit company founded to operate value-based youth soccer club in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Board Member

Portland Timbers

Ticket Services

United Soccer Leagues

Youth League Operations Intern

Colorado Rapids

Rapids Academy Intern

Helping you grow your business, and still make it home for dinner. │ Business Coach │ Business Broker │ Former soccer coach turned business coach

I help business owners who are stuck and struggling to make the right move.

Most of my clients come to me because:

- They feel trapped, they know they need changes, but don't know where to start
- Nothing happens in the business without their input
- They lack systems, accountability, & predictability

I coach them to build a business that delivers:

- More freedom & flexibility for the Owner
- Repeatable systems that drive predictable results
- Results that help increase the value of the business, so it's ready to sell when you are

We use a tailored approach to:

- Build repeatable systems so the business works for the Owner (not the other way around)
- Empower their teams, drive accountability, systematize operations, and reduce stress
- Build a business that is “exit ready,” whether that’s next year or years down the road

Here’s a few of the outcomes clients have experienced:

- Packaging company that went from $1.5M per year to $1M per month
- Manufacturing Co. owners who went from overworked to never missing an appointment or a game
- Insurance agent who saw 20% YoY growth in his book of business & increased commissions

Why I do this:

- I’ve spent more than half my life as a coach. First on the soccer field, now supporting business owners
- 9+ years as a business coach, and 3+ years as a business broker supporting owners
- I value time with my wife and two kids outside Denver, Colorado, and I want my clients to enjoy the same freedom

If you’re ready to build a business that is easier to run, more fun to own, and ready to sell when you are...

Click the “Book an appointment” link at the top of my profile to apply to work with me.

Free Bird

Founder & CEO

Grayhawk Ventures

FNSH Hydration

Landmark Properties, Inc.

Managing Director

Haven Communities

Oxford Properties, LLC

Co-Founder and President

Williams Investment Group

Founder and CEO

Atlanta Committee for The Olympic Games

Marketing Manager

Entrepreneur. Founder. Investor. Operator. Founder|CEO Free Bird Beverage Founder|CEO Grayhawk Ventures Founder|CEO FNSH Hydration

Founder & Big Bird @ FREE BIRD 

Entrepreneur. Founder. Investor. Operator. Aquaman.

I sell water. You need water to stay alive. I will save your life.😎 

If you have cookies…I will eat them.

Also: Founder & CEO @ Grayhawk Ventures 

Jay Williams

When Oprah Winfrey has her people contact you about having a meeting in New York to discuss a partnership with Free Bird, you accept the invitation no matter what.

Oprah hasn’t done that yet, but I’m letting her know in advance that I’m available.

😎

Founder|Big Bird @ FREE BIRD 🆓🦅🇺🇸

I turned down $500,000 yesterday.

Let me repeat. I turned down $500,000 yesterday.

Am I crazy? Don’t answer that. 😎

Someone reached out and wanted to invest $500K in Free Bird, which is awesome. We are currently raising funds and, of course, $500K is a lot of money.

However, this person was not a fit. I simply wasn’t comfortable. I am building something special and, therefore, my partners really matter.

I don’t want to do business with “just anybody”. I want them to be aligned with our values and I won’t make compromises. Our Free Bird family is simply too important to me. 

To be clear, I was beyond grateful for the offer, and they were rather shocked by my response, but it needs to be right for us.

Not gonna lie, it hurt a little, but some things are more important than money.

Someone asked me recently if I would be willing to share the best piece of advice I’d ever been given.

I said…

No.

If I’m being honest, saying that “Only YOU can prevent forest fires” is an overwhelming amount of pressure. 

I mean, all I’ve got is a hose and like a bunch of solo cups.

Enough is enough!!!!

All freakin week…everyone’s so thankful!! So grateful!! So damn positive!! 

Way too much happiness!!

I’m sick of it!!

Sorry not sorry. 😎

I wanna know what you hate!!! Let’s get mean!!!

I’ll go first: 

I hate when I’m walking on a sidewalk and someone starts walking next to me at the exact same pace. I mean, I was here first. You either need to accelerate or slow down! I’m not interested in a synchronized walk routine! 

I also hate mushrooms!! Fight me.

Hate brings people together. Let’s join together with anger. It’s fun. 😎

Tell me something you hate!!!

*I’ll add a bonus hate in the comments.

I have so much to be thankful for…

I’m thankful for my family, my friends, my health, my LinkedIn community, my amazing Free Bird team and I’m thankful to be having the best professional year of my life because of Free Bird  

Happy Thanksgiving. 
Gobble Gobble!!

Saturday morning coffee and thoughts:

Why don’t teenage boys wear jeans anymore? 

Does anyone actually like matcha or do they just say that? Have you tasted it? I saw a taste description: Earthy, grassy with a hint of bitterness. So it tastes like shit? Sounds about right.

Hot tubs are underrated.

Does anyone actually give a damn about a celebrity political statement? I don’t.

I’m obsessed with the group called The Favors. Great voices, great songs. Such a talented twosome. I highly recommend.

My social team wants me to have a founders presence on TikTok. I have done a little, but I’m struggling with what to do on there. It’s not as intuitive for me as LinkedIn. Any suggestions?

Velcro is pretty amazing. I don’t understand it, but I find it interesting.

What’s going to happen with the proposed ban on THC/hemp beverages? Will it happen or will something be worked out? A lot at stake.

My wife keeps filling up our cookie jar with Oreos despite me asking her to stop. She knows I have a problem. I think she might be trying to kill me. Murder by Oreo. If something happens to me…..😎

Free Bird has had a great week. My team is killing it. I’m so grateful.

Cheers y’all 
🆓🦅

No alternative text description for this image

STOP LYING!!!

You know who you are.

Yep, I’m talking to you too.

We all know.

We all hear it…

“We sold out seventeen times…”

“Shark Tank told us we were actually too successful to be on their show…”

“Every person who has taken my course on how to generate sales from emails is now a billionaire…”

“I woke up this morning with 300 connection requests…”

“We can’t keep up with demand and Jeff Bezos called me last night and told me to slow down because they can’t handle all of our orders…”

“I’m unfollowing hundreds of people every day because I can’t handle all the engagement…”

“I only joined LinkedIn a few months ago and I already have 25,000 followers…”

“I would never take Ozympic!!! I lost 75 pounds last week because I stopped eating Wheat Thins…”

“My mom still takes the crusts off my PB&J’s…” (wait that one’s true😎)

My point is this. 

A little well intended embellishment won’t hurt anyone. Most people really don’t care and will play along.

However, is it necessary to succumb to ridiculous over exaggerated claims to try to stand out? No. Those will always come back to haunt you.

Just stay consistent. Just be authentic. Just tell your story. Just be true to who you are and what is happening; good, bad or indifferent.

Just be you.

Are you THAT person?

Be honest.

Are you someone who has learned from your past or are you that person just making excuses because of it?

I used to be the one making excuses, but not anymore.

Most of us are somewhere on this journey.

Which one are you?

Btw, no shame if you’re still figuring it out. Sometimes it takes a while. That said, a good start is to stop blaming yesterday for everything happening today.

Just a little tip from someone who’s been there.

Me: Someone called me an influencer today on LinkedIn.
Wife: Ok.
Me: Ok?? Don’t you think that’s cool?
Wife: I guess.
Me: What?
Wife: Who exactly are you influencing?
Me: People.
Wife: What people?
Me: I don’t know, just people.
Wife: What’s your influence?
Me: What do you mean?
Wife: How are you influencing people?
Me: I don’t know, maybe I’m inspiring people.
Wife: To do what? Stop following you? LOL!!
Me: Wow, that’s so uncalled for.
Wife: I know. Oops.
Me: I definitely influenced you to marry me.
Wife: With this conversation, you are definitely influencing me to get a divorce.
Me: What a terrible thing to say.
Wife: Oops, I did it again. 😎
Me: OMG.
Wife: This is fun. Got any more influences for me today?
Me: I’ll pass.
Wife: Good talk.

Thank you Yahoo Finance for making me sound like I might actually know what I’m doing. 😉

Free Bird most certainly appreciates the coverage.

Cheers y’all.
🆓🦅

We are grateful for the recent spotlight in Yahoo Finance featuring why our founder, Jay Williams , left real estate to build Free Bird. Free Bird was never just about water. It was built on Jay’s belief that everyday people deserve something real, rooted in community, authenticity, and pride in the places and people that shape you.

We’re honored to see Jay’s story recognized, but this moment belongs to everyone who has helped shape Free Bird, from the team behind the scenes to the people cracking open cans across the country. Here’s to building something that matters. 

Drink Freely.

https://lnkd.in/gzpPYCYx

Open article: Why Jay Williams Left Real Estate to Create America's Best New Beverage Brand by finance.yahoo.com

Why Jay Williams Left Real Estate to Create America's Best New Beverage Brand

Unique opportunity:

For a limited window of time, I’m bringing on new investors for Free Bird. 

I don’t typically utilize this platform for potential investors, however, I thought it might be worth mentioning.

In full transparency, because we are so far ahead of our initial goals, we have a unique problem to solve. Simply put, we are way ahead of schedule and we need additional resources to accelerate responsibly.

We are well positioned and the iron is hot, as they say. I’ve never experienced this kind of momentum and it’s awesome. Although we need to remain methodical and tactical in our approach, we would be foolish not to take advantage of this wind at our back.

To date, we have had great success in fundraising and we’ve been fortunate to bring on a unique group of investors who are, not only interested in investing, but also have been helpful and aligned with our objectives. The goal is to keep the group small and keep the positive energy flowing.

As it relates to what we have ahead, our retail footprint is growing and our overall trajectory is significantly ahead of schedule. We have a lot to announce soon related to our retail expansion, including some exciting big names. 

Our retail store count should triple over the next 4-6 months. Considering we didn’t get into our first store until about six months ago, the fact that we will be at or near 1,500 stores during the second quarter of 2026 is pretty extraordinary. 

In addition, our sales online, most specifically Amazon, are excellent. We expect that this growth will continue. Of course, we have all kinds of other cool stuff going on and opportunities to grow in different ways. Needless to say, it’s an exciting time.

The investment we are speaking of is primarily intended to fund our retail expansion and the associated increased production and support.

If interested, please let me know. Serious inquiries only please.

Thank you.

Why are you doing this???

Seriously!!!

Shouldn’t you be sitting on a beach somewhere?

Haven’t you earned the right to slow down?

Maybe…

But no way!! That’s not for me.

Slow down and do what exactly? I mean, I may not be young anymore, but I’m not about to kick the bucket either.

I’m not quite ready for bingo and dinner at 4:00.

I’m still out here conquering the world!!

I’m all for anyone who wants to retire early and chill. You do you.

As for me, I’m just getting started. I’ll gladly sit on a beach someday and chill. However, only when that’s the only thing left I can do.

Until then, I’m all gas no brakes baby!!!

Life’s too short!

I want to live it!

Free Bird energizes me everyday!

Feeling good. 

Ready to go.

Free as a bird 😉

LinkedIn we need to talk.

You know I think you’re super cool and all, but…

I think we might need to slow things down.

Because, I mean…..like how many times are you gonna ask me if I like you??

I mean, it’s like every day. Over and over.

You know I like you. I wouldn’t spend all this time with you if I didn’t. I even went to Home Goods with you last weekend.

I’m not trying to start a fight and you’re important to me, but it feels kind of desperate on your part if I’m being honest.

Please know that I’m not telling you how to feel, but you’ve really got to chill.

What’s really going on?

Are you peepin my other socials? You think I spend too much time on Insta? You stalking me on TikTok?

Am I not allowed to have friends?

I just don’t like feeling smothered. 

I mean, it’s been over a year. You’re with me all the time. 

You’ve met my parents. 

We bought a crockpot together.

You’ve got a toothbrush at my house.

Isn’t that enough?

I don’t know, something feels off.

Maybe I need some space.

Maybe we need to take a break.

It’s not you, it’s me.

I’m sorry.

I’ll pray for you.

I hope you will get the help you need.

Wife: I just love Thanksgiving.
Me: Why?
Wife: I’m thankful.
Me: Nice to meet you thankful, I’m Jay.
Wife: Seriously?
Me: What?
Wife: I know what I’m not thankful for.
Me: That your parents named you thankful?
Wife: Ugh…
Me:😎
Wife: You’re such a turkey.
Me: Thank you thankful.
Wife: 
Me: You look nice today…..thankful
Wife:
Me:🤷
Wife:
Me: Ok I’ll stop now.

Sunday morning thoughts:

I’m never drinking again.

I’m never eating again.

I’m lying about both of those, but I feel like an overstuffed and over served turkey. Looking forward to a week of detox and reset.

I love college football. 

Although a bit cliche, I like a week of reflection and gratitude. It’s good for the soul.

I had never watched Dancing With the Stars, but I watched a little bit last week. Although I don’t know much about these people, I came away thinking that Alix Earle and Robert Erwin were good dancers and nice people, despite all the haters saying otherwise.

I ate more dessert over the last four days than the previous four months. 

What has happened to network television? I mean, these shows they have on now are so bad. I miss the good old days of well written sitcoms and quality shows.

I’ve come to the conclusion that 88% of life’s decisions revolve around food.

Ironically, I’ve been severely under hydrated this week. Anyone know a good water guy?😉

Nothing beats having good friends and a happy family.

Free Bird is on sale at a hefty discount on Amazon for Black Friday/Cyber Monday. The most we’ve ever discounted. 
Getcha some!!

Cheers y’all.

Say what you mean…

and mean what you say.

I just solved 68% of your problems.

You’re welcome.

“From Thanksgiving til the end of the year, nobody gets anything done”…

Bullshit.

Hearing this drives me crazy. We will all hear it 100 times over the next few weeks.

Yes, I get it, the holidays, parties, family things, personal stuff, shopping, etc.

However, we aren’t sitting around doing nothing. I can assure you. 

We aren’t using that excuse to coast until 2026. Nope.

Btw, this isn’t some kind of hard driving, overdone workaholic mantra. It’s just common sense.

I have things that need to get done. Plain and simple.

I don’t plan on overdosing on eggnog and pound cake and laying there in a self induced sugar coma for the next 30 days until New Year’s (although that sounds kind of nice 😎).

We can get shit done and we can have fun too. Both can coexist.

Happy holidays.

Woke today feeling happy. Feeling lucky.

That feeling is great, but also a reminder that many people woke up today feeling the opposite. 

Keep them in mind.

Better yet, do something!

I’m going to go out of my way to try to make a difference for someone today. I don’t know what that is or for whom and it may be a small difference, but I am going to make the effort.

Perhaps others reading this might be inspired to try to do the same. If so, just think of the collective difference we can make.

What’s that smell?

Is it you?

You stink.

Haha, sorry.🤭

That smell is the roses.

Let me explain…

“What you are doing is special. Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses along the way”

That’s an exact quote from a meeting I had yesterday afternoon.

It was a very nice thing to hear, but more importantly, a great reminder.

A great reminder to stop, drop and roll. Wait, no…..wrong one. 😎

A great reminder to stop. Breathe. Look around. Take it all in. Appreciate what you have and what you’re doing. No matter how big or small, if it’s meaningful to you, it matters.

We all get so busy that we sometimes forget to slow down and appreciate everything right in front of us.

Life’s too short. Don’t let it pass you by and miss out on the good stuff happening all around you.

Smell the roses.

taplio

The Battle

Matt Carle

Jay Williams

Followers

Posts

Engagements

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Performance ScoreJay Williams's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

Matt Carle

Jay Williams

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Jay Williams's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreJay Williams's LinkedIn Performance