Daily Inspiration: Meet Nathaniel Mathis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathaniel Mathis.

Alright, thank you for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
After working in home improvement for 30 years (15 years with Home Depot and 15 years with Lowe’s Companies, inc.) as an operations manager, I decided to leave the industry altogether. If I’m being honest, the Covid-19 pandemic played a huge part in my decision. During the height of Covid, the demands placed on me, I felt, were too much. I no longer enjoyed my work as the hours increased weekly, so I started researching ways to start my own business. Before this, I had downloaded and experimented with several delivery apps and enjoyed the freedom of working whenever I wanted. I knew instantly that I could do it full-time and support my family. In November 2020, I initiated my exit strategy from home improvement. I thoroughly researched the logistics industry, created an LLC, and started looking for a box truck or a van. Once I registered with the NC secretary of state, I started receiving calls from local courier companies that got my information from the NC secretary of state’s website, asking if I would contract with them. They were particularly interested in me because I was located between Charlotte and Wilmington, NC, which meant that I was close to any major city. I left home improvement and went full-time into couriering in July of 2021.  I have several contracts from courier companies ranging from Tennessee to Raleigh, NC, and we specialize in couriering/delivering small packages, medical supplies, covid tests, etc.

Would it have been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In the beginning, it could have been smoother. There was no guideline or anyone to talk to, so I had to learn through trial and error. Some of the struggles were knowing how to bid on jobs, managing driving hours, and knowing what pay was acceptable and what was not. I was afraid to say no initially, so I accepted every offer (several times losing money or barely breaking even).  Other challenges were not being adequately prepared, where I accepted jobs and lacked the necessary equipment to make the job efficient and profitable.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Saying that I own a logistics company generally confuses people, so I make it simpler by explaining that I am a combination of Fedex and Dash couriers. I deliver anywhere from North Carolina to Tennessee and as far south as Georgia. We specialize in deliveries from the Triad to Triangle, where we guarantee same day delivery. I have several medical certifications that I use to gain more medical courier contracts.  I work with several local business owners that hire me to deliver their products to customers or other businesses and I am often hired by people to pick something up from retail stores that may be too heavy for them, or they may have an issue with the delivery fee of the retailer and find my quote more competitive.

What were you like growing up?
My sister and I were born in Paterson, NJ and grew up in eastern North Carolina. We went from a blue collar manufacturing town to the country, where farming was the way of life. Growing up in eastern North Carolina, I saw first hand the importance of hard work and entrepreneurship. My father worked in manufacturing until he retired and prior to retirement he started a business that he still maintains today. My mother worked full time, kept a household, and still managed side hustles as a seamstress and hair dresser. Currently my sister is a Paralegal but has several businesses in addition to that. My parents taught us the value of a dollar and working for ourselves early on in life, so my earliest memories were of working in the tobacco and blueberry fields during the summer. I have no doubt that those years were pivotal to my development as a business owner.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mathislogisticsunlimited.com
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mathislog
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathaniel-mathis-mba-9bab0458/

Image Credits
Exquisite Experience Venue, LLC. Remisha Jones HBCU Pride & Joy Nichole Phillips