We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kris Mathis. Check out our conversation below.
Kris, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
One thing that has brought me joy are my kids.
My daughter is growing up and she loves cheerleading and now preparing for volleyball. My son is an actor and was in a commercial for the game company Tetris earlier this year.
Seeing both of them prosper in their own way has been a bright spot in my day and it keeps me motivated to push forward and support them.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kris Mathis and I’m a speaker, author, entrepreneur, and business coach. But honestly, before any of those titles, I’m a father, husband, and someone who loves helping others win in life and business.
I grew up in Grand Rapids, MI. in the heart of the city. Where I’m from success wasn’t something that was handed to you. We were faced with immeasurable odds that we had to fight to overcome to win. The journey of getting out of poverty; beating the odds that were against me; and then going on to win shaped how I see the world and how I teach others today. Everything I do, whether it’s on stage, in coaching sessions, or through my companies, is rooted in helping people see what’s possible no matter where they’re starting from.
My work blends motivation and mindset with real-world business strategy. I believe success isn’t just about working harder, it’s about working smarter, telling your story well, and building something that actually matters.
Right now, I’m focused on my Marketing Masterclass Series titled, “Everything They Don’t Teach You About Marketing & Branding.” This is where I teach entrepreneurs everything they never learned about how to properly tell your story and market your business in a way that really drives results. And I also run Raise A Glass Wine Tours, which is all about bringing people together for connection, culture, and great wine and food experiences. I own several businesses, but these are a couple of the most well known.
At the end of the day, my mission is simple: I want to inspire, to teach, and to help people win in business and in life.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a kid, I used to believe that where I came from would limit where I could go. You see, I grew up in poverty, single mother and my father was on drugs for 30 years of his life (13 years sober). I thought that because I didn’t have much, I don’t come from much, that I wasn’t meant for much. When you grow up surrounded by struggle, it’s easy to believe that’s all life has for you. For a long time, I carried that mindset, that success was for people who had more, knew more, or came from a different world.
But over time, life and faith taught me something different. Every obstacle I faced wasn’t meant to hold me back, it was preparing me for the very things I dreamed about, but also didn’t see how I’d get to them. My challenges built my resilience, my faith built my vision, and my story became my strength. I no longer believe my past defines me. I believe it refined me for what I was called to do.
Now I use this very story to help motivate, inspire, and educate others on how to win the same way I did.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. There were plenty of times I thought about giving up. I still give up and come back now. Ha ha! I remember one season in particular. I was trying to build my speaking business, but nothing seemed to be working. The money wasn’t coming in, doors weren’t opening, and I was watching people around me succeed while I was barely staying afloat. I questioned everything, my purpose, my calling, even whether I was built for this.
But here’s what I learned. Sometimes you don’t need a new plan, you just need a little more faith. I realized that giving up wouldn’t end the struggle, it would only guarantee I’d never see what was waiting on the other side of it. So I kept going. I stopped chasing perfection and started trusting the process. Looking back now, I’m grateful I didn’t quit, because everything I have today was on the other side of that breaking point.
That led me to writing my first book, From Success to Significance. One of the chapters is called, “You Must Have Faith.”
Faith carried me when I had nothing left and was ready to give up. Then I found reason to keep going and it changed everything.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Of course! It’s the only way I know. What people see publicly is who I really am. I’m honest, real, and authentically me in every room I step into. I don’t change the way I speak to impress anyone. My journey has made me into who I am and that’s all I know how to be. The messages I share, the energy I bring, the stories I tell, that all comes from real life experiences. I don’t believe in creating a persona just to look successful. I’ve been through too much to pretend.
Now, that does not mean people see every part of my life. There are sides of me that are private moments that I keep for myself and my family. I don’t typically share these moments publicly. I believe it’s important to have this because as a public figure this is the only bit of “normal life” you have left. If you give it all away you end up living something that won’t make you happy.
The person you see on stage, in my videos, or online, that’s me. The same guy who is still learning, still growing, and still believing in what’s possible. I’ve found that authenticity connects deeper than perfection ever could.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that they appreciated my authenticity, my love for others, and I made them believe in themselves again. That I reminded them they were capable of more than they thought and I gave them new purpose to fight for what they want. That I used my voice, my story, and my gifts to help others win.
I don’t care if people remember every speech or every project I worked on. What matters most to me is that something I said, did, or built helped someone keep going when they wanted to give up.
If that’s the story people tell about me when I’m gone, then I’m good with that. If I helped them see what was possible, then I know I did what I was called to do and did my best with it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.krismathis.com
- Instagram: @krismathis
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krismathis1
- Twitter: @krismathis
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kris.mathis.98/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KrisMathisSpeaks
- Other: SpeakerMatch: https://speakermatch.com/profile/speaker/krismathis/biography
Image Credits
The picture with my book in the background goes to, Cool World Photography.
The painting goes to the artist, Ella Aimee.
