Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Araiza.
Hi Matt, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I started MattieCakes when I got let go from my first big-boy corporate job in Kansas City in 2015. At first, I was bummed, but I quickly realized that sitting at desk all day was not for me. I remembered when I would bring in baked goods into the office for my co-workers they would say, “Oh you should sell these!” and then it finally dawned on me that I could turn my hobby for baking and sharing my love of sweets with others into a job that I actually enjoyed! I’ve been creating custom desserts since then and helping people celebrate all life’s events. Birthday parties, bridal showers, corporate events, baby showers, holidays, weddings – you name it I’ve most likely done it.
Right around this time, I was working part-time at a local gym and one of my go-to instructors recommended I get certified in one of the classes I would regularly attend. I did it with no expectations and it sparked my love for connecting with others in a different way than I had ever before. I began teaching fitness classes part-time while working full-time as an event planner in Kansas City. I loved doing both, but as I began to earn more certifications and broaden my fitness class repertoire, I realized I really wanted to be in the studio more than ever. I got accepted into the SoulCycle instructor training program in 2019 and that’s when I decided to make the leap into fitness full-time. I moved to Dallas at the end of 2019 and hit the ground running fully submersing myself in the Dallas fitness community.
In addition to being at SoulCycle, I teach at Equinox & SESSION Pilates. I love the Dallas community and I am so grateful to be able to do what I love every day.
I look back and realize that being let go back in 2015 was honestly the biggest blessing in disguise as it pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me realize what my true passions were and how I could turn those into a business that I could share and connect with others.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been anything but smooth, but very much a learning experience as I continue to grow as a fitness professional and a small business owner.
Some top things that I think of and go WOW, I did that are:
-baking 400 cupcakes for a wedding in a span of 24 hours
-packing up my Kansas City apartment in a small pod to be placed in storage prior to SoulCycle training without knowing where I would be teaching after training
-beginning my full-time fitness career then suddenly having to stop when all the studios closed down
-teaching virtual fitness classes in a spare bedroom at my parents’ house during the lockdown and screaming into a camera multiple times a week
-shipping MattieCakes orders all over the world during the height of the pandemic
-navigating fitness post-pandemic and realizing how people’s habits and patterns around fitness changed.
All that being said it’s been one heck of a rollercoaster. All these struggles have taught me how to pivot in an ever-changing world and if there’s a will there’s a way!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a fitness professional I strive to make fitness fun and accessible to all no matter where one is on their fitness journey. There is an always spot for you in my class!
I teach at both Dallas SoulCycle locations, barre classes at Equinox, and group & private classes at SESSION Pilates. I like to keep my class offerings diverse just like any training program so it keeps it interesting as well as helps keep the body working in different modalities to prevent plateauing.
I am most proud of creating my unique footprint in the Dallas fitness community. It was honestly very intimidating starting out in the very saturated Dallas community, but I found that by staying true to myself helped me stand out and offered something different that didn’t exist before.
I like fitness to be fun yet effective! It doesn’t have to be so serious. We’ve got a short amount of time in class, and if you’re going to trust me with your precious time, I’m gonna make sure we use it as best as we can. I’ll have you sweating, laughing, jamming out to the music, and forget that your butt is on fire. Oh, and I’m not shy about wearing a costume – I take themes VERY seriously! 🙂
MattieCakes specializes in custom dessert orders for any occasion. I bake everything from scratch and super fresh. No shortcuts when it comes to celebrating the little and big things in your life! MattieCakes loves creating custom layer cakes, cookies, and cupcakes in many different flavors!
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Go to the networking event when you don’t feel like it! When you show up it matters. You might meet someone that might change your life, no joke! I keep expectations low and always try to meet at least three new people before leaving a networking event. When I take the pressure off myself is usually when I have the best meaningful conversations.
As far as finding a mentor, find someone that is doing what you would like to do. Maybe someone in your dream job or someone that has been doing their work for a long time and has been through the ups and downs of the past couple of years! I love talking to colleagues that have been in the fitness industry for many years and just seeing what has worked for them on their journey and what are the most surprising things they have learned along the way. There is so much to learn from sharing our stories with others!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattaraiza/
Image Credits
Richard Payne Studios
Heidi Adams Creative
