Matt Duboise and a Business Born From Necessity
Matt Duboise always expected to start a company, yet the chicken coop industry surprised him. During the 2008 recession, his family faced serious financial pressure after moving to North Carolina. So he salvaged materials from dumpsters, built his first coop, and sold it through Craigslist. That small sale revealed a market with real demand. Today, we explore how necessity shaped his approach to business growth.
How a Small Workshop Found Its Customers
Back in New York, a larger workshop helped Matt build faster and recognize repeat customer requests. Then a conversation about SEO pushed him to invest in getting found online. Soon, calls surged and he began hiring employees to keep pace with demand. Meanwhile, his challenge shifted from making every coop himself to building a company that could keep up. He now leads more than 30 employees and serves customers around the world. His experience shows how business growth changes a founder’s daily work.
Why Matt Rethought Pricing and Production
As demand climbed, Matt learned to put real costs behind his prices. He shares a simple target: 25% materials, 25% labor, 25% overhead, and 25% profit. However, he says that profit target has remained difficult to reach. He also explains why his wife handled pricing and how delegation became essential. For founders, business growth means knowing your value and giving trusted people real responsibility.
Chickens, Childhood, and a Different Way to Learn
The conversation reaches back to childhood, when caring for chicks sparked Matt’s interest in animals. He struggled in traditional classrooms yet excelled in hands on vocational training. Later, he saw how chickens connected children with learning and gave adults meaningful routines. He shares customers’ personal stories about comfort, connection, and spending time with their birds. These experiences give business growth a purpose that extends beyond sales.
What Duboise Learned About Leadership and Risk
After building a bigger team, Matt faced new problems with communication, hiring, and company culture. As a result, he started viewing his role more like a coach. He credits direct mentors with challenging his habits, sharpening his message, and helping him trust his instincts. Finally, he reflects on risk, family support, and the choice to pursue a difficult dream. His advice connects business growth with persistence, practical learning, and a willingness to act.
More From Matt Duboise
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-duboise-30ba411b1
https://www.instagram.com/carolinacoops
https://www.facebook.com/carolinacoops
https://www.youtube.com/@CarolinaCoops
https://www.linkedin.com/company/carolina-coops
