Introducing The Founder Of GigWorx: Matt Alvarez

Meet the visionary behind GigWorx, Matt Alvarez, and discover how his passion and unique journey have shaped the on-demand staffing industry. The GigWorx marketing team sat down with the CEO and founder to ask some frequently asked questions about the company's distinctive business model. 

From Passion to Innovation: The Birth of GigWorx

We talk a lot about the gig economy, flexibility for our GigWorkers, staffing solutions for our clients, and how we can support both sides of the equations. But recently, we’ve been reminding ourselves of the core of GigWorx: passion, grit, integrity, and all of that starts with our founder and CEO. 

Meet Matt Alvarez, the founder of GigWorx. Before launching the company, Matt was like many of our GigWorkers: pursuing a life built around doing things he loved, rather than following a traditional 9-5 path. He checked lift tickets at a ski area, ran snowcats, fixed hot tubs, worked in commercial development, anything to keep him doing the things he loved in the places he cared about. Eventually, his life started to shift, and he felt a desire to build something - not just for his present self, but for the person he once was: someone who needed work to fund their passions. GigWorx was created to connect hard-working people craving flexibility with businesses in need of better ways to find quality staff. 

When asked where the idea behind GigWorx came from, he shared: 

"We always joked that “no one moves to Big Sky to work” which insinuated that people didn’t want to work, which is untrue. You have lots of really hard-working people that also happen to be passionate about their lives outside of work. Local businesses never really had a way to find extra staff to meet spikes in demand other than asking their current employees if they knew anyone. " 

GigWorx was born out of a need to connect these businesses with reliable staffing solutions, while giving hard-working individuals the flexibility to pursue their passions. Matt's vision was to create a platform that would bridge this gap, leveraging technology to streamline the process and make it more effective for both workers and employers.

Overcoming Challenges: The Balancing Act of Building a Business

Building GigWorx was not without its hurdles. Matt faced numerous challenges, from navigating the impacts of COVID-19 to dealing with legal and financial complexities. However, one of the most persistent challenges has been maintaining balance, both within the business and in his personal life.

"We are constantly challenged by making sure we have a balance between the two major components of our business; clients and staff. It is so hard to strike that balance perfectly and at the end of the day all you can do is keep trying. Balance in my personal life too. Having a family and starting a business is tough. It’s gotten easier over the years, but in a world where you are constantly connected through technology and have people working year-round around the clock, you must find ways to create boundaries and therefore balance."

Matt emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, like leaving his work phone downstairs after 7 p.m., to ensure he can spend quality time with his family. This commitment to balance is mirrored in GigWorx's mission to provide flexible work opportunities that help individuals maintain a healthy work-life equilibrium. 

Learning and Evolving: The Journey of a Founder

The journey of founding GigWorx has been a constant learning experience. One of Matt's biggest lessons has been adapting to the ever-changing needs of the business.

"What seemed like the end of the world in the early days has lost importance over time and something new has taken it’s place. So striking a balance between a solid foundation, scalable procedures and then also looking ahead so that we don’t get completely stuck in our ways."

Maintaining a strong foundation while staying flexible enough to evolve has been key. This approach ensures that GigWorx can scale effectively without becoming stagnant. Matt's ability to balance these aspects has been crucial in navigating the complexities of growing a startup in the competitive staffing industry.

Franchising GigWorx: New Horizons and Surprising Insights

GigWorx recently began franchising! The decision to franchise GigWorx opened new horizons for the company. When Matt was asked what surprised him the most about the franchising process, he said:

"So many things, but I think the most significant change was working with our franchisees. Constantly reminding myself that while we know our business inside and out, they are new to it and we can’t take anything for granted in our training and approach. In addition, the way you need to work with your franchisees. You are partners and you can never forget that you have to coach and assist from a place of leadership and not management."

Understanding that franchisees are partners, not just managers, has been essential. This partnership approach ensures that franchisees feel supported and empowered to succeed, reflecting GigWorx's commitment to fostering strong, local ownership that is deeply invested in the community's success.

Beyond Work: Finding Balance and Recharging

GigWorx was founded on the belief that work should fuel your passions, and this belief is deeply reflected in the internal team. For Matt, recharging outside of work is vital. 

"Time with the family is big but also getting outside. I spend way more time than I used to indoors and that’s a struggle. Anytime I can be outdoors and active really helps to offset the copious amount of screentime I get."

Whether it's spending time in nature or enjoying family activities, these moments provide the balance needed to stay focused and energized.

Advice for Business Owners Thinking about Franchising: 

For any small business owners considering a franchising model, Matt suggests taking the time to deeply evaluate what's most important in the business, and how that will be reflected in future investors and partners. 

"Consider your business model and if it really requires what essentially amounts to additional investors/partners. Is having someone invested, financially and personally, important to you and the success of the brand? For GigWorx, we are a people business and not just about technology. Having local owners in every market is not simply a complement to the business, it’s essential. They know the market, they know the people and they care deeply about the success of their business."

Matt's story and commitment to balance are a testament to the values he instills in GigWorx. The company not only aims to provide flexible work solutions but also promotes a healthy work-life balance for its team and GigWorx. This commitment shapes the foundation of the company and is clearly reflected in its culture.