Matt has led a nomadical life living in 7 different states as well as 3 years in Saudi Arabia as a child. After high school he pursued a degree in Economics from Arizona State University and continued at Claremont Graduate University, obtaining his masters in Politics Economics and Business. Matt joined the United States Peace Corps as a Small Enterprise Development volunteer in Moldova serving 2 years in Balti. It was during that time that his love of Moldova, homebrewing, and cooking developed and led to the decision to stay in Moldova to pursue the opening of a cafe in central Chisinau.