Building Loved Businesses

Hiring for Heart, Serving with Purpose: Inside Matt Fitzpatrick’s Customer-First Culture

Nathan Schock

In this episode of Building Loved Businesses, I sit down with Matt Fitzpatrick, State Farm agent, former basketball coach, and someone whose journey to business ownership is anything but ordinary. Matt opens up about leaving a stable career to take a leap of faith into entrepreneurship, the influential coach who shaped his path, and the gritty early years of building his agency from scratch.

We talk about the turning point that finally came in year three, what it takes to build a strong team and culture, and how prioritizing his health, faith, and family made him a better leader. Matt also shares the simple but powerful customer-service habits that transformed his agency into a referral-driven business, and why loving your customers is the ultimate competitive advantage.

If you’re a business owner, leader, or anyone navigating growth and uncertainty, Matt’s story will resonate deeply. This is an honest look at the challenges, habits, and mindset that turn a small business into a loved business.