Meet Matt Jix” Pritchett | Screen Printer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matt “Jix” Pritchett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matt “Jix”, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Haha. This is so important to me in this moment. If you would have asked me this 10 years ago, while I was starting my business, my answer was “Team No Sleep!!”, or, “I will Sleep When Im Dead.” That has change tremendously over the last few years. A few reasons probably lead me here, to where peace is the most important thing I strive for. Its no longer money, or impressing certain people, or even really impressing myself. It seemed like the more money I made, the harder I had to work. And the more money I made, the less I was enjoying life. I was almost happier, being a broke creative person. Things were so simple in that space.

Loss of relationships with people who were really important in my life, pushed me to a place of great sadness. In that sadness, I was left to turn inward. Towards the end of these relationships, I was told that my “pursuit of building something took the fun out of me.” That crushed me because everything I was doing was to make a better, more comfortable like for everyone around me. Enter Yoga. Sadness lead me to Yoga, and to myself. Here I started to learn balance. Not only physical, but everything around me changed. My diet, my mental calm, my desires…It all changed. And ironically learning to let go of certain things, like control, I actually made more money.

I was starting to relax and play again. I wasnt fighting myself. I was flowing. I was in a Flow State with myself, and my life. I certainly have a tendency to forget and take on too much, but the difference is I feel it a lot quicker, or, Im more aware of the shift. So I practice this balance thing constantly. Sometimes Im good at it, and the other times I use as learning lessons. Im a huge fan of Pros/Cons lists. Those usually show me pretty quickly if things will fit or not. Diet, fun, work, and spirituality all need equal focus. One falls off, and the rest usually follow.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I went to college as a graphic design major with dreams of working in print. I love colors, images, and good typography. Well, the interwebs sorta made that what it is today. A dying art form. At least financially speaking. While in school I realized I didn’t know how to really used a camera, and asked the school if I could audit the film classes. I think because I was so active in my college, they allowed me to as long as I participated and took it serious. So I did. I wanted to know it all.

One day I had a project to “Self Brand” ourself as an artist. Being a fan of DIY screen printing from my raver days in the 90’s I decided to have some shirts made with my logo on them. I ended up selling over 300 shirts out of my car for extra money while in school. My screen printer was frustrated with me for wanting so much control over my shirts, coming from his operation, that he basically gave me a screen press set up, and the rest was history. Now I run JixDid Design in Florida. I have printed for Spotify and RedBull. I have had some international accounts. I even printed some clothes that made it onto Shaq and Tyler Herro from the Miami Heat. Mostly though I have a small group of clients that have stayed with me over the years. Start Up companies that are successful today, and a lot of the south Florida Yoga and Crossfit community.

I design logos and do digital creation like videos and photoshoots but Im mostly of a custom boutique printer. I have never advertised. Just word of mouth. I believe if you do people right, and strive for quality relationships, things just fall into place. I have made the “big bucks” in the past, but it started to lose its appeal. “More money more problems” to me, means less fun. Im in this to enjoy myself, and to get my hands dirty with colors. At the end of the day, if I can make enough money to eat healthy and surf when I want to, Im happy. That is my fulcrum for balance.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In any city I have lived in, I think the historical areas are important. Cobblestone streets and architecture. I like to find the art districts and graffiti. Some people get afraid of what I think is important to see. Im a fan of the beach and the outdoors. If Im touring a person in any city I live in, we are headed to the water. And usually that means we will eat on or near it. Most likely seafood. We will go out to South Beach and find some Cuban Food is a diner or cafe. And not a fancy place either. Paper place mats with the state history printed on them. Some Cuban coffee, and off to Wynwood to walk around and let our eyes melt at all the graffiti on EVERYTHING. And then, only a few are down, we are absolutely be going to Space in Miami. Florida has a lot of really great night life and world class music, so “when in Rome.” The next morning we go have breakfast on a dockside spot, and then to the beach. To end the day, we make our way to South Pointe Park to watch the sunset behind downtown Miami and hang with the locals, listening to the drum circle, watch and play with the acro yogis, and just chill. “I live where you vacation” is real.. haha.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Number 1 i my mentor/sponsor Thomas Gooch. He believed in me when nobody, including myself, thought I could pull myself out of the hell I was living in 14 years ago. He convinced me to chase my art dreams, and go to college at 34 years old. The rest is history. I would not be here without him.

Next are my Yoga ladies. Christine, Shay, and Amanda. They assisted with alignment of my mind body and soul. Im in beteer shape mentally and physically at 47, then I was in my 20s/30s. A lot of the balance I have acquired in my life today comes from classes and convos with these women.

Sean Drake with Supermarket Creative. Met in art school and have been a fan ever since. He has successfully run an art career in Miami, and done with integrity, which is important to me. Always comes with solid advice and forethought when I have questions about navigating the realms in which we collect coins from passions.

Johnny Baselife Gamez with a heart of gold and compassion for people in need. He wont turn his back on people that are suffering. We need more of him in the world. Always around to listen, cry if needed, and then laugh it off in the end.

And Jeffery Adams Jensen is my no BS, strait shooter friend who will tell me the truth when others dance around it. We all need solid people around us. My favorite quote is “When the character of a man is not clear, look at his friends” Japanese Proverb

I have learned from 100s of people over years, but the ones next to me all have solid charater.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattjix/

Image Credits
all are mine, taken by me or with my camera.