Meet Matt Warner, president at Empire Netting and Fence.
Tell us a little about your business. – Empire (www.empire-fence.com) is a super unique company that doesn’t accept the meaning of “No”. Over the years, we have taken on some incredible projects all over the country. Most people locally know us as a backyard fence company but there is so much more to our story. We have worked in every corner of the United States and have even been to Lima, Peru in South America. We are currently working on a special project in Puerto Rico and Bermuda. Sports netting and commercial fence is by far our largest workload, and our netting division has been the backbone of who we are and what we are known for all over the nation.
How did you get started in the business? – We learned how to do netting in 2005 while on a project in Kansas City. The netting company we hired never showed up to the project, so I did it myself. It was difficult but I really enjoyed it. Years later, I saw a netting project that was up for bid in St. Joseph, Missouri, so I threw our hat in the ring and won. The rest is history! We still do netting for that same customer in St. Joseph. We learned how to do stainless steel netting years later on a project in Tulsa. This was by far the most challenging project we have done. It was on the Arkansas River and flooded a few times while we were there working. This project proved to us we could handle anything.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Getting our company back to Waverly was a very big step in the right direction for Empire. My family has been a part of the Waverly community for a long time and it’s where we belong.
Tell us a little about your family. – Melanie and I started dating in high school and graduated together from Waverly High. We have three children—Benjamin, Melissa, and Ashley—and one dog named Sedley. We attend Bethlehem Covenant Church, a small country church that I grew up in and have now raised our family in. Christ is the center of our world, and we give Him all the glory in all we do!
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Failing in my first business. I had to learn how to surrender it all.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Hang out with family and friends in my garage!
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I’m a big shoe guy. At Empire, we supply boots for our field crews. The importance of this is twofold. After my first failed business, I didn’t have enough money to purchase a nice pair of comfortable work boots, so I bought cheap ones and my feet hurt every day. I swore if I owned my own company, I’d give my employees comfortable boots so their feet wouldn’t hurt while on the job. Secondly, the greatest leader of all time was also the greatest servant—Jesus washed the feet of His disciples to show His love for them. I try to show my crews that I care for them by putting boots on their feet.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever given? – Don’t sweat the small stuff.
If you could have a super power, what would it be? – To heal all pain, suffering, and mental illness.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – Good to Great by Jim Collins.
What is your favorite movie? – Jeremiah Johnson.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 682-7658; matt@empire-fence.com; www.empire-fence.com.