At 16 Nevada Matthews left school to forge a career in print, now at 19 he is the manager of Brisbane’s InHouse Print & Design.

“I would be silly if I did not understand my age is barrier,” Matthews says. “When suppliers or customers walk in and meet me for the first time they always have an astonished look on their face when they realise how young I am.” 

Though many would dismiss him due to his young age, Matthews has more experience than most and was just a baby when his grandparents, Bob and Di Karlsson decided to start a print business underneath their family home. 

Matthews had his first taste of the industry at age 10 when he was paid five cents for every box of business cards he packed.

He recalls, “When I was in high school, if I ever got in trouble and sent home from school my punishment was to operate the folding machine at the store – which I hated.”

When Matthews joined the family business at 16, he had no formal training or qualifications and had to learn everything there is to know about running a print business on the job.

“I started out as a factory hand because I did not know much about printing,” he explains. “Then I started learning to use all the machines in the factory and after managing the production, one thing lead to another and I am now managing the whole business.”

When InHouse started out back in 1999, it was a basic printer with its main work in business cards, tax invoice books and flyers.

Over the years different family members have floated in and out, and the business has moved out from underneath a house to bigger premises in Underwood, Brisbane. 

Today InHouse has three separate businesses – Print & Design, Publishing, and Signs, with each operating independently. Matthews has played an instrumental role in assisting the business diversify into new markets.

He says, “These days my job involves business processes, growing the business and training staff. The staff here look after the customers, whereas I see my job as to look after the staff. Their number one priority is the customers, and my number one priority is them.”  

Matthews juggles long hours at the shop with normal teenage hobbies such as going to the gym, spending time with his girlfriend and playing Xbox. 

Though managing a business would be stressful for any teenager, Matthews says is working in his dream job and credits his successes to supportive family, friends and staff.

“My grandfather and grandmother have been especially encouraging, but at the same time everyone at InHouse has been extremely supportive,” he says.

“The reason why I do a good job is because I understand that I am not the smartest person in the place. I am only 19 and I rely a lot on other people’s expertise, I do not make all the decisions myself.”   

You can read more about Nevada Matthews in the upcoming November issue of Australian Printer.

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