Crew / Matthew Connar

Matthew C. Connar, BFA

Matthew C. Connar hails from Maryland. He is a son of a schoolteacher and minister. Early in his life Matt was identified as gifted in the visual arts. His adolescence was filled with extra curricular art classes and programs, as well participation in team sports. These creative and physical influences helped to mold Matt into a competitive and creative thinker.

Matthew graduated in the top fifteen percent of his class at West Virginia University with minors in photography and psychology. Matt was one of a few fine art students who were accepted into the WVU Creative Arts Center's Graphic Arts Program, a centerpiece of the WVU Visual Arts Department. The graphic art program, unlike most university design programs, is equally balanced in the mediums of traditional art, art history, photography, and graphic art.

Two weeks after graduation Matthew landed a job as a Graphic Artist at MeriStar Hotels & Resorts. At the time MeriStar owned and managed over 256 resorts & hotels internationally. He enjoyed the diversity of the work, from designing for small boutique hotels in South Beach, to large full service properties, such as South Seas Resort on Captiva Island. Matt was also responsible for the creative marketing of MeriStar's Food & Beverage venues, as well as creative promotion for many special events.

Matthew left MeriStar in 2001 in search of another industry to sharpen his talents. Matt took the opportunity to expand his creative range by becoming an in-house Art Director for Chico's FAS, an international retail company which operates 796 women's specialty stores. At Chico's he played an integral part in national ad campaigns and was responsible for point-of-purchase creative for all stores and outlets.

In early 2002 Matthew took a leap in faith, from the security of a salaried position with benefits, to venture forth on his own. Thus, Boost Creative was successfully born!

The ensuing years have revealed a thriving company that welcomes a diversity of new clients. The fact that Boost now generates over eighty percent of its work from returning clients, or from client referrals, is a true testimony to client satisfaction with Matt's company.

Not only has Matt proudly seen the expansion of Boost Creative's employee base, business associations, and client growth, Matt has also proudly witnessed a boost in his personal life. During the time Matt was nurturing Boost's roots, Matt was married to his wife Kelly. Today, Matt and Kelly have grown their family, with the addition of four children. Daughters, Alexandra and Samantha and sons, Cooper & Carson. Matt calls his children, his "Little Motivators".

Keeping true to his roots and values, Matthew is active in the art community and recreational sports teams. Giving back to the community is very important to Matt. He and Kelly support several charities and non-profit organizations. Matthew is an active member of the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce. He is currently Chair of the Cape Coral Junior Leadership Program and holds a seat on the Cape Coral Leadership Advisory Committee. Matthew is a member of BNI (Business Networking International) and a graduate of CERT (Citizens Emergency Response Team). He is also a youth soccer coach.

Additionally, Matt welcomes the opportunity to speak to budding young artists on a broad range of subjects. Currently focusing on a Master's degree, Matthew hopes to have an opportunity to serve on the academic staff of a university after his business career.