Matthew V. Blackwell: Building, Rebuilding, and Leading Forward

A Practical Leader With a Hands-On Career Journey

Some business leaders rise through one industry. Others build their own path. Matthew V. Blackwell belongs to the second group. His career spans data analytics, food manufacturing, electric bikes, ecommerce, and real estate. He is based in Woodbridge, Connecticut, where he lives and works today.

The steps may look different on paper, but they share a clear thread: work hard, stay adaptable, and keep moving.

“I’ve seen highs and lows in my life,” he says. “Success isn’t one thing. It changes, and you work with what comes next.”

His story is grounded, practical, and built on real experience — the kind that shapes steady leadership over time.

Early Influences That Shaped a Builder

Matthew grew up in Fairfield and Monroe, Connecticut, in a close-knit family. He is the oldest of four siblings. His father earned an MBA from Harvard and spent his career in business. His mother holds a Master’s degree in Chemistry and later founded Aurora Products, which grew into a nationally recognized natural foods brand.

“I learned a lot just watching my parents work,” Matthew says. “My dad understood business strategy. My mom understood execution. She built something real from the ground up.”

In high school, Matthew graduated with honors. He played guitar and trumpet and learned discipline through competitive rowing. He later attended Union College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, graduating Cum Laude in 2003.

“I’ve always liked structure and systems,” he says. “Engineering taught me how to break problems down and fix them.”

From Data to Operations: Career Foundations

Matthew began his professional career at ACNielsen BASES, where he worked with data modeling, product testing, and consumer insights. The role sharpened his analytical skills and reinforced the importance of evidence-based decisions.

In 2005, he joined his family’s company, Aurora Products. He started as Assistant to the General Manager and worked his way up over more than a decade to Vice President of Operations.

“Working in a family business can be intense,” he says. “But it forces accountability. You don’t hide from problems. You solve them.”

At Aurora, Matthew managed production, logistics, and operational growth. The experience shaped his leadership style — methodical, patient, and focused on execution.

Entrepreneurship and the Electric Bike Chapter

In 2016, Matthew stepped away from Aurora Products to start his own company. He founded CyclElectric, an electric bike business offering conversion kits and pre-built bikes.

“I liked the idea of solving a simple problem,” he says. “Make riding easier and more accessible.”

The business showed early promise but faced increasing pressure from overseas competition and shifting market conditions.

“The market changed faster than we could adapt,” he says. “It was a tough call, but I shut it down.”

Rather than viewing the closure as failure, Matthew treated it as a learning cycle.

“You don’t stop just because something didn’t work,” he says. “You take the lesson and move forward.”

Leadership During the COVID Economy

In 2018, Matthew joined Industrial Flow Solutions (IFS) as Director of Operations. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the role took on new urgency.

Like many leaders, Matthew was forced to navigate supply chain disruptions, workforce uncertainty, and economic instability.

“COVID tested everything,” he says. “Processes, people, patience. Nothing was predictable.”

That period required rebuilding momentum in real time — adjusting operations, managing risk, and staying focused while conditions kept changing.

“You learn resilience fast when the economy shifts under your feet,” he says. “You either adapt or fall behind.”

This chapter reinforced his belief that leadership is less about titles and more about consistency during uncertainty.

Building Again in Woodbridge: Woodbridge Farms and SeaSide Properties

In 2023, Matthew returned to entrepreneurship with a clearer vision and broader experience. Operating from Woodbridge, Connecticut, he launched two ventures.

Woodbridge Farms

An ecommerce business focused on curated goods and specialty products.

“My goal was simple,” he says. “Build something lean, efficient, and flexible.”

The business reflects his engineering mindset — organized systems, disciplined operations, and room to scale.

SeaSide Properties

A company that manages his family’s real estate portfolio.

“I grew up around a family business,” he says. “Real estate gives us stability and a long-term view.”

Together, these ventures combine everything Matthew has learned across operations, analytics, and entrepreneurship.

Leadership Philosophy Rooted in Real Life

Matthew’s leadership philosophy is shaped by experience, not theory.

“My own standards drive me,” he says. “No one else sets them for me.”

He emphasizes resilience built through economic pressure, market change, and responsibility to others.

“Self-doubt shows up for everyone,” he says. “You acknowledge it, then you do the work anyway.”

Family remains his highest priority. He is a father of three children and one step-child, and much of his time revolves around school, sports, and daily routines.

“Success for me is family,” he says. “Work is a tool to support that.”

He also volunteers as a Duty Officer with the American Red Cross and supports his church and local community.

Looking Ahead

Matthew’s goals are focused and grounded.

“I want stability, impact, and time with the people I care about,” he says. “That’s success to me.”

His career path hasn’t been linear — and that’s exactly what gives it value. It shows what leadership looks like in real conditions: adapting, rebuilding, and staying committed through change.

For Matthew V. Blackwell, leadership isn’t a label. It’s a practice built through years of steady work.