Name, job, part of the San Francisco Bay Area you live in
Matt Holden, Founder, Black Opal, Sea Cliff
When did you first come to the Bay and what’s the backstory there?
We arrived in 2013 when I brought my startup www.MavSocial.com from Australia. MavSocial is a social media marketing platform and we worked with Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn so San Francisco was the natural choice for us. I sold MavSocial last year and now have a new startup that is focussing on Chatbot Marketing Platform
Hardest thing about moving here?
The most obvious is leaving family and friends behind but having said that there is not a lot of joy that I see in Sydney given the high cost of living there.
Favorite Bay Area memory to date?
I got some great seats to AT&T Park and watched the Giants baseball. First time was great but then you realize baseball needs a ‘Big Bash’ moment to speed it up.
What impact has being Australian had on your life here? In dating? In work?
My posting before San Francisco was Singapore and you’ll find many Australian expats who are always well regarded. Australians are always well regarded in the United States and Americans still love our Aussie accent!
Most American thing you’ve experienced in your time here?
I was at a Social Media conference in San Diego and Candace Payne was interviewed. She is the Texan who became ‘Chewbacca Mom’ and racked up 170 million Facebook views with her viral video and since then has built a multimillion-dollar business – as they say “only in America”
Best advice for anyone who is thinking of coming over?
Given the strong economy, I urge others to come to America now. The time is right and opportunity abounds. I do caution that if you have school-age kids life is tricky and expensive given schooling and housing.
Anything else?
I’m now advising lots of startups as a mentor. For technology companies getting that investment is critical and there are many Australian founders moving here so I really enjoy hearing pitches from them and how I can help.
I’m so proud of my dad!
Nice interview, but I wonder about Mats great Australian surname???? It’s the same as mine…. my grandfather William came to Melbourne in the 20’s from Birmingham and his brother George actually immigrated to Salt Lake City in the us…. could we be related??
Hi Liss,
Yes a great Australian name – people trust Holden!
My grandfather was George Holden but alas not from Salt Lake City.