Mateo Martez
What I'm Doing Now
Updated March 17th, 2025, from Waterloo, Canada.
Launching My First Book: Beyond Networking
In May 2024 I released my first attempt at a “book.” It was a 40-page online PDF about building relationships, based on lessons I learned from Canadian entrepreneur and community-builder Jayson Gaignard. While I did little to promote it, some of my friends loved it, raving about how it helped them and relentlessly sharing it with their friends, coworkers, and online audiences.Their response inspired me to expand it. I reworked the existing chapters, added four new ones, and incorporated more of my personal experience. I also committed to making it a “real” book—a printed paperback you can hold in your hands. That process is nearly done – I’ll officially launch the book in April!So far, the feedback has been phenomenal. Several early readers have called it a must-read and a professor at Harvard even said it will one day stand alongside How to Win Friends and Influence People. I also met with Jayson Gaignard and surprised him with an advance copy. 💪🏽If you want to be notified when the book releases, please share your email here.
Leading Partnerships at Harvard St. Commons + Exploring Future Work
I first moved to Harvard St. Commons as a resident, but in September I stepped into a new role. As Head of Partnerships, I connect our residents with our global network of partner houses, host a number of curated dinners, meet with startup supporters (venture capitalists, accelerators, past founders, etc.), and help organize our in-house events. It’s been a phenomenal experience — I’m honored to play a small role in the remarkable success of our residents.This role has been the perfect culmination of my time in university. Now, as I prepare to graduate, I’m exploring what’s next. I hope to stay in Cambridge, though I’m still looking for my next job. I’m especially interested in early-stage startups (5-20 people) likely in a growth, business development, or sales role. If you know anyone I should talk to, please reach out!
Attending Socratica’s Symposium in Canada
Harvard St. Commons introduced me to a weekly coworking group called Friendly Beans. It’s a group of students, artists, creators, makers, and entrepreneurs who gather every weekend to work on side projects. Literally – the only rule is that you can’t work on your “main thing” (i.e., school or work). It attracts delightful people and has become a favorite place to invite new friends.Friendly Beans is a local chapter of a large, informal organization called Socratica. While it started at the University of Waterloo, they now have “nodes” around the world. These groups operate independently, but once a year they gather in Waterloo for an annual symposium. This will be the first year I attend, and I cannot wait. We’re expecting over 2,000 people for the one-day event, which will be a delightful time of reconnecting with old friends and making new ones.
Convincing My Family to Move to Greater Boston
I moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts in June last year and have since fallen in love with the Greater Boston Area. It blends my favorite features of Europe (walkability, investment in public infrastructure, cultural variety) with the things I love most about the U.S. (boundless optimism, intense ambition, vibrant entrepreneurship). I want to stay long-term.The one thing missing is family. My immediate family lives in the South and my extended family lives on the West Coast or in Colombia. I’m trying to change that.My sister spent a week here in August and my brother visited last week. I made every effort to roll out the red carpet, curating their experience to influence them to move. It seems to be working—my siblings loved their trips and want to come back. We’ll see what happens.Mom, Papa – you’re next! Come visit me. 😉