To say Karen Matthews has lived a full life might be an understatement.
Before coming back home, Matthews found herself working on national events like the Juno Awards and with organizations like the Kinsmen and Kinettes Clubs of Canada.
She credits her parents with giving her the freedom to spread her wings as she grew up but as she started a family, she thought she might start to settle down.
Coming back to Norfolk County nearly 20 years ago, she began working with Haldimand Norfolk REACH after her mom cut an add out from the paper.
Matthews enjoyed her time there and found it incredibly rewarding but said that she often found herself coming home from work with a broken heart.
After REACH was the start of her career at the Norfolk County Fair where she was the General Manager for 12 years.
During her time there she helped turn the provinces oldest agricultural fair into a pillar of Norfolk County’s identity with over 115,000 visitors each fall with some advice she learned early in her time there.
“If you reach out to the community, the community will reach back to you.”
She’s taken that advice to heart in her new role as the General Manager of Long Point Eco-Adventures and the Burning Kiln Winery.
Matthews says that offering something for everyone to enjoy has been a big part of their success as they team up with other Winery’s and Breweries instead of competing with them.
She remarks that “a rising tide floats all boats”, adding that if any members of her team heard her they’d grown, after having heard the phrase so often.
Norfolk is important to her, she says, and it’s our amazing spirit of co-operation that makes us stand out to visitors.
“We all have to have the thought of excellent customer service if we want visitors to come back, but we can only do that if we have our act together.”
Her interview can be found on our website.