Matt Stinchcomb, a.k.a. Dr. Professor Stinchcomb, a.k.a. matt, has known Etsy since it was just a twinkle in Rob Kalin‘s eye. Matt was Rob’s roommate when the Etsy’s founders were first launching the site, and he joined the team as one of Etsy’s first employees. He shepherded Etsy through the heady start-up days — doing everything from screenprinting tote bags to hobnobbing with the press, from designing ads to handling Etsy’s marketing and communications, from founding Etsy Teams to Etsy’s “Artist-in-Residence” program (that only happened once).
Since Etsy has been hiring more Admin, Matt has now passed on several of the hats he’d been wearing for many years. Today, in his role of VP of Community, he keeps us all honest (and hosts a dance party or two in the Virtual Labs). He’s a beloved co-worker — and we have an epic list of Fun Facts to prove it.
Fun Facts:
- He loves to garden in his Brooklyn backyard and eat the fresh vegetables he’s grown. He’s a really good cook and will invite you to dinner, but then he always seems to already have dinner plans. (So he must invite a lot of people to dinner.)
- He goes through health food diet phases — for a while he was ingesting nothing but vinegar.
- Sarah points out his special uncomfortable shoes that force him to balance and are therefore “more healthy.”
- Matt is originally from Washington D.C. and was a hardcore Orioles fan growing up.
- Emily, who knows him from growing up in D.C., says his biggest childhood fear was “goatboy peering into his window at dinner.”
- Jakob, also an old friend of Matt’s, says that he used to have a fohawk.
- Matt is married to the lovely Benedikta of BurdaStyle, our fashion-y friends who run the open source sewing pattern website. BurdaStyle used to rent space in Etsy Labs, but now they’re located downstairs.
- Danielle claims that Matt started the cowl trend on Etsy:
(photo by dandelionblu) - He loves wearing white, especially white pants. One time Danielle was working a Philly craft show with him, and it started to pour. He was wearing all white that day, and the ladies went wild!
- He plays tennis and once dreamed of starting a clothing line for retro tennis outfits.
- Matt is the earliest riser, often waking at 5 a.m. to go for a long walk. His bedtime is 8 p.m.
- Matt fixed the toaster, according to Sarah.
- Matt paces around when he’s on the phone. Adam adds that when he paces around, he often picks things up and then leaves them elsewhere.
- Beug says Matt has the second best hair of the Etsy Admin. However, he can’t grow a beard and has no sideburns or body hair.
- Matt is one of the most charming people you’ll ever meet.
- Danielle claims that he flips her the bird when no one is looking.
- Alison described how he’s really well put-together and often wears a blazer and tie, but there’s always something amiss: stains, missed button on his shirt, tear in his jacket.
- Beug is right when he says we all love his winning smile.
- Julie notes that Matt wants to start a girl group, Phil Spector style. Tara notes that he loves the Shangri-Las.
- He likes to assess people in terms of their “vibe.”
- Lauren says that Matt subconsciously sings when he’s happy but also when he’s scared.
- Emily says that he was known only as “Matt Wad” in college after the porn star John Wad.
- Matt has a huge flame tattoo on his leg but you’ll never see it because he never wears shorts. He has two other well-concealed tattoos.
- Adam points out that Matt is a prolific Etsy shopper, and his house is filled with beautiful Etsy items and antiques.
- He designed the Etsy donkeycorn poster.
- He doesn’t own a TV, but if he did he’d be watching random movies on Lifetime in the early morning.
- He makes the Marketing/Community office smell pretty with his hippie incense.
- Emily says he wrote a song called “Tranquility Tea.”
- Anda says he had a speech impediment as a child and spent years doing mouth exercises to correct it. That’s why he smiles so much.
- Adam fondly recalls that Matt would lead Christmas carol sing-a-longs in the evenings around the holidays.
- He goes to Germany all the time. He owns a pair of adult men’s lederhosen.
- He came up with “Bad News from a Kitten” and wants to make it into a ringtone. He, Adam, and Anda berated Christina so mercilessly about her ringtone that she cried.
- When Matt and Emily lived in Portland for a summer, he worked at a gas station and lived exclusively off of Sour Patch Kids from the BPmart. He kept the uniform and wore it every day.
- He went to Oberlin and was a big theater nerd in high school.
- Matt used to be in the rock band The French Kicks.
- Before he and Vanessa ever met, her friend told her about sitting beside these crazy guys who were in the band called The French Kicks at a Bruce Springsteen concert. They were all dressed up like Bruce and singing along.
- He once traded a car for a guitar. Dan vouches for Matt knowing all of the bass parts on Led Zeppelin IV.
- Lauren notes that there’s a park in Oklahoma City named after him.
- He used to run his own screenprinting company.
- No one has ever seen him mad at anyone — except for a few of us seeing him mad at Rob.
- Let’s just say Matt can be impulsive.
- According to Emily, he wore black turtlenecks with a horoscope medallion necklace in high school.
- He is a big history buff and executive produces an animated History Channel show.
- Matt is famous for his brainstorms and knowing famous people.
- Lauren notes that he really likes to point out places he’s seen Keri Russell in Brooklyn. Anda adds that he loves to talk about the celebrities he’s met.
- Half of Etsy staff go to the same doctor and dentist because of him.
- For Julie‘s birthday he picked a random thing off his shelf and offered it to her as a birthday present.
- Rockstarpoli saw him get really excited about banana juice.
- He would proudly accept the title of being the King of Dumpster-diving. When Vanessa found an amazing painting in the trash, Matt claimed he’d already found it in the trash years ago and then threw it away again when he was sick of it — two years before she ever found it. He has another painting hanging in his office at Etsy that he got from the trash or a yard sale years ago, that turned out to be by Vanessa’s friends.
- Emily said he tried out to be an extra in John Waters’ film Serial Mom for the concert scene at Hammerjacks in Baltimore, but was REJECTED.
- He can do a really good Baltimore/D.C. accent.
- His wedding band Dexter Lake Club Band used to practice at Etsy Labs, but he refused to play at Danielle’s wedding. The band recorded a music video at the Etsy Labs. Click on “media” on their website.
- Jim asks, “Did anyone mention that he puts hummus in his coffee?”
Lookin’ cool in high school:
Matt on bass:
Matt’s first camping trip:
Matt and cupcakes go way back:
Etsy has had quite a growth spurt in the past year, and we have the awkward pictures to prove it. We’ve been posting a series of About Us pieces to help you get to know the Etsy admin (and since many of us work remotely, for the admin to get to know each other!). You’ve seen the admin badge, and maybe you’re a bit curious about the person behind it! For more on Etsy’s mission and about the company, please see our About page (the link is in the little blue footer of every Etsy page).
Some of Matt’s favorites below…
175 comments
Sign in to add your ownOverTheTop says:
Yup, he's a cutie. :) Glad the vinegar thing is history.
2 years ago
4TheSparrowsNest says:
Hello Matt!! Love the fun and wacky facts, and the pics of you rockin' out! Also looking forward to seeing your new multi-media project that you have in the works.
2 years ago
daniellexo says:
Love singing with Matt!
2 years ago
mcfunley says:
Epic
2 years ago
julieincharge says:
Hurray for Matt!
2 years ago
SarahSays says:
Matt is super neat! What a great list of fun facts.
2 years ago
thebestvintage says:
Very Funny Profile!
2 years ago
odiliafu says:
Hi, cupcake cutie!! Nice to meet you. :)
2 years ago
breadandroses says:
There's a Baltimore/D.C. accent? Who knew. Big hello from the not-quite Midwest! Love the baby & camp photos.
2 years ago
PrimaryRedux says:
Its funny-been seeing Matt's face around Etsy for while now. Nice to finally get the About Us piece. And love Matt's Favorites picks. oh I have a John Waters fun fact. I walked into a gallery wearing some super cool bright orange shoes. Someone said John Waters had been in the night before wearing a pair of bright orange shoes but that mine were groovier-wow! Better shoes orange shoes than John waters? that's cool.
2 years ago
adam says:
Ahahahha! Your time has come, Stinchie! -- Alison described how he's really well put-together and often wears a blazer and tie, but there's always something amiss: stains, missed button on his shirt, tear in his jacket. ---- Too true! Most of the stains are from silkscreening.
2 years ago
novadesigns says:
Hi Matt! Don't feel bad, my boyfriend couldn't grow a beard or sideburns even if his life depended on it :o)
2 years ago
adam says:
ps: He, Adam, and Anda berated Christina so mercilessly about her ringtone that she cried. --- She didn't really cry. Much. But we gave her a complex about it. She automatically apologizes whenever her phone rings now. It's hilarious. Sorry Batch!
2 years ago
piperewan says:
*Lauren says that Matt subconsciously sings when he's happy but also when he's scared.* like cats purring. i probably saw him in the french kicks in a small hot room in pdx if he was there in 2003.
2 years ago
jewelalchemy says:
love the handwriting sample included :)
2 years ago
dinafragola says:
Cool fun facts :) Too bad they make it clear you're married ;)
2 years ago
susansheehan says:
Dumpster Divers Unite!
2 years ago
stilettoheights says:
I remember when admin was all boys, and in the forums we were trying to figure out who would be who if they were N'Sync....Matt was Justin Timberlake. just sayin. lol
2 years ago
mermaidclaire says:
Oh man, best About Us ever!!! So many fun facts about such an awesome dude! Matt, can I please audition for your girl group?
2 years ago
anda says:
That guy sounds like a jerk. With an attitude problem.
2 years ago
anda says:
:)
2 years ago
moop says:
aawwww. such a nice write up!
2 years ago
bethanylorelle says:
Very Fun!
2 years ago
MamaKs says:
that's what i was thinking! i mean about the attitude problem. !)
2 years ago
zwzzy says:
Chatts with Matt are the best! He chugged vinegar once, haha.
2 years ago
showpony says:
I think I like him even though he sounds a little odd.
2 years ago
SavageArtworks says:
Cute article. It`s true I guess, everyone loves a weirdo.
2 years ago
greenknitter says:
This made me smile. ps - Go O's
2 years ago
cowgirlheaven says:
I Love it..LOL
2 years ago
theseasonalcottage says:
how fun! what a hoot!
2 years ago
OhFaro says:
That was a totally fun read. I really like Matt.
2 years ago
lovelygifts says:
Cute picture with the cupcake!
2 years ago
bizzybcreations says:
Yay Matt...great story...love all the fun "facts"! Actually witnessed the vinegar thing during chat...LOL! Very cute lil Matt pics btw!
2 years ago
DodgeStationPottery says:
one cool dude
2 years ago
MonkeyDogStudio says:
The Shangri-Las ROCK!!!! Sophisticated Boom Boom!
2 years ago
enhabiten says:
oh those fun facts are a hoot. a very cool dude.
2 years ago
Ozknits says:
Wow! Sounds likes like a full and interesting life!! And such a cute (and prepared) camper I really didn't need to know about the body hair though :)
2 years ago
rctees says:
Talk about sharing all your deep dark secrets... "Goat boy" wahaha Love it, absolutely love it!!
2 years ago
nowvember says:
"he wore black turtlenecks with a horoscope medallion necklace in high school." Wow! I will personally give you $5 if you bust out the old turtleneck and horoscope medallion for your visit to Portland next week.
2 years ago
weirdwolf says:
Matt rules! Singing classic rock songs with him is the best.
2 years ago
SkyDreams says:
cool to read!
2 years ago
VixVintage says:
Fantastic, thanks for the insight Matt!
2 years ago
VixVintage says:
p.s. You are really cute...
2 years ago
BPyarns says:
thanks for sharing ~ Etsy rules :)
2 years ago
thisisalliknow says:
in the french kicks, i'm impressed, they're the best. i was at that same concert as piperewan, it was so good.
2 years ago
heidiburton says:
"He owns a pair of adult men's lederhosen." This is all it takes to be the perfect guy. But the rest is a bonus :D
2 years ago
TheFancyLamb says:
He looks a little like Leonardo DiCaprio in that high school picture.
2 years ago
girltuesdayjewelry says:
Anyone who likes John Waters is aces in my book! At least you weren't rejected as an extra for "Dirty Shame." That could take years of therapy to figure out. This was a lot of fun to read! Thank you!
2 years ago
BeadinBabe says:
Love this!!! So fun getting to know.. well sort of.. lol, the people behind the scenes here on Etsy! We love you guys! :)
2 years ago
beautifulbridget says:
Great article, nice to meetcha!
2 years ago
christinetillman says:
is that cowl photo at Iggies in Baltimore?
2 years ago
MGMart says:
Wow,lots of fun facts on Matt!! Thank you for sharing, love this series of articles! xo
2 years ago
yummyandcompany says:
yep...he and maria met up with the baltimore etsy team there. he's wearing my cowl!
2 years ago
funkeyfinds says:
oh that camping photo is a riot!!
2 years ago
ashleywhitejacobsen says:
hahaha :) so awesome great list guys!!
2 years ago
RobWhite says:
He gave my wife half an avocado on her first trip to the Etsy Labs! That Stinchcomb's a swell guy, I tell ya!
2 years ago
onegarnetgirl says:
I always wondered who bought those horoscope necklaces. Thanks for the laughs- love this series. Off to find out if there are any more...
2 years ago
1AEON says:
:) Matt!!
2 years ago
buttercupbloom says:
Sounds like a modern day renaissance man!
2 years ago
CrochetCandi says:
Great article! Made me smile!!
2 years ago
shavingkitsuppplies says:
What! The French Kicks! Love them.
2 years ago
TheCottageCheese says:
I already had a wee crush on Matt by the end of his answers about himself. Then I read that at one time he wanted to design vintage-inspired tennis outfits and used to play with the The French Kicks. Swoon. Benedikta, you are one lucky girl. Matt, you are too dreamy...
2 years ago
zeropumpkin says:
hehe cool pics..the cupcakes pic so cute =d
2 years ago
sean11 says:
Epic post. Matt is indeed a charmer.
2 years ago
FrucciDesign says:
too funny!! evviva Matt!
2 years ago
pocketcarnival says:
Nice! But, vinegar?
2 years ago
pamwares says:
very fun!
2 years ago
lovarevolutionary says:
Cute post! Much love to DC & Bmore people!
2 years ago
MagnoliaFern says:
What a nice article! I'm glad the people working at etsy are just as funky and interesting as I had hoped they were! Keep the stories coming!
2 years ago
betsyryland says:
You are quite the guy. Trial of the Century is one of my fav songs. Thanks for all you do for Etsy/us.
2 years ago
PawPawsWorkshop says:
Nice to get to know the people behind the scenes.
2 years ago
mooshoopork says:
hmm now i know way too much about matt.. but his "vibe" seems good from what i read hehe hi matt! thanks for etsy *waves to screen*
2 years ago
pandawithcookie says:
ha. I like that 'fixed the toaster' rates a mention.
2 years ago
jcjewelrydesign says:
What a fun article :) Baby photo and camping photo are so cute~
2 years ago
worksofwhimsy says:
Hooray for theater nerds!
2 years ago
soradesigns says:
seems like a lot of fun working in etsy....
2 years ago
sandali says:
AWESOME ~~ I love taking a journey down your memory lane -- thanx for sharing your story with us -- happy days ;)
2 years ago
HarrietsHaven says:
Awww...I love the first camping trip pic! Matt seems like such a cool guy ;)
2 years ago
JewelsOnAWhim says:
I think I have some of those shoes! But, I don't do the vinegar thing...have heard of it. I feel like my pic should have admin around it. I'm a new seller/have no avatar. Anyway, very interesting facts/the no hair thing...I'm envious. I have to get a laser.
2 years ago
qwynwyn says:
Wow, a lot of interesting facts!
2 years ago
brandedbutterfly says:
Wow. You are cool because you are married to the BurdaStyle lady. Hehehe Thanks for sharing.
2 years ago
shizendesigns says:
Very cool!
2 years ago
MissFiKingdom says:
This was such a crazy article. I loved all the fun facts. It must be amazing to do what you love with so many people that "grew Up" together. Matt was my support contact when I was just starting out here on Etsy.... thanks again Matt.
2 years ago
soulflower says:
Wow that was a lot about matt
2 years ago
baconsquarefarm says:
totally enjoyed the tidbits about your life before etsy and now~ pictures were great and love dancing on fridays.
2 years ago
steampunkjunq says:
Very fun Matt.... thanks for sharing. :)
2 years ago
Radness says:
enjoyed the slideshow and etsy picks :) thank u
2 years ago
Tina669 says:
Great article, nice to meetcha!
2 years ago
PipocaHandmade says:
Sweet (and sour...ie. vinegar) article!
2 years ago
hjmart says:
Great article! Very fun!
2 years ago
worksandfinds says:
I really enjoyed it. Hey, we love you, Matt.
2 years ago
dogties says:
Good Stuff... Matt Rocks!
2 years ago
gretchenmist says:
matt is very cool ~ thanks for sharing these anecdotes! the etsy office sounds like a very fun place to work :)
2 years ago
treeforyou says:
I enjoyed reading the facts :) Made me laugh! Matt is cool
2 years ago
chickscratch says:
i can't stop singing "...bad news from a kitten..." let me know when it's a ring tone - !
2 years ago
JMGJewelDesign says:
He must have a neck like a giraffe to sport a cowl like that lol....
2 years ago
elisasherejewelry says:
You know us Baltimore gals can attest to Matt's charm! Great article, so nice to learn more about our favorite admin :)
2 years ago
tortillagirl says:
Cuuuuuuuute. What a cool person. I loved reading all the fun facts!
2 years ago
chinacutter says:
Oh,cool.Thanks for your article.
2 years ago
monsterbugblankets says:
hahahaha--he loves banana juice--YUM! Banana Granini form Deutschland, perhaps???
2 years ago
babook says:
I`m enjoy this great profile !! listening a little bit lol : ) http://www.babook.etsy.com
2 years ago
TreeHuggerStudio says:
That's fun to read all the facts. My personal favorite is the first camping trip picture stlyin'.Thanks for sharing.
2 years ago
hellome says:
Hi Matt! *waves*
2 years ago
warmnfuzzies says:
This was a fun one!
2 years ago
greenporchlights says:
Matt, you are marriage material. Thing is, I'm already married. Sorry.
2 years ago
steinschmuckdesign says:
Hi Matt, nice to meet you, Thank you!
2 years ago
nomadcraftsetc says:
You go MATT! WOO WOO! It is so fun to read about the admins, I think sometimes we forget how hard you all work for us and that you are actually human beans!
2 years ago
workingforpeanuts says:
Nice to meet you, Matt! Thanks for vibe. It's fun to get to know Etsy Administration.
2 years ago
IceCreamCandy says:
hi Matt!!! thank you:)
2 years ago
Xenotees says:
Too funny- what a cool guy :D Not sure about this though --- [ Jim asks, "Did anyone mention that he puts hummus in his coffee?" ] hehe
2 years ago
ThePurlMinx says:
What a wonderful depiction of a unique person. This is why etsy is so loveable. Thanks for sharing. :)
2 years ago
andrewsreclaimed says:
Hi, Matt! Thank you for telling us about yourself. You are in interesting cat! Thanks for featuring my baby leafcutter bee larvae, too! Cheers, Andy
2 years ago
blackbirdtees says:
Pleasure to meet you, Matt.
2 years ago
littleblackrabbit says:
can't wait to meet you here in Seattle on monday !!
2 years ago
lizjewelry says:
Good to get to know some of the faces behind the site! Cheers Matt!
2 years ago
xoelle says:
xoelle hearts matt!
2 years ago
louloudo says:
Awesome! Good to know. Did the vinegar thing work out? I may try it, I LOVE vinegar, to the point that my boyfriend, who hates it, had threatened a break-up when he saw me lick it off the plate...x
2 years ago
kathiroussel says:
hey matt--so what's for dinner??? but please don't put any hummus in the coffee... nice getting to know you and that fact that something is always amiss with your clever attire now puts me at ease... just try not to get a rip in the lederhosen!
2 years ago
DecoDeli says:
Nice to meet you (more) Matt! I love these very candid shots, sorta like peeking in someone's medicine cabinet! Isn't that just awful???? Actually, I don't do that...too afraid of what I would find...but I personally find musical tastes & books on the shelves most revealing to me! So thanks for exposing yourself! :) Donna
2 years ago
florigander says:
The heart-throb of Etsy!
2 years ago
florigander says:
OH! And I own one of SandraHealy's birdies. Quite wonderful and makes me smile.
2 years ago
bellasparty says:
Very cool!
2 years ago
edithweezie says:
Wow, I vote for Matt as the first human clone.
2 years ago
jodieflowers says:
Go Matt Go! Cool review!
2 years ago
jbeaudet says:
I went to Washington DC last summer and it was full of really nice people so you must be really nice too! Looks like Etsy has some cool people working here.
2 years ago
JAdamsDesigns says:
LOL Fun Stuff! Hi Matt!
2 years ago
MayBeMe says:
Quite the charmer
2 years ago
Alananat says:
Did you try watering that chest hair?
2 years ago
tigersanddragons says:
Ha ha, the Matt facts are hilarious. If he doesn't wear shorts, but owns lederhosen, are Germans the only people who get to see his tattoo (besides Bendikta)? Oh, we love vinegar, and put it (or lemon juice) in everything - Wacky Cake made with vinegar and baking soda is really good. Every time a Top Chef judge says that a dish needs acid, we shout "vinegar"!
2 years ago
BigSkyDreamer says:
Wow what a guy. Gotta love him!
2 years ago
capitalcitycrafts says:
fun to meet some faces behind the scenes
2 years ago
fringe says:
matt's a keeper. the cowl clinched it. xo
2 years ago
RedHarp says:
See you in Seattle tomorrow night? I think this is the Matt who is coming to town! If so, it was nice to read the article first.
2 years ago
jenniferlynnstudio says:
Love reading these..Had to laugh about Matt wearing all white and its raining..talk about a free show!
2 years ago
PipingHotPapers says:
Wow -- such a fun-loving guy! This was great to read and "get to know" one of our Etsy Admins. a little bit more.
2 years ago
matt says:
Ha ha. Thanks you all. I am only reading this now, and it is not quite embarrassing as I had originally feared. (ps, i do not have those fairy tattoos! THe rest is depressingly accurate. Thanks, m
2 years ago
tldgrainwear says:
Matt's a trendsetter! Loved that magenta cowl, how cool!
2 years ago
littlemoandfriends says:
white pants make me think of clockwork orange! And matt does look a bit like the lead guy. oh dear.
2 years ago
AuntCrafty says:
Great article! Keep em coming. Hi Matt:)
2 years ago
EJPcreations says:
I just love reading about the faces on Etsy :)
2 years ago
TwilightVisions says:
Nice to read about the people who run the ship:) Great article
2 years ago
mycreativeinstincts says:
won my heart at Led Zeppelin
2 years ago
jorgensenstudio says:
Matt is fab, but when I think of what he sounds like I hear Christopher Walken... I think it was because of his old avatar picture. The one with the hat.... And I have never seen Christopher Walken and Matt in the same place at the same time....just say'n
2 years ago
heartfeltvintage says:
Nice !
2 years ago
LaLah says:
This was one of the most fun and FUNNIEST articles yet...I HEART the Etsy team...Everyone (including Matt) seems WONDERFUL!!! Wish we could meet all of you in person...
2 years ago
2RavenChicks says:
I loved this article - except for the cowl part. I think cowls are really scary.
2 years ago
Iammie says:
Lovely story!
2 years ago
monkeyandsquirrel says:
ha! what great matt facts!
2 years ago
KnitKnit says:
hahaha! great article - love the fun facts!!!
2 years ago
BizzieLizzie says:
Nice to meet ya matt! What's for dinner?
2 years ago
kelsodoesntdance says:
So I'm a little late on discovering this but it was nice to meet you at the San Francisco Renegade Matt. Thanks for making me take way too many(or is it just enough?) etsy bandannas? (they're soo cool!) Anyway, after the show I went to Amoeba records and got a bunch of music, one of which was a French Kicks album and now I'm reading this... FREAKY CONSINIDENCE! -Kelso p.s. Go etsy!
2 years ago
Yayahandicraft says:
Beautiful pictures
2 years ago
bellta says:
Hello!!
2 years ago
CreaShines says:
He's coming to my college in Florida to speak tonight! I'm so excited!
2 years ago
ritarenata says:
thats a lots of funny and interesting information. he was 2 days ago in vienna/austria to talk about to with austrian etsians. unfortunately i couldnt be there.
1 year ago