Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Mathis.
Hi Jim, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My first job out of college was selling cameras in a camera store in downtown Kansas City. Soon I was the manager of a brand new store in North Kansas City. As the store manager I was privileged to attend many conferences, trade shows, and classes about the latest equipment and techniques. Most of our customers were professional photographers, so I became very familiar with the needs and practices of the photography community in Kansas City.
The store owner collected antique cameras, and I got involved with old cameras as well. Together we would travel to camera shows and share and learn about various aspects of the history of photography.
In 1973, I opened Mathis Photo Inc. as a black and white specialty lab in Overland Park, Kansas. We were determined to be the best black and white lab anywhere, and we probably were. The business served professional photographers, advertising agencies, government groups, and of course, many individuals. We received a letter of commendation from the Eastman Kodak Company for outstanding business practices in 1991.
in the ’80s Mathis Photo Inc. expanded to include a portrait studio, frame shop, and photography museum. A significant part of our business was the copy and restoration of old photos.
I have been a business owner and local merchant in Overland Park for fifty-two years. I count civic leaders, congressmen, business and professional people, artists, musicians, and hundreds of regular folks as my friends.
For the past 15 years my principal business has been copying and restoring old, faded, or damaged photographs. This combines my love of history, old photographs, with the technical skills I have developed over many years in photography business.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Because I have strived to keep my business simple and avoided debt, there have not been a lot of difficult times. Keeping up with the latest technology and business practices is an ongoing, but necessary challenge.
We’ve been impressed with Mathis Photo Restoration, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a Photoshop Professional, and my specialty is restoring old, faded, or damaged photos. My goal is to always do the very best job I can with every picture I see. Since I first started in business in 1973, quality work has always been the utmost goal.
Doing quality work at fair prices over five decades is the one thing I am most proud of.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
In my early days I had several people that I looked up to and knew I could go to with both business and technical issues.
I now have several people that get together with regularly both in the photography business and other fields. At this stage of life, passing on what I have learned is one of the most important things I can do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mathisphotorestoration.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MathisPhotography
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimsCoffeeHouse
- Other: https://jimmathis.substack.com/
