Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Santangelo
Hi Matthew, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I moved to Baltimore in 2018. I moved here from Calvert county, Maryland. (I’m in recovery) I was in a long term treatment facility in Baltimore city called the helping up mission.
Through that process I learned a lot about myself. I was always chasing something to fill that empty void inside me. Weather it be drugs, alcohol, gambling etc. I was never okay with just myself and who I really was. That long term facility really helped me sit with self and deal with life on life terms.
I left that program but started working at university of Maryland shock trauma as a house keeping attendant washing and buffing floors. I quickly worked my way up to the operation room as a surgical support technician. Then i became an equipment tech at university of Maryland midtown campus. All of this was during the height of covid. I eventually parted ways with university of Maryland and went out on my own to open serenity homes of Maryland LLC.
I had a lot of fear when I went out on my own. The unknown was definitely scary at first but I took a leap of faith and it all paid off. I started doing power washing and grass cutting. It wasn’t till more customers and online social media post did I really take a step out in the remodeling world. I’m so grateful I did because the relationships I have formed over the years is a big factor in my business today.
I named my company serenity homes because I am in recovery. Today I hire a lot of guys that are in similar situations like myself being in Recovery. It really is great. Seeing the guys that work for me grow. They come around and really don’t have much but just show up and be dependable and reap the benefits from it.
Just in the last almost 2 years I have scaled my business to deal with more investors and real estate agents. We now offer kitchen, bathrooms, decks, and here recently custom remodeling. (Which is my favorite) I’ve also recently started to test the waters with real estate and real estate investing with my mother. She’s been a big help with my business as well. Watching her own a business has truly helped.
I recently got married back in May of 2023, my wife and I welcomed my first son giovanni in April of 2023 and then our last son together May of 2024. (Yep 1 year and 10 days apart!) lol
My wife and I have been together for 4 years and she had two boys Leland 14 and Jaylen now 8 from a previous relationship. Those two boys really helped me be the father, husband, I am today. I coached Jaylen in flag football with one of my best friends Sean and we won the championship 2 years ago.
All of the great things I listed above wouldn’t be possible if I hadn’t made a decision to turn my life back around. I’m a big believer you are who you put yourself around. I want to be a winner, good father, and a great husband so that’s who I put myself around. Today I try to help someone and I try to be a better version of myself than I was the day before.
Thanks for letting share a little about myself.
-Matthew Santangelo
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been smooth roads. Business wise I learned a lot and unfortunately some lessons were painful. I’ve had employees pass away from the disease of addiction, and some of the struggles for me early on was not being prepared.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I operate a home improvement company. I specialize in custom remodeling, and decks. Im most proud of how well I’ve been able to help others and my family. What sets me apart from others is that I really love taking something that needs help and putting my creative touch on it and giving it my all to ensure the customer is happy at the end of the day. Gives me motivation being in a position to help just like someone helped me.
What’s next?
My big plans for the future are to continue to help others and grow my business even more. I am planning on doing real estate in the near future. Whether that be becoming a licensed real estate agent, or just buy and flip properties.
Big changes are taking a step back from swinging a hammer every day to actually have the opportunity to grow my business.
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