Matt Enser

Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
As mentioned above, my parents started this First Response 22 years ago, which means my whole life was around this business and I have loved growing up in it. In addition to my parents, I also have a younger brother and sister in my family. I am also recently engaged and starting my own family soon.

Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
In addition to growing up working with my family’s business, I also used to have a small lawn care business. Since graduating from UNG, I started working with my parents’ full time before starting work with KWSM. I now work part time for First Response and full time with KWSM. On the instructor side of things, I get to teach very important content to people who need it most, like childcare and eldercare professionals. I love getting to do this and have had the privilege of hearing stories of people being able to save a life because of being in one of First Repsonce’s classes. On the marketing side of things, I work primarily with websites doing things like building them, fixing issues, increasing the functionality of sites, SEO strategy, and more. I love working in the world of web. The possibilities are endless. As far as the future I am still figuring that out. I could see myself going a variety of different directions. A few thoughts I have are taking over the family business, working for a nonprofit, going into vocational ministry, doing web development freelance, or a combination of those.

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Me and my fiancé’s go to place is Parma Tavern by the Mall of Georgia. Second to that, Cabo’s Mexican Grill has always been a family favorite.

Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived here my whole life all 24 years and worked 8 or so of them.

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Specifically, in Buford Pastor Steve Walton, who you have also interviewed on here as well. I have learned a lot about what it means to follow Jesus through conversations with him as well as hearing his messages.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would love to travel to Australia. I have always wanted to go there ever since growing up watching Steve Erwin. I almost studied abroad there but then that got canceled due to COVID-19. I hope to go there in the near future.

Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Right now I am loving the Chosen, which in my opinion is the best video representation of the life of Christ.

Q: What advice would you give to people?
Take time to think about‌ the most important question you could ever answer, which is what happens after you die? Many people just suppress this question and never address it, but if you are staking eternity on something, you better be pretty sure about it.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I would love to go wingsuit gliding one day!

Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
NEEDTOBREATHE all day long! They are phenomenal.

Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
One of the restaurants mentioned above Cabo’s Mexican Grill makes me very nostalgic. I have grown up going here with my family and friends and always love eating there when I get the chance.

Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Ben Stuart, his writing and teachings have influenced my faith in many ways. I would love a chance to get to bounce thoughts off of him and talk through life together. As for where to eat, I am sure that would be somewhere great in Washington D.C. where he lives, but not sure where.

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love how it is one big community, and there are ever growing opportunities right here in Buford.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
As I said earlier, I am figuring this out still. I would love to be working in some sort of nonprofit or ministry in some shape or form that I am really passionate about, taking over my parents’ company, and/or working in web development in some way.

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I really love learning new things and sharing them with others. Specifically, in areas of theology and web development. As I learn about these topics, I like to share it either on my blog mattenser.me or via the podcast I co-host, “The Godventure Podcast.” Another thing is I am dyslexic. I used to see this as a disability, but over time I have grown to see this as a gift from God. Dyslexia allows me to see the world in a different way, and allows me to visualize things in a way others might not be able to. Over time, I have learned to use dyslexia to my advantage. Though difficult by working hard and using the right tools, I now see dyslexia as one of my biggest strengths.

Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Glacier National Park is the most beautiful place I have been. The mountains, wildlife, glacier water, and more are amazing. Every part of the park is so beautiful.

Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
December is my favorite month because it holds both my birthday and my favorite holiday which is Christmas.

Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My fiancé

Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Also, my fiancé. She is challenges me to be the best I can be. She holds herself to a high standard and loves people so well.

Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
The smell of my Dad’s salmon and the smell of a cool crisp morning after getting out of a tent after a night of camping.

Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Community, opportunity, acceptance