Frequently Asked Questions – The Crisp Guy.
I’ve stripped things back here too — real questions, real answers.
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The Crisp Guy is Mark Matthews, a UK leadership speaker and author. His talks focus on values, culture, and the power of vulnerability. He’s known for the “Crisp Packet Story” — a moment that reshaped how he thought about leadership.
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The name comes from a simple story: a crisp packet left outside his office door. Day after day, everyone walked past it until Mark realised leadership starts with the small moments — if you see it, own it. That story became his signature lesson and brand.
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That’s the title of Mark’s upcoming book. It shares his personal journey through business success, betrayal, loss, and rebuilding — showing how vulnerability can be a leader’s greatest strength.
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Mark delivers talks on leadership, resilience, business culture, and rebuilding after setbacks. His sessions are raw, honest, and designed to help business owners and leaders strip things back to what really matters.
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He mainly works with business owners, leaders, and teams in the small to mid-sized business world, particularly in tech and service companies. But his message resonates with anyone carrying the weight of leadership or facing challenges.
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You can reach Mark directly through the Contact page on this site. Talks are tailored to each audience, and booking early ensures availability.
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Yes — I still own my IT business, though I’ve stepped back from daily operations. That experience of building, losing, and rebuilding is part of what fuels the lessons I now share.
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Yes — I offer mentoring for business owners and leaders who want a fresh perspective on culture, values, and vulnerability. If you’d like to explore that, get in touch via the contact form.
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One day I saw a crisp packet outside my office. Nobody picked it up. It became a turning point — a reflection on leadership, culture, and how small things reveal deeper truths. That moment shaped how I lead and why I became “The Crisp Guy.”
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I had to step away after discovering fraud in my business. It pulled me into silence — legally, emotionally, and mentally. Now that the case has ended and I’ve had time to rebuild myself, I’m ready to share the lessons openly.
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I don’t sugar-coat things or hide behind polished theory. I speak stripped back — openly, vulnerably, and honestly — about the highs and lows of leadership. My talks aren’t about being perfect, they’re about being real, because that’s what creates trust and connection.
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Well i suppose that depends upon what the client want, short answer is Yes — my story is part of my message. I share the good (success, international speaking, growth), the bad (fraud, loss, silence), and the rebuild (recovery, clarity, and purpose). It’s not just theory — it’s lived experience.
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Alongside vulnerability, I talk about culture, values, mental health in leadership, and how to avoid wearing the “business owner mask.” I also speak about resilience — how to rebuild when everything feels lost.
Every great journey starts with a conversation. Let’s start yours.”
Before and After – The Crisp Guy Story
For years I loved speaking around the world as The Crisp Guy. Then fraud hit my business, and I went into silence.
The following two videos tell the story either side of that turning point.
The first was filmed before I knew anything — full of energy, loving life.
The second I recorded after the fraud trial finished, when I was finally ready to speak again. Together, they show the highs, the silence, and the rebuild.
Before the fraud
Who’s the Crisp Guy?
Filmed before I knew about the fraud — this is me at my best, loving the stage, loving life, and sharing the Crisp Guy story everywhere.
After the fraud
Where Have I Been?
After three years of silence, here’s the truth of what happened — the fraud, the hiding, and why I’m finally back. Stripped back. Real. Ready to move forward.