The Legacy of My Grandpa

Matt Slegh

COO and Founder

Some people inherit their family legacy through heirlooms or traditions. For me, my Grandpa passed down something far more valuable—his insatiable curiosity, his love for people, his executive presence; whether in a board room or on the congressional floor, and his knack for navigating the world with both wisdom and humility. Spending summers with him at his house on the lake wasn’t just fun; it was transformative.

A Student of the World

Grandpa was a true student of the world, a modern-day Solomon, whose wisdom spanned science, history, religion, politics, agriculture, and more. Whether we were hunting for agates on a morning walk or discussing foreign policy missteps in his Lazy-Boy chairs, his depth of knowledge left a lasting impression. He didn’t just dabble—he mastered. He taught me to approach every subject with the same passion for learning and to never stop asking, "What can we uncover next?"

This curiosity and drive for insight are at the core of who I am. From winning high school journalism awards to corporate boardrooms, I’ve pursued a jack-of-all-trades approach in my career, diving deep into everything from marketing and sales to finance, pricing, innovation, and most recently mergers and acquisitions. I learned early that no topic is too small to explore—and, as my Grandpa often showed, every interaction is an opportunity to grow.

Learning Through Career Highlights

At General Mills, I honed my skills on large-scale projects like the Cheerios 1 Million Acts of Good campaign, managing a budget that rivaled a small country’s GDP. From working with Ellen DeGeneres to learning the intricacies of national brand strategy and launching several new flavors of Cheerios (Chocolate Peanut Butter being my favorite), I saw how knowledge and collaboration could come together to create something impactful. In my next role, I delved into corporate innovation and entrepreneurship, guided by mentors like Wade, who showed me how to transform Voice of Customer (VOC) insights into actionable use cases and, ultimately, marketable products.

President George H.W. Bush

My Grandpa, MN Senator 1978-1982

Perhaps, my favorite part of my entire career journey (and in true form of my Grandpa), I learned The Jobs to Be Done Framework, gathered insights from customers, found a large underserved group, built a business case and presented an opportunity to launch a Connected Services business to our CEO. He gave the thumbs up as well as millions in funding. I was mirroring the methodical yet inventive way Grandpa approached problems in his workshop.

Even in Corporate Development, a field that feels far removed from those childhood summers, Grandpa’s influence was clear. My boss, a former BCG executive, gave me the equivalent of a consulting bootcamp, learning how to lead strategy workshops, develop strategic theses, test ideas, and execute with precision—skills Grandpa embodied every time he meticulously solved a problem or crafted a new invention.

I remember my Grandpa’s advice when I was invited to join the M&A team at a fortune 600 company, tasked with leading sourcing efforts for acquiring novel technologies in the Bioprocessing and Cell & Gene Therapy space. Despite stepping into an entirely new field that felt as complex as rocket science, I embraced the challenge and quickly got up to speed within a matter of months. With this knowledge, I played a key role in building out a life sciences business unit, leveraging Grandpa’s timeless lesson: "with curiosity, hard work, and determination, no challenge is too great to overcome - and before you know it, every job will start to feel like an old hat".

Balancing Work and Education

Pursuing my MBA in the 18-month program while simultaneously working full-time was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. Balancing rigorous coursework with professional responsibilities taught me the value of resilience, time management, and strategic thinking. It wasn’t just about earning a degree—it was about proving to myself that with dedication and perseverance, I could tackle any challenge. This experience continues to inspire how I approach both my career and personal growth.

The Power of Connection

But Grandpa’s greatest lesson wasn’t in mastering a subject or building a strategy— it was in how he made people feel.

Whether he was captivating the local hardware store clerks with a story or winning over skeptics in the Senate, he showed me the power of genuine connection. He listened more than he spoke, but when he spoke, people listened. His ability to win others over wasn’t just a political skill; it was a reflection of his deep care for people. It was also telling that his favorite part of running for congress was door knocking – he genuinely loved it!

I’ve carried that with me in every role, whether leading teams, standing up new initiatives, or collaborating across departments. Winning others over has consistently ranked my #1 strength on StrengthsFinder—it’s a legacy from Grandpa that has shaped how I lead and build relationships.

A Legacy of Faith and Service

My faith, like my Grandpa’s, has been a guiding light throughout my life. He exemplified the virtues of humility, kindness, and service, teaching me that faith isn’t just about belief—it’s about action. At Bethel University, where I was nominated for the Student Leadership Award twice (runner up both times), I found opportunities to channel those lessons into meaningful contributions.

One of the most impactful experiences during my college years was volunteering every Wednesday for four years at a juvenile delinquent center. There, I worked with youth, helping them reflect on their actions and guiding them toward better choices. That time reinforced my Grandpa’s belief in second chances and the power of reaching out to others with patience and understanding.

Whether through faith, mentorship, or leadership, my Grandpa’s example taught me to seek ways to serve. Those Wednesdays were more than just a commitment; they were a way to live out the values he instilled in me—values that continue to influence how I approach my career, relationships, and personal growth.

This focus on service is a cornerstone of my journey, reminding me, as Grandpa always did, that true success lies not in what we achieve for ourselves, but in what we do for others.

The Heart of the Matter

Grandpa’s influence is woven into everything I do and is deeply rooted in MYLO’s vision for the future.

His curiosity drives my relentless pursuit of innovation as I explore new industries, technologies, and ideas to propel MYLO forward.

His love for people fuels my passion for creating meaningful connections—whether it’s with our customers, partners, or team members. The boldness that led him to stand in front of thousands while running for U.S. Congress is the same courage that inspires me to lead MYLO toward becoming a billion-dollar company.

Most importantly, his legacy reminds me that building MYLO isn’t just about success; it’s about offering our best selves to the world, creating solutions that simplify lives and inspire others to do the same.