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Matthew Negron says he developed an appreciation for the skilled trades by watching his grandfather work as a full-time carpenter. He started his education at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in architecture, but switched to industrial design and later earned advanced degrees in management from the school. He worked in the furniture business for a time, and now combines all of that experience into his company, Think Simplicit.

The firm allows Negron to work with other businesses to outfit and maintain commercial buildings. He and his wife recently acquired Blindworks, a Westfield-based producer of window treatments. And he works closely with Flockheart, a facilities support services provider based in Somerville.

He describes his approach to acquiring and consulting companies as platform stacking, a process of bringing several different kinds of facility service providers under one roof. Because those services must be performed by people, the business is insulated from the depredations of artificial intelligence.

In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Negron discusses his business philosophy, what he looks for in acquisition targets and where he sees the most promising opportunities.

Watch the interview below:

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