Matthew Perkins

During a year that paralyzed the hospitality industry, Matthew Perkins put his entrepreneurial spirit into action. The Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management student came up with an idea that saved jobs in jeopardy due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Matthew is a Lifestyle manager at Icon Brickell. When COVID-19 emerged, amenities on the property closed. To keep his staff employed, Matthew decided to have his employees make food deliveries to the apartments in the building.

His team would meet drivers from delivery services such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, Amazon and Publix at the building's loading dock. They would safely deliver the items to the units using protective measures. The program ran successfully for over four months. The employees were happy because they were able to continue working, and the residents were happy getting their deliveries.

Matthew's idea and can-do spirit are a result of his enterprising history. While living in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Matthew started a medical marketing company and a limousine business. After successfully building the business, he eventually sold the limousine company to the largest limousine business in Virginia Beach.

Matthew, a veteran, served in the United States Navy for four years before he was honorably discharge. He is graduating Cum Laude with a 3.67 GPA. Starting this August, he will continue in the Chaplin School's 4+1 program, where he will finish his master’s degree in Hospitality Management through FIU online. He and his wife are expecting their first child. They will be moving to Atlanta, Georgia after graduation to be closer to family.

Ivonne Yee-Amor
Communications, PR & Marketing
Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism