Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Nesbit.
IF NOT THIS, WHAT? IF NOT NOW, WHEN? Sometimes the universe sends you a sign, then hits you over the head with it. Like so many Ptown residents, Paul Nesbit’s arrival 9 years ago came on the heels of adversity. His corporate layoff turned out to be a ticket to the end of the Cape, but not the end of the world.
Paul came here having built a distinguished career in retail from window dresser to store manager, buyer to product developer, he had learned and loved the business from every angle. But after the abrupt end to that professional chapter, Paul elected a simpler life here. He packed up his life in San Francisco and headed to Provincetown with the full intention of having one fun-filled summer and allowing him to recover from the corporate cruelty and ‘find’ himself again.
He became a seasonal bartender, and time just went by a little aimlessly. At the end of every season, “I would struggle with what now?” says Paul… So he traveled back home to New Zealand and spent time with his family and began to think that living there was a good option. However, he had fallen in love with Ptown and every May he found himself washed ashore back there.
Remember the part about the universe hitting you on the head? Well, it was a back injury that woke Paul up to the time that had passed. While healing, he had to reimagine the life he wanted to live. Physically, bartending was no longer an option, but his dream of opening his own store – a dream he had for more than 20 years but somehow had buried well away – was a very real option. It was very clear to him that the time was now and that there was nothing to lose.
Owning his own store has always been his dream for over 20 years and retail is just one of his ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ career experiences of his life so far.
He just loves everything that encompasses the Ptown experience, whether it be a natural beauty, history, the iconic imagery, sexual orientation, the many quirky nuances and characters that just seem so comforting and all displayed with a gentle ease. It is from all of this that he get his inspiration for his graphics. He really wanted to celebrate this, have some fun and express his love for Ptown.
When he opened MATE, he met Kyle Ringquist (Kyle Ringquist Gallery) their businesses are at the same address, 349 Commercial Street. From this meeting they began to date and fall in love, (this is a difficult to achieve in a seasonal town, generally ‘love’ is very fleeting and ends at seasons end. Kyle has been in Ptown for 16 years and him, 9 years and until he opened his business they had never met oddly enough especially as Provincetown is small. Just a an idea…
Was there an Aha! Moment in your life when you knew you were on to something very good?
I am not sure if I had an Aha! moment to be honest as I feel that this has been a calling for me as cliche’ as that sounds. MATE is a culmination of everything that makes up who I am I feel. In this entire 8 week incubation of MATE, I am blessed to say that I never ran into a major setback which is very unusual in this process. Once I got over myself it really just flowed and came together.
MATE is really just the next chapter of my life, a continued journey.
Why did you decide to call it Mates??
Well being born and having grown up in New Zealand it really created itself. Mate is a term of acceptance and friendliness. What I also love about MATE is that it is a noun and a verb which allows me many avenues to creatively be playful.
Has it been a smooth road?
As I was putting the store together in 8 weeks I was on an intense emotional rollercoaster. One minute I was so certain it was the right thing then 30 minutes later I was on the floor crying thinking I could not pull this off and what if people did not like the store and my designs. The sleepless nights and second-guessing were there for sure but thankfully I had a lot of good friends for sounding boards and encouragement.
As it all came together, down to the wire of opening 5/21/16 I realized that the moment the store opened it was already a success and what happened from there would be ok. I really struggled with the fear of success as crazy as that sounds.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My vision elevates the vacation Tee to a wearable commentary and personal expression. No matter who you are and you fall in love Ptown, you will love MATE Provincetown.
Original and iconically inspired designs that celebrate the history, pride and uniqueness that is Provincetown and beyond.
T-shirts, tank tops, long-sleeve thermals, sweatshirts and accessories emblazoned with Paul’s Ptown-centric designs – landmarks from lighthouses to Spiritus, depictions of the hazardous Ptown bike culture, and the iconic Mate logo that is at once a friend, a partner, and a command – surround us in living-out-loud color.
As MATE Provincetown Inc brands grow, we look forward to adding some truly unique designs that will transverse all communities and be worn globally.
Proudly supports Provincetown organizations like H.O.W (Helping Our Women), Provincetown Soup Kitchen.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
349 Commercial Street in the happening east end of Provincetown, nestled between the historic landmark of the library and the Lands End Hardware store.
Contact Info:
- Address: 349 Commercial Street Provincetown MA 02657
- Website: www.mateprovincetowninc.com
- Phone: 415.407.4352
- Email: mateprovincetown@gmail.com
Image Credit:
The Boston Order of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
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