Matt Estrin jokes that his goal is to make enough money to buy a private jet. It gets a laugh—and then it gets real. Because behind that lighthearted dream is a man who understands exactly what it takes to build something from nothing, and who’s not afraid to go all in.
His story doesn’t start in a boardroom or a business school. "It was a dream that was born in my garage," Matt reflects.
In 2015, he began experimenting with distilling as a hobby. It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t public. It was passion, pure and unfiltered. When his grandfather passed away a year later, leaving Matt and his wife a modest inheritance, they made a bold move. They filled their first bourbon barrels in North Carolina in 2016 and opened the doors of 477 Distilling in Greeley in 2018.
"From there, I caught the bug for entrepreneurship, having started 7 businesses over a 7-year period," and it ignited something within Matt.
In December 2024, he opened a combined 477 tasting room and gourmet waffle restaurant, Oak and Maple, in downtown Loveland.
Now, Matt wasn’t just building a brand, but a movement. From crafting award-winning spirits to creating a gourmet waffle concept, Matt saw opportunity where others saw obstacles.
He didn’t just open doors. He kicked them down.
But here’s the thing: success for Matt has never been just about money, accolades, or even jet fuel. He measures success by impact. For Matt, it has always been about the community and the people in it. In fact, it echoes like a trumpet in his core values.
"We love serving people; we love serving our community; and we love being creative.”
That mantra isn’t just on a mission statement. It lives in every bottle, every menu, every handshake across the bar. Whether it's donating a portion of sales to nonprofit organizations, creating drink specials that give back, or offering meaningful employment opportunities, Matt’s work is rooted in purpose, the purpose of the people he serves.
“I love people. I created a place for people to connect with each other, with our staff, with our brand. I want to make an impact in the community I serve. I also want to foster growth in my employees for their own future endeavors."
While building businesses, Matt also builds community. Walk into one of his locations, and you’ll feel it. The sense of belonging. The energy. The authenticity.
That’s not accidental. That’s Matt’s blueprint.
A longtime resident of Greeley—over 15 years and counting—Matt has become an anchor in northern Colorado. He serves on the board of the Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce, the Greeley Downtown Development Authority, and supports both UNC women’s volleyball and men’s basketball programs through NIL sponsorships. For him, business isn’t just about profit—it’s about creating a thriving community for the people he loves.
“My life is a collection of people that have poured into my life, and I hope to do the same for others," he states, inserting an obvious pun as part of his overall charm and humor.
There’s a humility in that statement that’s rare, something that is mirrored in his family values as well. "More than anything I love being a dad, and my two daughters are the biggest joys in my life."
It is within that essential truth that Matt remains steadfastly clear, along with the support of his 20-year marriage to his wife, which, as he puts it, “is more than worth noting.” It is worth celebrating! That mentality of putting family first and building a business based on values is not only admirable, but is the foundation of real success.
Matt lives by a simple motto that hangs in his home: “Work hard and be nice to people.” Add some grit, some guts, and a whole lot of vision—and you’ve got the formula that’s taken him from a backyard distiller to a community powerhouse.
So yeah, the private jet? Still on the list.
But here’s the truth: Matt is already flying. He's lifting his team, his town, and his family every single day.
And that’s a hell of a lot more powerful than anything with wings.
"We love serving people; we love serving our community; and we love being creative."