Where are they now? – with Matthew Mancou

WCC alumnus, Matthew Mancour, smiling for the camera. | Matthew Mancour

by R.J. HUNT
Editor

“Where Are They Now?” is a new segment that will be a part of The Voice for the time to come. The purpose of this segment is to find WCC alumni, learn where they are now, and how WCC helped them navigate their career paths.

Matthew Mancour is a WCC alumnus who attended WCC from 2008-2010. Mancour graduated from WCC with an associate degree in business. He later transferred to Eastern Michigan University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2012.

Matthew and his wife, Lily, take a selfie. | Matthew Mancour

2008 is a year remembered for being a low point in the U.S. economy. Mancour and his wife, Lily, left their home in Las Vegas to move to Michigan. Mancour’s wife was attending the University of Michigan, so he decided to go to school. He was looking for a school that could help him earn his business degree, but at a lower price than a university. That’s when he decided on attending WCC. Mancour described WCC as perfect because of the student activities he was involved in, including The Washtenaw Voice.

Mancour worked for The Voice’s video production team from 2009-2010. At The Voice, he was a part of many award-winning teams as he usually placed in the top three for multiple award categories.

“The Voice was my home,” said Mancoor. “I was in that office all the time.” When asked what advice he would give to future Voice students, Mancour said, “Be creative and be open minded to work with the team.”

Mancour is so appreciative of his time at WCC because it prepared him for his future.

“(WCC) was the best decision I ever made; it led to so many opportunities for me.” WCC equipped Mancour for his time at EMU as he went to get his bachelor’s. “WCC puts you to the test…when you take full advantage of your environment, it helps you prepare.”

After graduating from WCC, Mancour started working for iRule, a small tech company that turns IOS products and Android phones into a remote control of Internet of Things devices. Those who have used this service include NASA’s training rooms, Best Buy’s Magnolia rooms, and CNN’s War Room. Mancour went on to have four jobs at one point, trying to make ends meet.

He then started his own company called “Founder and Collector.” People would need videos done for their YouTube channels or other similar projects, so they would call on Mancour to work on the videos for them. He divides the work into two brands, one for weddings and the other for add-on media. Add-on media lets you better your project through a creative palette that helps in video production, web and print design, and marketing.

The clientele started to grow for Mancour as he began to take on more substantial roles. He has produced films for local schools like EMU, U of M, Greenhills, and Emerson. Now, he is currently working on a documentary for National Park.

Mancour with his equipment as he prepares for work. | Matthew Mancour

Even with all that going for him, Matthew continues to press forward to starting new businesses. He is currently in the process of starting a new company called “Run MIx Back, ” a nod to famous Hip Hop group Run-D.M.C. The company’s goal is to help people make videos and edit them at a low price.

Mancour’s advice to future business students is to think outside the box first and stay fresh because businesses change every day. Second, find a mentor and see if there is anything you can do for them to get your foot in the door.

He continued to advise WCC students, saying WCC is a place to be comfortable. Students should be doing what they can to make themselves, their peers, and their school better. He said WCC is a community that works, as he went on to say, “I’m proud to be a part of WCC.”

Editor’s note: The Voice found Mancour through a LinkedIn search for former WCC students. Members of the current news team has no knowledge of his time at the Voice until the interview.