Mission Statement
At Matt’s Creative Solutions, we intentionally remain a small, but profitable business. By keeping our overhead low, we provide affordable rates without sacrificing quality or personal attention.
Rather than operating as a large agency, we work closely with every client, building lasting relationships and delivering customized solutions that fit their goals and budget. Our streamlined approach allows us to respond quickly, stay flexible, and focus on results instead of unnecessary expenses.
Lower overhead means lower costs for our clients, greater value for every project, and a healthier, more sustainable business model. We believe success comes from trust, personalized service, honest pricing, and helping our clients grow—because when our clients succeed, we succeed together.
History: Matt’s Creative Solutions, formerly “Plewes Center:”
Plewes Center began as a small English language school in Shizuoka, Japan, founded and operated by Matthew Plewes. Over time, the school expanded to multiple locations and offered online instruction as well as on-site delivery lessons for businesses, schools, and individuals.
Matt’s English School’s Website (Click here)
__________
As the organization grew, Plewes Center diversified its services to meet the needs of the community. These services included an English-speaking self-defense school, an English-speaking Tiki Bar & Grill, translation and interpretation services, website design and development, wedding officiant services, and counseling programs.
Below: Matt’s Chuntian Academy Japan (Real World Self Defense)
Self Defense School Website (Click here)
_________
Below: Matt’s Shizuoka Tiki Bar
Tiki Bar Page (Click here)
__________
Below: Matt officiated weddings and counseled over 900 couples.
Wedding Minister Website (Click here)
_________
Matthew Plewes personally trained, studied, and earned certifications related to the various services offered through the organization.
Beyond business activities, Matt established and supported a children’s charity in Indonesia, regularly traveling there and spending several weeks each year assisting with charitable projects and community outreach.
___________
Below: Plewes Center – Indonesia
Below: Matt Financed The Children’s Outreach 100% from Wedding Services.
Matt’s Children Charity (Click here)
_________
After more than two decades living and working in Japan, Matt closed the physical locations and returned to Virginia, USA. Building upon the experience, knowledge, and community-focused spirit of Plewes Center, the organization evolved into Matt’s Creative Solutions.
Today, Matt’s Creative Solutions continues its mission of helping individuals and communities grow and improve themselves. Services include self-defense instruction, wellness and personal development programs, promotional and creative services, English language instruction, and online translation support for students and professionals learning English as a second language.
With decades of experience in education, martial arts, counseling, translation, and community service, Matt’s Creative Solutions remains dedicated to helping people achieve their personal and professional goals.
About Matt:
Matthew Plewes is a multidisciplinary business leader, educator, photographer, technology specialist, and martial arts master with a career spanning the United States and Japan. Over decades, he has built and managed organizations across education, promotions, and community services while leading teams, developing programs, and serving diverse international clients.
Matt currently works in supply chain operations with a major distribution center while continuing his work in website administration, promotions, online ESL education, and martial arts instruction.
Leadership & Entrepreneurship
During his two decades in Japan, Matthew founded, owned, and managed multiple successful organizations, including:
- Owner & Principal, Liberty English Schools
- Owner & Manager, Matt’s Creative Solutions
- Owner & Head Teacher, Chuntian Academy of Martial Arts
- Owner / Operator, Shizuoka Wedding Pro
- Head Minister, Aoi Wedding Chapel
- Owner / Manager, Shizuoka Tiki Bar & Grill
Through the Plewes Center of Japan, he oversaw a diverse portfolio of businesses and professional services spanning education, security consulting, investigations, martial arts instruction, wellness programs, technology services, cultural projects, and wedding services. He also supported charitable initiatives, including children’s outreach programs in Indonesia.
Martial Arts & Wellness
An 8th Degree Black Belt training continuously since childhood, with years of training, teaching, and research in Asia. His specialties include practical self-defense, traditional martial arts, Tai Chi, Qigong, meditation, and personal development.
Technology, Design & Education
Matthew combines technical and creative expertise in website administration, digital design, online education, media production, and cross-cultural communication. His academic studies have included business management, network security, computer technologies, industrial engineering technology, and private investigations.
Career Highlights
- Built and managed multiple businesses and educational organizations in Japan over a 22-year period.
- Led operations across education, security, wellness, technology, and consulting sectors.
- EMT-A, Ambulance Attendant-in-Charge, and Emergency Dispatcher, Nansemond-Suffolk Rescue Squad and participated in more than 3000 emergency calls.
- Officiated more than 950 weddings in English and Japanese.
- Delivered training and consulting services to organizations across two continents.
Born and raised in Suffolk, Virginia, Matthew Plewes has built a unique international career defined by leadership, entrepreneurship, operational excellence, education, and service, successfully bridging Eastern and Western cultures through business, training, technology, and community engagement.
Business Vision Statement: The next few years.
Our vision is to intentionally remain small, personal, and community-focused. We strive to build a respected kung fu and real-world self-defense teacher training club, work with a select group of influencers, models, entrepreneurs, and small businesses through professional website development, branding, and promotional services, and create lasting relationships rather than high-volume business.
We also envision developing an exclusive social club inspired by the welcoming atmosphere of the Shizuoka Tiki Bar, once owned and managed by Matt—a place where members can enjoy quality food, live entertainment and social gatherings in a relaxed environment.
Matt’s Personal Future Vision
One of the primary reasons Matt returned to the United States was to provide his children with the best opportunities for education and a successful future. Their growth and independence remain his highest personal priority.
Once his children have completed college and a new generation of qualified kung fu instructors has been established to continue his teaching legacy, Matt plans to once again embrace an international lifestyle through geoarbitrage—living in countries that offer an exceptional quality of life while maintaining lower living costs.
His leading destinations include returning to Japan, or relocating to Thailand or Vietnam, countries where he has extensive experience, professional relationships, and a deep appreciation for the culture.
If his children choose to remain in the United States, Matt may instead settle closer to home in destinations such as the Dominican Republic or Belize, allowing him to enjoy an international lifestyle while remaining within easy travel distance of family.
Regardless of where he ultimately resides, Matt’s vision is to continue teaching, mentoring, operating small, purposeful businesses, and enjoying a balanced life centered on family, community, and meaningful work rather than continual expansion.