Happy Friday Amigos,

Welcome to the sixth edition of JM’s Weekly Roundup. A quick hit of what’s new at La Matera and a few things that’s popped up on my radar lately.

TL;DR:

• La Matera Highlight: Heading to Charleston next week for our Fall/Winter shoot — send your favorite local spots my way.

• Book of the Week: The River of Doubt — Teddy Roosevelt’s wild journey down the Amazon.

• Brand I’ve Been Digging: Le Alfré opens a flagship penthouse in NYC.

• YouTube Find: The Great Indoorsman’s new Midlife Meltdown series (the ’73 BMW project).

• Weekend Wisdom: “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – André Gide

1. La Matera Highlight – Charleston Bound

Next week, the team and I are heading to Charleston, South Carolina — my happy place — for our Fall/Winter photoshoot. Every corner of that city has character, so if you’ve got any local recommendations for new spots, hidden gems, or places you think should be part of the La Matera story, I’d love to hear them.

2. Book of the Week – The River of Doubt

I read this one a while back, but it remains one of my all-time favorites: The River of Doubt by Candice Millard. It tells the true story of Teddy Roosevelt’s expedition down an uncharted tributary of the Amazon, filled with danger, grit, and the kind of leadership that defines a person. It’s a wild adventure and a reminder of what real exploration looks like.

3. Brand I’ve Been Following – Le Alfré

My buddies up at Le Alfré in New York have been making the kind of button-downs that add just enough swagger to your wardrobe — classic but with personality. They just opened a flagship penthouse shop in Midtown, and it’s now on my must-visit list next time I’m in the city. If you haven’t checked them out, they’re worth a look.
Le Alfré Penthouse →

4. YouTube Find – The Great Indoorsman

I’ve gone down a bit of a YouTube rabbit hole to find The Great Indoorsman and his new Midlife Meltdown series. He’s a longtime woodworker, furniture maker, and occasional car restorer who just started tackling a ’73 BMW 2002 project — full of personality, craftsmanship, and humor. If you’re into good design and garage tinkering, this one’s a fun watch.
Watch Here →

5. Weekend Wisdom – Man cannot discover new oceans…

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – André Gide

I love this one. Whether it’s a creative risk, a new venture, or just trying something unfamiliar, it’s a solid reminder that you can’t find the next big thing by clinging to the dock.

That’s it for this week. As always, I appreciate you being here and following along. On to the weekend.

Cheers,
JM

Jon-Mark Craddock
CEO

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Originally sent through JM's Substack on 2025-10-24.