Matt Jorgenson

Background

About Matt Jorgenson

I'm Matt “Sweets” Jorgenson, the founder and president of Sweets Kendamas—a company I launched in 2010 after discovering the captivating world of kendama through a freeskiing film. What began as a personal passion quickly evolved into a mission to popularize this traditional Japanese skill toy across the United States and beyond. Over the past 15 years, I have spearheaded initiatives in marketing, social media, brand development, and community engagement, transforming a personal passion into a globally recognized brand. Starting from humble beginnings—hand-painting kendamas in a backyard shed—we've grown into a globally recognized brand known for innovation, quality craftsmanship, and a vibrant community. Key Milestones & Contributions- Product Innovation: Developed proprietary sticky paint finishes and introduced the Homegrown™ line, emphasizing high-quality, locally crafted kendamas- Community Building: Transformed Sweets Kendamas into a cultural movement by sponsoring pro players, collaborating with brands like Vans and Spikeball, and fostering a global community of enthusiasts- Event Leadership: Founded the Minnesota Kendama Open in 2013, which has since evolved into the North American Kendama Open (NAKO), the continent's largest kendama competition, attracting participants from over 30 states and 11 countries- Global Recognition: Achieved the 6 Dan ranking from the Japan Kendama Association, one of the highest honors in the sport, and participated in setting a Guinness World Record in Tokyo for the most people catching a kendama ball on the big cup in a row- Media Presence: Featured in major publications like the Star Tribune, highlighting the surge in kendama's popularity during the pandemic and our role in leading this movement. At Sweets Kendamas, we believe in the power of play to connect people, cultivate patience, and inspire creativity. Our journey from a backyard operation to an international brand is a testament to the passion and resilience of our team and the incredible community that supports us. Let's connect and share the joy of kendama!