Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training and Pico Technology

Watch Full Video Episode

Episode summary

Matt Fanslow pulls a lesson from an unexpected place: a Parkway Drive studio story involving Killswitch Engage’s Adam D. The band tried to force a new sound—clean vocals mixed with screams—and it just wasn’t working. The fix? Stop trying to be a different band and lean into what already fits.

Matt ties that directly into shop life: not every shop needs to work on every vehicle type or take every job, and not every person needs to be great at every kind of work. Whether it’s building around strong mechanical specialists, strong technical specialists, or choosing a narrower service lane, specializing on purpose can be the difference between surviving and thriving.

What you’ll hear in this episode

1. Why the “do everything” mindset can quietly punish shops (and people)
2. A real example of pivoting back to core strengths (and winning bigger because of it)
3. The difference between mechanical specialists and technical specialists—and why both are hard to find
4. Why “I can buy the tools” doesn’t automatically equal “we can do the work well”
5. Checking ego at the door: success doesn’t require being everything to everyone
6. A nod to “reverse benchmarking”: build your identity around what others don’t do well

Key takeaways (shop + career)

1. Specialization isn’t weakness. It can be the most rational way to deliver consistent quality.
2. Tools and information don’t replace capability. They support it—if the people and processes are there.
3. Staffing reality matters. If you don’t have the right mechanical specialist or technical specialist, forcing the work in-house can be painful.
4. You can evolve later. Being “not that shop” today doesn’t mean “never”—it can mean “not yet.”
5. Identity beats imitation. Trying to match someone else’s “genre” can pull you away from what you’re actually great at.

Bands / people / references mentioned

1. Parkway Drive (story + recommendation)
2. Killswitch Engage (Matt’s favorite band)
3. Adam D (KSE) and his influence in the studio moment
4. Howard Jones / Jesse Leach (KSE vocalist history)
5. Slipknot (clean vs scream evolution reference)
6. Tour mentions: Summer of Loud (as described), plus bands like The Devil Wears Prada, I Prevail, Beartooth (as mentioned)
7. Sports analogy: Tampa Bay Buccaneers run-heavy approach (and leaning into strengths)

Quoteable moments

“We are the diamonds that choose to stay coal.”

“Maybe we’re not the shop to do everything.”

“I can buy all these tools… but maybe my personnel…”

“Sometimes drilling down and focusing on what we’re really good at is the better move.”

“Reverse benchmarking… build around what everyone else doesn’t do very well.”

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training

NAPA Autotech’s team of ASE Master Certified Instructors are conducting over 1,200 classes covering 28 automotive topics. To see a selection, go to napaautotech.com for more details.

Thanks to our Partner, Pico Technology

Are you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Pinpoint faults in sensors, wiring, and components with unmatched accuracy. Visit PicoAuto.com and revolutionize your diagnostics today!

Contact Information

1. Email Matt: [email protected]
2. Diagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel
3. Subscribe & Review: Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/

Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/

Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/

The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/

The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/

Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/