Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Shay.
Matt, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Back when I was 15 years old I installed a stereo in a friends first car that he purchased from a Bradlee’s Store. That’s when I fell in love with mobile electronics. The passion grew over the next couple years and upon graduating high school I decided to forgo my background in plumbing and enter car audio school. Which at the time was located in Watertown Ma. Over the next couple years I worked at a pair of local audio shops until I landed a job at a shop in Tewksbury. After working at that shop for over a decade, I decided it was time to either open my own shop or better yet purchase the shop I’d been working for. Upon the purchase I changed the shops name to Audiowerks.
At that time we specialized in car stereo, remote starters, window tinting, and mobile video. Within the last 7 years our business has dramatically changed. I had always done some custom painting and was approached by a customer we had done some audio on his Harley Davidson to customize his Bagger. We finished it shortly before his trip to Daytona bike week at which he entered a bike show of which he placed 1st in his class. The main award for winning was the bike was featured on the cover of American Iron Magazine. Once that issue came out it opened a door I never thought would be opened.
Over the past 7 years we have built hundreds of baggers. Quite a few have graced the pages of American Bagger and Urban Bagger Magazine. Many also have the large front wheels known as Big Wheel Baggers and most have very loud stereo systems which is one of our claims to fame. We are one of the few shops that does almost everything in-house. From frame and suspension modifications, bodywork, paint, and electrical we do it all. It’s been an amazing journey so far and look forward to what the future holds.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When the housing market crashed there was a huge drop in business. We struggled for a year or two to stay afloat. At which time the customizing of Harley Davidson’s fell in our laps and helped to grow our business beyond where it was prior to the market crash.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We pride ourselves on quality products and unparalleled customer service. One part of our shop specializes in mobile electronics, such as car stereo/navigation, speakers, amplifier’s, remote starters, window tinting. The other specializes in customizing Harley Davidson motorcycle’s known as baggers. Doing our own body and paint work along with keeping almost everything in-house during the entire process is what separates us from the competition.
What were you like growing up?
I was into sports, baseball & basketball especially. I was fortunate enough that my parents could send me to training camps to help me hone my skills in both sports as I always wanted to put maximum effort into everything I do. I think that foundation helped shape my future as I’m always pushing myself to be the best I can be no matter what I’m doing.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2111 Main St.
Tewksbury Ma 01876 - Website: www.Audiowerks.net
- Phone: 978-988-1444
- Email: matt@audiowerks.net
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