The Standard Behind the Logo: Matt Stanley on Pride, Professionalism, & the Crew That Built Both

Vintage Blacktop Co. was built to put real crews in the spotlight. Few names carry more weight in the paving arena than Matt Stanley. CEO/founder of Raised On Blacktop® and paving foreman at American Pavement. He’s helped turn a family trade into a living standard, where craft and conduct matter as much as tonnage. Stanley’s compass is simple. Do the work, lead from the front, and let results speak. No theatrics, no excuses. Just a clear expectation that crews will carry themselves with respect, push for excellence, and make this industry something the next generation wants to join. 

 

“The trades are proof that hard work still matters — it’s where respect isn’t given, it’s earned one day, one job, one callus at a time.”

More Than a Paycheck

For Matt, this didn’t click in a single flashbulb moment. It settled in over time, the way real standards do. He grew up around men who modeled what “real work” looks like, and being the boss’s son meant there were no shortcuts to respect.

“There’s not one moment I can point to — this is a marathon. Making real money young definitely fueled me early on, but what made it stick was growing up around men who taught me what real work looks like. As the boss’s son, you learn fast that respect isn’t handed down, it’s earned. Once I earned it, I realized this wasn’t just a job — it was a community.”

The Non-Negotiable

Ask what he enforces on every job and you hear the backbone of his brand. Effort, respect, and pride in how you show up, even when conditions or circumstances aren’t ideal.

“You’ve got to have a chip on your shoulder and be scrappy — this is blood money. Effort and respect are number one. Not every job’s perfect, but we always give our best and stay professional. That’s the difference between a crew and a brand.”

How You Learn Matters

Matt's mentorship story isn’t a fairy tale of lectures and manuals. It’s about watching actions under pressure and absorbing the message without anyone spelling it out.

“I’ve learned the most by watching people’s actions — not what they say, but how the people around them respect them. That’s everything. A lot of that comes from my dad. He’s not a ‘sit down and teach you a lesson’ guy, but I learned from how he carries himself, especially during tough times like 2008, 2009, and COVID. The message was clear: don’t panic. Keep moving. Stay humble and lead by example.”

What Stays, What Changes

There’s a line Matt won’t cross. The chip on the shoulder work ethic that built this industry. But he’s just as clear about what must change, the story the world tells about blue-collar work.

“The scrappiness — that chip on the shoulder — has to stay. What needs to change is society’s view of us. The disrespect for blue-collar workers is insane. That’s why I started Raised On Blacktop — to bring pride and professionalism back to the trades.”

When a Day Goes Sideways

Crews take their cues from leaders. When the job throws a curveball, Matt’s reset is simple and contagious.

“Automatic problem-solver mode. No panic, no bullshit — just, ‘What’s next?’ We move like a unit. It’s almost military.”

Unlearning to Lead

Building something better sometimes means stepping out of survival mode and trusting a new vision.

“Our parents’ generation built everything in survival mode. I respect the hell out of that — it’s why we’re wired the way we are. But at some point, you’ve got to be your own man, have your own vision. We realize we know a lot more than we give ourselves credit for, so at some point you have to trust yourself.”

If He Could Flip One Switch

Training and retention don’t live in education & skill alone. They live in how the world sees the people doing the work and in the materials they’re given to do it right.

“I wish society’s perspective of this work would change. We’re not ‘laborers’ — we’re highly trained professionals. The other day, an engineer told us, ‘Make sure the entrance to this parking lot isn’t too high — people with expensive cars will be pulling in.’ I just laughed and said, ‘Yeah, we have expensive cars too.’ That’s the problem — people still see us as the help, not the experts.
We need to make the people in the field the heroes again. The ones running the machines, raking the mat, hauling the tons — they’re the backbone of this whole thing. Nobody’s selling a paver or laying a ton of asphalt without them. The next generation needs to see that this is a lifestyle to be proud of. The industry has to start putting real effort into branding that pride, not just talking about it.
And on the field side, we’ve got better equipment and better processes than ever, but the asphalt itself is worse. It’s cracking faster because of how much recycled product’s being forced into mixes. Between green initiatives, regulations, and profit-driven suppliers, it’s hard to stand behind your work the way the older generations could. Pride used to mean you could trust the material too.”

Beyond the Mark on the Hat

If the logo vanished tomorrow, what would still make a crew unmistakably “Raised On Blacktop”?

“The work ethic. The pride. The professionalism. The legacy’s already there — you can see it in how people carry themselves now. The logo just represents it.”

That’s the standard Matt is carving into the culture. If you want people to respect the trades, start by respecting the people. The rest, pride, performance, and strong crews—follows.