Ep 105 - Zeb Beard | Your Shop Doesn't Need More Techs
Now playing — Confessions of a Shop Owner
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Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERETurnkey Marketing takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off…
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Ep 104 - Jordan Mosely | The Truth About Scaling an Auto Repair Business
Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HEREIf you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE for more on Turnkey Marketing.Send your service advisor to hands down the BEST service advisor training in the industry (even other coaching companies agree). It's Elite Worldwide's Masters Program. The next one is happening in Dallas Texas, September 10-12. Learn more HERE When I used the maintenance tool for the fist time with Detect Auto, my mind was blown. My advisors had the same reaction - and then SO MUCH MORE TIME. Learn more about Detect Auto and book a free demo now!In this episode, Mike Allen sits down with Jordan Mosely to talk about growth, technology, and the realities of running a multi-location business. Jordan shares how sticking to a proven playbook has helped him scale his quick lube and hybrid locations, and explains why obsessing over small cost details—like labor and materials—makes a huge impact on the bottom line. The conversation also dives into the pain (and promise) of current AI and software integrations, when Mike and Jordan both agree that the right technology is important, but execution, adaptation, and focusing on the basics are what truly drive success.Timestamps:00:00 Covered wagons and old-school shop software02:14 What really goes down at shop events and happy hours03:15 Playbooks and the secret to sticking with a process04:14 The quick lube model vs. full-service auto repair05:48 Learning from industry “gurus” and finding what works06:38 Car wash business models and subscription secrets08:09 Breaking down car wash economics and margins09:26 Pennies make the profit: expense structure and labor10:22 Why every phone call counts—and how much fumbled calls really cost12:04 AI cameras, call reviews, and upgrading shop tech12:41 Why onboarding new AI tools is painful (but worth it)14:00 Using Rilla, custom AI, and making tech work for your team16:28 Are unified shop platforms possible—or is it always 19 subscriptions?18:42 The challenges of double-entry and why Tekmetric stands out20:54 Tectonic event review: what a professional trade show looks like22:24 Fixing cars vs. trying to code your own AI: why you should pick a lane24:00 Confessions about chaos, change—and the need for therapy26:14 Dealing with online haters in the auto industry27:16 Remote and virtual advisors: the future, or a flop?30:07 The “sales hammer” model and selling from afar31:49 What happens when you try to run a fully remote shop32:35 Why execution is everything for new shop models34:42 20 groups, private equity, and the independent shop owner line36:44 Why big shop owners show up at trade shows38:14 Confession time: Subaru oil change disasters and red flags39:25 High turnover in quick lube—onboarding and training struggles40:05 Why you need to launch that training, even if it’s not perfect41:57 What’s next: acquiring more stores, riding the oil price wave, and 1% daily improvement
Ep 103 - Coaching Call #18 | The BIGGEST Mistake Shop Owners Make
Keep shop management, payments, marketing (all the things) all in one place with Tekmetric. It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Click HERETurnkey Marketing has made my life SOOO much simpler, AND they've helped keep the phone ringing. Do you need these two things too? Learn more HEREWhen I used the maintenance tool for the fist time with Detect Auto, my mind was blown. My advisors had the same reaction - and then SO MUCH MORE TIME. Learn more about Detect Auto and book a free demo now!Send your service advisor to hands down the BEST service advisor training in the industry (even other coaching companies agree). It's Elite Worldwide's Masters Program. The next one is happening in Dallas Texas, September 10-12. Learn more HEREFor years I thought I could handle the hiring process on my own. But, after far too many bad hires, it was clear I needed help. Promotive came through for me with a rock star hire in just a few days and I couldn't be happier. Swallow your pride and bring in Promotive for that open position you have at your shop today. You can thank me later. Learn more HEREIn this episode, Mike and Matt talk about how to find and commit to a core operational identity—rather than constantly chasing new ideas or industry trends. True success comes from consistent execution of a strategy you believe in. You will NEVER underestimate the value of training, coaching, and leveraging proven systems like EOS or similar frameworks to help owners and employees gain clarity, stay accountable, and ultimately grow a sustainable, profitable business.Timestamps:00:00 Shop Owner Myths: $200 an Hour and the Truth about Starting Out02:19 Celebrating Good Months04:11 Best Month Yet—Sales Up, Staff Changes & a New Advisor06:40 Fixing What Was Broken: Process, Accountability & a Data-Driven Turnaround07:54 ARO Jumps by 20%—Here’s How They Did It08:27 DVI Process Overhaul: Getting Real Numbers and Customer Buy-In10:12 Tech Average Quotes—Setting and Hitting Profitable Targets11:08 Maintenance Sales Struggles & Industry-Wide Challenges12:23 Next Steps: Boosting Closing Ratios and Ongoing Advisor Training13:09 Sales Presentation, Confidence & Learning to Overcome Objections14:34 Regional Training Events: Why Travel Matters & Team Building15:07 Bridging the Owner-Employee Gap: Training Techs & Advisors for Buy-In17:20 Why Private Equity Buys Shops—Math, Mindset & Community Impact20:19 Winning as an Independent: Local Presence, Team Culture, and Staff Retention21:48 Training Takeaways: Eye-Opening Insights for Non-Owners23:14 P&L and Labor Rate Workshops—Should Your Team Bring Their Books?24:32 Shop Pay Plans & Real Labor Cost Realities26:22 $350,000 Techs: The Truth Behind the Numbers & What’s Possible in Your Market28:19 Pay, Value, and Raising Rates: What Customers Need to See30:30 McDonald’s Drive-Thru vs. Customer Perception: Value & Expectations31:33 Bringing Training In-House: Hosting Courses for Your Shop and Community34:30 EOS, Traction, Rocket Fuel: Finding a System that Clicks36:10 Visionary vs. Integrator: Why Every Shop Owner Should Read These Books38:45 Team Structure, Core Genius, and the Power of Discipline41:08 Identity Crisis? Finding (and Loving) Your Shop’s Unique Advantage43:53 Don’t Change the Recipe—Simplicity and Full Commitment Win46:43 Basketball Offense & Building the Right Team for YOUR System48:46 Discipline, Focus & How Elite Shop Owners Set Themselves Apart51:21 Quality Management Systems: Lessons from Manufacturing52:15 Finding the Right Coach & System—Any Structure Beats None53:46 Elon Musk Clarity: Vision, Discipline, and Blocking Out the Noise
Ep 102 - Chris Gayne | If There's a Problem in Your Shop, It's Probably You
Tekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HEREMy marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HEREMake your techs happier with Detect Auto. They'll stop getting "check noise" or "check vibration" from advisors with the customer concern tool. It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Book a demo HERESend your service advisor to hands down the BEST service advisor training in the industry (even other coaching companies agree). It's Elite Worldwide's Masters Program. The next one is happening in Dallas Texas, September 10-12. Learn more HEREIn this episode, Chris Gayne shares stories from his transition out of a military career and into shop ownership, including the accidental founding of Dale County Diesel. The conversation dives deep into the difference between running a transactional versus a relational business, emphasizing the value of building real connections with customers and staff. Timestamps:00:00 – Transactional vs Relational: What Kind of Shop Are You Running?02:31 – From Military Flight Instructor to Shop Owner: Chris’s Journey06:43 – Surviving a Helicopter Crash (& What It Teaches You about Mistakes)14:02 – Leadership in the Shop: Lessons from Army to Auto Bay19:26 – Why Good Techs Deserve the Right Work—and Right Culture25:09 – How to Handle the “Unfixable”—Being Honest With Your Customers32:04 – Flat Rate vs Teamwork: What Actually Works?37:01 – Confession Time: If There’s a Problem in My Shop, It’s Me44:44 – Hard Policies, Real People: Why Relational Beats Rigidity49:55 – When to Tell Customers: “It’s Time to Move On from This Truck”51:06 – Wrap Up: Honesty, Growth, and Call for Your Confessions
Ep 101 - Matt Curry & Richard Tonetti | The Secret Behind an $40 Million Auto Repair Business
Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERETurnkey Marketing takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off my plate. And gives it to someone who is. Click HERE for more.Send your service advisor to hands down the BEST service advisor training in the industry (even other coaching companies agree). It's Elite Worldwide's Masters Program. The next one is happening in Dallas Texas, September 10-12. Learn more HEREWhen I used the maintenance tool for the fist time with Detect Auto, my mind was blown. My advisors had the same reaction - and then SO MUCH MORE TIME. Learn more about Detect Auto and book a free demo now!What does it take to build a high-performing automotive business that continues to grow while maintaining a strong culture?In this episode, Mike Allen sits down with Matt Curry and Richard Tonetti from Craftsman Auto Care to discuss the systems, leadership philosophies, and growth strategies that helped build one of the industry's most respected shop groups. Matt shares lessons learned from growing to 10 locations and $18 million in revenue, including the importance of culture, leadership, sales training, digital inspections, and customer reviews. Timestamps:00:00 The $1 Raise That Changed Everything01:14 Are 4-Day Workweeks Actually Hurting Your Business?03:41 Why “Money Motivated” Isn’t a Dirty Word06:46 From Tire Changer to VP: Growth Stories from the Shop Floor07:16 Matt’s Path: 10 Stores, $18 Million, and a Comeback09:13 The Secret Sauce: Buying Distressed Shops & Turning Them Around10:36 How to Hit $1,000 Average ROs (and Why Volume Per Bay Matters)11:02 The Turning Point: Digital Inspections & Sales Training13:29 Being the Best Shop Cheerleader—Even on Bad Days14:11 Making the Hard Work Fun (Yes, It’s Possible!)19:00 Sales Scripts, Objection Handling, and The “One More Thing” Rule20:05 How to Hire the Perfect Counter Person (It’s Not About Automotive Experience!)22:49 Culture vs. Corporate: Why Good Techs Never Leave25:15 Google Review Domination: Building Trust and Cutting Marketing Costs28:20 Spiffs, Friendly Competition, and Making Reviews a Shop Habit32:10 Small Gestures, Big Impact: The Stuffed Animal Touch35:13 Why Internal Competition Works—But Only with the Right Culture37:46 When Growth Kills Culture (And How to Avoid It)40:36 Can Independents Still Win? Opportunity in a Corporate, Tech-Heavy Landscape43:27 The Blueprint: Build Slow, Build Right, Stay Nimble45:17 Level Up: Giving Back and Training the Next Generation47:04 Growing Your Own Techs & Locking Down Quarter-Million Dollar Talent