Ep 109 - Becca & Tony Zanders | The Truth About Selling Your Auto Repair Shop
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Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HEREASTA is coming up September 24-26 in Raleigh. Be there or be square…
More from Confessions of a Shop Owner
Ep 108 - Coaching Call #19 | The Technician Hiring Mistake Costing You Thousands
Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HEREASTA is coming up September 24-26 in Raleigh. Be there or be square dog! Register now 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 and Matt Lofton tackle the tough realities of technician recruitment and retention in the automotive industry. They break down what makes for a world-class tech resume, including the importance of certifications and a repeatable diagnostic process. They also dive into creative benefits and pay structures that help shop owners attract and keep high-performing team members.Timestamps:00:00 Why effort matters: average effort equals average results01:01 On location: Real shop talk—live from the upstairs lounge02:12 Listener story: The perils of moving for a big technician bonus03:31 Counter work: How service advisor experience changes your perspective04:12 Building a world-class technician resume06:10 Green flags when hiring technicians: culture, urgency, and communication08:07 Assessing tech skill levels: How shop owners rank new hires10:02 The realities of shop life: climate (un)controlled & passion required11:15 Interview testing: Math, typing, and diagnostics12:25 What a detailed diagnostic process REALLY sounds like15:00 Repair process deep dive: Front pads and rotors, step by step16:00 Certifications: Do ASE and OEM certs really matter?18:19 Certification pay bumps and how smart shops use them22:24 Additional benefits: Tool truck stipend, unique perks, and paid vacation23:21 Spotting red flags in technician interviews25:25 Dangerous hobbies, life outside work, and “yellow flags”27:08 Get your questions HR-checked—don’t risk dangerous interview territory28:19 Video games: Neutral factor or warning sign?29:01 A-level techs vs. average: The importance of self-improvement32:10 Tools for growth: ScannerDanner Premium and other training hacks33:04 Is tech a job or a career? Why treating it like a profession pays34:10 Unique retention benefits elite shops are offering now36:18 The surprising power of honest feedback and shop culture39:22 Flat rate, salary, and pay progression: Building real career pathways41:45 What techs should ask in every interview (and why shops should let you talk to the team)44:39 The best techs interview the shop right back45:53 Why service advisor performance matters for technician pay47:00 When mistakes happen: Who eats the loss—tech or shop?48:41 “How do you want to get paid?” Structuring compensation around performance50:00 Signing bonuses: rewards, risks, and negotiation tips53:40 Why every tech should understand shop numbers (not just fixes!)
Ep 107 - Rich Falco | The ADAS Mistake That Could Cost You Everything
Keep shop management, payments, marketing (all the things) all in one place with Tekmetric. It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Click HEREASTA is coming up September 24-26 in Raleigh. Be there or be square dog! Register now 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!Elite Worldwide's Ignite 2027 is coming up in February and NOW is the time to sign up. It's happening in Vegas February 4-6 and it will be the best 3 days of your shops year when you attend. Learn now HEREIn this episode, Mike Allen welcomes Rich Falco to talk about the challenges and stories behind running a shop in today’s changing automotive landscape. They focus heavily on why shop owners need to invest in technician training and the difficulties many shops face bridging the gap between what techs want to learn and what the industry demands. A key theme that emerged was the growing impact of ADAS calibrations, the risk of improper repairs, and the increasing need for specialized equipment and procedures.Timestamps:00:00 Scope Drama: Impressive Diagnostics or Just for the ‘Gram?01:05 Poker Nights & Shop Camaraderie02:58 CTI Training Center – Tech Paradise04:44 Bikers, Miatas & Life After Kids05:11 Running a Mobile Calibration Business06:29 Body Shop Calibrations: Bent Brackets & Bad Installs07:05 Small Shops vs. Chains: Who Cuts Corners?08:00 Essential Tools for Mobile Programming & Diagnostics09:11 How Much Does a Well-Equipped Van REALLY Cost?10:49 Why Shops Should Avoid “Hero” Jobs on Exotic Cars13:15 Overconfident Techs (And When Ego Bites Back)14:18 CTI’s Latest: Technician Evaluation & Skills Platform16:17 Closing the Gap: Tech Training You Want Vs. Need19:22 Best Training Tools: Online vs. In-Person21:02 Shop Owners Bringing In-Depth Training to Their Doorstep23:53 Should You Build Up Domestic Programming Skills?24:34 Playground for Technicians: Touring the Research Center25:07 Autel vs. PicoScope Throwdown26:44 Shops Chasing “Hero Work” vs. Profitable Bread & Butter28:18 Building Technician Career Paths—Real Tools for Real Growth30:21 The Real Deal: What Techs Actually Want in Shops32:42 Shop Owner Secrets: Training, Recruiting & Retention34:44 Why the Best Techs Invest In Their Own Training35:37 Networking & Recruiting at Industry Events37:17 Rookie Shop Owners Who Get It Right (And Bring Cocktails)41:47 Short-Form Training – The Secret Techs Actually Use42:39 Why Boring Training Videos Kill Your Shop Culture44:42 Not Reading the Service Info? Big Mistake45:09 ADAS Calibrations, Liability, and Lawsuit Risks47:24 Will Self-Driving Tech Change Everything?52:45 Should We Fear (or Welcome) Our Robot Car Overlords?54:05 Endgame: Cards, Cocktails & Hospitality at the Next Expo
Ep 106 - Mike Allen, Bryan Pollock, & Braxton Critcher | The Repair Industry is Like a Bucket of Crabs
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 HEREASTA is coming up September 24-26 in Raleigh. Be there or be square dog! Register now 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 HEREThis one was a long time coming. Today, Mike, Bryan and Braxton dig into some of the wildest and most misguided comments from the Confessions of a Shop Owner Facebook page recently. They tackle the notorious “$358k technician” story, breaking down why so many techs can’t do the math—or just don’t want to believe the numbers. You'll have a lot of fun hearing what some people in the industry have to say about some of the hot button issues...or really their lack of understanding. Timstamps:00:00 Techs in the comment section: “Nobody makes that much!” The $350K technician saga02:31 Are you watching the podcast, or just the reels? Context, context, context!05:07 Reggie’s story: Would you leave for a $1/hr raise? Why context gets lost online07:12 Diagnostic skills, cognitive leaps, and why some techs will never make big money10:09 Fairfax, VA: High rent, high output, high pay – breaking down the math11:19 “Crabs in a bucket” and raging over others’ success13:11 Who are the real 1%ers in the shop world? Defining success in auto repair15:03 The service advisor breakdown: Where does all the time go?16:09 Rage-baiting with advisor accountability, tracking every minute in the shop18:29 Punch cards, bathroom codes, and memories of dealership micromanagement20:01 How hard is it, really, to do a 10-minute write-up?21:23 Mediocre service advisor confessions (& Braxton’s epic shade)22:25 Do your employees secretly listen to your podcast?23:45 The all-star “A Tech” myth: Can anyone really “do everything”?25:11 Ego, memory, and those wild open forum stories26:26 Are you really a unicorn tech, or did you just burn a car down?28:00 Training vs. tech evolution: Has the industry outpaced technician effort?29:21 After hours learning: What the top techs are really doing30:26 Commenters vs. reality: Reading comprehension fails (and laughs)33:02 “Never lost to a car” – the world’s biggest shop lie35:01 Toolbox wars and the rolling rig debate: Weight, wheels & wild finance42:02 Remote diagnostics, shop culture, and the power of process49:00 Why context is everything: Dealerships, warranty companies & internet assumptions52:28 If you’re mad at a reel, maybe just listen to the episode (and visit our sponsors)
Ep 105 - Zeb Beard | Your Shop Doesn't Need More Techs
Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HEREASTA is coming up September 24-26 in Raleigh. Be there or be square dog! Register now 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!In this episode, Bryan Pollock sits down for a no-holds-barred conversation on shop ownership, team culture, and social media with Zeb Beard. Zeb shares why he's big on visualizing goals—and how that mindset helped him score a brand-new facility. They dive into why having dedicated roles, like a full-time DVI specialist, can massively boost shop efficiency (and profit). Plus, Bryan and Zeb talk about why they're not afraid to stir the pot with the trolls on social media, and how “playing grab ass” at the shop stalls progress.Timestamps:00:00 Why “100% production” is for amateurs01:18 Why techs need to get off Google and show initiative03:40 The hiring hack: leave info out and see who can problem-solve06:00 Raising independent kids—now considered “dangerous”?!08:26 Can’t = Motivation: Zeb's reverse psychology for success10:02 Visualizing ridiculous goals (and how it landed a new shop)12:13 Social media, comedy, and the birth of the viral “road report”14:11 From slow shop to slammed: the power of relatable content16:11 Why automotive posts attract trolls—and why Brian loves ‘em19:03 Haters gonna hate, but the right customers love the realness20:53 Stop showing brake jobs, start showing personality25:35 Growth mode vs “growing into your skin” after scaling up27:47 The struggle to find talent in rural America30:17 Choosing city vs small town for shop location32:41 Surviving a soft market and approval rate dips35:05 Organic marketing: how the “road report” really moved the needle37:00 Tracking the 10-year cycles in auto repair shop business41:58 Boundary setting: solving the “grumpy shop owner” syndrome43:53 Introducing William, the DVI wizard: why every shop needs one48:04 How a DVI specialist and cleanup guy can outpace 3 extra techs54:15 Unlocking ultimate tech efficiency with multiple bays per tech59:18 Real math: How more bays explode your bottom line01:00:47 Firing low producers—why your shop might actually run better