Who Takes Care of the Shop Owner? | JeanAnn SaintGrace - Ep 33
Now playing — Downshift with Tonnika
About this episode
Consistency is key - heard that! But, consistency is HARD. That's why I gave up on trying and let the experts handle it. Detect Auto.…
More from Downshift with Tonnika
Benjie Burris's "Secret Weapon" for His Shop | Benjie and Kristy Burris - Ep 32
Running a shop is hard enough—you don't need your software making it harder. 😂 If you're ready for more clarity, better organization, and a smoother experience for both your team and your customers, check out Tekmetric HEREConsistency is key - heard that! But, consistency is HARD. That's why I gave up on trying and let the experts handle it. Detect Auto. Let them clean up your estimating process and raise your ARO - like they did for me! CLICK HERE TO BOOK A DEMOIn this episode, Tonnika Haynes welcomes back Benjie Burris, but this time he brought who we all wanted to hear the first time. The boss! Kristy Burris. Today, they get into what it means to build legacy in the automotive repair industry. They also cover the importance of apprenticeship programs and investing in young technicians to secure the industry's future. Tonnika also unpacks the real story behind shop culture—emphasizing that true wealth isn’t just KPIs, but the impact you have on your community and the next generation.Timestamps:00:00 The pressure to go to college—and the reality for grads01:31 Why Benjie’s “secret weapon” changed the business02:46 Doing the work vs. coasting through shop coaching05:00 Kristy’s journey: from classroom to the family shop09:11 The apprenticeship program and hiring local youth13:00 Rethinking “special education”—everyone deserves a chance16:05 The unseen brilliance in non-traditional students18:28 Why degrees and diplomas aren’t the only path to success20:07 Building up people, not just technicians22:22 Real wealth: lessons you can’t measure in KPIs24:45 Are today’s kids “lazy”? Busting myths about the next generation27:44 The trap of chasing other people’s goals—set your own32:34 How mentorship changes lives (and helped Benji calm down!)36:03 Culture eats strategy for breakfast—here’s what REALLY matters42:15 Mentorship in action: the new generation leading the shop45:45 Lessons learned: why serving your community beats the bottom line48:14 Don’t bring work home—making the family business attractive51:10 Next-gen ownership: preparing your kids for leadership55:05 Giving your staff tools that don’t come from a tool truck57:00 Why feedback (and a good chicken wing) matter59:10 It’s not smoke and mirrors—shop culture you can FEEL
How to Build a Business While Raising a Family | Kassiady Markham - Ep 31
You shouldn't have to play detective just to figure out what's happening in your own shop. 😂 If you're ready for all your shop's information in one place, check out Tekmetric HEREConsistency is key - heard that! But, consistency is HARD. That's why I gave up on trying and let the experts handle it. Detect Auto. Let them clean up your estimating process and raise your ARO - like they did for me! CLICK HERE TO BOOK A DEMOIn this episode, Kassiady Markham joins Tonnika Haynes to share her journey of building Phase Two Automotive alongside her husband from the ground up. Kassiady opens up about the challenges of balancing motherhood, business ownership, and overcoming setbacks—including business failures and family health crises. She emphasizes the importance of coaching for growth, setting boundaries at work, and building generational wealth for their family.Timestamps:00:00 Kassiady introduction: therapy, humor, and owning half the company01:02 Shop origins: EMT careers and turning a car hobby into a side hustle04:08 From “side gig” to baby in the office—juggling kids and business05:16 Struggles: marriage stress, foreclosure, and raising autistic children07:00 When the first business collapsed and the comeback began10:09 Taking a leap (again): Starting over with Phase Two Automotive13:32 IRS threats and the decision to take full control14:29 Stepping into leadership: Doing the books, HR, and payroll16:36 Coaching with Elite: Solving problems, boundaries, and marriage tips18:45 Why running a family business was the only way20:01 Who’s in Kassiady corner when it gets hard? Support systems23:30 How the team runs the shop (including her brother!)25:38 The crucial role of coaching in unlocking new growth27:20 The vision: generational wealth, success goals, and involving the kids30:35 Lessons learned: “It’s not a bad life—just a bad day.”32:01 Setting work boundaries and prioritizing family34:19 Therapy as self-care; keeping the marriage strong39:05 Parenting philosophies and supporting kids to adulthood41:14 Leading as the only woman in the shop: standing firm43:19 Customer confrontations and not backing down44:50 Real advice for women running shops or helping husbands50:39 Discounting, boundaries, and protecting the shop’s future54:49 Giving back to the community—doing good when it matters56:29 Expansion goals: property headaches and future shop dreams60:08 Rapid fire: first car, dream car, entrepreneurship in one word61:49 Biggest lesson: Wishing they’d started coaching sooner62:13 Why she’ll never be without a business coach
The Mistake That's Costing Your Shop Money | Nick Yannessa & Chi Wong - Ep 30
Consistency is key - heard that! But, consistency is HARD. That's why I gave up on trying and let the experts handle it. Detect Auto. Let them clean up your estimating process and raise your ARO - like they did for me! CLICK HERE TO BOOK A DEMOAnybody can run a shop. Building one that lasts? That's a whole different story. If you're ready to build smarter systems and a better experience for your team and customers, check out Tekmetric HEREIn this episode, Tonnika welcomes Nick Yannessa & Chi Wong to talk about how they started a auto repair shop. Nick brought up how he thinks it's dangerous to judge customers based on their car or background—presenting recommendations equally is key for success. They all discuss the importance of efficiency and processes, especially for one-person operations, with strategies ranging from shop layout to streamlined part sourcing. The discussion explored how relationships—whether through peer support, coaching, or personal connection with customers—can make or break both morale and business success.Timestamps:00:00 Growing up in the business, judging customers & learning not to assume03:00 The wild origin story of a Philly-area repair friendship07:00 Shop ownership journeys: from dealer frustration to Craigslist finds13:15 Shop expansions, partnerships, and the big pains of growing fast16:30 Management mistakes: Getting hurt by the wrong coaching advice22:30 Why shop friendships (and roasting each other) drive real growth26:00 Breaking out of the tech mindset — why process & sales skills matter35:00 Single bay or big staff? How to thrive as a one-man show41:30 Efficiency hacks: leg surgery for your shop layout47:00 The power of batching tasks, double-dipping on equipment, and finding your warehouse51:00 Bootstrapping a new shop, from free desks to Techmetric (or not)59:00 Real-life sales training: How to pitch brakes and win trust1:12:00 Dealership vs. Indie: Why premium service isn’t just about the brand1:20:00 Body shop margins, insurance games, and why service rocks1:33:00 The secret sauce: Making your shop unforgettable1:39:00 Building trust over time (without a single DVI)1:44:00 Health, happiness, and generational wealth—success beyond KPIs1:46:00 Why driving a free CR-V might beat flexing a Cadillac1:52:00 Building benefits for your people, and leveling up your future1:58:00 Final rants and why you need to be the “dive bar” your customers love
The Shop Owner Comparison Trap | Anders Gustafson - Ep 29
Running a shop is hard enough—you don't need your software making it harder. 😂 If you're ready for more clarity, better organization, and a smoother experience for both your team and your customers, check out Tekmetric HEREConsistency is key - heard that! But, consistency is HARD. That's why I gave up on trying and let the experts handle it. Detect Auto. Let them clean up your estimating process and raise your ARO - like they did for me! CLICK HERE TO BOOK A DEMOIn this episode, Tonnika Haynes welcomes Anders Gustafson to discuss the real journey of shop ownership, from humble beginnings to scaling up. Anders shares the challenges of starting a shop with little experience, reflecting on the lessons learned from opening a second location and the importance of picking the right spot. Together, they get real about the mental toll of comparing yourself to others on social media, the need for community and coaching in the automotive industry, and why self-growth matters more than flashy online wins.Timstamps:00:00 The Comparison Trap: Social Media and Shop Owner Wins01:26 East Coast Roots: Moving for a Dream02:15 Breaking into Automotive: From Office Job to Shop Life03:38 U-Hauls & Humble Beginnings—Opening Shop in Virginia07:27 Location Matters! Lessons from Two Stores11:01 Second Location Struggles & Mistakes14:36 Going It Alone: The Cost of Not Getting Industry Support17:32 Social Media: More Harm Than Good?19:02 Measuring Growth: Why the Only Race is With Yourself25:02 Teaching & Tectonic: How Humor Changes the Game28:23 Tech-Enabled Services: ShopLevers Explained32:46 Business Partners: Horror Stories & Happy Endings37:04 Boondoggling Across the Globe: Adventures Post-Shop Life41:40 Real Shop Drama: Roller Coasters, Jabronis & Jalopies44:00 The Power of Coaching, Training, and Community46:53 From Fear to Freedom: Finding Your Shop Owner Tribe49:01 Shop Ownership = Roller Coaster (and Why You Should Love It)52:44 Google Reviews, Value, and Standing Your Ground