In this episode of the Garage Grit podcast, host Brad Hurlock from AA Shop Marketing leads a discussion with three experienced shop owners: Moira from Karma Auto Care in Georgia, Kendall from A1 Automotive in Nebraska, and Matt from Carz R Us in Illinois.

The conversation focuses on building and maintaining a positive shop culture, with each guest sharing their unique experiences, challenges, and strategies. Topics include team-building activities, personal development, mentoring young technicians, and the impact of shop culture on customer relationships. The episode also highlights the importance of continuous improvement and community involvement to create a supportive and engaging workplace environment.

00:00 Introduction to GarageGrit Podcast

00:40 Meet the Guests: Moira, Matt, and Kendall

00:59 Moira's Journey: From One Tech to Two Shops

02:16 Matt's Unique Path: From Band Teacher to Shop Owner

03:32 Kendall's Success: Building a Second Location

04:10 The Importance of Shop Culture

07:08 Challenges and Triumphs: Real Estate and Relocation

10:58 Recruitment Strategies: Finding the Right Fit

12:31 Building a Supportive Work Environment

18:07 Vision Boards and Personal Development

36:11 Generational Shifts in Shop Culture

41:21 The Importance of Continuous Learning

41:47 Reading vs. Audible: Different Approaches

42:09 Book Recommendations and Discussions

44:20 Implementing Lessons from Books

46:38 Building and Maintaining Shop Culture

47:37 Personal Development and Leadership

54:01 Vision Boards and Goal Setting

57:32 Team Collaboration and Compensation

01:05:13 Customer Experience and Shop Culture

01:18:17 Challenges of Expanding to Multiple Locations

01:20:52 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

Resources:

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Matt's Book Recommendations:

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

by Patrick Lencioni

The Dream Manager

by Matthew Kelly

Kendall's Book Recommendation:

The Courage to Be Disliked

by Ichiro Kashimi and Futema Guga

Moira's Book Recommendations:

Profit First

by Mike Michalowicz

All In

by Mike Michalowicz

Do It Differently

by Mike Michalowicz