In this episode of the Lift Your Shop Podcast, LIFT Auto Repair Marketing CEO Kelsey Ostrom sits down with Tonnika Haynes, owner of Brown’s Automotive, to talk about pride in the trades, leadership, and building the next generation of technicians.

Tonnika shares her journey growing up in a family-owned shop, transitioning from collision repair to mechanical, and what it really takes to build trust—with customers and with your team. This conversation dives deep into why blue-collar work deserves more respect, how shop owners can mentor young technicians, and why culture matters just as much as KPIs.

From hiring younger techs and developing service advisors to redefining success beyond college degrees, this episode is a powerful reminder that dirty hands can still mean clean money—and meaningful work.

• Why the trades deserve more respect

• How to mentor and grow young technicians

• The importance of shop culture and leadership

• Customer service lessons from collision repair

• Giving the next generation a real opportunity to succeed

If you’re a shop owner, manager, or technician who cares about people, culture, and long-term success, this episode is for you.

👉 Subscribe for more conversations on auto repair marketing, leadership, and shop growth.