Employees need the shop and the shop needs employees. Simple as that, right?

In this week’s episode, Fred Gestwicki Jr, President of Fix-it With Fred, LLC, gives examples on the benefits of being flexible with your staff, explains the importance of understanding your employee’s point of view, and shares a number of management stories from over the years.

(5:22) How Recruiting Has Changed
(22:57) Bettering Technician Relationships
(36:35) Types of Owners
(51:17) Building a Top Team

Resources:

Now you have more time to snag free t-shirts! Learn more.

Enter to win $1,000 in WrenchWay’s Monthly Giveaway. Learn more.

Check out Fred in other content:

• The Importance of Video for Recruiting Technicians
• How to Conduct Successful Technician Performance Reviews
• Technician Career Development and Training

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About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Fred Gestwicki Jr,
President, Fix-it With Fred, LLC
[email protected]

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William (Bill) Demaree who is the Corporate Director of Fixed Operations at Tom Wood Group joins us on this week’s episode to walk us through his journey in automotive. He also discusses how his group prioritizes their core values and different ways to recruit shop employees.

“You have to find talent where they’re at.” - Bill Demaree, Tom Wood Group

(1:00) Bill’s Career in Automotive
(13:14) Importance of Patience
(22:44) Knowing Your Core Values
(39:25) Employee Career Plans & Pay
(48:35) Recruiting Differently

Resources:

Now you have more time to snag free t-shirts! Learn more.

Access to better data, connect with schools, and improve your technician hiring and retention. WrenchWay Shop Membership.

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
App Store
Google Play

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Bill Demaree
Corporate Director of Fixed Operations, Tom Wood Group
[email protected]

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Victoria Thomas, CFO & Co-Owner of Kellymoss Inc. joins us on this week’s episode to discuss the growth that comes from failure and having the right mindset. Victoria and host, Jay Goninen, also cover the lack of women in automotive, the value of telling your story, and how to overcome the financial barrier of motorsports to get started in racing.

(1:51) Victoria’s Background
(16:03) The Story of Kellymoss Inc.
(27:38) Growth That Failure Causes
(45:03) Lack of Women in Automotive
(57:02) Future of Motorsports

Resources:

Refer your industry friends to WrenchWay and earn free t-shirts. Learn more.

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
App Store
Google Play

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Victoria Thomas
CFO & Co-Owner, Kellymoss Inc.
[email protected]

Sponsor:
OK. Your customer’s engine or transmission has failed. But now is not the time for them to trade their vehicle – not without a working engine or transmission. Besides, would they have kept their vehicle another 3-5 years if their engine or transmission had not let them down?

If you answered “yes” then Jasper Engines and Transmissions is your choice to give your customer’s vehicle new life and many thousands of miles of enjoyable driving performance.

When considering the high cost of a new or newer used vehicle, there’s a pretty good case to be made for replacing a drive train component that has failed or is delivering poor performance – rather than trading their car, truck, van or SUV. Install a quality re-manufactured JASPER product for less than your customer would have to invest in a new vehicle or a newer used vehicle.

Check out their website at jasperengines.com to learn more about the money-saving value of JASPER.

Connect with us on social:

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Warning: This podcast covers topics that may be intense to some listeners. Viewer discretion is advised.

Are you happy as a technician? Why or why not? Is it your work environment or personal life affecting your happiness?

In this week’s episode, Joshua Taylor who is the Founder of Wrench Turners Online and Just Work Hard Consulting, dives deep into the mental wellness of technicians. Joshua shares data he has gathered from technician wellness surveys, explains the true costs anxiety can have on the shop, and the value of listening to technicians.

(1:39) Joshua’s Background
(18:05) High-Value Leaders
(27:31) Costs of Anxiety
(38:40) Wellness Survey Results
(48:03) Objective vs. Subjective Decisions

Resources:

Refer your industry friends to WrenchWay and earn free t-shirts. Learn more.

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
App Store
Google Play

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Joshua Taylor
Founder, Wrench Turners Online & Just Work Hard Consulting
[email protected]

Sponsor:
Truck Country & Stoops is the largest family-owned and operated freightliner dealer group in the U.S. today, serving customers at locations in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. For nearly 60 years, they’ve offered new and used medium and heavy-duty trucks, expert service, an extensive parts inventory, and more. If you are wanting to learn more about Truck Country & Stoops visit truckcountry.com.

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We hear a lot of shops say, “For insurance reasons, my shop can’t hire workers who are under 18-years-old.” Our response to them is usually, “Are you sure?”

In this week’s podcast, Matthew White who is the Bureau Director at the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, educates us on how easy it can be to hire youth apprentices, and offers useful employment resources for shops and employees.

(1:37) Matthew’s Role & Background
(12:37) Employment Resources for Shops
(28:38) Myths & Processes for Hiring Workers Under 18
(46:06) Benefits of Implementing Youth Apprenticeships
(54:51) Minors Using Hoists/Lifts

Resources:

Refer your industry friends to WrenchWay and earn free t-shirts. Learn more.

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
App Store
Google Play

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Matthew White
Bureau Director, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
[email protected]

Sponsor:

The Zimbrick story began in 1965 when their founder, John Zimbrick, purchased a Buick franchise at the corner of Park and Regent Street in Madison, Wisconsin. John built his dealership around a philosophy he called “Loving Care Service" and the rest is history. 

Today the Zimbrick family of dealerships has grown to 16 new car franchises. They have 20 service locations throughout Dane County, an additional store in Milwaukee as well as 3 award winning Body Shops.

Zimbrick is behind every errand, every road trip, every commute, every holiday visit, and every emergency. Their customers rely on them for safe and reliable vehicles to get them there and Zimbrick is always looking for talented individuals to help them in their mission. 

Winner of Best of Madison and Madison People’s Choice Awards for 2022, Zimbrick is proud to serve its community. Visit the Zimbrick WrenchWay page at zimbrick.wrenchway.com to find out how you can join their team.

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Andrew Batenhorst, Body Shop Manager at Pacific BMW, brings progressive thinking to the collision repair industry. In this episode, hear how he is going above and beyond to improve the industry, the ways he keeps in touch with his staff, and how he introduced meditation at the shop.

(6:29) Andrew’s Background
(13:08) Struggling to Find Talent
(24:34) Keeping Staff Happy
(38:07) Meditating at the Shop
(45:27) Manager & Technician Relationships
(57:42) Future of the Collision Industry

Help us reach 1,000 Schools on WrenchWay. Refer a school by emailing [email protected] or checking out our website.

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
App Store
Google Play

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Andrew Batenhorst
Body Shop Manager, Pacific BMW
[email protected]

Sponsor:

Fullbay makes life easier for just about everyone in the shop. Its streamlined workflow helps boost tech efficiency and productivity, meaning more vehicles (and more revenue) can roll into the shop. Shop customers are big fans of their software, too, because it gives them their own portal to authorize work, see how things are going, and even communicate with the shop.

Guess what? Owners love Fullbay, as well—but not only because it lets them see how things are going during a day at the beach. The app makes it easy for them to send estimates and invoices. And with Fullbay Payments and Fleet Payments, they’ve made it easier than ever for your customers to pay those invoices.

Want to learn more about Fullbay? Head to Fullbay.com/wrenchway!

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Craig Tomczyk, the Auto/Diesel Technician at FirstGroup America, gets technical in this week’s episode. Listen in as he breaks down his career, covers the importance of understanding and bettering your operational knowledge, discusses his diagnostic process, and much more.

(1:28) Craig’s Journey to Becoming a Technician
(13:07) Importance of the Theory of Operation
(21:42) Steps in the Diagnostic Process
(32:58) Using Schematics
(49:47) The Value in Failing

Resources:

WrenchWay’s Solutions for Technicians

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
App Store
Google Play

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Craig Tomczyk
Auto/Diesel Technician, FirstGroup America
[email protected]

Sponsor:
OK. Your customer’s engine or transmission has failed. But now is not the time for them to trade their vehicle – not without a working engine or transmission. Besides, would they have kept their vehicle another 3-5 years if their engine or transmission had not let them down?

If you answered “yes” then Jasper Engines and Transmissions is your choice to give your customer’s vehicle new life and many thousands of miles of enjoyable driving performance.

When considering the high cost of a new or newer used vehicle, there’s a pretty good case to be made for replacing a drive train component that has failed or is delivering poor performance – rather than trading their car, truck, van or SUV. Install a quality re-manufactured JASPER product for less than your customer would have to invest in a new vehicle or a newer used vehicle.

Check out their website at jasperengines.com to learn more about the money-saving value of JASPER.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok

Kathleen’s drive and passion are contagious in this week’s episode! Tune in to hear Kathleen Long, Chief Revenue Officer at RepairPal, cover the positive impact of being transparent with your technicians, the true value of networking, and the importance of investing and measuring your business correctly.

(3:03) Kathleen’s Background
(12:48) Definition of Networking
(26:20) Shops Investing in Their Business
(43:36) Building Trust & Communication
(53:06) Future of Shop Leadership

Resources:

WrenchWay’s Solutions for Shops

Hear more from Kathleen:
7 Secrets to a Successful Auto Repair Shop
TechMission 22

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
App Store
Google Play

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Kathleen Long
Chief Revenue Officer, RepairPal
[email protected]

Sponsor:
WyoTech is one of the nation’s leading automotive, collision, and diesel training schools found in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.

With hands-on training 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, their graduates are career-ready in 9 months!

WyoTech offers 3 core programs in automotive, diesel, and collision. WyoTech also offers 6 specialty programs in High-Performance Power Trains, Trim and Upholstery, Advanced Diesel, Applied Service Management, Street Rod, and Chassis Fabrication. Countless opportunities for students to work with their hands, never online.

Check out WyoTech in Laramie, Wyoming by visiting WyoTech.edu

WyoTech starts students four times a year allowing many opportunities for students to start their careers in the trades.

America is built on the trades and needs skilled technicians now! WyoTech is the place to get the training you need for the jobs America needs TODAY.

Know your brand. Forge your path. WyoTech.edu

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Should shops pay technicians for their inspection time? Tune into this week’s episode to hear Murray Voth, President of RPM Training, answer the “tough” questions, discuss what it means for your shop to be a thought influencer in the community, and cover the importance of identifying your strengths and weaknesses.

(7:57) Identifying Strengths & Weaknesses
(14:15) Thought Influencing
(23:56) Fear of Training Technicians
(35:50) Paying Technicians for Inspection Time
(55:44) History of Being a Technician

Resources:

WrenchWay Local Chapters

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
App Store
Google Play

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Murray Voth
President, RPM Training
[email protected]

Sponsor:
Since 1965, Universal Technical Institute has trained thousands of students to pursue their dreams.

If you want to train for an exciting career in transportation, skilled trades, or energy…UTI may be the school for you.

You’ll learn how to work with tools and equipment from some of the world’s top brands, like BMW, Ford, General Motors, Daimler (DIME-LER) Trucks and more…that’s why many of these brands recruit UTI grads when hiring.  PAUSE

Develop your skills in state-of-the-industry labs. Train in a blended learning format designed to mirror the industry.

You can graduate in less than a year. And their career services department is here to support grads as they launch their careers.  

UTI has a national reputation, with a variety of programs to choose from at campuses across the country. You’ll learn the skills you need in a hands-on environment that doesn't feel like a traditional school. 

See how you can get started today.

Disclaimer: Some programs may require longer than one year to complete. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.

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As the Owner of Auto Express of Hamilton, Josh Sellers has grown a lot and is still growing from his experiences. Tune into this episode to hear some lessons he has learned during customer interactions, find out the importance of listening to your staff and peers, and gain tips for building an amazing shop culture.

(6:44) Learning from Other Shops
(16:47) Good Shop Culture
(36:51) Evolving into a Great Place to Work
(45:39) Listening to Your Staff

Resources:

Auto Express of Hamilton on WrenchWay

Help us reach 1,000 Schools on WrenchWay. Refer a school by emailing [email protected] or checking out our website.

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
App Store
Google Play

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Josh Sellers
Owner, Auto Express of Hamilton
[email protected]

Sponsor:
OK. Your customer’s engine or transmission has failed. But now is not the time for them to trade their vehicle – not without a working engine or transmission. Besides, would they have kept their vehicle another 3-5 years if their engine or transmission had not let them down?

If you answered “yes” then Jasper Engines and Transmissions is your choice to give your customer’s vehicle new life and many thousands of miles of enjoyable driving performance.

When considering the high cost of a new or newer used vehicle, there’s a pretty good case to be made for replacing a drive train component that has failed or is delivering poor performance – rather than trading their car, truck, van or SUV. Install a quality re-manufactured JASPER product for less than your customer would have to invest in a new vehicle or a newer used vehicle.

Check out their website at jasperengines.com to learn more about the money-saving value of JASPER.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok