Changing The Industry Podcast

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Arun Coumar from The Institute Summit 2025. Arun opens up about his journey managing multiple shops, including the challenges—and lessons learned—of buying struggling businesses and turning them around. The hosts discuss what it takes financially for a technician to become a successful shop owner, sharing practical numbers and strategies for buying existing shops versus starting from scratch. Arun also reflects on scaling back side projects to focus on high-ROI activities, highlighting the importance of prioritizing time and energy as both an entrepreneur and a new parent.

00:00 Gym Concerns Over Job Ability

07:28 Buying a Shop with Seller Financing

13:49 Manufacturer Partnership Requirements

20:25 Value of a Coach in Business

21:57 Prioritizing High ROI Tasks

26:58 Corvette Seat Malfunction Incident

36:06 Cold Weather Truck Trouble

37:36 Transmission Assembly Troubleshooting

43:20 Fear of Car Incident Escape

53:11 Early Payout: Transition Agreement

57:06 "Train Triggers Crossing Arms Repeatedly"

01:03:24 Taxpayer's Frustration and Threats

01:08:50 City Budget: Police Funding Concerns

01:10:00 Pension Crisis Burdening Budgets

01:17:56 Rand Paul's Budget Highlight Reel

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Michael and Anna Belliveau from the Institute Summit 2025. Michael shares his journey of purchasing an automotive shop and how he successfully increased sales by rebranding and transforming it into a tire and mechanical facility. Anna highlights the importance of investing in the shop's appearance and branding to attract more customers. Additionally, Michael discusses his future vision of expanding to multiple locations while maintaining exceptional customer service, drawing from his diverse experience in the automotive industry.

00:00 Winter Tire Change Woes

09:29 Sister’s Preferential Treatment

14:40 Parking Dispute Leads to Towing

20:08 Renaming Positions Boosts Professionalism

21:46 Business Longevity and Transition Coaching

29:51 Building Enhancements Boost Local Visibility

37:14 Reflections on Buying a Divided Shop

37:47 Overpaid for Business; Misjudgment Unveiled

43:25 Frustrated Customer's Investment Return Demand

49:34 Comprehensive Car Diagnostics Explained

58:22 No "Silver Bullet" for Wealth

01:02:35 Striving for Car Perfection

01:08:06 "Sticking to Strengths in Business"

01:10:39 "Exchange for Growth Journey"

01:17:26 Visionary and Integrator Dynamic

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode of the Changing The Industry Podcast, Lucas and David are joined by Cecil Bullard and Michael Smith from the Institute for Automotive Business Excellence. Cecil shares his insights on the importance of having a clear vision for the future of your business and personal life, emphasizing the need to plan for the long term. Michael provides valuable advice on the significance of high-performance culture and how setting the right expectations can lead to sustainable success.

00:00 Self-Reliant Problem Solver

09:43 "Personal Goal Setting Realization"

14:10 Realization About Business Adaptation

17:39 "Prepare for Future Transitions"

25:38 Managerial Strategy and Communication Issues

30:58 Unique Auto Service Advantage

35:26 "Strategic Meeting Preparation"

40:56 "Owner Commitment for Success"

46:20 Replace Negativity with Positive Leadership

48:25 Work Delays and Challenges

53:17 "Prioritize People Development Over Metrics"

01:01:33 Frustration's Psychological Roots in Performance

01:07:09 "Life's Bigger Picture & Goals"

01:09:07 Tombstone Exercise: Legacy Writing

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, Lucas and David welcome David Macholz, the President and CEO of AVTECC (Advanced Vehicle Technology Education and Credentialing Coalition), to discuss the evolution of the automotive education industry. David shares his journey from a career in education to leading a company focused on reimagining vehicle technology education. The conversation highlights the need for performance-based certification to address the industry's skills gap. David also emphasizes the importance of moving beyond traditional testing to ensure technicians have the competencies necessary for today's advanced automotive technologies.

00:00 Lack of Professional Pathways

09:46 Substitute Teaching at BOCES

13:37 Reflecting on Career and Education Choices

20:10 ASE Certification Boosts Technician Salaries

22:58 "AvTech: Redefining Learning Approaches"

27:03 Diverse Learning Styles Explored

36:48 Rethinking Student Credentialing Methods

42:06 Questionable Accreditation Practices

43:04 Credentialing Standards vs. Budget Priorities

53:19 Marketing Recognition Impacts Perception

57:23 EV Safety Certification Overview

01:02:13 "Industry Lacks Essential Education"

01:06:12 Seeking Support for Innovative Industry Advancement

01:14:09 Engaging Founding Supporters

01:15:50 Gratitude for Industry Support

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Brandon Ballou, Dominic Garcia, David Heine, and Nancy Sanguinetti for a wide-ranging discussion on technology and change in the automotive parts industry. The group highlights the increasing use of AI in both content creation and automotive repair, including how AI-driven tools could revolutionize parts ordering and reduce costly mistakes. They also discuss Worldpac's recent advancements, such as updates to Speed Dial 2.0 and improvements in customer experience, and touch on industry-wide challenges like part returns, supply chain complexity, and the importance of building strong relationships between shops and suppliers.

00:00 Connector Scanning Technology's Accuracy

03:27 Parts Ordering Accuracy Challenges

08:05 Beware of Sketchy Shops

12:27 Inventory Optimizing: Rotors & Returns

13:18 Efficient Routes Reduce Return Rates

18:26 World Pack's Positive Transformation

22:14 Speed Dial Website Development Update

23:22 Worldpack 2.0: User-Friendly Dashboard

27:26 "Expand Parts Suggestion Feature"

32:18 "CTR Sales Boost from OE Assurance"

33:08 "Understanding OE Labeling Advantages"

39:09 "Bridging the Gap Campaign Success"

42:31 Aging Car Fleet Challenges

46:00 Perceptions of Automotive Careers

48:12 Navigating Increasing Automotive Complexity

52:43 Parts Integration with Monique Discussion

53:13 Streamlining Auto Part Sourcing

57:22 Expert Guest Invitation

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, David and Lucas are joined by Dori Epstein, a Senior Business Advisor at the Institute for Automotive Business Excellence. Dori emphasizes the importance of developing a strong organizational culture, prioritizing emotional intelligence and leadership development. She highlights that shops focusing on these areas attract more committed employees seeking long-term careers rather than just jobs. David and Lucas discuss their experiences, including the challenges of maintaining a healthy work environment and the significance of self-awareness in business relationships.

00:00 Preserving Self in Business Coaching

04:36 Boost Revenue Through Emotional Intelligence

07:27 Fostering Purposeful Employee Engagement

11:41 Workplace Truths and Authority Struggles

13:54 "Understanding Different Perspectives"

18:57 Robots: Future Cleanup Providers

20:50 Office Culture Shift: Complaints Over Productivity

22:55 Hollow Titles and Empty Promises

26:29 "Culture of Open Communication"

30:15 "Know Their Endgame or Avoid"

33:51 Tree-Hugger vs. Job Reality

37:30 Bitter Mechanic's Legacy

40:37 Rewiring Mental Patterns

43:20 Overcoming Fear of Flying

46:46 Boost Business with Emotional Intelligence

48:23 "Culture's Role in Business Success"

52:03 Resolving Conflicts Collaboratively

54:40 David's Competitive Nature Lacks Grace

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by David Martin, an experienced shop owner and board member of the Southwest Automotive Professionals (SWAP). David shares how growing up working in his father's shop instilled a strong work ethic and shaped his views on leadership and teamwork. The conversation covers the importance of embracing ongoing industry training, both for business owners and their teams, and how grassroots organizations like SWAP play a pivotal role in elevating the trade through education, networking, and community building.

00:00 From Childhood Worker to Owner

03:09 Generational Shift in Work Ethic

08:36 Adapting Business with Technology

09:25 "Family Business Turnaround at Event"

12:47 "Resolving Issues Through Communication"

18:32 "Building Community Among Auto Shops"

22:09 Industry Support Through Peer Discussions

23:27 Managing Overwhelm with Clarity

26:10 Mentorship and Embracing New Roles

30:39 Training Insights Guaranteed

32:54 "Founder Syndrome Explained: Letting Go"

38:09 Mismanaged Businesses Struggling To Succeed

40:16 Learning from Mistakes and Mentors

44:42 Grandma's Commercial Kitchen Habits

47:49 Understanding Empathy Through Connection

51:51 Join for Support, Community, Mission

53:04 Elevating the Auto Repair Industry

56:20 Unified Teamwork Achieves Success

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, Lucas Underwood chats with Tanner and Kassiady Markham, who share the challenges they faced while managing their automotive business. Tanner opens up about the impulsive behaviors that led to personal and business struggles, detailing the tense dynamic with a former business partner nearly bringing the shop to its knees. Meanwhile, Kassiady provides insights into the tough choices they had to make as a family, pushing for stability while Tanner sought help for his mental health.

00:00 Transitioning from Employee to Owner

06:50 Business Lessons from Pricing Mistakes

16:10 Unheeded Warnings and Consequences

18:18 Choosing Family Over Business

26:37 Employee Compatibility Over Skill

28:08 "Leaving Stress at Work"

37:41 Consistent Pay and Bonus Clarity

41:02 Cycle of Stress Impacting Business

48:22 "Building Systems for Better Decisions"

49:44 Choosing Elite for Personal Coaching

57:58 Eye-Opening Conversations Spur Growth

01:00:18 Maximize Efficiency Before Expanding

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Joseph Schindler at the Institute Summit 2025. Joseph shares his journey of taking over the family automotive business, discussing the challenges of modernizing operations and the importance of having processes in place. He highlights the role of technology in enhancing customer experiences and maintaining business growth. For those considering taking over a family business or transitioning into a leadership role, this episode offers valuable insights and lessons from Joseph's experience.

00:00 Navigating Family Business Technology Integration

07:33 Family Business Tech Ownership Challenge

14:19 Bare-Bones Profitable Business Model

18:06 "Perfection and Imperfection"

25:54 Pregnancy Troll Posts Go Viral

28:52 Maximize Viewer Session Time

36:20 Business Disruption Through Uninformed Changes

40:09 Empowering Decision-Making Responsibility

43:45 Rethinking Strategy and Execution

49:12 "Prospective Guest: Hardcore EOS Expert"

57:26 Family Business Transition Advice

01:00:42 The Importance of Humility

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, Lucas Underwood and David Roman are joined by Andrew Gonyou at ASTA Expo 2024. The group shares lighthearted banter before getting into a few serious topics. David discusses his skepticism of conventional medical practices and the importance of taking charge of one's health, drawing parallels to the automotive industry, where technicians must think beyond traditional knowledge. Andrew and Lucas discuss the dynamics and challenges of finding the right shop environment, highlighting the significance of understanding shop ownership for technicians.

00:00 "Unexpected Dinner Antics"

03:13 Special Pork Belly Bites

09:06 Olympic Dance Rumors Debunked

11:42 Imposter Sign Language Incident

12:47 "Transition from Technician to Shop Owner"

18:44 Disappointing Technician Referrals

19:50 False Altruism for Profit

22:41 Mechanic Complaints: A Deeper Issue

27:49 Understanding HER2-Positive Cancer

32:33 Hidden Diagnosis, Missed Support Network

33:38 "Reflecting on Missed Health Info"

37:39 Speech Impacted by Brain Cancer

41:58 Critical Blood Test Insights

42:57 "Underrated Heart Attack Predictor Test"

46:12 Optimizing Health Through Research

49:28 Long-term Effects of Microdosing

53:38 "Reassessing Weight's Burden"

57:42 GLP-1's Impact on Addiction and Mood