Get registered for the ASTA Expo 2025 at the Raleigh Convention Center: https://geni.us/ASTA2025

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/InstituteEvents2025

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

Make sure you mention: CTISUMMER to get FREE data migration!

If you're ready to make a real change in your shop's success, join Shop Marketing Pros' Plan With the Pros workshop this October to connect with them and other shop owners. You'll leave with your entire year for 2026 planned out.

Click here to register: https://geni.us/PlanWithThePros

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 one sleek, digital platform.

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

Kieran O'Brien of Shopgenie.io joins David and Lucas to discuss the narrative that success can only be found by attending college first. Kieran shares his path to success while giving his thoughts on what made the difference.

Topics discussed:

A/C sniffers and leak detectors. (0:00)

Kieran’s background. (5:00)

How did you get started in marketing? (7:11)

How did you become interested in software? (12:36)

Some of us aren’t designed for school. (18:37)

The problem with reimagining education. (22:57)

I have no idea what it is about. (28:05)

There are good apples and bad apples. (33:40)

Do you have a mentor? (35:09)

The importance of preparing the next generation for success. (40:43)

How did you come up with the idea to use AI? (43:07)

Building a customer experience platform for shops. (46:45)

The problem with online scheduling. (52:25)

Why is online scheduling so difficult? (55:25)

Get registered for the ASTA Expo 2025 at the Raleigh Convention Center: https://geni.us/ASTA2025

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/InstituteEvents2025

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

Make sure you mention: CTISUMMER to get FREE data migration!

If you're ready to make a real change in your shop's success, join Shop Marketing Pros' Plan With the Pros workshop this October to connect with them and other shop owners. You'll leave with your entire year for 2026 planned out.

Click here to register: https://geni.us/PlanWithThePros

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 one sleek, digital platform.

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

Dutch Silverstein is presented with the Founders Award at ETI Tool Tech 2023. He also gives his perspective on the information he gained while attending and how he'll adjust as a shop owner. 

Topics Discussed: 

Recording our thoughts on ETI. (0:00)

What do you look at when choosing a trade association? (5:34)

Why manufacturers are becoming more aggressive with over-the-air updates. (6:45)

Taking advantage of the stereotype of a technician. (10:50)

Why do you think that it’s the shop owners that complain? (16:33)

What is swot analysis and how to use it? (23:05)

Self-discipline is the key. (29:30)

The importance of having a budget for profit. (33:23)

A typical shop owner’s mindset. (40:14)

The difference between a problem and a real problem. (46:41)

The importance of introspection and discipline. (52:44)

The importance of saving for a rainy day. (57:04)

Get registered for the ASTA Expo 2025 at the Raleigh Convention Center: https://geni.us/ASTA2025

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/InstituteEvents2025

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

Make sure you mention: CTISUMMER to get FREE data migration!

If you're ready to make a real change in your shop's success, join Shop Marketing Pros' Plan With the Pros workshop this October to connect with them and other shop owners. You'll leave with your entire year for 2026 planned out.

Click here to register: https://geni.us/PlanWithThePros

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 one sleek, digital platform.

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

David and Lucas sit down with the Head of International Technical Training and Public Affairs with Hella Gutmann Solutions GmbH, Pete Bradley at ETI Tool Tech 2023.

Topics discussed:

Pete’s background. (0:00)

The technician shortage in the industry. (6:26)

How LED technology has changed the world. (13:18)

The future of e-tools. (19:27)

The problem with ADAS. (24:36)

Mark Allen’s statement about how he solves a consumer problem. (31:06)

Understanding the reliability of electric vehicles. (40:49)

How to get into the automotive industry? (48:35)

The attitude of shop owners. (53:34)

Get registered for the ASTA Expo 2025 at the Raleigh Convention Center: https://geni.us/ASTA2025

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/InstituteEvents2025

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

Make sure you mention: CTISUMMER to get FREE data migration!

If you're ready to make a real change in your shop's success, join Shop Marketing Pros' Plan With the Pros workshop this October to connect with them and other shop owners. You'll leave with your entire year for 2026 planned out.

Click here to register: https://geni.us/PlanWithThePros

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 one sleek, digital platform.

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

David and Lucas sit down with Jake Fruth, Product Technical Specialist for Diagnostics at Matco Tools at ETI Tool Tech 2023.

Topics Discussed:

The start of the podcast. (0:00)

How did you get started in the industry? (2:21)

Sharing your thoughts on the pay. (7:20)

The cost of running the business. (11:56)

How we’ve devalued the diagnostic process. (14:47)

Giving away diagnostic time devalues time. (19:28)

Looking around for a shop to work for. (25:19)

The importance of having a long-term customer. (26:44)

Short-term vs long-term savings. (32:08)

The hybrid system. (39:19)

Paying your employees well enough to make good choices. (40:39)

Paying hourly vs flat rate. (43:19)

Pitching the idea to the shop. (51:03)

The mindset of the technician. (54:57)

How to improve the image of the industry? (57:54)

The problem with people who teach this model. (1:04:35)

The power of forgiveness. (1:08:11)

Get registered for the ASTA Expo 2025 at the Raleigh Convention Center: https://geni.us/ASTA2025

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/InstituteEvents2025

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

Make sure you mention: CTISUMMER to get FREE data migration!

If you're ready to make a real change in your shop's success, join Shop Marketing Pros' Plan With the Pros workshop this October to connect with them and other shop owners. You'll leave with your entire year for 2026 planned out.

Click here to register: https://geni.us/PlanWithThePros

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 one sleek, digital platform.

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

John Firm of Firm Automotive and Jeff Buckley of My Father's Shop join David and Lucas at ETI Tool Tech 2023.

Topics Discussed: 

What low-tech tech do you need to know? (0:00)

The importance of good interviews. (1:02)

When they’re trying to sell you a bad bill, they don’t even call you by your name. (5:26)

Why shop owners need to know what makes them happy. (8:47)

How do you go through all of this? (13:09)

Raising his kids to be champions -. (17:31)

The importance of being a product of your area -. (24:14)

When adversity hits you, you can’t give up. (29:09)

Mike Rowe shares a story about speaking to the Pope in New York. (35:50)

It felt like a big deal when things went wrong in his life. (42:14)

You have to have a handle on this. (47:02)

The importance of reaching a specific demographic and bringing positive messages. (52:02)

The biggest disservice you end up doing to the customer is being disingenuous. (57:59)

What’s the future of his business? What is his retirement? (1:02:04)

Jeff Buckley's vision is to share the story of the automotive shop owner. (1:06:03)

Get registered for the ASTA Expo 2025 at the Raleigh Convention Center: https://geni.us/ASTA2025

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/InstituteEvents2025

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

Make sure you mention: CTISUMMER to get FREE data migration!

If you're ready to make a real change in your shop's success, join Shop Marketing Pros' Plan With the Pros workshop this October to connect with them and other shop owners. You'll leave with your entire year for 2026 planned out.

Click here to register: https://geni.us/PlanWithThePros

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 one sleek, digital platform.

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

In this episode, David and Lucas are joined by Roger Lanctot, the Director of Automotive Connected Mobility at TechInsights. Roger is a powerful voice in the definition of future trends in automotive safety, powertrain, and infotainment systems. They discuss the disconnect between the automotive industry, manufacturers, and the automotive service industry. 

Roger speaks on how there has been a huge opportunity to understand how cars are working, identify failures, and anticipate failures due to car connectivity. He suggests connected tires as a major way to bring in customers and retain them. He also explains how market research consultancy is used to advise automakers and suppliers about how to bring products to market, the revenue opportunities, and the regulatory challenges. 

00:05:33 Hack into cars for data.
00:10:36 Data is valuable to OEMs.
00:16:25 Consumers control data access.
00:17:18 OEMs must grant data access.
00:23:13 OEM parts over aftermarket.
00:29:04 Monitor your data privacy.
00:39:43 EVs require specialized care.
00:40:36 Dealerships are untrustworthy.
00:50:55 Remote service is available.
00:56:08 Reimagine auto repair for the future.
00:58:46 Advocate for client needs.
01:06:48 Software updates save money.
01:07:19 Own the customer relationship.
01:12:17 Independent shops can help.

Get registered for the ASTA Expo 2025 at the Raleigh Convention Center: https://geni.us/ASTA2025

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/InstituteEvents2025

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

Make sure you mention: CTISUMMER to get FREE data migration!

If you're ready to make a real change in your shop's success, join Shop Marketing Pros' Plan With the Pros workshop this October to connect with them and other shop owners. You'll leave with your entire year for 2026 planned out.

Click here to register: https://geni.us/PlanWithThePros

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 one sleek, digital platform.

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

Laura Tierney of ShopLoaner.com joins David and Lucas at Vision KC 2023 to discuss a few shop loaner horror stories and the steps every shop should take to protect themselves.

Do you edit things on the show?
0:00

Why would you sign up for a demo when it’s so easy?
5:17

The liability factor of all of this.
10:04

Where do you get the form for insurance?
11:06

How to pay your taxes online -.
16:44

Do not rent list and the craziest car stories.
18:42

What’s the smell like in a car?
23:32

What’s the worst rental car experience?
26:36

What to do if you get into a confrontational situation with insurance.
30:46

How do you know if your insurance is up to date?
34:25

The Pontiac Bob story -.
39:04

How do you know if a car is out of bounds?
45:37

How to get your car serviced online.
48:53

My daughter just got hit by a car.
57:18

Why you need to reserve your car before you send an email.
59:27

Get registered for the ASTA Expo 2025 at the Raleigh Convention Center: https://geni.us/ASTA2025

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/InstituteEvents2025

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

Make sure you mention: CTISUMMER to get FREE data migration!

If you're ready to make a real change in your shop's success, join Shop Marketing Pros' Plan With the Pros workshop this October to connect with them and other shop owners. You'll leave with your entire year for 2026 planned out.

Click here to register: https://geni.us/PlanWithThePros

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 one sleek, digital platform.

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

Are you really helping customers by keeping your prices "affordable"?

What's the real cost of cheap auto repair? Kent and Cecil Bullard of the Institute for Automotive Business Excellence offer their perspective from Vision KC 2023. 

[00:02:15] Artificial sweeteners and health.
[00:04:29] Erythritol causing heart attacks.
[00:07:38] Charge for your time.
[00:09:44] Paying Technicians Fairly.
[00:15:28] Shortage of skilled technicians.
[00:16:33] Charging for diagnostic time.
[00:19:13] Car repair horror stories.
[00:23:31] Lack of training for technicians.
[00:26:00] Wrong client incident.
[00:29:47] Fixing the industry.
[00:32:32] Education and Experience.
[00:37:21] Toxicity in the workplace.
[00:38:56] Communication problems in the industry.
[00:43:29] Negative shop talk.
[00:45:03] Fracturing the industry.
[00:49:38] Backbiting and Communication in the Industry.
[00:51:41] Technical knowledge gap.
[00:54:12] Training and mentoring technicians.
[00:57:20] Building a Skilled Workforce.
[01:00:49] Finding Solutions for Industry Issues.
[01:03:58] Low Technician Wages.
[01:07:19] Warranty times and manufacturers.
[01:10:23] Balancing tech efficiency and pricing.
[01:13:44] Specializing in car repair.
[01:16:09] Unrealistic expectations in trade schools.
[01:20:24] Revenue over hours.
[01:21:43] Meeting customer expectations.
[01:24:24] Work boundaries and accountability.
[01:27:29] Employee productivity and expectations.
[01:30:35] Working on cars.

Get registered for the ASTA Expo 2025 at the Raleigh Convention Center: https://geni.us/ASTA2025

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/InstituteEvents2025

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

Make sure you mention: CTISUMMER to get FREE data migration!

If you're ready to make a real change in your shop's success, join Shop Marketing Pros' Plan With the Pros workshop this October to connect with them and other shop owners. You'll leave with your entire year for 2026 planned out.

Click here to register: https://geni.us/PlanWithThePros

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 one sleek, digital platform.

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

You've made a deal to buy a business. You sign the papers, and the owner agrees to stay on to help with the transition. You believe you've set yourself up for success only to have everything turn upside down. What do you do?

Jesse and Candice Beuttenmuller purchased TJ's Alignment & Repair thinking they were buying their dream, only to have it turn into a nightmare. 

Topics Discussed:

How many recordings have you set up since you've been here? 0:00

How they went through the banks to get the business started. 4:04

How long did it take you to realize that this was a problem? 9:06

He took us to court over his tools. 12:50

Did you ever get in contact with any of the community college students? 20:24

There’s a difference between a hand-up and a handout. 27:16

The hit and run of a loaner vehicle. 32:59

Drugs that are gateway drugs. 38:24

Buying vehicles as a loaner. 41:34

There is nothing you can tell people that will make them stop. 42:42

Where do Candice and Jesse go? 48:13

David’s last class in five years. 51:11

Hiring as a service advisor. 55:48

The story of the dead cat in the car. 1:01:43

Get registered for the ASTA Expo 2025 at the Raleigh Convention Center: https://geni.us/ASTA2025

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/InstituteEvents2025

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

Make sure you mention: CTISUMMER to get FREE data migration!

If you're ready to make a real change in your shop's success, join Shop Marketing Pros' Plan With the Pros workshop this October to connect with them and other shop owners. You'll leave with your entire year for 2026 planned out.

Click here to register: https://geni.us/PlanWithThePros

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 one sleek, digital platform.

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

In this episode, David and Lucas sit down with the editor of Ratchet and Wrench, Chris Jones.

Chris discusses legacy, planning for the future, and shares his unique perspective on the automotive industry after spending time at non-automotive publications.

What were you doing before you were working for Ratchet & Wrench? 0:01

David’s perspective on the value of coaching companies and shops doing the right thing right now. 4:27

Hiring the Offensive Coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs. 7:18

What happened in New York with the Giants. 11:38

It’s all about dominance to Tom Brady. 19:05

The importance of having a vision for your business. 25:26

You have to have a great attention span to listen. 30:23

Shop Owner gets this magazine. 33:50

Why would you show up and be like, “I got nothing to learn here?”. 38:13

What’s the point of putting an apprenticeship program in? 43:10

What’s the biggest issue in the industry? 45:17

Pittsburgh’s luck has not been good recently. 50:17

Are we making them promises that we can’t keep? 54:33

The importance of having a plan for the future. 57:17

The white picket fence speaker’s story. 1:02:54