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 Mike Allen at the Ratchet and Wrench Management Conference. Mike discusses his unique approach to managing marketing and customer interactions in the automotive service industry. Lucas reflects on the challenges and stress of expanding his shop from three bays to ten, emphasizing the need for sustainable growth. David shares insights into the importance of thorough documentation and clear communication to manage liabilities and improve customer service. 

00:00 Day with David: intentional antics, wild adventure.
07:58 Choosing schools for controlled child exposure.
11:39 No room; kicked out, recording in hotel.
19:35 Providing one-hour written repair estimate initially.
22:45 Too many cars now, too few before.
29:57 Carolyn advised strict client approval in California.
34:39 New shop added stress; balanced family business.
40:15 Reformed life path, reconciled with father, embraced corporate.
46:59 I should have handled conflict calmly instead.
53:14 He insisted, left job; former employer unhappy.
56:17 People upset when not hired; not intentional.
01:01:43 Documentary shows cultural differences in infant upbringing.
01:05:21 Family murdered, necks draped, slaughtered like hogs.

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 Brian Herron, CEO of Opus IVS. Brian discusses the benefits of accessibility in the repair industry, emphasizing how the Right to Repair promotes competition and ensures consumer safety. David and Brian also discuss the proactive efforts by manufacturers like Toyota, who release diagnostic tools to independent shops, contributing to better repair outcomes. Additionally, they highlight the quality and supply challenges between OE and aftermarket parts, underscoring the growing preference for OE parts due to their reliability and sometimes more competitive pricing.

00:00 Years advertising and evolving car repair industry.
04:54 Car deck's rise, right to repair relevance debated.
08:25 Collision repairs now require OEM post-scan software.
10:43 Does pushing right to repair alienate cooperatives?
13:08 OE parts more competitive; aftermarket quality declining.
18:17 Diagnosing post-lightning car requires advanced tools.
21:54 Industry systems cause inefficiencies and creative fixes.
24:17 Hourly hybrid pay prevents employee complacency.
29:12 Aftermarket diagnostic tool success following Opus acquisition.
30:10 Building something different in a consolidating industry.
35:40 Prefer in-house repairs due to dealer delays.
39:30 Issues with Nissan transmission warranties and programming.
41:31 Organization connections provide solutions and support effectively.
44:23 Repair friction impacts profitability in car industry.
47:11 Opus helps MSOs grow through calibration support.
50:28 ETI expanding to Europe; enhancing OEM relationships, access.
53:13 Affirmative agreement between two individuals.

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 host a conversation with Dan Vasquez and Jacob Wierengo, focusing on the challenges of managing auto repair shops as they increase in revenue and car count. David and Jacob share their experiences with parts estimation, stressing the importance of verifying past job records to avoid costly mistakes. They also get into efficient workflow and scheduling strategies, highlighting the utility of "canned jobs" and dynamic job dispatching to streamline operations and increase average repair orders.

00:00 Scheduling issues for technician appointments affect planning.
03:28 Overwhelmed staff due to constant client interruptions.
09:11 Needs more substantial work, faster turnaround times.
10:12 Auto ops scheduling conflict due to hour misalignment.
13:11 Struggling to manage chaotic shop schedule.
18:06 Spreadsheet review determines weekly appointment goals.
19:43 Appointments scheduled without inspection lead to uncertainty.
24:24 Overall target is displayed for each job.
27:57 Dan explains his old-school work organization method.
29:30 Managing workflow, redistributing tasks to maintain efficiency.
32:36 Wish for adjustable queue position during transfer.
36:33 Busy mornings checking in cars for steps.
40:48 Uses separate chat rooms for technicians' parts requests.
44:37 Pulling past services saves time on estimates.
47:51 Can jobs help manage California shop supplies.
48:45 Torque to yield complicates Euro vehicle repairs.
52:13 Listener upset over episode; hosts clowning around
56:19 Grateful for Aaron Stokes' help with video.

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 Kieran O'Brien of Shopgenie from the Sunrise Automotive Training & Expo (https://www.trainingexpoaz.com/). The conversation begins with a humorous discussion about Roman vomitoriums, transitioning to a critique of self-help books and the challenges of extracting practical advice from them. The hosts discuss the complex world of customer experience in shop management software, emphasizing seamless integration over unnecessary feature additions. As the episode unfolds, they also touch on the impact of AI in customer service, sharing their mixed feelings on its growing influence.

00:00 Boston Celtics player face injury, stays resilient.
08:11 California's unsustainable environment leads to migration.
14:09 Existential dread remains despite material possessions.
16:30 Multi-services shop offers car detailing, coating, and repairs.
23:48 Reluctantly attend July 4 event, discuss politics.
27:24 Struggling to stay serious, issue of participation.
35:16 Sponsorship needed for event, dinner just covers.
40:11 Starting with vision, friends set up hangout.
43:32 Embarrassing high school dog poo shoe mishap.
49:21 Unpleasant encounter at church yard sale.
54:00 Speaker credits late-night chat for career inspiration.
01:01:01 Daughter named after mom with unusual spelling.
01:05:33 Veteran discharged, struggles with job, takes pills.
01:10:36 "Profit First" book is more storytelling than helpful.
01:17:42 Build outcomes from problem, not feature requests.
01:20:20 Experts predict negative consequences of AI development.

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 Mike Carrillo, CEO, and Lex Sellers, Head of Customer Success and Operations Manager of autoshopfollowup.com from the Sunrise Automotive Training & Expo (https://www.trainingexpoaz.com/). Lucas humorously recounts an incident involving David spilling Mountain Dew during a recording session, which was caught on video. They delve into the challenges of customer interactions and the importance of follow-up strategies in the auto repair industry. Additionally, the hosts and guests share intriguing stories about surprising finds in car trunks, from personal belongings to illicit items.

00:00 Mountain Dew mishap causes laughter and mess.
09:36 Encourage visiting shop in town, emphasizing twang.
15:49 Awful car delivery ends in tragic dog incident.
21:25 Feedback varies, escalations often seem inconsequential.
21:58 Customer complaints about air freshener usage.
30:48 Dad and I visit a mysterious room.
34:44 Police officer in car wreck found drugs.
38:20 Customer left without paying, truck hidden, sheriff called.
43:27 Disagreement over blue substance at work.
51:09 Upset about sharing info, denies selling anything.
59:18 Rant about customer's $50 air filter complaint.
01:01:48 Driving slowly to avoid other people, disliking traffic.
01:07:25 Childhood curiosity about truckers and road rage.
01:10:59 Let the cats be and leave them.

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 Matt Ruffman, Steven Metsker, and Pat Schnaidt to discuss the transformative impact of technology in the auto repair industry. Matt highlights how transitioning from paper and QuickBooks to repair shop software has significantly improved his shop's scheduling and estimating processes. Steven emphasizes the importance of customizing inspections to enhance accountability between advisors and technicians. Pat praises Shop-Ware's user-friendly features and ability to ensure thorough diagnostics and repairs, improving transparency and customer trust.

00:00 Consider Shop-Ware for a more user-friendly interface.
09:30 Selective communication: only call if absurd decision.
15:15 Consumer protections help both sides in transactions.
20:10 Embracing flaws and choosing the best fit.
23:16 Positive feedback on customer presentation and training.
30:32 Detailed reports build trust and retain customers.
33:34 Using 7 words: Accountability in building quality inspection lines.
39:34 Amazon offers choice, Shopware empowers user decisions.
47:27 Struggle with hands-off approach in business.
52:03 Empowering team autonomy, learning and growth.
55:08 User experience focuses on small details' significance.
01:01:18 Collaborate for a better industry, improve client experience.

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 Samantha Andrews, Jonathan White, and Bill DeBoer to discuss shop scheduling and customer communication strategies as they relate to profitability. Samantha and Lucas highlight the importance of morning drop-offs in better managing service updates and unexpected delays. Bill discusses a color-coded estimation system to streamline customer interactions. Jonathan underscores the value of saving past services as canned jobs to expedite estimates and reduce repetitive errors. 

00:00 Exchange of business cards for future referrals discussed.
05:08 Challenges with finding help, paying flat rate.
06:40 Weekend email complaint about potential service issue.
12:53 Transitioned from Windows to Shopware, experienced issues.
14:04 Exploring new perspective on conventional pricing methods.
17:33 Anticipating future problems in decision-making process.
23:08 Optimized labor rates boosted shop profitability significantly.
26:53 Rural internet caused issues, solved by Carolyn.
27:49 Shop owners struggle with pricing, need discipline.
31:35 Ignored daily issues still need attention.
37:09 Parts mix-up causes cascading work issue.
40:06 Owner multitasks vendor orders to maximize inventory.
42:09 Ordering process includes RO number and tech name.
46:14 Monitoring service speed and administration time challenges.
47:28 Issues with tracking clock-in and out. Focus on car part management.
51:13 Efficient car service, prioritizing morning appointments.
53:29 Discussing strategy to improve awareness and estimation.
56:42 Focus on avoiding mistakes for long-term benefits.

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 Joshua Hemmerling, founder of Datadyne, at the Sunrise Automotive Training & Expo (https://www.trainingexpoaz.com/). Joshua discusses the importance of setting customer expectations to manage productivity and avoid issues. David shares his struggle with employee performance and praises a laid-back employee who handles problems effectively. Lucas explores new approaches to compensating advisors based on performance without tying it directly to financial bonuses.

00:00 Managing work and handling family responsibilities.
05:30 Company does not reciprocate employees' loyalty.
15:23 Teaching tool for dynamic learning through dashboard.
20:59 Transparent pricing, no commission, genuine service commitment.
26:28 Misunderstood message leads to awkward realization.
29:57 Difficulty replacing faulty fuel door actuator in car.
35:48 Peter uses pattern recognition and deductive reasoning.
41:12 Studio extends gameplay by creating artificial difficulty.
46:19 Challenging maintenance process for Cadillac engine.
51:38 Experienced machinist reflects on skill progression.
58:08 Setting expectations for time zones to avoid issues.
59:30 Efficiency and speed are top priorities.

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 Chris Cotton of Autofix to discuss the profit potential in selling tires. Chris emphasizes the potential profit from offering well-structured tire programs, underscoring the importance of diligent record-keeping for legal protection. He also shares his strategies for selling tires, including adopting value-added services like free road hazard towing and tire rotations.

00:00 Handle online confrontation with grounded, sincere opinions.
05:45 Sell tires, keep customers, make good profit.
09:01 Emphasize value, encourage customer loyalty, sell more.
13:02 Customer neglect, worn tires not road hazard.
15:29 Policy: Reimburse flat repairs, contact for assistance.
18:40 On-site visits, tires, car inspections, sales.
21:12 Don't skip the thorough car evaluation process.
25:14 Judge emphasizes signed agreement as binding evidence.
27:51 Ensure thorough staff training and documentation for accountability.
29:48 Sales increased, earned rebates, sold to Tire Kingdom.
35:28 Focus on quality, not quantity of shops.
38:03 Transition to ten base brings operational challenges.
41:23 Autofix coaching empowers clients to succeed independently.
42:35 Coaching companies need to help more shops.
47:01 Declines hanging out, prefers sharing meme list.
51:06 Free roadside assistance, tire upgrades, rotations, alignments.
53:39 Palm-sized scanner for tire assessments is beneficial.
56:11 Exciting event with go karts and recording.
59:04 Drunken woman falls, hugged by stranger. Odd.

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 Kyle Buenger and Kasia Thompson at the Sunrise Automotive Training & Expo (https://www.trainingexpoaz.com/). They discuss the dynamics of successfully working remotely in an auto repair shop. Kyle explores the intricacies of hiring skilled technicians to manage the workload efficiently, emphasizing the importance of a multi-skilled crew. Kasia discusses her remote work experience and highlights the integration of technology like cameras and translation apps to improve communication and productivity.

00:00 Remote advice service amid client distractions, skepticism.
03:21 Time difference affects my work schedule slightly.
08:22 Workflow delays due to approval and authorization.
11:56 Few people walk in for random inquiries.
16:10 Husband looking for new job, may relocate.
18:29 Challenges managing customer contact and estimates daily.
22:25 Eds avoid mundane tasks, enjoy only fun.
24:40 Busy schedule in automotive repair shop.
26:42 Multitasking is ineffective, women may excel at it.
32:46 Midas store owner from Minneapolis dies suddenly.
34:15 Unclear story about lung cancer and treatment.
36:36 Recognition of exceptional abilities and dedication.
41:43 Shop performed well, being hub, chaos.
44:44 Efficiency in tech scheduling maximizes shop revenue.
46:42 Phones set up with soft and desk phones.
52:31 Advantages of push-to-talk radios in workplace.
53:39 Phone overheated, had to cool in fridge.
56:18 Shop closes for lunch break at 12.