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 Trey Holley, a shop owner from Thomaston, Georgia. Trey shares his journey from being a lifelong mechanic to learning the ropes of business ownership, highlighting the unique challenges faced in small Southern towns. The conversation touches on the importance of supporting fellow shop owners rather than viewing them purely as competitors, and Trey offers insight into the work-life balance struggles that led him to prioritize both his health and the building of a strong, supportive team.

00:00 Atlanta airport's massive scale

03:41 Long walks at airports

06:27 Thunder Valley racetrack experience

10:30 Southern business challenges with generosity

13:29 Overwhelmed by business demands

19:09 New guy in town setting up

20:59 University town business challenges

22:34 Building Industry Relationships

26:46 Discussing business challenges with spouse

31:14 Discussing labor cost strategy

35:32 Quality control and final checks

38:55 Balancing work and family time

40:33 Dealing with family anxiety

44:57 Balancing multiple responsibilities

47:21 Discovering the Enneagram for Communication

49:12 On choosing the right people

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 Tonnika Haynes. Tonnika shares her experiences navigating trade shows like Vision and ASTA, highlighting the challenges of scaling events while maintaining their community feel. The conversation touches on the struggle to balance profitable training with meaningful content for shop owners. They also discuss the importance of grassroots networking and accountability within industry associations, emphasizing the need to evolve while remembering what made previous events special.

00:00 Trade show insights and takeaways

04:45 Struggling to secure instructors

09:25 Improving trade show quality

11:08 Evaluating training investment costs

15:18 Investing in employee training

18:21 Challenges in Automotive Training

22:41 Getting great deals at the show

23:30 Boosting vendor sales at trade shows

27:40 Considering a move to a convention center

30:58 Regional networking events in Asheville

35:07 Adjusting content for wider appeal

37:22 Demand for hands-on Tesla class

41:53 Early board experiences discussed

42:36 Addressing organizational dysfunction

46:57 Launching the new podcast

52:03 Discussing video production deadlines

53:03 Braxton starting a media company

56:04 Introducing the next topic

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, Emily Oliver joins the podcast to share her journey of taking over a small family auto repair shop in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Emily talks about the challenges of modernizing operations, from adopting new software like Shop-Ware to implementing more thorough documentation and communication processes with customers. The conversation also highlights the complexities of hourly billing in auto repair, the challenges of managing family roles in business, and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation as the shop grows.

00:00 Family auto shop's history

08:56 Simple billing system explained

10:55 Tracking time in auto repair bays

19:04 Standardizing Inspection Processes

23:10 Issues with technician pricing

30:07 Convincing family about car maintenance

36:33 Communicating with customers

39:47 Dealing with other mechanics' issues

46:27 Early challenges and learning curve

54:21 Managing finances and staying focused

56:10 Discussing parts pricing strategy

01:01:21 Gaining insights from peer feedback

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 Sam Freeman, Alexandra Pare, and Daniel Ekstrand from Promotive. The group demos “Paige,” Promotive’s AI-powered virtual recruiter, showcasing how AI is transforming the hiring and prescreening process in the automotive industry. The conversation dives into current industry trends, including why technicians are leaving dealerships for independent shops and the top reasons candidates are looking for new positions. They also get candid about the frustrations of online reviews, sharing stories and strategies shop owners use to respond to feedback—both good and bad.

00:00 Overview of Promotive's Services

11:55 Managing morning priority calls

15:43 Handling Language and Mumbling Issues

18:44 Automated messaging for applicants

27:21 Icy disaster during bachelor party

32:58 Early adoption of Facebook and DVI

37:41 Missed email confusion

42:59 Hotel room negotiation challenge

44:38 A quick conference trip

52:30 Challenges of running a car shop

59:36 Trying the Worst BBQ in KC

01:03:25 Handling negative feedback

01:07:19 Feedback on Uber improvements

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, the conversation focused on the realities of technician mental health in the automotive industry. Several points were raised, including the lack of resources and support for young technicians, the stigma among men around discussing feelings and seeking help, and the crucial role that perspective and mentorship play in navigating workplace stress.

00:00 Wearing outfits for a photo

06:15 Hiring someone with unusual past jobs

08:04 Sourcing clean, pure meth

12:49 Understanding indica and sativa effects

14:40 Dealing with smoke smell in cars

19:36 Dealing with unresolved personal issues

20:24 Helping employee with health issues

26:30 Defining happiness with Rick White

28:45 Learning about cars before the internet

33:08 Understanding Mental Health Challenges

34:07 Tech industry mentorship challenges

39:51 Judging parents and kids' behavior

41:10 Childhood playground altercation

46:38 Being transparent about business struggles

47:59 George's life-changing discovery

52:51 Understanding the need for help

53:57 Managing negative thoughts

57:11 Discussing consequences of inaction

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 Tyler Steever, a technician from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Tyler Steever shares his path into the industry, highlighting how mentorship and hands-on learning shaped his career. The conversation delves into the importance of good shop culture and personal development, with Tyler Steever emphasizing the impact of teaching others and building supportive relationships. The episode also addresses mental health in the industry, as Tyler Steever openly discusses his personal struggles and the need to break the stigma around seeking help.

00:00 Getting into vehicle repair

05:03 Team cattle sorting challenge

06:51 Learning from a mentor

10:02 Rodeo scene and local issues

12:59 Changing jobs in the auto industry

16:34 Teaching horse training clinics

21:28 Reflecting on family and self-worth

23:33 Marriage as a lifelong commitment

26:01 Communication in Marriage

30:32 Warren Buffett's best advice

32:21 Struggling with mental health at school

36:21 Growing up with a religious dad

40:39 Technician's unexpected promotion story

41:51 Quitting a job rashly

46:39 Sharing personal goals and vision

49:38 Dog comforts during a breakdown

52:10 Discussing family and Ziploc bags

56:10 Spreading awareness and 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, the conversation centers around Alex DeSantis's journey from working in auto repair shops to becoming a coach for auto shop owners. The discussion explored the importance of clear communication and establishing standard operating procedures in the industry, highlighting how many shops still struggle with basics like proper onboarding and workflow organization. Several points were raised, including the value of sharing business data transparently with employees, practical benefits shop owners can offer beyond health insurance, and the crucial role of teaching both technical and communication skills to the next generation of technicians.

00:00 Empowered Advisor journey

06:17 Starting part-time coaching with Rena

08:31 Getting business coaching advice

13:29 Neglecting business investments and maintenance

15:56 Discussing employee benefits options

18:31 Complaints about AI-generated content

23:05 Frustrations with shop inefficiency

26:59 Improving communication with clients

29:30 Changing Views on Trade Education

31:18 Future-proofing with human expertise

34:42 Dealer advisor training issues

38:44 Encounter with silent shopkeepers

42:45 Office space changes

47:17 Talking about the mysterious fire

49:55 Local tales and warnings

53:04 Getting pitched SEO on podcasts

55:02 Preparing for 2027 expansion

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 & Lucas are joined by Brett Beitler to discuss the challenges and rewards of leadership in both family entertainment centers and the auto repair industry. Brett shares his experience in turning around struggling businesses, highlighting the importance of strong leadership, employee empowerment, and cultivating a culture of unreasonable hospitality. The conversation also explores the differences in leadership needs between industries, emphasizing the value of coaching, communication, and continuous personal growth for business success.

00:00 Setting up automatic audio switching

09:40 Inspiration to join preschool industry

10:28 Expanding business in Houston

16:37 Forming a Leadership Partnership

23:16 Improving airport bathroom satisfaction

27:04 Issues with Accountant and Bookkeeping

35:00 Dealing with customer feedback

40:18 Finding the Right Coaching Clients

43:05 Practicing effective leadership skills

53:33 Teaching Leadership to the Next Generation

58:29 Empowerment in the Workplace

01:01:37 Keeping up with rapid tech changes

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 Ash Kaplan, owner of Golden Hour Garage. Ash shares her journey growing up in the automotive industry, how she built her niche helping struggling shops streamline workflow, and why process consistency is essential for shop success. The conversation also explores the impact of AI and automation in automotive repair, emphasizing the ongoing need for human expertise and genuine customer relationships.

00:00 Visual calendar time zone issue

10:32 Building workflows for struggling shops

12:27 Finding a solution for consistency

17:50 Explaining the company name

25:15 Documenting a car recall dispute

30:36 Employee motivation and compensation issues

32:59 Overcoming belief in others

39:15 Lessons on gullibility from father

47:26 Weekly and Quarterly Accountability Meetings

52:34 Building internal talent for growth

56:56 Discussing AI sustainability issues

59:31 AI's Impact on Job Markets

01:07:20 AI in automotive service shops

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, the conversation focused on the experiences of an apprentice technician who won the Shop-Ware scholarship. One concept discussed was the importance of standardized processes in the shop to ensure consistent work quality and reduce customer complaints. A key theme that emerged was the value of mentorship and hands-on learning, with support from experienced technicians helping apprentices gain skills and confidence. The discussion explored how exploring diverse training resources, including online courses and technical classes, can accelerate professional growth for new technicians.

00:00 Brake pad inconsistencies and complaints

05:44 Cleaning caliper brackets

16:24 Bringing Kaitlyn on board

17:54 Training and skill progression

27:40 Learning electrical diagnostics skills

31:43 Talking about tough car repairs

33:59 Discussing employee pay incentives

42:57 Choosing the right conference sessions

48:07 Learning diagnostics through videos

52:21 Testing car battery voltage

58:50 Dealing with difficult customers