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 Lauralee Schmidt at Vision. Lauralee opens up about the challenges she faced with a former shop manager who, she later learned, had attempted to bankrupt her shop to buy it at a low price. The hosts and Lauralee also discuss the importance of processes and policies in running a successful automotive business, including Lauralee’s recent experience teaching a class on this topic. The conversation takes a lighthearted turn as the group delves into industry relationships, social media habits, and the challenges of balancing business ownership with family life.

00:00 "Shop Spotlight Ambitions"

10:41 "Workshop Dynamics and Adaptation"

15:58 Uncovering a Manager's Hidden Scheme

22:03 Suspicious Cash Deposits

27:29 Messy Eater Confession

30:57 Social Media and Self-Worth Discussion

35:36 Gideon Ridge: Scenic Mountain Dining

39:40 Family Homestead Dream

49:57 DIY Disaster and Eviction

54:49 "Rent Out Multi-Unit Properties"

57:31 Living Large, Spending Small

01:01:18 Sugar Restrictions in Childhood Memories

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 Tom Ham, Ryan Snow, and Eric Mrozinski to discuss the pivotal lessons they have learned in shop ownership and management. Tom shares the importance of hiring "nice" people and the critical role of setting and knowing your shop's numbers. Eric highlights how implementing a robust shop management system transformed their workflow and overall business efficiency. Ryan and the group discuss the challenges of acquiring versus starting a shop, as well as the necessity of strong processes, people, and incremental improvements in building a successful business.

00:00 Transmission Shop Workflow Challenges

05:45 Career-Changing Aha Moments

07:18 "Embracing Change and Growth"

11:26 Software Integration Aha Moment

14:17 Leadership Challenges in Established Business

18:23 Navigating Family Business Leadership Shift

22:13 Service Advisor to Business Partner

26:45 Insights on Experience and Perspectives

27:51 Strategic Acquisition and Hiring Plan

32:31 "Deciding the Shop's Future"

37:15 Adapting Pricing Strategy for Success

40:16 Value of Replica Car Repairs

42:12 Mercedes Repair Cost Expectations

48:04 "Financial Literacy for Business Owners"

50:31 Unexpected Encounter During Riots

54:37 Luxury Car Client Expectations

56:28 Shift to Human-Centric Investments

59:37 "Slow Changes for Business 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 and David are joined by David Veldman at Vision KC 2025. David Veldman shares the real-world challenges of shop ownership, from the struggles of expanding to a larger location to the tough decisions involved in managing staff. The conversation covers the impact of team dynamics on shop culture, the complexities of setting boundaries between personal and professional relationships, and the ongoing battle with financial management as a business grows.

00:00 Joe Rogan's Ad-Filled Show

09:00 Shop Challenges and Staffing Issues

13:22 Employee's Troubling Decline Noticeably Ends

21:12 Ultimatum for Managing Attendance Issues

24:55 Struggling with Staff Turnover

27:23 Technical Troubleshooting Leadership Insights

34:47 Unexpected Movement Caught on Camera

42:14 Urgent End-of-Day Money Deadline

44:07 Financial Planning Tool Consideration

53:20 Struggles with ADHD and Meth

57:33 Dangerous Drug Behavior Spread

59:34 Managing Drug Side Effects

01:08:17 Read Food Labels, Choose Wisely

01:09:50 Modern Wheat Causes Gluten Issues

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 Connor Tracy and Elijah McMillan at VisionKC 2025. Elijah shares the unique challenges of operating an auto repair shop in a rural community with just 2,500 households and discusses his considerations for relocating to a larger market. Connor and the hosts discuss the common pitfalls shop owners face when expanding or acquiring existing businesses, emphasizing the importance of due diligence and understanding capital outlays. The group also explores evolving marketing strategies and the growing role of technology—like AI-driven analytics—in helping shops attract and retain customers.

00:00 Potential Shop Relocation Doubtful

05:57 Financial Consultant Exposes Shop Fraud

15:00 "Rejected Skullet Idea"

18:34 From Hobby to Profession

23:02 "Unexpected Walgreens Encounter"

28:12 Houston Hip Hop: Lean Culture

35:34 Faulty Fuel System Issues

43:30 Shop Relocation Strategy

45:12 Christmas Tree Fleet Operations

49:32 AI Call Conversion Analysis

57:18 Optimizing Appointment Attendance Revenue

01:01:32 Tool Effectively Analyzes Customer Feedback

01:06:18 Trampoline Park Conference Blunder

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 Ali Norton and Luke Wetters from Rozema Car Care. Ali shares her journey from being a self-described "professional job hopper" to finding her footing as a service advisor and now transitioning into a management role. The discussion covers the steep learning curve and challenges facing new advisors, the importance of a supportive shop culture, and how training and mindset shifts transformed Ali’s performance and the team's dynamic.

00:00 Career Change: From Job Hopper to Advisor

09:52 "Two-Year Competence Journey"

15:27 Adversarial Dealership Environment Impact

18:38 Dispatch Struggles Due to Skills Gap

22:10 Diagnostic Time Crunch Issues

31:20 "Detailed Info Speeds Up Process"

35:20 "Luxury Truck with 25 Miles"

39:12 Growing Pains of Business Ownership

43:54 Insurance Coverage Concerns

49:13 Insurance Coverage Risks Explained

58:03 Loaner Car Totaled: Driver Safe

01:01:13 Surprising Settlement: From 25K to 89K

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 Juwan Fields for a lively conversation about his journey through the automotive industry and his experience transitioning from automotive to forklift repair and back again. Juwan opens up about the challenges of feeling disconnected and gatekeeping within the industry, while Lucas and David share stories about business struggles, the value of sharing knowledge, and lessons learned from missteps.

00:00 "Steering Wheel Importance Ignored"

05:10 Steering Wheel Criticism

08:51 Eric's Stinky Shop Prank

09:57 "Bolognese Recipe Basics"

15:29 Feeding Dispute Over Chicken Nuggets

17:20 Parenting: Encourage Healthy Eating

22:06 Struggling to Convince Customers

25:34 "Buying vs. Starting a Business"

26:52 Rethinking Knowledge Sharing

30:37 Car Industry Career Journey

34:38 "Surprise Trip to Asta Expo"

39:23 Self-Education and Dedication

41:07 "Importance of Checking Tools"

43:16 Avoid Trusting Initial Readings

46:14 Gear Rack Noise Issue

51:56 Warranty Claims Misdiagnosis Issues

52:59 Lifetime Warranty Sales Tactics

57:25 Excited for ASTA Event

59:36 "Please Wait for Upload"

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 is joined by Eric Jorn of Kaizen CPA and Advisors, who also serves as the Chicagoland chapter leader for the Midwest Auto Care Alliance. Eric shares his unique journey from service advisor at a Toyota dealer to automotive accounting specialist, highlighting the value of having an industry-specific CPA. Together, they discuss the importance of proper financial structures for auto shops, including setting up the correct chart of accounts and understanding operational costs.

00:00 "Importance of Business Coaches"

05:31 Guiding Small Business Accounting Setup

08:34 Learn Accounting Basics Before Outsourcing

11:43 Tax Auto-Categorization Issues

15:36 Auto Repair Costs Need Increase

18:44 Human-Centric Business Value Importance

19:48 Maximizing Business Value Class

23:03 Empowering Employees for Industry Change

27:11 Empowering Ethical Business Leadership

32:08 Ego, Coaching, and Change

33:23 "Solving Meaningful Problems"

39:19 Smart Pricing for Profitability

41:17 Conflicting Financial Strategy Approaches

46:05 Strategies to Minimize Payroll Taxes

48:02 "Rethinking Work Compensation Paradigms"

50:27 Forward-Thinking Accountant Necessity

54:17 Lack of Financial Oversight Warning

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 sit down with Darin Johnson, owner of Darin’s Auto Repair in Great Bend, Kansas. Darin shares the challenges of running a busy one-man shop, including the struggle to maintain a work-life balance and the tendency to discount services for customers emotionally. The conversation covers the importance of implementing shop management software, establishing more effective pricing strategies, and setting clearer boundaries to prevent burnout. Unfortunately, since this recording, Darin appears to have closed his business.

00:00 First Truck Drive Experience

07:10 Balancing Family, Work, and Support

15:17 Hiring and Training Essentials

16:16 Hiring Strategy: Prioritize Tech Roles

21:48 Efficient Schedule for Maximizing Revenue

32:23 Finding Sustainable Work-Life Balance

37:28 Structured Scheduling Strategy

40:59 "Optimizing Work Schedule Efficiency"

46:46 "Action Plan Essentials"

48:58 Optimizing Labor Rate Increments

59:01 "Vision Conference: Unite Shop Owners"

01:01:48 "When It Clicked for Me"

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 Adam Liu, and Paul Glowe for a candid discussion on common onboarding mistakes for new managers. The conversation highlights the common pitfall of unclear role expectations when shop owners hire their first manager, especially in family-run businesses. Adam and David share practical advice on the importance of clear task lists, job descriptions, and sticking to established onboarding processes—regardless of personal relationships.

00:00 Role Clarification in Management

09:16 "Effective Data Strategy in Shopware"

13:58 Defining Role Expectations

19:52 Family Dynamics in Business Frustration

24:04 Balancing Hard Work and Knowledge

29:13 Business Breakthrough Realization

34:08 "Motivation Through Peer Interaction"

39:17 Focused on Customer Experience

45:31 HVAC Insights from Automotive Experience

47:32 Efficient HVAC Diagnostic Approach

53:14 Pricey Diagnostic and Refrigerant Costs

01:00:03 "Jeep's Brake Disaster"

01:04:26 "Understanding Bitterness and Empathy"

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 Dan Thieken and Mason Weeks to discuss the challenges and triumphs of running an independent automotive shop. Mason shares his journey of starting, closing, and reviving his shop, highlighting the pitfalls of expanding too quickly and the importance of learning financial fundamentals. The group explores actionable strategies, such as raising prices, implementing inspection processes, and leveraging the 300% rule, to maximize profitability and shop efficiency.

00:00 Unscheduled Meetings Discussion

08:39 Failed Landing Flare Technique

12:57 Mike's Bland Humor

21:29 "Young Entrepreneur Leases Local Shop"

22:52 Regrets of Expanding Too Soon

27:09 Generosity's Financial Consequences

36:23 "Follow 300% Inspection Rule"

42:37 Car Repair: Safety and Responsibility

45:24 Boutique Auto Service Pricing Strategy

52:47 Importance of Providing Repair Estimates

54:26 Mechanic's Duty to Ensure Safety

01:01:02 Smart Investment in Custom Package

01:04:53 Bought Scanner for Versatility

01:11:18 Faulty Charger Sparks Gas Hazard