The more shop owners I meet, the more I learn that no matter how successful your shop is, you need a coach. Why? Because they keep you accountable and see things from a different perspective than you. For me, I'm nowhere close to where I want to be, and Elite Worldwide is helping me get there. Learn more about their coaching services HERE

Tekmetric is a customer-focused company. Because they actually listen to what their customers say and use them for updates and changes within the software. I love that. Plus, the software has helped my shop make a ton of money over the years. So that helps too. Want to learn more about Tekmetric? Click HERE

Turnkey Marketing recently helped me figure out a way to help market this podcast that I was very happy with. I couldn't have done it on my own. So, their services came in for me when I needed it the most. They can for you too. Learn how HERE

Today on the podcast, the Buckley family confess their shortcomings. Well, those are hard to find with this bunch. Unless you want to count letting Greg still around as a mistake. HA! The family does talk through challenges they find with a family-fun business, and what they've learned to do when tough times come up.

00:00 "Cowboy Hat Envy in Dallas"

08:16 Mentor Boosts People Skills

12:06 Tech Turned Foreman Insights

20:24 "Elite Program: A Positive Experience"

26:29 Covenant Stops Station Purchase

27:36 Bayfront Reunion with Don Sheldon

34:19 "Air Guns: A Mixed Reaction"

42:35 Adapting to New Community Dynamics

48:04 Finding New Rhythms in Change

52:45 "Educate to Elevate Sales"

56:28 Learning From a Bad Business Deal

59:16 IRS Compliance and Cash Concerns

01:05:32 Aspiring for Ownership Opportunities

Yeah, Tekmetric is the best. Are you using it? If not, touch HERE

I love things that you can set it and forget it. Not that I ever want to forget about marketing at my shop, but if I did, it would be okay. Turkey Marketing has me covered, and it's so nice to have them on my team. Learn how they can help you grow your shop HERE

Do you have a confession to make? If so, call 704-CONFESS (704-266-3377), and we might just play it back on the pod!

Today, Chris Enright of Enright Automotive talks about his focus on growth in 2025 and the difficulties in finding a new location. For Chris, social media plays a huge role in what he does. He gives us advice on what it takes to do that too. If you'd like to follow Chris on TikTok, you can HERE. Subscribe to his YouTube Channel HERE

00:00 Struggling with Training Question

09:20 Equipment Spending and Admin Hire Impact

16:55 Mostly Paid, Sometimes Free

22:21 Unpleasant Car Repair Livestream

25:28 Shop Lacks Needed Vehicle Data

30:08 Workplace Dilemma: Tool Space Issue

36:35 Optimistic Expo Classroom Expansion

42:39 "Uncertainty and Social Media Discovery"

49:29 TikTok Turned YouTube Backlash

53:10 Free Alternator Inspection Offered

55:27 Mazda Tune-Up Misunderstanding

So...I'm not good at marketing. Some people tell me I am, but to me, it's not a strong suit of mine. Plus, I don't have the time to do it even if I thought I was good. So, I use Turnkey Marketing. They're great. Find out for yourself HERE

Today's episode I recorded at an Elite Worldwide event in Dallas with two people I know through a peer group I'm in at Elite. So, it's safe to say I'm a big proponent of their coaching services. So, yeah, I think the least you should do is look them up. Do that HERE

I talk about them all the time, because without them, I'm not sure where I'd be as a shop owner. Tekmetric has made my shop what it is. You should use them. Would I steer you wrong? Learn more HERE

Richard worked at a dealership for years, now he owns a repair shop. How did that happen? He tells me today. Harrison is a second-generation shop owner like me, and we talk about the things we've learned and mistakes we've made. Hopefully, so you won't follow in our footsteps. We also drink whiskey with ice. 

00:00 Elite Ignite 2025 Kickoff Night

06:35 65-Year-Old Outspeeds Indoor Kart Enthusiast

08:01 Energetic Entrepreneur Defies Age

11:56 Building Business Skills Toolbox

14:22 Customer-Focused Service Mindset

17:35 "Great Environments Breed Success"

22:08 Neglected Auditing in Business Management

23:51 "Process Importance in Problem Solving"

28:15 Leadership and Growth Challenges

31:55 Learning from Challenging Experiences

33:56 "Building Business Culture and Team"

38:29 Delegation Fuels Business Growth

41:53 "Managing Expectations to Prevent Resentment"

43:54 Addressing Performance Expectations and Accountability

49:32 Self-Sabotage Limits Success

51:07 Employee Growth and Accountability Steps

53:56 Early Morning Riser

So, Elite Worldwide is changing my world. Well. Making my shop elite. Kinda the goal, right? Their advice is irreplaceable for me. Wanna know what you're missing? Click HERE

Without Tekmetric, where would my shop be? That's a scary thought. Let's change the subject. Where COULD your shop be WITH Tekmetric? Wanna know? Learn more HERE

Matt Fanslow hosts the Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z podcast. Today, we discuss whether you truly can future-proof your shop. Matt says you have to start with passionate and engaged technicians. Also, where in the world is ADAS calibration taking this industry?

00:00 "Podcast Setup Quirks & Cleanliness"

05:05 "Wrestling with Ownership Importance"

08:12 "Shop Growth Through Shared Expertise"

11:55 Key Employees' Ownership Frustration

16:03 TechMetric Transformed Our Shop Management

16:53 "TechMetric: Fueling 300% Growth"

20:55 Subscription Price Increase

24:12 Assessing Profitability in Business Pricing

28:16 Automotive Programming Monopoly

33:18 Right People Over Rules

34:43 Keeping Teams Motivated

38:28 Tech Fatigue Over the Years

40:40 Engagement: Key to Future-Proofing

44:36 Curiosity Affects Interview Perspective

48:43 Demand for Practical Auto Diagnostics Training

51:13 ADAS Education Challenges

54:29 Collision Shop Insurance Discounts

In this episode, I checked on my shop while recording. How? By using the Tekmetric mobile app. A great tool I use often. You could, too. Sign up for Tekmetric HERE

Having accountability as a shop owner is essential to running a successful operation. I'm seeing the benifits now with my small shop through the coaching organization, Elite Worldwide. They can do the same for you. Learn more HERE

John Phelps from Tekmetric and Katy Carl, a shop owner from Upstate New York, shared with me what they've done wrong this year. We talk processes, customer convenience, four-day work weeks, and how I've found success being open on Saturdays. 

00:00 Brain Development in Young Adults

04:21 "Raising Kids in a Digital Age"

06:47 Tekmetric Transforms Shop Management

10:56 Reluctant Family Business Acquisition

15:13 "Expansion and Hiring Updates"

18:56 Revamping Auto Industry Leadership

21:27 Streamlining Growth with Shop Genie Acquisition

24:53 Innovative Development Through Foresight

27:55 Scaling Challenges in Growing Startups

29:38 "Ego and Insularity in Business"

32:52 Lesson Learned, Team Revitalized

37:20 "Success Hinders Dealership Progress"

40:10 Retail Pricing Trends and Auto Industry

43:22 Adams Automotive Program Insights

48:30 "Maintaining Energy for Yearly Goals"

49:21 Accountability Coaching Experience Documented

52:20 "Seeking Successful Break and Growth"

55:29 Tekmetric Team and Growth Overview

59:22 "Confessions of a Shop Owner"

Simply put, Tekmetric is the best shop management software on the planet. So, if you're not using it, you're shop isn't where it could be. Try them out HERE

If you listened to ep 10, Matt Lofton from Elite Worldwide called me out about how I handled a tech at my shop. And now, that situation is in a better place. I need that accountability. I think every shop owner does. Find out how Elite Worldwide can help you HERE

Register for Fueling Connections in Mooresville, NC April 11-12 with Josh and Lola: CLICK HERE

In this episode, Mike Allen, Bryan Pollock, Josh Parnell, and (Lola) Lauralee Schmidt talk about Fueling Connections coming up in April and why it's an important event for shop owners. Mike confessed about a blunder at his shop last week, too. 

00:00 It Snows Where Bryan Lives and Doesn't Where Mike Lives

07:34 Leadership Coach and Speaker Journey

15:00 Overlooked Car Issues Lead to Repairs

19:32 TechMetric Boosts Business Performance

23:38 Customer-Supplied Parts Installation Issue

32:34 Evolving Leadership Processes

37:41 Improving Missed Call Response

43:30 "Connection Before Profit"

44:32 "Empowering Service Teams for Growth"

50:56 Varied Commitment Among Team Members

59:36 Automotive Leadership Focus

01:01:52 Confessions of a Shop Owner

When it comes to shop management systems, in my opinion, you have only one smart choice. Tekmetric. So be smart. And use Tekmetric. You'll thank me later. Learn more HERE

Today, you'll get a glimpse into what a coaching call with Elite Worldwide can look like. That's because Mike and Matt sit down for a coaching call about one of Mike's shops. They go over how to mix personal goals and professional ambitions and strategies for increasing efficiency and revenue at the shop.

00:00 Aligning Goals with Action Plan

06:29 Aligning Personal and Business Goals

08:44 Aligning Team Goals with Personal Growth

12:58 Monetary Motivation in Work

16:11 Fixed Salary for Productivity

18:20 Calculating Effective Labor Costs

20:32 Understanding Technician Costs

24:15 Boosting Efficiency and Productivity

26:56 "Non-Conformity Why Statements"

32:56 Increasing Daily Revenue with Fewer Cars

36:15 TechMetric Performance Report Discussion

39:36 Improving Service Efficiency & Execution

42:15 "Understanding Business Purpose and Process"

45:45 Customer-Business-Employee Triangle Insight

49:09 Optimizing Advisor and Technician Goals

51:12 "Managing Ethics and Incentives"

Bryan is now considering the switch to Tekmetric, are you? Learn more HERE

Shop coaching has helped me stay on course managing my business. Elite will help you too. Try them HERE

In this episode, Josh Coomes comes on to talk about his troll game and how he runs his business as a former service advisor. The guys talk about how important a strong team is and how constructing it can take a while. 

00:00 Choosing Tekmetric Over Shop Boss

09:29 Goal-Setting System for Success

15:44 Army Career Path in Power Jobs

17:51 Degenerative Disc Surgery Experience

23:04 Custom Brake Service Promotion

32:49 Generous Gesture and Donation Plan

38:20 Staying Profitable in Business

43:45 Fault Diagnosis and Cost Confusion

45:27 Adjusting Labor Rates for Profitability

54:21 Efficient Dealership Work Flow Strategy

56:48 "Ensuring Technician Safety First"

01:05:47 "Confessions of a Shop Owner"

01:06:25 "Shop Ownership Journey"

If I had one piece of advice I could give you that could take your shop to the next level, it would be for you to start using Tekmetric. So, are you? Make the change HERE

Greg Buckley and Stephane Grabina enter the confessional in today's episode. They each talk through the challenges of having consistent leadership with staff. They even discuss the increasingly popular topic of the four-day workweek.

00:00 Trade Consistency: No Magic Needed

03:43 "The Process-Driven Coaching Debate"

08:39 "Implementing the Rack Attack Idea"

09:31 "Engagement Essential for Success"

15:24 Campaign Failed: No Calls Received

18:55 Hands-Off Approach Backfires

19:47 Implementing New Store Concepts

22:52 Free January Saturday Oil Changes

28:24 Incremental Growth Despite Implementation Challenges

29:40 Finding Motivation and Connection

35:14 Data Significance Debate

36:17 Unconventional Performance Measuring Approaches

39:24 Elite Diverse Auto Group Accountability

44:49 "Mindset Shift for Better Matches"

48:27 "Car Repair Diagnostics Expert"

52:07 Shop Training Plan Evaluation

54:13 "Wishing for a Dedicated Sarah"

If something is just a bit "off" at your shop, you could be using the wrong Shop Management System. Do what I did and switch to Tekmetric. Learn how HERE

Feel like you've hit a wall as a shop owner but want to keep getting better? Check out some of the best auto shop coaching the industry has to offer with Elite Worldwide. Sign up HERE

In this episode,  Dutch Silverstein shares his stance on pricing, saying many shops simply miss the mark. Dutch then enters the confessional, and you'll hear him share some crazy stories.

00:00 "Moral Compass Mid-Course Correction"

07:08 Free Diagnostics in Repair Scenarios

15:22 "The 5% Dilemma in Auto Shops"

17:18 Pre-Approval for Repair Evaluation

24:20 Flexible Diagnostic Retainer Policy

30:30 Finding Top Dead Center

36:07 Effective Communication & Responsibility

39:24 Pay Structures in Auto Repair

47:53 Labor Rate Posting Rules

51:41 "Mixed Signals: Pizza Amidst Pay Cuts"

53:57 "Secret Pizza Party Advice"