My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERE

Tekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HERE

I was SHOCKED when I saw the things I was missing the first time I used Detect Auto. Simple things, but easy to miss. Detect Auto helped clean that up for me, and they can for you, too. Use them HERE

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE

In this episode, Mike learns that fish hung on a wall are just plastic. He, John Firm, Michael Guenther, and Jeff Compton also get into some ESO talk, free Diag, and if free oil changes are ruining this industry. They also share firsthand experiences managing small-town customer relationships, including the challenges of offering credit and dealing with overdue invoices.

Timestamps:
00:00 Mounted Fish Aren't Real??

09:51 Rising Star in Auto Industry

14:46 "Efficiency Concerns with Machine"

17:28 "Free Car Diagnostics Explained"

22:42 "The Cost of Your Dream Car"

28:44 "Oil Change Pricing Dilemma"

32:02 "Fish of a Thousand Casts"

42:31 "Local Store Credit System"

47:44 Customer Loss After Payment Struggle

50:06 "Bronx Tale $10 Lesson"

55:37 Fishing Etiquette at Docks

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE

Turnkey Marketing takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off my plate. And gives it to someone who is. Click HERE for more.

Register for Elite Worldwide's Ignite 2026 Conference January 30-31 - Remember to use this code: CONFESSIONS

In this episode, Mike Allen confesses to Matt Lofton that he thinks his customers aren't finding the value in using his repair shop. Matt says that value is defined by what customers are actually willing to pay for, reminding listeners that shop processes only matter if clients perceive them as worthwhile. They also talk about employee retention, noting how turnover can set a business back and why keeping the right team in place should be a top priority.

Timestamps:
00:00 Mike's Vegas Wardrobe Malfunction

10:36 "Retention and Sustained Growth Focus"

13:29 Client Service & Repair Strategy

19:19 Team Process and Standards Updates

23:07 "Pricing Concerns and Reputation"

33:35 Labor Rate Adjustment Explained

34:56 Employee Feedback Reflects Trust

43:39 Front Counter Compensation Debate

47:50 "Defining Value Beyond Features"

52:05 "Handling Customer Objections Effectively"

59:06 "Discussing Brake Replacement Concerns"

01:01:59 Pricing Strategy and Break-Even Analysis

If you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE for more on Turnkey Marketing.

Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE

There are a lot of moving parts in a repair shop, opening the door to missing things. Don't let that happen to you. Learn more about Detect Auto

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE

Chris Enright owns Enright Automotive in Alexandria, Ohio and has one of the biggest industry followings on social media. Jeff Compton from the Jaded Mechanic also sits in for Bryan Pollock. Today, they get into the importance of communication among techs, advisors, and owners to avoid costly mistakes and improve efficiency. Chris brings up how techs shouldn't have to pay for their own tools and gives advice on how to by affordable tools, especially for techs just starting out. 

Timestamps:
00:00 French Drivers vs Retired People from Florida

06:24 Navigating SEMA and AAPEX

15:33 "Industry Issues Stem from Communication"

19:41 "Know Your Rights as Technician"

24:43 "Tool Industry Perspectives Divide"

28:22 Technician-Owned Tools Debate

32:43 OEM Tools and Tool Truck

36:59 "First Encounter with Electric Tools"

46:29 Labor vs Parts in Modern Cars

51:10 "It's Not an Issue Until Issues"

55:08 Money Motivation vs Quality Talent

01:01:43 "Success by Getting Outself's Way"

01:04:36 "Challenges Keeping Up with Cars"

01:12:13 Brake Job: Rotors and Pads Together

01:14:59 "Defending Ethical Repair Practices"

Tekmetrics' business model of listening to customers' needs and implementing new systems makes them super shop-friendly. Start using them at your shop today HERE

Turnkey Marketing has made my life SOOO much simpler, AND they've helped keep the phone ringing. Do you need these two things too? Learn more HERE

Register for Elite Worldwide's Ignite 2026 Conference January 30-31 - Remember to use this code: CONFESSIONS

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE

Darrin Barney is the CEO of Elite Worldwide, Mike's Coaching Company of choice. Last time he was on, he cried. So, guess what he did this time? Yep. He cried. What brought on the tears was how proud he is when he sees one of his kids overcome adversity. Like when his daughter proved the doctors wrong when she was born. They also discuss the evolution of Elite’s coaching programs, highlighting the new 180 program designed to support shop owners at every stage.

Timestamps:
00:00 Darrin Barney is Back!

06:22 "Drive-Thru Wallet Struggle"

09:09 "Defining Childhood Moment"

10:39 "Million Dollar Baby Struggles"

13:45 Cultivating Grit in Privileged Kids

16:42 "Life Lessons From India"

21:24 "Weekend Rush and Crash Tale"

25:38 "Racing Isle of Man Before Death"

26:18 "Racing Memories and Reflections"

30:32 Business Development Training Programs

35:39 Racing Addiction Never Ends

39:02 From Employee to Business Owner

40:43 "Watching Results Through Reviews"

44:18 "Networking for Fresh Perspectives"

47:54 Evolution of Pro Service

50:11 Unexpected Opportunity: Tire Shop Dilemma

54:12 Elite's Impact on Legacy

My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERE

Tekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HERE

I was SHOCKED when I saw the things I was missing the first time I used Detect Auto. Simple things, but easy to miss. Detect Auto helped clean that up for me, and they can for you, too. Use them HERE

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE

Meet the future leadership of the Automotive Service and Tire Alliance: Mbie Dowd and Tonnika Haynes. Mbie tells the story of how she got to where she is today, and why she has a passion for selling tires. Tonnika talks about her recent struggle of to letting go of micromanagement in her shop, and boy oh boy, did Mike have a confession to share. Wow. Just wow.

Timestamps:
00:00 "Mike Has a Confessions"

05:48 "Life Driven by Cars"

06:47 "Journey Into Automotive Success"

10:27 Thoughtful Words, Powerful Impact

13:34 "Confessions of the Bougie Spouse"

17:57 "Trusting the Process"

20:55 "Tire Opportunities and Insights"

24:31 Collaborative Leadership in Tire Pros

27:07 "Setting Expectations Upfront"

33:07 "Running, Spiders, and Skinny Pants"

35:08 Sticky Trap Confession for Mike

39:49 "Battery Acid Mishap"

41:58 Locked Out and Climbing Gates

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE

Turnkey Marketing takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off my plate. And gives it to someone who is. Click HERE for more.

Register for Elite Worldwide's Ignite 2026 Conference January 30-31 - Remember to use this code: CONFESSIONS

Eric Merchant is the owner of Merchant Automotive in Leeland, Michigan. Eric, Mike, and Bryan today talk about racing things with wheels, how Eric got into shop ownership, and why training is important. The three also bring up how things often go sideways when shop owner get together. Like stuffing technicians into trunks...

Timestamps:
00:00 Recording at ASTA 2025

03:30 "Accidental Reel Overflow"

09:06 "Lucas Overfills RSVP List"

11:26 GM Diesel Pickup Specialists

13:11 "Pro Service: Tight-Knit Comfort"

19:07 "Struggles Exiting the Car"

20:40 "Burt Two-Speed Transmission Overview"

24:54 Driving vs. Running a Shop

27:29 "Fired: Exit from Dealerships"

30:28 "Lawnmower Racing Adrenaline Rush"

35:30 Midnight Tail Light Fix

37:26 Golf Cart Speed Challenges

41:38 "F350 King Ranch Giveaway Idea"

43:51 Diesel Training Lacks Specificity

48:08 "Encouraging Relevant Class Interaction"

If you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE for more on Turnkey Marketing.

Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE

There are a lot of moving parts in a repair shop, opening the door to missing things. Don't let that happen to you. Learn more about Detect Auto

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE

In this episode, Mike Allen and Matt Lofton evaluate property values and location choosing for automotive repair shops. Matt gives tips on assessing both leasing and purchasing options, saying it's important to look at environmental inspections to avoid costly site contamination issues. Together, Mike and Matt break down how to quickly run the numbers on a new shop – from demographic analysis and competitive research to calculating realistic revenue projections based on shop capacity.

Timestamps:
00:00 Choosing a Business Location is Crucial

05:27 Building Investment Due Diligence

07:56 Renovation Challenges and Parking Plans

12:48 Commercial Property Appraisal and Inspections

15:35 Soil Testing and Abatement Costs

18:59 "Essential Due Diligence for Buyers"

23:33 Creative Lease Negotiation Strategies

24:39 Lease Agreements with Conditional Terms

28:33 Impact of Gentrification on Leases

32:17 Landlord Intentions and Investment Strategy

35:36 Local Demographic Analysis Strategy

37:39 Assessing Location Viability

43:43 Competition and Location Assessment

45:49 Maximizing Building Productivity Feasibility

50:13 "Rent Budget and Growth Constraints"

52:33 Managing Building Costs and Overheads

Tekmetrics' business model of listening to customers' needs and implementing new systems makes them super shop-friendly. Start using them at your shop today HERE

Turnkey Marketing has made my life SOOO much simpler, AND they've helped keep the phone ringing. Do you need these two things too? Learn more HERE

Register for Elite Worldwide's Ignite 2026 Conference January 30-31 - Remember to use this code: CONFESSIONS

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE

In this episode, Mike Allen is joined by Josh Coomes and Josh Rainwater. New co-hosts of "The Morning Drive with Josh and Josh"? Hmmmm. Josh Rainwater shares the recent story of when Josh Coomes visited his shop and helped him identify and correct key operation and process issues. Josh Coomes emphasizes the importance of structured processes and having the financial stability to step away from your shop, all while the group reflects on the value of mentorship, coaching, and industry events like ASTA for growth and relationship-building.

Timestamps:
00:00 ASTA Expo 2025 Logistics and Staff Efficiency

05:02 Improving User Experience Suggestions

07:14 "Satire Becomes Reality"

10:59 Breaking Point Amid Work Pressure

15:21 "Building Structure for Business Freedom"

16:18 "Fired Technician for Integrity"

20:31 "ASTA Mastermind for Startup Shops"

23:38 Volunteer Mentorship with Accountability

27:42 Key Tagging Streamlines Operations

29:14 "Levels of Coaching Explained"

33:28 Gratitude for Trust and Support

36:43 Aligning Processes for Team Growth

40:00 "Streamline Systems to Retain Clients"

44:38 City Comparison by Car Dealerships

45:19 Improving Repair Sales Strategies

51:23 Training Gap and Emotional Strain

53:20 "Role-Playing with Chat GPT"

My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERE

Tekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HERE

I was SHOCKED when I saw the things I was missing the first time I used Detect Auto. Simple things, but easy to miss. Detect Auto helped clean that up for me, and they can for you, too. Use them HERE

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE

Today, we ask the hard questions. Is investing in ADAS equipment worth it in auto repair? And if you do, should't you charge more for it? Mike, Bryan, and Justin Allen and Jim Cokonis answer these questions while at the ASTA Expo. They also dig into the difficulties of properly training staff and building processes that ensure quality work—rather than just chasing numbers and cranking out volume.

Timestamps:
00:00 God Has FINALLY Allowed This Recording

03:44 "Podcast Heist Confession"

09:51 "Training vs. Pressure in Workplaces"

11:36 "Expertise Takes Time"

14:54 Road Forcing Tire Balance

17:41 "Rebooting Problem-Solving Processes"

23:33 ADAS Misuse and Optimization

25:39 Data Ignored, Decisions Misguided

28:22 ADAS Calibration Investment Challenges

33:28 GM Suspension Idler Arm Issues

34:15 Truck Steering Issue Escalation

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE

Turnkey Marketing takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off my plate. And gives it to someone who is. Click HERE for more.

Register for Elite Worldwide's Ignite 2026 Conference January 30-31 - Remember to use this code: CONFESSIONS

In this episode, Mike, Bryan and Bret Fadely get way off topic. But, that's normal around here! Bret opens up about the impact of staff turnover on his business and how attending this year's ASTA Expo helped rebuild trust and team morale. The guys also dive into the realities of shop ownership and customer service, including when to go above and beyond for clients—even if it means renting a work vehicle after multiple repair failures.

Timestamps:
00:00 "Who is Wearing the Better Jacket?"

04:30 "Claiming Credit, Dodging Blame"

09:19 "Reinvigorated by ASTA Event"

10:29 "Reflecting on Expo Attendance"

14:27 Transmission Failures and Delays

17:28 "Customer Satisfaction Over Costs"

21:01 Technician Mix-Up Over Transmission

26:15 "COVID Hospital Scare"

27:31 Bryan's Health Scare

31:42 "Super Saturday Training Event"

36:24 "Building Stronger Membership Together"

40:01 "Best Hurricane ASTA Moment"

42:04 "Bar Preparedness for Events"

46:25 "Charity Plans with SD Charities"