Get registered for the ASTA Expo 2025 at the Raleigh Convention Center: https://geni.us/ASTA2025

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/InstituteEvents2025

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

Make sure you mention: CTISUMMER to get FREE data migration!

If you're ready to make a real change in your shop's success, join Shop Marketing Pros' Plan With the Pros workshop this October to connect with them and other shop owners. You'll leave with your entire year for 2026 planned out.

Click here to register: https://geni.us/PlanWithThePros

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In this episode, recorded live at Vision KC 2023, David and Lucas sit down with Demeny Pollitt, the owner of Girlington Garage in South Burlington, VT.

Demeny reflects on her entrepreneurial journey. She shares personal experiences, such as realizing she had been taken advantage of in the past and getting fired from her first job after graduation. 

Demeny also discusses safety inspections in Vermont, dealing with angry customers, and handling one-star reviews. She emphasizes the importance of having a moral compass in business and communicating effectively with others. Demeny also shares insights on taking time off to reflect and the value of writing things down.

Topics covered:

How she realized she had been taken advantage of in the past. 4:02

Safety inspections in the South. 5:54

What happened to her when she got fired from her first job after graduation. 10:15

How to deal with the angriest customers. 15:09

Glitter and fart spray. 20:03

How did you escape the accent of Vermont? 23:45

You need to take time off and figure your stuff out. 27:36

The challenges she faced when she felt like she was alone. 33:12

One-on-one with Rick White. 38:19

What happens if the owner wants to change the name of the business? 44:57

Why do you have this expense line? 50:19

One-star reviews. 55:13

There’s nothing you can do or say to other people to combat what they believe to be true. 1:01:20

It’s not real if you don’t write it down. 1:06:26

The importance of having a moral compass in your business. 1:07:54

The importance of having a stern, matter-of-fact voice. 1:14:30

The biggest thing is you have to communicate. 1:27:14