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

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 one sleek, digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, Lucas sits with Nathan Bryant, Erich Schmidt, and Lauralee Schmidt from the Ratchet and Wrench Management Conference 2023.

They tackle the importance of branding and its role in the success of a business. They discuss the necessity of insurance and other requirements for starting a mobile business, with an interesting argument regarding the validity of these measures if a business doesn't have clients.

Furthermore, Nathan shares a personal anecdote about a friend who faced criticism for charging a high labor rate. They explore the varying strategies to attract different types of customers and the pitfalls of servicing clients in poor financial shape.

Topics Discussed: 

00:04:23 Questions about branding and shop branding; argument over necessity of insurance and clients.
00:09:45 Diversification and branding are crucial for success.
00:12:48 Problem: lack of training and confidence in business. Technicians struggle as shop owners. Transitioning from technician to service writer. Customers don't understand the value of repairs.
00:19:23 Facebook backlash on friend's high labor rates.
00:25:35 Lost efficiency, and productivity transitioning to a large shop. Small shop strategies on discounting and lack of training.
00:28:44 Outsourcing is crucial for long-term sustainability.
00:35:43 Developing a vision for an organization's success.
00:42:30 People in ASOG vary in response, some listen, some refuse to, and some are indifferent.
00:47:30 Fix cars, feel better, don't eliminate problems.
00:50:47 Seeking help and knowledge for better management.
00:56:45 No linear progression in marketing; no shared focus.
01:03:53 Big money, big problems, tough decision.