Garage Grit Podcast

Join Brad Hurlock on the Garage Grit Podcast for an inspiring Origin & Impact episode with Bill Vallely, owner of Tru-Fix AutoWorks in New York. Bill shares his 25-year journey from a mechanic’s son in Queens to opening Tru-Fix AutoWorks on January 9, 2025, driven by a “truth always” philosophy. Learn how he transformed his collision-focused shop into a full-service auto repair hub, boosting revenue through cross-selling strategies like 10% off oil changes for collision customers and building trusted vendor alliances for services like glass repair. Bill also discusses training inexperienced staff, embracing digital vehicle inspections (DVIs) with CCC Pathways, and planning for succession to protect his team. Perfect for shop owners looking to grow their business and build customer loyalty! 🚗💡 Join the Garage Grit Facebook Group to continue the conversation: facebook.com/groups/forautorepairshopowners. Subscribe for more insights at aashopmarketing.com.

Links:

Spotify: creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/garagegrit

YouTube: youtube.com/@aashopmarketing

Website: aashopmarketing.com

Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/forautorepairshopowners

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

00:56 - Tru-Fix AutoWorks Overview

03:05 - Building Customer Trust

05:50 - Tru-Fix Name and Vision

07:25 - Vendor Alliances

13:11 - Bill’s Origin Story

18:16 - Collision Training Institute (CTI)

27:00 - Cross-Selling Strategies

29:52 - Hiring and Training

39:32 - Team Culture and Kaizen

48:26 - Cross-Selling Challenges

59:44 - Revenue Buckets

01:04:13 - Transparency with Vendors

01:12:43 - Future Vision

01:14:37 - Technology and DVIs

01:23:11 - Succession Planning

01:24:40 - Closing and CTAs

In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock from AA Shop Marketing sits down with guest shop owners Gina and Shaley to discuss the intricacies of successfully managing auto repair and collision services under one roof. The conversation delves into a variety of topics including the benefits, challenges, and market advantages of having both services available at a single location. Gina and her dad Greg share their experience with running Metric Motors, a dual-service shop for mechanical and collision repairs, while Shaley provides insights into the operations of Austin Spencer, another combined shop in Rochester, New York. Key discussions include the logistics of running both services seamlessly, the importance of customer communication, the complexities of dealing with insurance companies, and strategies for converting mechanical service customers to collision repair customers. Additionally, the episode covers the role of towing services in boosting business and the impact of local township regulations on business expansion. All three guests share personal anecdotes and practical advice, making this episode a valuable resource for shop owners looking to integrate multiple services.

00:00 Introduction to the Garage Grit Podcast

01:03 Meet Gina from Metric Motors

02:44 Shane Lee's Journey with Austin Spencer

04:53 Greg's Early Days and Business Evolution

06:27 Challenges and Strategies in Collision and Mechanical Work

07:52 The Importance of Loaner Vehicles

17:03 Handling ADAS and Insurance Companies

23:09 Shop Operations and Customer Relations

36:49 Challenges in Marketing Collision Services

37:13 Insurance Companies and Customer Choices

38:27 Upselling Collision Repairs

39:24 Customer Reluctance to Repair

40:08 Educating Customers on Repair Options

42:40 Detailing as a Customer Retention Strategy

44:08 Managing High Volume Repairs

49:36 Township Challenges in Business Expansion

01:07:58 Family Dynamics in Business

01:10:55 Political Action Committees and Local Politics

01:12:19 Conclusion and Community Engagement

Join Brad Hurlock on the Garage Grit Podcast as he dives into the wild journey of Bahaa Elabbasi, owner of Crown Auto Repair and Collision in Sugarland, Texas. From a high school tire tech to building a multi-shop empire, a 25-truck towing company, and three used car dealerships, Bahaa spills the tea on how he turned a failing shop into a cash machine, dodged Groupon disasters, and never let failure stop him. Want to know how to scale YOUR auto shop? This Origin & Impact episode is packed with game-changing tips!🔑 Key Takeaways with Timestamps:[01:25] Bahaa introduces Crown Auto Repair: A 6-bay shop with auto repair and body work.[03:15] The towing empire: Managing 25 trucks for light and heavy-duty towing.[08:30] The hiring challenge: Why relying on gut instinct needs a backup plan.[13:36] Turning point: Revamping a failing shop with new processes.[18:39] Why diesel repair is a lucrative expansion opportunity.[36:39] Discipline from struggle: How Bahaa’s immigrant background shaped his mindset.[46:25] Groupon’s impact: How it brought customers but tanked Google reviews.[57:27] Rebranding to Crown Auto: Escaping low-price customers.[1:04:20] Advice for new shop owners: Embrace the auto industry’s endless opportunities.[1:12:36] Self-care for success: Hiring a trainer to avoid burnout.💬 Join the Conversation:Hop into the Garage Grit Community on Facebook to connect with other shop owners, share your story, and discuss the challenges and wins of running an auto repair business: https://www.facebook.com/groups/forautorepairshopowners.📢 Want to Grow Your Shop?Struggling to get more customers or boost your Google reviews? Visit https://aashopmarketing.com to find out your shop’s weakest marketing link and get a custom plan to win more clients.🔔 Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe and hit the notification bell for new Garage Grit Podcast episodes every Tuesday, including our monthly panel discussions with top shop owners.#AutoRepair #ShopOwner #GarageGrit #AutoShopMarketing #Entrepreneurship

Join host Brad Hurlock on the Garage Grit Podcast for an engaging Origin & Impact episode (#027) featuring Jeremy Bucy, owner of Alan Cox Premier Auto Care in Marietta, Georgia. In this episode, Jeremy shares his journey from sweeping floors to owning a shop specializing in Asian makes, with a unique side division for vintage car restorations. Discover how Jeremy navigates the challenges of a competitive market, builds trust with customers, and differentiates his shop through personal service.

Key topics include:

🔧 Transitioning from a Honda-focused shop to servicing all Asian makes
👷 Empowering service advisors to deliver personalized customer experiences
📋 Balancing old-school and digital marketing to attract new customers
🚗 Building high-end vintage car projects, like a 1968 AMX with a Hellcat motor
💡 Avoiding the race to the bottom in a competitive auto repair market

Don’t miss Jeremy’s insights on growing a business while staying true to quality and community! Subscribe to the Garage Grit Podcast for weekly episodes, and join our Facebook Group to continue the conversation with Brad, Jeremy, and other shop owners.

Join the Garage Grit community:

🌐 Website: https://aashopmarketing.com
📱 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/forautorepairshopowners
🎙️ All Episodes: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/garagegrit
🎥 Check out our panel discussion on service intervals from February/March 2025: [Insert link to panel episode]
🏠 Visit Alan Cox Premier Auto Care: https://www.alancoxautomotive.com/

Chapters
⏰ 00:00 – Introduction to the Garage Grit Podcast and Jeremy Bucy
🏪 01:21 – History of Alan Cox Premier Auto Care
💸 05:25 – Educating customers on the value of specialized repairs
🤝 15:02 – Using digital vehicle inspections to build trust
🚗 29:08 – Inside Jeremy’s vintage car restoration division
👥 38:26 – Personal service as a core tenet of customer relationships
💡 48:07 – Combining old-school and digital marketing strategies

Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday, including our monthly panel discussions and Vendor Insights series!

Join host Brad Hurlock on the Garage Grit Podcast for an insightful Origin & Impact episode (#026) featuring Paul Marquardt, owner of Clintonville Automotive Repair in Columbus, Ohio. In this episode, Paul shares his journey from technician to shop owner, offering practical insights into building trust with customers, empowering employees, and running a high-value auto repair business. Learn how Paul transformed a 50-year-old shop into a modern, customer-focused operation while maintaining a commitment to fairness and transparency.

Topics include:

🔧 The importance of trust in auto repair and how to build it with customers

👷 Strategies for empowering employees to make decisions and fostering a positive work environment

📋 The 100-100-100 inspection approach for transparent customer service

💳 Navigating credit card fees and why Paul chooses not to pass them on

💰 Balancing customer care with business profitability

Don’t miss Paul’s inspiring story and actionable tips for taking your auto repair shop to the next level! Subscribe to the Garage Grit Podcast for weekly episodes, and join our Facebook Group to continue the conversation with Brad, Paul, and other shop owners.

Join the Garage Grit community:

🌐 Website: https://aashopmarketing.com

📱 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/forautorepairshopowners

🎙️ All Episodes: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/garagegrit

🎥 Check out our panel discussion on work-life balance from June 24, 2025: [Insert link to panel episode]

🏠 Visit Clintonville Automotive Repair: [Insert website link, if available]

Timestamps:

⏰ 00:00 – Introduction to the Garage Grit Podcast and Paul Marquardt

🏪 01:28 – Overview of Clintonville Automotive Repair

💸 05:46 – Discussing credit card fees and customer trust

🤝 19:16 – Transparency in pricing and building customer relationships

✅ 29:23 – The 100-100-100 inspection approach

🤲 36:12 – Developing trust through detailed vehicle inspections

🚗 56:22 – Paul’s journey from technician to shop owner

👥 1:17:33 – Creating a decision-making culture for employees

💡 1:30:28 – Why auto repair is a people business

Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday, including our monthly panel discussions and Vendor Insights series! #AutoRepair #ShopOwner #GarageGrit #Entrepreneurship

From humble beginnings to a thriving Roswell shop, Renan Souza shares how grit, quality, and family values turned BR Auto Repair and Collision into a standout in a crowded market.

This episode of the Garage Grit Podcast is part of our Origin & Impact series—real stories from shop owners who built their business from the ground up.

Brad Hurlock sits down with Renan Souza of BR Auto Repair and Collision to dig into Renan’s origin story, the challenges he faced starting out with just $13K, and the impact he’s making for his team, customers, and community. Renan opens up about lessons learned from working with his dad, building a family-first culture, focusing on quality over quantity, and standing out among fierce local competition.

If you want to hear how real shop owners create lasting impact, you’ll want to catch every minute of this conversation.

Join the Garage Grit community:

Website: https://aashopmarketing.com

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/forautorepairshopowners

All Episodes: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/garagegrit

Like, comment, and subscribe for more true stories of shop origin and impact!

Timestamps

00:00 – Origin & Impact intro: Meet Renan Souza

01:00 – Opening BR Auto Repair in the “auto district”

02:00 – Parking, shop setup & scaling in a tight space

04:00 – Focusing on quality, not volume

05:30 – Standing out from dealers & the competition

07:00 – Customer trust, team culture, and leading by example

10:30 – How “family-first” became a core value

11:35 – Balancing collision and mechanical services

14:40 – Working with insurance companies

16:50 – Why combined shops require teamwork

18:00 – Real talk: the years it takes to build a winning team

19:40 – Starting over after family changes

21:30 – Tracking costs and what really matters in profit

23:00 – Growing up in the business and going solo

25:00 – The impact of college (and what matters more)

28:00 – Surviving hard times and starting with $13k

32:00 – Keeping business balanced between services

35:00 – Marketing & messaging when you “do it all”

38:00 – Lessons in bootstrapping and building trust

44:00 – Team meetings & continuous improvement

46:30 – Why family always comes first

49:00 – Wrap-up & how to join the Garage Grit community

Subscribe for more Origin & Impact stories that help real shop owners win.

Website: https://aashopmarketing.com

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/forautorepairshopowners

Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/garagegrit

Join host Brad Hurlock for another Origin & Impact episode of the Garage Grit Podcast! This week, we sit down with David Light of Lighthouse Automotive, located on the iconic Outer Banks of North Carolina.

David shares how he and his wife built their auto repair business from the ground up—literally starting with a backyard, a tree, and a metal shed. Hear how they grew to two locations, how they weathered a changing industry, and what it takes to build relationships that last decades.

In this conversation, we talk about:

• Starting a shop from scratch in a small, tight-knit community

• The unique challenges (and opportunities) of running a business on an island

• Building a team by hiring entire service departments

• Creating a “grandmother” level of customer care

• The importance of coaching, peer groups, and tracking your numbers

• How word-of-mouth can build (and sustain) a business for decades

• The next chapter for Lighthouse Automotive

If you’re a shop owner, operator, or anyone curious about what it really takes to build a sustainable business, you’ll get value from David’s journey and hard-earned insights.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment below about your own shop’s origin story or lessons learned!

🔗 Learn more about AA Shop Marketing:
https://aashopmarketing.com

🔗 Join our Facebook community for auto repair shop owners:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/forautorepairshopowners

🔗 Listen to all Garage Grit episodes:
https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/garagegrit

Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: Starting from scratch on the Outer Banks
02:40 – Building a team by hiring specialists
04:15 – Customer care: Treating everyone like family
07:00 – Training, coaching, and continuous improvement
10:00 – Running a business with your spouse
12:50 – Finding and keeping customers in a small town
17:30 – The power of coaching and tracking KPIs
25:00 – The impact of peer groups and community
34:30 – Managing for growth, not just survival
36:00 – What’s next for Lighthouse Automotive

In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock of AA Shop Marketing discusses the challenges of work-life balance in the auto repair industry with guests David Light from Lighthouse Automotive, Paul from Clintonville Auto Repair, and Kevin from Fox River Tire and Auto. The conversation covers various aspects of managing work-life balance, such as delegating responsibilities, the importance of using technology and automation, and the value of having a coach. The guests share personal stories and professional strategies on how to maintain harmony between their business and personal lives, emphasizing the need for planning and prioritizing family time. They also touch on topics like growing technicians, proper pricing, and creating standard operating procedures to streamline shop operations. The episode concludes with reflections on the importance of not waiting to live life fully and advice to shop owners on creating a sustainable balance.

00:00 Introduction to Lighthouse Automotive

00:28 The Importance of Work-Life Balance

01:02 Welcome to the Garage Grit Podcast

02:11 Meet the Panelists

04:08 Personal Stories of Work-Life Imbalance

07:58 Strategies for Achieving Work-Life Balance

13:31 Delegation and Trust in Business

18:30 Balancing Work and Personal Life

27:54 Recognizing Signs of Imbalance

33:46 Recognizing and Managing Stress

34:01 Skateboarding as a Stress Reliever

35:24 Social Media Marketing for Business

35:50 Team Activities for Stress Relief

36:16 Scuba Diving and Other Calming Activities

38:08 Work-Life Balance in Business

41:54 Automation and Delegation in Shops

52:07 The Importance of Coaching

57:18 Closing Thoughts and Future Topics

59:48 Charging What You're Worth

Join Brad Hurlock on the Garage Grit podcast as he sits down with Kelli Weatherby, co-owner of Accurate Automotive in Mesa, Arizona, for an inspiring "Origin and Impact" story!

In this candid conversation, Kelli shares the remarkable journey of building Accurate Automotive from the ground up with her husband, Lee, starting from an unexpected decision to quit a dealership job. Discover how they transformed side work into a thriving business, focusing on their core philosophy of "friends serving friends".

Key Discussion Points:

• Building a Legacy: Hear about their longest-tenured employees, who have been with them for over 20 years, growing alongside the business.
• Family & Business: Kelli opens up about balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship and how their children forged their own paths outside of auto repair.
• The Power of Relationships: Learn how Accurate Automotive cultivates deep trust and loyalty with customers, treating them like family.
• Navigating Challenges: Kelli discusses adapting to changing customer behaviors, the impact of hybrid work on car maintenance, and the unique challenges of operating in Arizona's extreme climate.
• The Importance of Coaching: Understand how a 20-group and business coaching helped them embrace digital advancements (like DVIs) and overcome hurdles, including emotional discounting.
• Succession Planning & Resilience: A transparent look into their multi-year succession planning efforts, why it didn't go as planned, and their resilience in returning to the shop.
• Embracing Change: Kelli's personal philosophy on facing fear with spontaneity and a "let's get it done" attitude.

Connect with Accurate Automotive: Visit their website for more information and to schedule an appointment: www.AccurateAutomotiveAZ.com

Chapters:

0:00:00 Introduction to Kelli Weatherby & Accurate Automotive0:00:57 Longevity of Employees & Building the Shop from Scratch0:02:00 Current Staff Structure & Shop Operations0:03:45 Lee's Health Journey & Easing Back into Work0:05:16 Work-Life Balance in Auto Repair0:06:34 The Importance of Self-Care for Business Owners0:08:06 "Friends Serving Friends" - Core Philosophy0:10:13 Real-World Examples of Customer Relationships0:15:02 Why Car Count is Down & Adapting to New Realities0:16:06 Impact of Arizona's Extreme Weather on Cars0:17:15 Reaching Younger Generations of Customers0:20:22 Valuing the Consumer: Nordstrom vs. Target Analogy0:21:24 Social Media for Shops: People First, Cars Second0:22:34 Getting Back into Content Creation & Authenticity0:25:34 Team Dynamics & Fostering a Supportive Environment0:29:24 The Power of Compliments & Validation0:32:13 The Decision to Start Accurate Automotive0:36:44 Baby Steps to Building a Business0:38:18 Kelli's Background & Transition to Business Owner0:40:38 Transition to Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI) & Coaching0:42:12 The Value of a Business Coach & 20 Groups0:45:02 Challenges with Employee Loyalty & Accountability0:47:59 Helping Employees Find the Right Fit0:51:53 Overcoming Emotional Discounting in Pricing0:55:49 Charging Fairly for Expertise0:58:41 The "Secret" Strategy for Influencing Decisions1:01:05 Investing in Marketing & Growth1:03:02 The Long Journey of Succession Planning1:06:00 Why Their Succession Plan Didn't Work Out1:07:06 The Risks of Business Ownership & Spousal Support1:08:58 The Shift to Digital Manuals & Training1:11:05 Kelli's Initial Reaction to Starting the Business1:12:11 Embracing Change & Spontaneity1:13:12 Kelli's Tough Upbringing & "Run to the Danger" Mentality1:14:41 Lee's Work Ethic & Meticulous Nature1:16:10 Initial Fears for Family & Lifestyle1:17:33 Gratitude for Early Support (Brian Roy)1:18:18 Aligning Goals: Brian Roy's Business Model1:20:03 Thank You & Concluding Remarks

In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, hosted by Brad Hurlock of AA Shop Marketing, shop owners Mike, Josiah, and Kevin discuss the significant impact coaches have had on their automotive businesses. They describe their varied backgrounds and experiences in the industry, emphasizing the importance of finding the right coach who aligns with their values and goals. The panel delves into topics such as overcoming emotional discounting, employing effective pricing strategies, and utilizing digital vehicle inspection tools. They also share insights on the benefits of being part of coaching groups, or 'tribes,' and advocate for regular reassessment of shop practices. The episode aims to demonstrate how coaching can lead to substantial business growth and operational improvements, urging shop owners to invest in coaching to advance their shops.

00:00 Introduction to the Virginia Automobile Association

00:23 The Journey from Accounting to Automotive

00:37 The Importance of Coaching in the Automotive Industry

01:26 Welcome to the Garage Grit Podcast

02:48 Introducing the Panelists

02:54 Mike's Background and Shop Details

04:46 Josiah's Background and Shop Details

06:10 Kevin's Background and Shop Details

09:54 The Evolution of the Automotive Industry

14:18 The Role of Coaching and Training Programs

29:57 The Impact of Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI)

30:44 Switching to DVI Programs

31:01 The Role of Coaching in Decision Making

31:37 Challenges and Benefits of Cloud-Based Systems

31:58 Personal Stories and Experiences

32:22 Choosing the Right Platform

33:21 The Importance of Coaching

34:06 Overcoming Emotional Barriers in Business

35:48 The Impact of Community and Market Conditions

37:02 Recruitment and Industry Perception

38:01 Pricing Strategies and Labor Rates

42:24 The Value of Coaching Groups

44:40 Finding the Right Coach

57:35 Concluding Thoughts and Community Engagement