Garage Grit Podcast

By Brad Hurlock

Welcome to the Garage Grit Podcast, hosted by Brad Hurlock from AA Shop Marketing. Join us as we tackle common stress points in the auto repair shop space, uniting owners for insightful conversations.... more

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FAQs about Garage Grit Podcast:

How many episodes does Garage Grit Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 47 episodes available.

Garage Grit Podcast episodes:

June 18, 2024#007 Training for Success: Building Stronger Teams and Better Shops
About the Host:

Brad Hurlock: Host of the Garage Grit Podcast, with a background in the automotive industry and a passion for sharing knowledge and insights with his audience.
About the Guests:

Shiju Thomas: An experienced business owner with a deep understanding of training and development in the automotive repair industry. Mr. Thomas is the owner of ⁠Hotchkiss Auto Repair⁠.

Darin David: Owner of a successful auto repair shop, focused on team training and maximizing the potential of his technicians. Darin is the owner of Joe's Garage.

Scott Bartlett: A seasoned mechanic and shop owner, dedicated to continuous learning and improving his team's skills. Scott is the owner of Turner Auto Care⁠.

Episode Summary:
In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock guides a discussion on training teams in the auto repair industry. Guests Shiju Thomas, Darin David, and Scott Bartlett share their expertise on the importance of ongoing training, development, and team building in automotive shops. They explore how to enhance skills, utilize resources effectively, and improve overall shop performance.
Key themes include leveraging local educational programs, utilizing online training platforms, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and the significance of on-the-job training. The conversation underscores the holistic approach needed to elevate not just technical skills but also team dynamics and shop culture.

Key Takeaways:

Investing in training and development is essential to keep up with industry advancements and retain top talent.

Tailoring training programs to individual technician needs can boost performance and job satisfaction.

Fostering a culture of continuous learning and accountability leads to a more cohesive and productive team.

Utilizing online resources and creating a dedicated training space can enhance skill-building opportunities.

Balancing technical training with soft skills development is key to creating a well-rounded and effective team.
Notable Quotes:

"Training is not just about fixing cars; it's about nurturing a culture of growth and development within the team." - Shiju Thomas

"Being humble and open to learning is the foundation for continuous improvement in the automotive industry." - Scott Bartlett

"Cultivating a team that shares knowledge and supports each other leads to a more efficient and cohesive shop environment." - Darin David
Resources & References:

ATI - Automotive Training Institute

NAPA AutoCare Center

ACDelco Training Resources

Hotchkiss Auto Repair

Joe's Garage⁠

Turner Auto Care

Don't miss out on the valuable insights and strategies discussed in this episode. Tune in to the full podcast to learn more about training your team for success in the auto repair industry!
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Today's Topic
00:58 Meet the Panelists
02:47 Local Training Programs
06:24 Challenges and Strategies in Training
09:58 Compensation and Motivation
17:21 Developing a Training System
27:17 On-the-Job Training and Team Dynamics
39:35 Customer Training and Communication
43:11 The Power of Audio and Video Content
43:29 Understanding Personalities in the Workplace
45:10 Effective Customer Communication
46:12 Training and Development Strategies
47:47 Implementing Software and Digital Tools
57:09 The Importance of On-the-Job Training
59:25 Personal and Professional Development
01:12:08 Final Thoughts and Future Topics
...more
1h 25min
May 28, 2024#006 Recruiting Top Talent: Strategies for Building a Strong Team
About the Guests:
Brad Hurlock: Host of the Garage Grit Podcast and owner of AA Shop Marketing.

Pat Schnaidt: Shop owner of All Tech Automotive

Eric Scheidt: Shop owner of Norwood Auto Service

Steve Finzel: Shop owner of Finzel Mastertech
Episode Summary:
In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock discusses the topic of recruiting top talent onto your team with a panel of shop owners: Pat Schnaidt, Eric Scheidt, and Steve Finzel. The panel shares their experiences and strategies for finding and hiring skilled technicians and service advisors. They emphasize the importance of creating a positive and supportive culture within the shop, networking within the community, and providing opportunities for training and growth. The panel also discusses the role of compensation in attracting and retaining top talent.
Key Takeaways:
Building a positive and supportive culture within the shop is crucial for attracting and retaining top talent.

Networking within the community and participating in events can help connect with potential employees.

Offering opportunities for training and growth, as well as competitive compensation, can be strong incentives for attracting skilled technicians and service advisors.

Attitude can trump skill set when it comes to hiring, as a positive attitude and willingness to learn can be more valuable than immediate technical expertise.
Succession planning and counseling can be important aspects of preparing the next generation to take over a shop.
Notable Quotes:
"We're auto repair experts, but we're really in the people business." - Pat Schnaidt

"You can't afford not to pay a skilled technician what they're worth." - Steve Finzel
"The more opportunity and diversity I can bring in the training, the more chances there are for technicians to find something that suits them." - Pat Schnaidt
Resources:
Garage Grit Podcast

For Repair Shop Owners Facebook Group
...more
1h 15min
April 23, 2024#005 Working on Your Shop Instead of in Your Shop for Auto Repair Shops
About the Guests:
Kelli Weatherby: Owner of Accurate Automotive, a repair shop in Mesa, Arizona with 32+ years of experience. The shop has 14 bays and focuses on providing quality service to their customers.

Joe Ferone: Owner of Proper Service, an auto repair shop with two locations in New York State. Joe has been in the industry for over 28 years and is passionate about growing his business and providing excellent service to his customers.

Isaac: Technician at World Auto Repair in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Isaac has been with the shop for 10 years and is currently transitioning into a more business-focused role. He is eager to learn and grow in the industry.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, host Brad Hurlock discusses the importance of working on your auto repair business instead of just in it. He is joined by a panel of experienced shop owners, including Kelli Weatherby, Joe Ferone, and Isaac, who share their insights and challenges in growing their businesses and finding a work-life balance. The panel discusses the importance of building a strong team, documenting processes, and setting goals for the future. They also touch on the family dynamic in the business and the need for accountability and self-care.
Key Takeaways:
Building a strong team and cross-training employees can help create a more efficient and flexible work environment.

Documenting processes and creating a culture of accountability can help ensure that the business runs smoothly even when the owner is not present.

Balancing work and personal life is crucial for long-term success and happiness.

Succession planning and preparing for the future is essential for the continued growth and sustainability of the business.

Taking care of oneself and finding joy outside of work is important for overall well-being and can positively impact the business.
Notable Quotes:
"It's important to have a process in place and ensure that everyone is on the same page to avoid getting pulled back into the day-to-day operations." - Kelli Weatherby

"Transitioning from working in the business to working on the business is a learning process, and it's important to adapt and evolve as the business grows." - Joe Ferone

"Building a strong team and empowering them to make decisions and learn from their mistakes is crucial for the success of the business." - Isaac
Resources:
Accurate Automotive: website

Proper Service: website

World Auto Repair: website
Stay tuned for more insightful discussions and valuable content from the podcast.
...more
1h 5min
March 26, 2024#004 Retaining Top Talent: Strategies for Building a Strong Shop Culture
About the Guests:
Brian Rooney: Owner of Rooney's Auto and Tire Center in Emmitsburg, Iowa. With three full-time technicians and a focus on tires and auto repair, Brian has been in the auto repair industry for over a decade. He started as a technician and eventually transitioned to shop ownership to have more control over operations and decision-making.

Sean Blockland: Owner of All American in Colorado, a mentoring shop that works with kids from alternative schools and foster homes. Sean and his wife run the shop together, and they prioritize creating a positive and supportive culture for their team. They focus on goal-setting, accountability, and personal growth for their employees.

Kendall Warnock: Owner of A1 in Nebraska, a shop that sees around 300 cars a month and specializes in all makes and models. Kendall emphasizes caring for his team and creating a culture of empathy and giving back. He works closely with his employees to help them achieve their personal goals and provides support both inside and outside of work.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, the panel discusses strategies for retaining top talent in the auto repair industry. They emphasize the importance of creating a positive culture, involving employees in decision-making, and setting clear goals. The guests share their experiences with goal-setting, celebrating achievements, and helping employees with personal growth. They also discuss the challenges of finding the right fit for the team and the importance of being honest and setting boundaries. The episode highlights the significance of caring for employees, understanding their personal goals, and creating a supportive work environment.

Key Takeaways:
Involving employees in decision-making and goal-setting can help them feel valued and motivated to achieve their targets.

Celebrating achievements and providing incentives can boost morale and create a positive work environment.

Understanding employees' personal goals and helping them achieve them can contribute to their overall happiness and job satisfaction.

Hiring the right people from the start is crucial for long-term retention and success.

Being a positive example and holding employees accountable can help them grow and improve their performance.
Notable Quotes:
"When people feel like they got to be part of making that decision, they work a lot harder towards achieving the goal." - Brian Rooney

"You got to hire the right people first, and without that, there's no need to retain talent if you didn't hire the right people." - Sean Blockland

"Helping them be the best versions of themselves, that's success to me." - Kendall Warnock
Resources:
Rooney's Auto and Tire Center: Website

All American: Website

A1: Website
Listen to the full episode [here](insert link) for more insights on retaining top talent in the auto repair industry. Stay tuned for future episodes of the Garage Grid Podcast for more valuable discussions and expert advice.
...more
43min
February 07, 2024#003 Time Management for Auto Shop Owners & Team Culture
About the Guest(s):
Garrett Coulter: Owner of Auto Fitness in Gainesville, Georgia. With a background in the military and experience in the automotive industry, Garrett brings a unique perspective to his role as a shop owner. He is dedicated to providing excellent customer service and has a strong focus on online reviews and reputation management.

Jim Schorie: Baylor graduate and former U.S. Air Force officer, owns Schorie Auto Repair in Mesa. With a triple major in economics, finance, and international business, Jim contributed to the space program before venturing into Motorola's commercial space projects. His 17-year-old shop boasts six or seven bays, a testament to Jim's expertise and commitment.

Ted Ostronic: a lifelong car enthusiast, transitioned from a successful career as a Ford Master Tech in the '90s to becoming an entrepreneur. Ted's journey began with home-based auto repairs, then escalated to renting a corner in a warehouse in June 2000. Despite the challenges of starting during 9-11, Ted's shop, now occupying the entire space, has thrived for 23 years, a testament to his dedication and passion for the automotive industry.

Episode Summary:
In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock leads a panel discussion on the topic of time management in auto repair shops. The panel includes Garrett Coulter, owner of Auto Fitness, Jim Schorie, owner of Schorie Auto Repair, and Ted Ostronic, owner of Unique Auto Inc. The panelists share their experiences and insights on various aspects of time management, including hiring and delegating tasks, implementing digital vehicle inspections (DVI), and maintaining a positive online reputation. They discuss the importance of creating a strong team culture, leveraging employees for hiring decisions, and utilizing technology to streamline operations. The episode provides valuable tips and strategies for shop owners looking to improve their time management skills and increase productivity.

Key Takeaways:
Hiring employees from outside the industry, such as the restaurant industry, can bring fresh perspectives and valuable customer service skills to the shop.

Implementing digital vehicle inspections (DVI) can save time and improve communication with customers by providing visual documentation of vehicle issues.

Creating a strong team culture and empowering employees to make decisions can lead to increased productivity and better customer service.

Leveraging online reviews and reputation management can help attract new customers and build trust in the community.

Delegating tasks and setting clear expectations for employees can free up time for shop owners to focus on strategic planning and business growth.

Notable Quotes:
"If you know that your input matters to the business and the ideas you share and the things you care about impact how we do things here as a family, it goes to a 90 percent chance of me retaining you as an employee." - Jim Schorie

"The amount of things I have going on is just not realistic. My job is to work on the business, and have everybody else that works for me do right." - Ted Ostronic

Resources:
Auto Fitness

Schorie Auto Repair

Unique Auto
Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on the Garage Grit Podcast.
...more
1h 46min
February 07, 2024#002 Handling Bad Reviews: Insights from Shop Owners and CRM Expert
About the Guest(s):
Brad Hurlock: Host of the Garage Grit Podcast and owner of AA Shop Marketing.

Jonathan from Dave's Automotive in West Chester, PA

Stephan from Lunsbury in Fremont, Indiana.

Pete from the Auto Connection in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Lance from Dronet in Louisiana.

Gregg from STR CRM.

Episode Summary:
In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock discusses how to handle bad reviews and respond to them with four shop owners and Gregg from Steer CRM. The panel shares their experiences with bad reviews and offers insights on how to handle them effectively. They discuss the impact of reviews on their businesses, the importance of personal responses, and the challenges of maintaining a high rating. The conversation also touches on the role of customer communication, the influence of online platforms, and the need for customer reviews in the automotive industry.

Key Takeaways:
Responding to every review, both positive and negative, shows a commitment to customer satisfaction and can help resolve issues.

Bad reviews can be an opportunity for growth and learning, as they highlight areas for improvement and allow for better customer service.

Communication is key in managing customer expectations and addressing concerns before they escalate into negative reviews.

Building a strong online reputation requires actively encouraging satisfied customers to leave positive reviews and promoting the business through various channels.

While bad reviews can be disheartening, it's important to focus on the overall positive feedback and the relationships with loyal customers.

Notable Quotes:
"You never want to sit there and beat your chest and go, 'Hey, look at all my great reviews.' I like to look at, okay, what did we do wrong? Was it valid? And then how can we make them think or make them feel like we could do something better to gain that customer?" - Jonathan

"If you can gain that customer and the other positive reviews bring them in, then it's up to you to make sure that's not going to be a one-star review." - Jonathan

"Reviews are just opinions, and while they can be helpful, they should not define your business or your self-worth." - Stephan

Listen to the full episode on Garage Grit Podcast.
...more
1h 6min
February 04, 2024#001 Auto repair shop owners discuss credit card processing and dual pay options
About the Guests:
Rick: Rick is the owner of First Choice Auto in Huntington Valley, PA. With 25 years of experience in the auto repair industry, Rick took over the business a year ago and has been working to provide excellent service to his customers ever since.

Jared: Jared is a second-generation shop owner who recently took over a new auto repair shop. He is focused on implementing effective strategies to manage credit card processing fees and provide exceptional service to his customers.

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Brad from Shop Marketing discusses credit card processing and dual pay options for auto repair shop owners with Rick, the owner of First Choice Auto, and Jared, a second-generation shop owner. They explore the experiences and perspectives of shop owners when it comes to passing credit card processing fees onto customers or managing them in a different way. The conversation touches on the challenges of implementing cash discounts, the importance of effective communication with customers, and the potential benefits of investing in the customer experience. The guests also discuss the benefits of level two pricing for fleet service and the use of digital payment options like Zelle and Venmo.

Key Takeaways:
Implementing cash discounts or dual pricing can help auto repair shop owners offset the rising costs of credit card processing fees.

Effective communication and setting clear expectations with customers are crucial when introducing changes to payment processing.

Understanding the demographics and preferences of your customer base can help determine the best approach to credit card fees and payment options.

Level two pricing can be beneficial for fleet service, as it offers lower interchange rates for business-to-business transactions.

Digital payment options like Zelle and Venmo provide instantaneous transactions and can be convenient for both shop owners and customers.

Notable Quotes:
"The difference is when you're building your shop fees and labor fees to cover it, it's called a tax liability. When you're dual pricing or cash discounting, you're passing the fees onto the customer. It's less money the business collected for something you had to spend." - Rob

"It's a matter of getting everybody on board. If every shop in the area is going to cash discount, then people have no other place to go. They're just going to accept it." - Rick

"Younger generations are more comfortable with technology and digital payment options, so offering text-to-pay or QR code payments can be a convenient and appealing option for them." - Mark

Don't miss this insightful episode where Brad, Rick, and Jared discuss credit card processing and dual pay options for auto repair shop owners. Tune in to gain valuable insights and strategies for managing credit card fees and providing exceptional service to customers. Stay tuned for more episodes where industry experts share their knowledge and experiences to help you navigate the challenges of running an auto repair shop.
...more
1h 6min

FAQs about Garage Grit Podcast:

How many episodes does Garage Grit Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 47 episodes available.