In this episode of Gear Box Podcast, Jimmy sits down with Jesse from Mango Automotive to talk about scaling auto repair businesses, shop acquisitions, leadership, and the changing future of the automotive industry. Jesse shares how Mango Automotive grew from a single acquisition to eight locations across the Southwest, what she looks for when buying shops, and why culture, accountability, and mindset matter more than flashy business tactics.

The conversation dives deep into private equity, industry consolidation, technician shortages, SOPs, leadership burnout, imposter syndrome, and how shop owners must evolve personally if they want to grow professionally. They also explore how AI and automation could reshape the future of automotive repair—and why adaptability will separate thriving shop owners from those left behind.

Whether you’re a one-shop operator dreaming of expansion or just trying to survive the daily grind, this episode is packed with real-world insights on growth, systems, hiring, and building a business that can scale beyond the owner. 

In this episode, it’s a real, unfiltered conversation about what actually happens when you go from turning wrenches to running a shop. We dig into the early chaos of opening, hiring struggles, bad decisions, wins, losses, and everything in between.

This one covers it all—free diag, building a sales process, dealing with customers, paying technicians what they’re actually worth, and the reality of trying to grow something from nothing. Nothing scripted, nothing polished—just two shop owners talking through what’s working, what’s not, and what they’re learning in real time.

If you’re in the industry and tired of hearing theory from people who don’t live it… this is for you.

 In this episode, we sit down with JK Walker—owner of a thriving mobile auto repair business and founder of a mail-order ECM company specializing in Chrysler vehicles. We dive into the culture of negativity in the auto industry, how it holds shops back, and the powerful sales processes that separate struggling businesses from thriving ones. If you’re serious about growth, mindset, and building something different, this episode is for you. 

David Boyd from call inbound- an automotive specific VOIP phone service company- is back on to drop more knowledge of the importance of communication from AAPEX 2025!

Mike runs a parts distribution warehouse for Corvette in our hometown, Corvette Pacifica, he comes to AAPEX every year to find new suppliers, He talks about how Tariffs are affecting his business and some of the issues he has run into with keeping quality his number one priority. 

Arun from Driven auto care is Back! And Straight from the AAPEX floor, we sit down to cut through the hype and spotlight what actually moves the needle in 2025—smarter diagnostics, cleaner workflows, and people-first processes. Fast, practical takeaways you can bring back to the shop Tomorrow. 

 The man, the myth, the legend, Lalo stops back in after a long Hiatus and is joined by Shift'n gears own service manager Moe, and what better place to catch up then at AAPEX, we talk Shop performance, culture, and tech adoption—how to turn this year’s show buzz into measurable wins in your bays. 

In this episode of The Gear Box Podcast, Jimmy sits down with Kevin Brown — shop owner, creator of Repair Shop Reckoning, and one of the loudest voices calling for real talk in the auto repair world. Together, they dig into the truth behind shop culture, leadership, AI in the bay, and why knowing your numbers beats chasing the next silver bullet. It’s raw, funny, and packed with lessons every shop owner needs to hear.

 In this powerful episode of The Gearbox Podcast, Jimmy Purdy sits down with financial advisor and exit strategist Matt DiFrancesco to talk about the one thing most shop owners never plan for—what happens after the grind. Matt shares insider strategies on how blue-collar business owners can transform from being trapped in their business to leading it with freedom and purpose. From building true business value to creating generational wealth, this conversation is packed with real talk, practical tools, and mindset shifts every shop owner needs to hear. 

In this powerful milestone episode, Jimmy sits down with Brent Kilmer — owner of Velocity Tire & Auto and coach with Repair Shop of Tomorrow — for a raw and inspiring deep dive into what it really takes to grow as a shop owner and leader. From battling resistance to coaching, to learning when to let go of bad habits (and bad employees), Brent shares how he transformed his business — and himself — by embracing change.

Expect hard truths, laughs, and plenty of wisdom about leadership, pricing your worth, and killing the “old version” of yourself that’s holding you back. Whether you’re behind the counter or under the hood, this conversation will hit home.