LIFT Your Shop

In today’s episode, we sit down with Jason Fan — owner of one of the fastest-growing European specialty shops in his region — to talk about the real work behind scaling a shop, elevating team performance, and building a business that changes lives.

Jason shares what transformed his operation over the past 18 months: daily meetings that actually work, leadership built on encouragement instead of pressure, and the shift from working in the business to working on the business. He breaks down why he moved from general repair to European, how he created a high-end customer experience, and why the environment of your shop silently influences trust and ticket averages.

We also dig into:
• How to run daily meetings without them becoming repetitive
• The mindset shift that allowed his team members to grow financially and personally
• Why shop appearance and customer experience matter more than most owners think
• The transition from technician to true business leader
• The systems and coaching that helped him scale
• The importance of building a shop that empowers employees to build real wealth
• The book that completely changed his approach (The E-Myth)

Whether you're a general repair shop, a European specialist, or an owner trying to grow your second or third location, Jason’s story gives a clear blueprint for how to upgrade culture, process, and leadership — and why doing so transforms the entire business.

If you want to reach out to Jason, you can connect with him on Facebook at Jason Fan.

In this episode of the Lift Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, we sit down with Lauren from Keeton Auto Repair to talk about how consistent marketing, authentic reviews, and year-over-year tracking transformed their business.

From Google Maps calls skyrocketing to monthly meetings that keep goals on track, this conversation dives into the real-world marketing strategies that helped this shop grow — without losing the personal touch that keeps customers coming back.

You’ll hear about:
- How Locust Street Repair built trust through customer reviews
- The impact of consistent SEO and paid ad strategy
- Why monthly reporting and accountability matter
- What happens when you finally connect your marketing data to real business results

If you’re an auto shop owner looking for proof that marketing works when it’s done right, this episode is for you.

Listen, learn, and get inspired to take your shop’s marketing to the next level.

In this episode, we sit down with Colleen Shannon of Shannon Family Automotive to talk about leadership, growth, and navigating major transitions in both business and life. Colleen shares her journey of stepping into leadership during a breaking point, the lessons she and her husband learned from swapping roles, and how they discovered new strengths by leaning into each other’s “working geniuses.”

We dive into hiring and team culture, the importance of asking the right interview questions, and why understanding people beyond their work matters so much. Colleen also opens up about the struggles of business ownership, the power of resilience, and how redefining traditional roles created new opportunities for both her family and her shop.

Whether you’re a shop owner, a leader in any industry, or someone facing tough transitions, this conversation is filled with wisdom, honesty, and encouragement.

Branding Auto Repair From the Inside with Lola Schmidt

Running an auto repair shop takes more than fixing cars—it takes building a brand that customers trust. In this episode, Lola Schmidt shares her journey of turning a shop from a tough beginning into a standout, customer-first business.

She dives into:

• How to create a brand identity that feels authentic

• Why appearance, curb appeal, and safety matter to customers

• Balancing roles as husband-and-wife shop owners

• The importance of asking your community what they want

• Must-read books like Profit First that help shop owners stay profitable

If you’re looking to improve your shop’s image, strengthen customer loyalty, and grow without burning out, this episode is packed with real, actionable advice.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with another shop owner who needs to hear this.

What happens when you outgrow your “buddy culture” but don’t yet have real leadership systems in place?

In this episode of the Lift Your Shop podcast, we sit down with Thomas Andrews, co-founder of CDT Automotive, who shares how their team scaled from chaos to clarity. Thomas opens up about the growing pains of leadership, the lessons learned from failed accountability, and how outside coaching helped them transform the business.

- Why “praise in public, correct in private” is a leadership game-changer.

- How Thomas and his partner shifted from being friends to effective leaders.

- The role of Shop Fix and coaching in helping them systematize growth.

- Why simplicity always scales better than complexity.

Whether you're running a one-bay shop or scaling to multiple locations, this conversation is packed with insights that will move your business forward.

Unlock the Power of One-on-Ones: Build a Culture of Accountability & Leadership

Join leadership coach Josh Parnell as he breaks down how effective one-on-one meetings can transform your team and workplace culture. Learn why calls to action and consistent follow-up are key to creating accountability, how to empower your team to lead their own meetings, and practical tips to develop stronger leaders.

Plus, Josh shares his top leadership book recommendations and how to connect with him for personalized coaching.

👉 Watch now and start leading with impact!

For Greg Buckley, running an auto repair business isn’t just a career—it’s a family legacy. Growing up in his father’s service station in Wilmington, Greg began his journey in the industry at just eight years old as a self-proclaimed “Petroleum Transfer Engineer.” From pumping gas to leading as a multi-shop owner, his path reflects a deep-rooted passion for automotive excellence and community connection.

But Greg’s story is more than just business. It’s about generations of hard work, the power of adaptability, and a relentless drive to stay ahead of industry changes. Now, as a leader mentoring the next generation and exploring expansion, he’s redefining what it means to be a multi-shop owner.

On the LIFT Your Shop Podcast, Greg shares decades of hands-on experience, insights into surviving economic cycles, and the secrets to thriving in an ever-evolving industry. From mastering the latest tech to building a family business into a community staple, Greg’s journey is a blueprint for success.

Are you ready to learn from one of the industry's most resilient and forward-thinking leaders? Don’t miss this inspiring episode with Greg Buckley!

For Greg Buckley, running an auto repair business isn’t just a career—it’s a family legacy. Growing up in his father’s service station in Wilmington, Greg began his journey in the industry at just eight years old as a self-proclaimed “Petroleum Transfer Engineer.” From pumping gas to leading as a multi-shop owner, his path reflects a deep-rooted passion for automotive excellence and community connection.

But Greg’s story is more than just business. It’s about generations of hard work, the power of adaptability, and a relentless drive to stay ahead of industry changes. Now, as a leader mentoring the next generation and exploring expansion, he’s redefining what it means to be a multi-shop owner.

On the LIFT Your Shop Podcast, Greg shares decades of hands-on experience, insights into surviving economic cycles, and the secrets to thriving in an ever-evolving industry. From mastering the latest tech to building a family business into a community staple, Greg’s journey is a blueprint for success.

Are you ready to learn from one of the industry's most resilient and forward-thinking leaders? Don’t miss this inspiring episode with Greg Buckley!

For Greg Buckley, running an auto repair business isn’t just a career—it’s a family legacy. Growing up in his father’s service station in Wilmington, Greg began his journey in the industry at just eight years old as a self-proclaimed “Petroleum Transfer Engineer.” From pumping gas to leading as a multi-shop owner, his path reflects a deep-rooted passion for automotive excellence and community connection.

But Greg’s story is more than just business. It’s about generations of hard work, the power of adaptability, and a relentless drive to stay ahead of industry changes. Now, as a leader mentoring the next generation and exploring expansion, he’s redefining what it means to be a multi-shop owner.

On the LIFT Your Shop Podcast, Greg shares decades of hands-on experience, insights into surviving economic cycles, and the secrets to thriving in an ever-evolving industry. From mastering the latest tech to building a family business into a community staple, Greg’s journey is a blueprint for success.

Are you ready to learn from one of the industry's most resilient and forward-thinking leaders? Don’t miss this inspiring episode with Greg Buckley!

It’s not every day you see a husband-and-wife duo take center stage in the automotive repair industry—but Nick and Nicole Jones are redefining the game. As the driving force behind Anderson Automotive and two Thrive Automotive locations, their journey is all about resilience, teamwork, and passion.But their impact doesn’t stop there. They’re also the hosts of the "Thrive With Us" podcast, where they share insights on business, leadership, and life. And if that wasn’t enough, their love for animals led them to create All Dogs Thrive Rescue, helping dogs find loving homes.

Ask yourself, “Am I leading in a way that empowers my team?” Don’t miss this inspiring conversation. Learn more about the husband and wife team on the newest episode of the LIFT Your Shop Podcast!

Stay Connected with Nick on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nick.jones.5205622?mibextid=LQQJ4dStay Connected with Nicole on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.mitchell.92754