This episode of On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence comes to you poolside from the Hyatt Centric in Key West—just steps from Mallory Square, where the crowd gathers each evening to cheer the sunset. We’re here for the second annual Steve Shaw Leadership Event, better known as his “Grateful Tour.”

This isn’t your typical retreat. Steve brought together the people who’ve shaped his journey—his very first customer who came in from Mexico and out of retirement, current fixed ops directors, his family, his web designer, and longtime friends.

Joining me is Steve’s brother, Bob Shaw, for his very first podcast appearance. Poolside, we talk about training just enough to write it off—but mostly we reflect on the gratitude, connections, and celebrations that make weeks like this unforgettable.

🔑 How to reach the unreachable
🤝 Creating bonds that outlast contracts
🏗️ Designing dealerships—and relationships—from the ground up

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🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
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Stay Curious: Coming Soon to a Dealership Near YOU!

🎧 Some people close deals. Others change the game entirely. In this episode of On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence, meet the powerhouse behind some of the nation’s most successful dealership transformations—Linda Barnette.

From high-stakes sales training rooms to the strategic table of mergers and acquisitions, and all the way to the concrete foundation of new dealership builds, Linda’s career has spanned it all. But ask her the real secret? It’s not about a flashy pitch or the bottom line—it’s about truly caring about the other person’s business like it’s your own.

Linda opens up about how she consistently connects with the so-called “unreachable” decision-makers, turning cold introductions into lifelong partnerships. Her approach isn’t about pushing demos—it’s about building authentic relationships that stand the test of time.

Contact Linda Barnette
Phone: (561) 502-8407
LinkedIn: Click here to learn more about Linda Barnette

🔑 How to reach the unreachable
🤝 Creating bonds that outlast contracts
🏗️ Designing dealerships—and relationships—from the ground up

✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!
🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
 ⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts — it really makes a difference!

🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
 📬 Mail us at [email protected]
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📘 Join the conversation on Facebook

Stay Curious: Coming Soon to a Dealership Near YOU!

This week on On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence, we’re jumping headfirst into another real-world convo about one of the industry’s biggest concerns: technician shortages.

What do you say when someone asks, "So, what do you do?" while waiting in line for a drink? Well, if you're in fixed ops, the answer might come with a side of exhaustion and a shot of truth.

Veteran techs are hanging up their wrenches, worn down by ever-changing technology and the toll it takes on their bodies. Meanwhile, younger talent is opting for cleaner tech jobs—ones that don’t require crawling under dashboards or twisting into pretzel-shaped positions to reach a bolt.

Let’s face it—car technology evolves faster than we can keep up, and unlike the human body (which thankfully hasn’t moved its organs around since the beginning of time), the makes and models change every. single. year.

So grab your drink and lean in—this episode's a toast to the hardworking technicians, the retiring legends, and the future of the bay. 🍻

And next time someone asks what we do? We’re IRS agents—just looking for our next contestant. 😉

🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
 📬 Mail us at [email protected]
 🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on Facebook

Stay Curious: Coming Soon to a Dealership Near YOU!

🔑 How to reach the unreachable
🤝 Creating bonds that outlast contracts
🏗️ Designing dealerships—and relationships—from the ground up

✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!

🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts—it really makes a difference!

And fittingly, this episode drops on August 5th—the same day Bertha rode into the early morning light to change history. 🌅 Don’t miss this ride through time, innovation, and unstoppable determination!

Picture this: it’s August 5, 1888. At dawn, Bertha Benz, 39 years old and fueled by fierce determination, quietly rolls her husband’s Benz Patent-Motorwagen out of their Mannheim home. With her teenage sons Richard (15) and Eugen (13), she launches a secret mission—no permission, no roads, no roadmap—to drive over 100 km to her mother’s home in Pforzheim.

Throughout this wild journey, Bertha tackled nearly every mechanical obstacle imaginable:

• She refueled at apothecaries, buying the town's entire supply of ligroin—effectively the world’s first gas stations 
• When the fuel line clogged, she used a hat pin to clear it; she wrapped a frayed ignition wire with her garter to insulate it; and she asked a shoemaker to affix leather brake-linings, inventing the first brake pads.
• She and her sons even pushed the car uphill where the 2.5‑horsepower engine couldn’t manage the incline on its own 

In doing so, Bertha didn't just launch an automotive industry—she launched the role of women in automotive innovation 🚗💪✨, reshaping perceptions and blazing a trail for future female pioneers. She later became the first woman inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame—in 2016, making her and Carl the first married couple so honored 

🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
 📬 Mail us at [email protected]
 🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on Facebook

Stay Curious: Coming Soon to a Dealership Near YOU!

🔑 How to reach the unreachable
🤝 Creating bonds that outlast contracts
🏗️ Designing dealerships—and relationships—from the ground up

✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!

🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts—it really makes a difference!

🎙️In this episode of On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence, we dive into the question everyone in automotive is starting to ask: Is it real or is it AI? 🤔

Thuy from MIA joins us to talk about how their true conversational AI is transforming dealership sales and service—especially in BDCs and campus-store environments. MIA is not decision-tree based like so many others. It listens, responds, and engages like a real person—holding full conversations that drive results. 🤖🚗

We discuss how MIA is helping dealership teams:
🔹 Automate repetitive tasks like appointment-setting 📅
🔹 Free up talented staff for more productive, high-value work 💼
🔹 Improve customer engagement without sacrificing authenticity ❤️

This isn’t about replacing people—it’s about letting AI handle the busy work so your team can do what they do best. 🧠💪

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is it live—or is it AI?” … this episode has the answer. 🎧🚀

Connect with Thuy Adomitis:
Email: [email protected]
Connect with Thuy: Click Here to Connect with Thuy
Click to Visit Mia Labs

🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
 📬 Mail us at [email protected]
 🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on Facebook

Stay Curious: Coming Soon to a Dealership Near YOU!

🔑 How to reach the unreachable
🤝 Creating bonds that outlast contracts
🏗️ Designing dealerships—and relationships—from the ground up

✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!

🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts—it really makes a difference!

🎧 Some people close deals. Others change the game entirely. In this episode of On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence, meet the powerhouse behind some of the nation’s most successful dealership transformations—Linda Barnette.

From high-stakes sales training rooms to the strategic table of mergers and acquisitions, and all the way to the concrete foundation of new dealership builds, Linda’s career has spanned it all. But ask her the real secret? It’s not about a flashy pitch or the bottom line—it’s about truly caring about the other person’s business like it’s your own.

Linda opens up about how she consistently connects with the so-called “unreachable” decision-makers, turning cold introductions into lifelong partnerships. Her approach isn’t about pushing demos—it’s about building authentic relationships that stand the test of time.

🔑 How to reach the unreachable
🤝 Creating bonds that outlast contracts
🏗️ Designing dealerships—and relationships—from the ground up

✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!

🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts—it really makes a difference!

🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
 📬 Mail us at [email protected]
 🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on Facebook

Stay Curious: https://onthedrivesolutions.com/

🎙️In this episode of On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence, I chat with the amazing Katy Wolda about the DISC personality model—a powerful tool that helps you connect better with customers and teammates, whether you're managing up, down, or across the service drive. 🚗🛠️

Originally developed by psychologist William Moulton Marston (who also created Wonder Woman! 🦸‍♀️), DISC breaks down personalities into four main types:

• D – Dominance 💼: Direct, decisive, loves efficiency. Keep it short and factual.
• I – Influence 🎉: Social, enthusiastic, thrives on energy and connection.
• S – Steadiness 🤝: Loyal, calm, and prefers stability. A little patience and warmth go a long way.
• C – Conscientiousness 📊: Analytical, detail-oriented, and values precision. They want all the facts—presented thoughtfully.

✨ Fun fact: Studies show teams that understand each other's DISC profiles are 42% more effective at reducing workplace conflict and increasing productivity. Why? Because they learn to speak each other’s language—literally.💡

Discover your DISC style, how to spot someone else's in under 30 seconds ⏱️, and how adjusting just a few words can lead to better outcomes, happier clients, and stronger team dynamics. 🙌

✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!

🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
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⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts—it really makes a difference!

🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
 📬 Mail us at [email protected]
 🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on Facebook

Stay Curious: https://onthedrivesolutions.com/

Dave Rodgers returns to talk about the double-edged sword of chasing metrics. While goals are critical for training and maintaining team performance, too much focus on the numbers can lead to shortcuts, misaligned priorities, and bad behavior. Together, we explore how reports should guide your attention—not define your success. Just like in football, the game is often won in inches. Tune in for real talk on balance, leadership, and the mindset it takes to train to maintain.

✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!

🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts—it really makes a difference!

🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence

📬 Mail us at [email protected]

🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on Facebook

Stay Curious: onthedrivesolutions.com

This week on On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence, we sit down with Christy Cartaya, Vice President of Marketing and Brand Management at The Collection in Miami. Christy shares her unexpected journey from the fast-paced world of marketing into the elite tier of automotive retail—where brands like Ferrari, Audi, Porsche, and McLaren are part of her daily landscape.

What started as a twist of fate turned into a remarkable career, and today, Christy leads a powerhouse team at one of the most prestigious dealership groups in the country. Join us as we talk career shifts, leadership, luxury branding, and why a visit to The Collection isn’t complete without stopping by Michelin-rated Bachour for a sweet indulgence.

From marketing mastery to showroom sophistication—this episode is as refined as the cars Christy helps bring to life. Don’t miss it!

Host: Cindy Lawrence

Email: [email protected]

Website: onthedrivesolutions.com

From fried wires (thanks, neighborhood squirrels 🐿️) to those “oops” repairs that don’t quite fit the warranty box, Cindy and Dave break down when dealerships step up—even if the coverage technically doesn’t.

Whether it’s a split bill, a friendly favor, or a behind-the-scenes push from your advisor, this episode reminds us that a loyal customer, a good attitude, and a weird accident can still earn you some love.

🔧 Under the Hood This Week:

• What qualifies as goodwill (hint: it’s not magic—it’s strategy)
• In-warranty but not warrantable? Yep, that’s a thing
• Why your advisor might just be your ride-or-die 🏁
• The CSI factor—being nice does pay off
• And why goodwill isn’t a guarantee... but it is a game-changer

If it’s good for the customer, good for the dealership, and good for the brand—it’s go-time. Buckle up. This one’s got heart, horsepower, and a few rodent-related surprises.

Host: Cindy Lawrence

Phone Number: 713.299.2435

Email: [email protected]

Website: onthedrivesolutions.com