In this episode, Mike sits down with a very special guest, his son Colby Burke, for an honest conversation between two generations. Colby shares how growing up around racing, long travel days, and hard work shaped his mindset, and how a side hustle tinting cars after hours slowly turned into a serious operation of his own.
They talk about learning the trade through repetition, handling 10 to 20 cars a day, and how social platforms like Snapchat became his primary sales channel. Colby also reflects on attending his first industry conference, meeting installers from around the world, and gaining a new perspective on what this business can become at just 21 years old.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yZ9Yi_9WiDU

🔗 Connect with Colby:
Snapchat: colbyy456  or  colbyytint
TikTok: @colbyy456
Instagram: @sunstoppers.tinting

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➤Email me for podcast inquiries: [email protected]

In this episode, Mike sits down with Ray Van Dexter, owner of Dynamic Tint & Paint Protection, for a wide ranging conversation. Ray reflects on more than two decades in the window tint industry, from hand cutting film in a detached garage to operating multiple locations and building a 16,000 square foot flagship shop.
The discussion covers early marketing lessons like creating custom film names, the evolution of shop branding, and how assembly line style workflow made high volume days possible. Ray also shares the vision behind his newest facility, why efficiency matters more than size, and his belief that the industry grows faster when shops work together instead of competing.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jg1YaXVoGmo

🔗 Connect with Ray:
Website: www.dynamictint.com
Facebook: DynamicTint
Instagram: @dynamictintppfnj
YouTube: @tintguynj81

➤ Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes of the podcast.
➤ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mike-burke/id1611409375
➤ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6palwGfEfUIFG8sIIJPc1T?si=67c809d6c05b44f1
➤Follow me on Instagram @themikeburke
➤Email me for podcast inquiries: [email protected]

In this episode, Mike sits down with Shane Oliberos, co owner of Xero Wraps in Hawaii, to talk about building a high performing paint protection operation in one of the most challenging markets in the country. Shane shares how his background in commercial graphics and vinyl naturally evolved into PPF, why precision matters so much to installers, and how growing up surfing on Oahu shaped his mindset and work ethic.
The conversation covers the realities of running a shop in Hawaii, including limited commercial space, high rent, shipping logistics, and the importance of staying lean. Shane also explains how his team structure, shared installs, and efficiency focused approach allow Zero Wraps to produce strong revenue from a compact footprint.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FX5CeliQKPU

🔗 Connect with Shane:
Website: www.xerowraps.com
Facebook: xerowraps
Instagram: @xerowraps

➤ Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes of the podcast.
➤ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mike-burke/id1611409375
➤ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6palwGfEfUIFG8sIIJPc1T?si=67c809d6c05b44f1
➤Follow me on Instagram @themikeburke
➤Email me for podcast inquiries: [email protected]

In this episode, Mike sits down with Philip Bunting, co-founder and CEO of ALSET to talk about building a business by fixing a problem he personally experienced. After purchasing his first Tesla and running into confusing pricing, missed callbacks, and upsell-heavy shop experiences, Philip set out to create a simpler, more transparent way for vehicle owners to protect their cars.
The conversation explores how that idea became ALSET, why clear pricing and streamlined systems matter, and what it takes to turn a single Portland location into a growing franchise network focused on electric vehicles, efficiency, and consistent customer experience.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7V_gU9bGBS0

🔗 Connect with Philip:
Website: https://www.alsetauto.com
Instagram: @alsetauto
YouTube: @alsetauto

➤ Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes of the podcast.
➤ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mike-burke/id1611409375
➤ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6palwGfEfUIFG8sIIJPc1T?si=67c809d6c05b44f1
➤Follow me on Instagram @themikeburke
➤Email me for podcast inquiries: [email protected]

In this episode, Mike sits down with Ryan Pape, President and CEO of XPEL, for a wide-ranging conversation recorded at SDC 2026. Ryan shares why his theme for the year is excellence, how narrowing focus can outperform chasing endless ideas, and why identifying just a few priorities can create meaningful momentum across an organization.
The discussion also explores leadership energy, lessons from keynote speakers, including insights on bringing your best self home, along with Ryan’s perspective on the evolving automotive landscape, electric vehicles, and how personalization is shaping the future of vehicle protection.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/H9FkrhmU1ug

🔗 Connect with XPEL:
Website: https://www.xpel.com
Instagram: @xpel
Facebook: XPEL
YouTube: @XPELinc
LinkedIn: xpel
X: XPEL

➤ Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes of the podcast.
➤ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mike-burke/id1611409375
➤ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6palwGfEfUIFG8sIIJPc1T?si=67c809d6c05b44f1
➤Follow me on Instagram @themikeburke
➤Email me for podcast inquiries: [email protected]

In this episode, Mike sits down with John Gray of Gulf Coast Auto Shield to talk about building a multi-location operation rooted in craftsmanship and people. John shares how a lifelong love of detailing, paired with 25 years at FedEx, eventually led him from working out of his garage to operating three Houston-area shops with more than 30 employees.

The conversation covers hiring challenges, why the best technicians often find you instead of the other way around, and how strong shop culture, customer experience, and community involvement have fueled steady growth without heavy advertising.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/H9FkrhmU1ug

🔗 Connect with John:

Website: https://www.gcautoshield.com

Facebook: GulfCoastAutoShield

Instagram: @gulfcoastautoshield

LinkedIn: gcautoshield

In this episode, Mike sits down with Colin Reid, Senior VP of Dealership Solutions for WD Co-Auto in Western Canada, to unpack what it takes to support more than 1,100 automotive dealerships across four provinces. Colin explains how a dealer-owned cooperative model works, why partnerships matter at every level, and how his team supplies everything from paint protection film to electricity and credit-card services.

The conversation also dives into regional differences in vehicle protection, including why paint protection adoption is significantly higher in parts of Canada, how road conditions influence demand, and what dealerships are starting to prioritize beyond PPF — from coatings to windshield protection.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KVPq6ELr6WM

🔗 Connect with Colin:

Website: https://wdcoauto.com

LinkedIn: colinmreid

➤ Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes of the podcast.
➤ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mike-burke/id1611409375
➤ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6palwGfEfUIFG8sIIJPc1T?si=67c809d6c05b44f1
➤Follow me on Instagram @themikeburke
➤Email me for podcast inquiries: [email protected]

In this episode, Mike sits down with Rick Puthoff of Eclipse Window Tinting to reflect on more than three decades in the industry and the lessons that only time can teach. Rick shares how simple habits — like personally calling past customers just to say thank you — reignited shop culture and even led to new business through unexpected referrals.

The conversation also covers his journey from installing sunroofs in the early ’90s to running a 22,000-square-foot facility, the hard lessons learned from real estate decisions, and why efficiency, layout, and process matter just as much as skill on the install bay.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mzAq7oI8nU4

🔗 Connect with Rick:

Website: https://www.321tint.com

Facebook: 321tint

Instagram: @eclipse_ohio

YouTube: @321Tint

➤ Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes of the podcast.
➤ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mike-burke/id1611409375
➤ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6palwGfEfUIFG8sIIJPc1T?si=67c809d6c05b44f1
➤Follow me on Instagram @themikeburke
➤Email me for podcast inquiries: [email protected]

In this episode, Mike sits down with Tony Tran, owner of 101 Motors and Tempe Auto Spa, to trace a career that began in a high-school auto shop and grew into a multi-division operation. Tony shares the pivotal moment he walked away from a dealership job after being told he couldn’t pursue further education — a decision that pushed him to start rebuilding and selling vehicles out of his garage with a one-year warranty.
The conversation also dives into building one-of-one vehicles, converting a classic Ford to electric power, bringing services in-house to protect quality, and how listening to installers and customers ultimately shaped his brand decisions.

🔗 Connect with Tony
Facebook: 101custom
Instagram: @101motors
Website: https://www.101motors.com
YouTube:  ⁨@101MotorsTempe⁩  

➤ Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes of the podcast.
➤ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mike-burke/id1611409375
➤ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6palwGfEfUIFG8sIIJPc1T?si=67c809d6c05b44f1
➤Follow me on Instagram @themikeburke
➤Email me for podcast inquiries: [email protected]

Not every customer is your customer,  and learning that lesson reshaped this entire company. 
In this on-location episode at XDC 26 in San Antonio Texas, Mike sits down with Greg Natonson of Chicago Auto Pros to talk about the journey from tech-world burnout to building one of the most recognized automotive shops in the country. Greg opens up about navigating a difficult business-partner split, how his team stepped up afterward, and why aligning vision early matters more than most owners realize.
The conversation also dives into pricing philosophy, choosing a clear customer lane, and why asking your installers what they want can sometimes be the smartest move you make.

Click to watch this episode on YouTube

🔗 Connect with Greg
Website: https://www.chicagoautopros.com
Facebook: Chicagoautopros
Instagram: @chicagoautopros
YouTube:  @ChicagoAutoPros 

➤ Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes of the podcast.
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➤Follow me on Instagram @themikeburke
➤Email me for podcast inquiries: [email protected]