In this episode of Coffee with Carm and a Coach, Carm Capriotto and leadership coach Murray Voth explain why traditional employee reviews often fail to build trust, engagement, or real growth. Instead, they advocate replacing formal evaluations with ongoing “Career Alignment Meetings,” and one-on-one conversations focused on coaching, open dialogue, and removing obstacles.

They discuss the shop owner’s role as a coach, the importance of onboarding and positional clarity, and why wage discussions should be separated from development conversations. Murray also shares practical tools, including the three key questions that drive meaningful feedback and real-time coaching moments.

This episode offers a modern, human-centered approach to leadership that strengthens culture, improves communication, and helps employees and shops grow together.

Murray Voth, RPM Training. Listen to Murray’s previous episodes HERE. [email protected]

In this episode, Melissa Parker, Amy Bartel, and Sara Abrecht join Carm Capriotto to discuss why women are the automotive industry’s “secret weapon.” The panel explores the concept of automotive hospitality, focusing on relationships, empathy, and customer experience as key drivers of trust, loyalty, and profitability.

They share how hospitality driven environments, strong listening skills, and hiring from service focused industries elevate the customer experience and strengthen shop performance. Sara also reveals data showing female-led shops achieve higher average repair orders, highlighting the business impact of communication and relationship building.

The conversation challenges outdated industry perceptions and calls for a shift toward hospitality centered operations, encouraging shop owners to embrace these principles and inspiring more women to pursue leadership roles in this evolving, people first profession.

Timestamps

(00:00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome

Melissa Parker, COO, Harrell’s Tire and Auto

Amy Bartel, Owner, Bartel's Auto Clinic

Sara Abrecht, CFO, Dynamic Automotive

In this episode, Carm Capriotto speaks with Tom Ham about the rising labor rates shaping the automotive repair industry. Drawing from the Labor Rate Tracker tool on the Automotive Management Network, Tom explains how shops across the country are steadily increasing rates, with many approaching the $200 per hour threshold. Geographic trends reveal higher rates in regions like the San Francisco Bay Area and Connecticut, and Tom recommends gradual monthly increases of $1 to $2 to maintain profitability without alarming customers.

They also discuss shifting business realities, including rising repair order values driven by vehicle complexity, higher parts costs, and increased technician compensation, even as car counts may level off. Many shops are also setting vehicle age limits to improve efficiency and reduce liability.

Looking ahead, Tom highlights how artificial intelligence will enhance diagnostics and workflow, supporting the rise of a highly skilled mechanical specialist working alongside AI. The episode offers a forward looking view of an industry evolving through smarter pricing, cultural alignment, and advanced technology.

Tom Ham, Automotive Management Network. Tom’s previous episodes HERE.

Host Carm Capriotto dives into the untapped power of Shop Management Systems (SMS) with business coach Dave Schedin and Ben Dexter, National Training Manager at NAPA TRACS. Together, they reveal how two often-overlooked tools, categories and canned jobs, can dramatically improve shop efficiency, consistency, and profitability.

The conversation highlights how a smarter system setup leads to faster workflows, clearer data, and stronger decision-making.

Key Topics Discussed

Unlocking the Power of Categories: Dave Schedin explains the importance of tracking three core labor types: Diagnostic, Preventative Maintenance, and Repair. When categorized correctly, shop owners can pinpoint exactly where time and money are gained—or lost.

Building the “Superhighway” to Faster Estimates: Schedin compares developing Canned Jobs to constructing a freeway: it takes an upfront investment of time, but once built, it enables rapid, efficient estimating.

Professional Communication: Canned jobs help replace vague descriptions with clear, value-focused explanations. This allows newer advisors to communicate like seasoned professionals while ensuring consistent pricing, messaging, and storytelling across the shop.

Turning Data into Profit: Ben Dexter reinforces the principle of “garbage in, garbage out”: without clean, organized data, shop owners are simply guessing.

By mastering categories and canned jobs, shop owners can turn their management system into a powerful engine for clarity, consistency, and long-term profitability.

Timestamps

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:03:15 – The Three Labor Categories (Diagnostic, PM, Repair)

00:05:45 – Creating Smart Warranty Categories

00:08:20 – Data Integrity: “Garbage In, Garbage Out”

00:14:15 – Canned Jobs & Professional Storytelling

00:16:30 – “Level 10” Jobs & Built-In Parts Triggers

00:18:00 – Reducing Advisor Cognitive Load

00:19:45 – Generic Jobs vs. Vehicle-Specific “Pro Jobs”

00:22:30 – Helping New Advisors Sound Like Pros

00:25:00 – Writing Complex Estimates in 2–3 Minutes

00:29:15 – The ROI: 15–20% Sales Growth Potential

00:31:00 – Building the Estimating “Superhighway”

Dave Schedin, CompuTrek Automotive Management Systems. Dave’s previous episodes HERE

Ben Dexter, National Training Manager, NAPA TRACS. Find Ben’s other episodes HERE

Shop owner and coach Clint White explores a powerful shift at the auto repair front counter, from “Service Advisor” to “Repairathist.” He explains that because vehicles represent freedom and control, many customers arrive feeling anxious and financially defensive. As a result, the Repairathist’s role becomes part technician, part therapist, focused on translating fear into clarity and helping people feel understood. Customers aren’t buying parts, he says; they’re buying relief.

The conversation dives into how to put this mindset into practice, starting with a “language shift” that replaces industry jargon like “diag” and “DVI” with clear, value-based explanations. This approach invites customers into the process instead of making them feel excluded. White also stresses the importance of transparency, showing clients the “MRI and X-ray” of their vehicle before prioritizing repairs, and ensuring that front counter promises align with what happens in the shop.

Ultimately, the episode defines the Repairathist as a professional with an “others first” mindset who builds trust through empathy, honesty, and consistency—delivering an experience so positive that customers remember how they felt more than what they spent.

Timestamps

00:00:00 – Introduction

Clint White, Coaching with Integrity, [email protected]

In this episode, host Carm Capriotto sits down with Jerry Kezhaya and Dr. Laura Shwaluk, owners of The Auto Shop and business coaches with Business Builder Mentor and Mastermind.

They share their unconventional journey from healthcare to auto repair, including how Laura stepped in to run the shop while Jerry was hospitalized. With no technical background, she succeeded by focusing on leadership, culture, and relationships—proving that auto repair is ultimately a people business.

The couple also discusses the realities of working together as spouses. By clearly defining roles—Jerry managing systems and strategy, Laura leading team and customer relations—they’ve built a respectful, healthy workplace culture.

A major focus of the episode is financial freedom. Jerry contrasts “visible wealth” with “quiet freedom,” emphasizing passive income, low debt, and disciplined spending. They warn against lifestyle inflation and investing in depreciating assets, encouraging shop owners to prioritize long-term security over short-term status. They dive into the psychology of money, explaining how emotional wounds and unmet needs often drive overspending. Laura stresses that financial healing often starts with personal healing.

Our panel reinforces that real success comes from clarity, discipline, and emotional awareness. Rather than chasing status or appearances, they encourage shop owners to focus on building strong teams, healthy finances, and personal balance—creating businesses that support true freedom, peace of mind, and long-term fulfillment.

Jerry Kezhaya and Dr. Laura Shwaluk, The Auto Shop, Plano TX. Business Coaches at Business Builder Mentor and Mastermind

In this episode, Carm Capriotto reconnects with industry veteran Peter Rudloff to explore his transition from shop owner to consultant, his “stay in your lane” philosophy, and the future of EV repair.

Rudloff shares how a 25-year exit plan allowed him to retire from shop ownership at 47 and transition into his home-based “Pete Cave,” where he continues hands-on work without managing employees. He later founded Rhino Collective LLC, helping manufacturers connect engineering with real-world repair.

A central theme is specialization. By focusing on domestic and Asian vehicles and avoiding brands like BMW, Rudloff improved efficiency and profitability. He argues that staying within your strengths leads to “profit by default” and long-term stability.

Looking ahead, he predicts EVs will dominate, and repair will shift toward modular, aircraft-style maintenance. He encourages new shop owners to consider EV specialization as a growth path.

Rudloff also emphasizes ongoing education, recommending 60 hours of training per year and crediting the Delaware Training Group as a major influence on his career.

This episode delivers clear, practical insight on focus, future-proofing, and lifelong learning in today’s repair industry.

Peter Rudloff, Rhino Collective LLC, [email protected]

Megan Dineff of Ervine’s Auto Repair and Grand Rapids Hybrid and EV joins marketing specialist Dan Vance of Shop Dog Marketing to explore the evolving relationship between websites and the future of search.

They explore why a website remains the digital “front door” of a business, where customers decide whether to call. From using real photos to build credibility, to protecting leads through better phone protocols, to preparing for AI-driven search, this episode delivers practical insights for modern shop owners.

Key takeaways:

Building Trust Through Authenticity: Megan explains why the shop's website avoids stock photos and instead highlights their real team. Showing familiar faces builds instant comfort and credibility. A great website should “ooze trust” and reflect the shop’s personality, so prospects feel like they’ve found their “forever home.”

The 70% Rule: Studies show that nearly 70% of callers have already decided to do business before picking up the phone. The group discusses how poor phone handling can “put water on the candles."

AI and the Return of Content: Dan explains why content matters more than ever in the age of AI. Search models now “race to your website” to gather information. Shops must create clear, helpful content, not just for people, but for the algorithms that determine future visibility.

The Power of Partnership: Megan shares a cautionary story about accidentally shutting down the shop's Google Business Profile and the importance of having a trusted expert to resolve “black box” marketing issues. The group agrees: owners should focus on culture and leadership while relying on skilled partners to navigate the digital landscape.

Timestamps

00:00:00 – Introduction

When Customers Ask AI First: What Shop Owners Need to Know [RR 1071]: https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e1071/ 

Megan Dineff, Ervine’s Auto Repair and Grand Rapids Hybrid and EV, Grand Rapids, MI

Dan Vance, Shop Dog Marketing.com

In this episode, Jeff Rudnick of Pit Crew Loyalty explores the powerful shift from transactional business models to relationship-driven customer loyalty in the automotive repair industry. He challenges shop owners to rethink marketing and branding through the lens of real human connection—introducing the idea that “software has to imitate life.” In other words, technology should support the natural, community-minded instincts of great owners by automating “white glove” service at scale.

The conversation dives into the behavioral science behind loyalty through Self-Determination Theory, which shows that customers, like employees, stay committed when they feel competent, autonomous, and part of something bigger than themselves. Rudnick backs this up with industry data, noting that the average “one-and-done” rate for first-time customers is 54%, but can be reduced to nearly 30% through intentional, relationship-based loyalty programs that make customers feel valued from day one.

Listeners will learn practical strategies for creating meaningful customer experiences, including:

• The Confirmation Moment:Treating first-time calls as opportunities to confirm the shop can solve the customer’s problem, not simply close a sale.

• Throwing a Party:Using automation to identify new customers so teams can celebrate and welcome them, increasing the likelihood of repeat visits.

• Cross-Pollination:Partnering with other local businesses to build community networks that benefit everyone involved.

• The Easy Button:Leveraging systems that automate complex marketing tasks like fundraisers, digital gift cards, referral programs, and social media graphics.

Rudnick also explains how loyalty rewards software can simplify community fundraising, referrals, and cross-business promotion, making high-level marketing accessible even for busy shop owners. Rather than relying on discounts, he emphasizes building strong brands through personalized rewards, authentic leadership, and genuine community involvement.

Ultimately, this episode demonstrates how combining smart automation with human-centered leadership can dramatically reduce customer churn, strengthen local relationships, and drive long-term profitability for independent repair shops.

Jeff Rudnick, Pit Crew Loyalty

Reaching 250,000 miles on a vehicle isn’t luck—it’s leadership.

In this episode, we explore what long-term vehicle maintenance really looks like and why today’s shops must rethink how they communicate with customers. Too often, maintenance is treated as a series of isolated repairs. This conversation reframes it as a strategic process built on education, transparency, planning, and advocacy.

In this episode, you’ll discover how to:

• Shift your shop culture from reactive repairs to proactive planning

• Position service advisors as educators and advocates

• Use cost-per-mile analysis to demonstrate real vehicle value

• Build trust through professional language and clear expectations

• Align inspections with long-term ownership goals

• Improve maintenance acceptance without fear-based selling

• Create systems that support consistent follow-up

Key Discussion Topics

• Why 250,000-mile vehicles are built through strategy, not chance

• The difference between transactional service and advisory leadership

• Using documentation and trends to guide decisions

• Structuring pay plans to reinforce professionalism

• Turning maintenance into a long-term relationship

Why This Episode Matters

When customers understand that their vehicle can realistically reach 250,000 miles with the right care, everything changes.

Trust improves. Approvals become easier. Loyalty deepens. And your shop evolves from a repair facility into a long-term partner in vehicle ownership.

This episode shows how sophisticated professionalism, consistent processes, and education-first communication can transform both customer relationships and business performance.

Brett Beachler, Beachler’s Vehicle Care & Repair, Peoria, IL. Listen to Brett’s previous episodes HERE

Rena Rennebohm, CEO and Creator of Empowered Advisor. Rena’s previous episodes HERE.