Shop Fix Academy Podcast

In this episode we have the honor to speak with Ed Mylett right after his keynote presentation at Shop Hackers Conference 2025. Ed is a globally recognized entrepreneur, performance coach, and speaker. He got his start in the financial services industry, achieving incredible success that eventually earned him spot on the Forbes "50 Wealthiest Under 50" List. Since then, he has spearheaded a range of ventures, spanning technology, real estate, health, food/nutrition and more. He shares with us some key insights he's learned in his life including valuing what is most important, the value of one more rep, and why you should consider carefully each new step in life. His views and experiences may shock you. Buckle up!

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Jesse is an out-of-the-box kind of guy. I'm most cases he didn't even start with a box! In this episode, Jesse, who is an acclaimed author, co-founder of the world's largest private jet company, and award-winning musician and producer among other things, dives deep into his approach to balancing professional achievements with family life. Jesse shares insights on the importance of maintaining an underdog mentality, finding wins in various aspects of life, and ensuring that success in business does not come at the expense of family. He also emphasizes the value of praising effort, staying grounded, and being 'time rich.' The discussion highlights the importance of having fun in what you do while focusing on impact and legacy.

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Tommy is BACK! Our first time with Tommy was after he was a keynote at the Shop Hackers Conference in 2024. This time Tommy joins us for an hour packed episode sharing how he grew his garage door service company into a massive enterprise with over 900 employees. He shares what it takes to not just be good at sales, but what it takes to be GREAT. His mindset on growth and having a bigger dream is not fluff. It's what allows him to put in motion a path to create a future. Tommy shares it all. High energy and high value. You're going to want to listen to this one more than once!

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In this podcast episode, Justin Smith, the charismatic owner of an auto repair shop in Fredericksburg, Virginia, shares his compelling story. Justin recounts working with his father at a young age to opening his own shop at 24, under challenging conditions with no money or local support. Over the years, he navigates through mistakes, such as managing staff poorly and nearly going bankrupt, to eventually finding success. He highlights challenges many owners face such as dealing with depression and failure. Despite personal challenges, Justin emphasizes the importance of perseverance, gratitude, community support, and faith. His candid recounting of his experiences offers invaluable lessons on leadership, mental health, and keeping the passion alive.

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In this podcast episode, Tonya and Brett share their dynamic story of starting a successful auto repair shop in Pensacola. From their initial meeting in Philadelphia, Brett's extensive 35-year career in dealerships, and fast pivots in life, their journey is filled with numerous relocations, raising three children, and overcoming major challenges. With their pioneering spirit, they find themselves starting their own shop and learning that details really matter. Through setbacks and successes, they demonstrate the importance of resilience, understanding each other, and the power of creating a lasting brand supporting their customers and their community.

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In this powerful episode, Edward Caswell, owner of Full Throttle Automotive and Fast Lane Auto Repair shares more than the details behind his successful business. Edward shares the full story of his life of brokenness turned into transformation. Hear how his wife fiercely fought for his future with the support of those around him, allowing him to become the person he is today. An educator turned shop owner, he opens up about how he knew "nothing" about business and how his focus to, "love on people", turned into the realization of what true unconditional love is. His story of struggle and path to freedom will inspire you and maybe even give you the break through you've been looking for.

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Lauren Keeton shares her inspiring story of shop ownership and how she and her husband David turned it into the life they wanted. Despite growing up in a small family-run shop and initially wanting a different career, Lauren was drawn back into the industry when David pursued his dream of opening his own shop. Lauren discusses the financial challenges, including purchasing a $1 million building, remodeling, and managing tenants. She also talks about balancing work with family life, having four children, and eventually stepping back from daily operations to enjoy a better quality of life. Lauren now also coaches other shop owners, bringing her teaching background into her new role, and discusses the importance of building connections and being willing to be vulnerable in order to grow in the industry.

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In this episode, Jeff Skibo shares his story of overcoming business hardships taking steps that felt backwards to move forward. Born and raised in California, Jeff initially resisted joining his family's auto repair business, pursuing a successful landscaping business instead. However, the 2008 economic downturn forced him back to the family shop. After taking over, Jeff achieved significant growth through changes in mindset and process. He eventually outsourced his responsibilities and moved 2,000 miles away, and even opened a second shop remotely! As a coach at Shop Fix, Jeff now helps other shop owners achieve their goals and make an impact in the lives of those around them.

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In this podcast episode, Jack shares his remarkable story going from a nomadic upbringing to building a successful automotive business. Initially dabbling in real estate appraisal, Jack found his true calling in the automotive industry. After numerous relocations and setbacks, including crushing debt, Jack persevered by learning critical business skills and relentlessly focusing on providing great customer service. His persistence paid off as his shop, bolstered by effective strategies and mentorship from Shop Fix, went from doing $30,000 a month to tracking $6 million annually. Jack’s tale underscores the importance of resilience and continuous self-improvement in achieving business success.

*In this episode we had some audio quality issues. It's not perfect, but the episode is too awesome not to share!

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In this episode, Aaron interviews Thomas Andrews, co-founder of Carolina Diesel Trucks, about his entrepreneurial path from a hobby to a successful business. Thomas shares how he and his best friend, turned their passion for automotive performance into a thriving company. They started from a one-bay shed and faced various challenges, including financial obstacles and exhausting work schedules. Thomas highlights the pivotal moments and decisions that led to their growth, including joining the Shop Fix Academy, which provided essential business guidance and helped them refine their operations. Today, Carolina Diesel Trucks operates a 15-bay shop with significant annual revenue and plans for further expansion. Thomas emphasizes the importance of building a legacy and focusing on what matters most.

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