Are you running a garage business, or just a very stressful job?

In this episode of The Blend Podcast, host Mike Ruff sits down with Barry Lawson of Lawson Autotech for a candid look at the "isolation trap" that many independent garage owners fall into. Barry reflects on the early years of his business, where he operated in a bubble, believing that constant struggle was just a "normal" part of the trade.

The turning point came when his accountant revealed a devastating reality: after a full year of hard work, the business had netted just £16,000, to be split between two partners. Realising he was earning less than he could at a local supermarket, Barry made the radical decision to drop the tools and start looking for answers beyond his workshop walls.

If you’ve ever felt like you can’t afford to step away from the workshop, this is the episode you need to hear. Barry’s story is a powerful testament to what happens when you stop being a mechanic and start being a business owner.

Join us at The Blend 2026!

The Blend returns to the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on Saturday, 10th October 2026. Join workshops, industry experts, and trade suppliers for a full day of networking and insights, featuring keynote speaker Rory Sutherland.

👉 Learn more and book your tickets: https://www.theblend.events/

The Blend Podcast is proudly sponsored by Garage Hive and produced by Autotech Communications.

This week’s episode of The Blend Podcast is a special one. Released just before The Blend 2025, it’s all about community, connection, and why this event means so much to independent garage owners across the UK and Ireland.

In this heartfelt episode, we hear from garage owners, sponsors, and members of the wider automotive community reflecting on what The Blend represents: support, shared experience, and the power of coming together in an industry that can sometimes feel isolating.

From postponed hikes and charity runs for Ben, to powerful stories of mental health, loss, and resilience, this episode captures the real people behind the garages. You’ll also hear from partners like The Race Group, talking about what’s in store at The Blend this year, from breakout sessions and giveaways to panels tackling recruitment and training challenges head-on.

Whether you’re attending The Blend for the first time or you’ve been part of the community for years, this episode will remind you why “together we are stronger.”

The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

If you’ve ever thought about taking on fleet work but aren’t quite sure where to start, or maybe you’re already doing it and want to take it further, then Tim Guidotti’s session at The Blend later this month is one you won’t want to miss.

Tim’s spent 25 years building one of the UK’s most successful independent fleet operations, and he’s now helping other garages do the same through his training and community platform, The Fleet Guy.

Ahead of his talk at The Blend, Tim joins host Mike Ruff to get us in the mood.

The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

In this episode of The Blend Podcast, host Mike Ruff welcomes on Tim Benson of Oldfields Garage in Herefordshire, a multi-award-winning independent garage and respected voice in the industry. Together, they explore the often-overlooked power of awards: not just as shiny trophies, but as tools to benchmark performance, motivate teams, attract customers, and raise your business profile locally and nationally.

Tim shares his personal journey from joining the family business to leading it into the spotlight, revealing how awards shaped his garage’s reputation and growth. He discusses the mental hurdle of entering that very first competition, the realities of handling disappointment when you don’t win, and the practical steps garages of any size can take to become “award ready.”

It comes ahead of Tim’s upcoming session at The Blend on Saturday 18th October titled: How to Put Yourself in the Frame: 7 Steps to Make Your Garage Award Ready. Don’t forget, tickets for The Blend 2025 are nearly gone!

The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

In this episode of The Blend Podcast, host Mike Ruff sits down with returning guest Dean Lomas to dive deep into the 'rollercoaster' of running, and rapidly expanding, an independent garage business. It comes ahead of his return as a speaker at at The Blend conference and networking in Birmingham on Saturday 18th October.

Dean offers practical advice for garage owners considering expansion, including raising prices early to maintain cash flow, investing in ramps and staff to meet demand, and ensuring growth never compromises service quality.

The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

As independent garage owners look ahead to The Blend conference this October, Emma Lindley of Lindleys Autocentres features in the latest episode of The Blend Podcast to discuss how front-of-house teams can transform a business from the inside out.

A specialist in service adviser development, Emma has taken nervous apprentices and turned them into confident team leaders. In the episode, she explores the impact a strong front-of-house function can have on customer experience, workshop efficiency and overall business performance, sharing practical methods that any garage can adopt.

Emma will be speaking on the topic in more detail during her session, ‘The Exceptional Service Adviser: What It Takes to Succeed’, at The Blend on 18th October in Birmingham. Tickets are still available on The Blend website.

The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

As excitement builds for The Blend 2025, we’re pleased to welcome on a group of inspiring women who are leading the way.

We're joined by Tina Drayson of CCM Garages, Kirsty Watson from Autocentre, Claire Cleevely of Cleevely Group, Samantha Lomas of DC Lomas, and Diana Whetton of PW Auto Repairs, ahead of their panel discussion 'Partners, Family & Business: The Balancing Act', live on stage at The Blend in Birmingham on Saturday 18th October.

Together, they unpack the often-overlooked realities of running a garage with family: the pressure, the personal sacrifices, the boundaries (or lack thereof), and the resilience it takes to succeed in both business and relationships.

🎧 Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and join us in Birmingham this October for the full panel at The Blend 2025.

The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

In this episode of The Blend Podcast, host Mike Ruff is joined by fellow Blend Awards judges Hayley Pells, Policy and Public Affairs Lead at the IMI, and Andy Crook of Atomic Success.

Together, they lift the lid on the judging process behind The Blend Awards, an industry celebration that recognises the outstanding achievements of independent garages across the UK and Ireland.

We cover the importance of anonymised submissions, the common entry mistakes to avoid, and how simply entering an award can help garage owners reflect on their progress, identify areas for improvement, and boost team morale. The judges also also explain how the judging panel distinguishes between good and truly exceptional businesses.

Entries for the 2025 Blend Awards are now open and can be submitted via The Blend website until 11:59pm on Friday, 8 August. Finalists will be revealed on 8 September, ahead of the awards ceremony on 18 October at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.

The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

In this episode of The Blend Podcast, we’re diving into the MOT slowdown and how, five years on, the COVID ‘hangover’ is still hitting independent garages. And it might be around for longer than you think.

We’re joined by Cartopia CEO and former TV presenter Nikki Cowan for a deep dive into the ongoing challenges facing the trade, from MOT patterns to shifting customer behaviour and the pressure to keep evolving. Expect practical advice, industry insights, and a few surprises.

The Blend takes place on Saturday 18th October 2025 in Birmingham.

The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

With National Insurance and apprentice pay increases coming in April, it’s a time when many garage owners will be thinking about how to best manage these changes while keeping their teams motivated and their businesses profitable.

In this episode, we’re joined by Jennifer Webb of HR Vitals, who brings a wealth of experience in helping garages navigate these challenges. Jen shares practical advice on handling pay increases, maintaining a happy and productive team, and making your business more appealing to future talent.

The Blend takes place on Saturday 18th October 2025 in Birmingham.

The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.