Every great leader deserves a great beard. Be sure to visit https://www.thebeardedbrotherhood.co/LEAD15 to grab your favorite beard oils, beard balms, mustache waxes, and more, and get 15% off in the process.

In this episode, Josh Parnell is joined by Uwe Kleinschmidt, founder of AutoTechIQ. Uwe talks through how his leadership journey started in East Germany, and how he learned things there that have help him innovate in the automotive industry. Uwe says it's critical to not get angry, but to embrace direct feedback from customers and turning it into opportunities for growth and product improvement. He also discusses how empowering customers and service advisors—with digital inspections, education, and new AI-enabled solutions—leads to increased trust, streamlined processes, and higher approval rates.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 "From East Germany to Bosch Innovator"
• 05:25 Unexpected Help at a Conference
• 08:40 Controlled Product Release Strategy
• 11:54 Embracing Change and Feedback
• 12:59 Disruption's Hidden Value
• 18:07 Empower Motorists, Benefit Shops
• 20:25 "Digital Vehicle Inspection Boosts Sales"
• 24:25 "AutoTechIQ: Car Issue Solutions"
• 28:36 "Time Management Solutions"
• 31:47 Perspective Shift in Criticism
• 34:28 Resilience and Purpose Quotes

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. As a leadership coach, trainer, and speaker, I help aspiring leaders in the automotive repair industry tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit limitlessleadership.co and check out The Limitless Leadership Blueprint HERE

Every great leader deserves a great beard. Be sure to visit https://www.thebeardedbrotherhood.co/LEAD15 to grab your favorite beard oils, beard balms, mustache waxes, and more, and get 15% off in the process.

In this episode, Josh is joined by Brian and Kim Walker, founders of Shop Marketing Pros. Brian and Kim share their philosophy of “top tier marketing for top tier shops,” sharing how customized, people-centric marketing builds trust with clients. They also discuss the critical role core values play in shaping company culture and making tough leadership decisions, as well as how their personal faith influences the way they lead their team and serve their clients.

Timestamps

• 00:00 "The Know Like and Trust Method"
• 03:42 "People-Centric Marketing Focus"
• 08:28 "Journey to Core Values and Belief"
• 12:08 "Peer Recognition and Family Values"
• 13:35 Creating Core Values for Shops
• 19:14 "Dream of a Generous Tithe"
• 20:21 Evolving Generosity and Community Impact
• 25:32 AI Baby Podcast Surprise
• 29:25 Core Values vs. Tolerated Mediocrity
• 31:03 Core Values Demand Consistency
• 33:29 "Intentional Culture Building in Business"
• 39:31 "Embrace Change for Better Opportunities"
• 41:42 Leadership Through Trust and Example
• 43:35 Leadership vs. Boss Dynamics
• 47:52 "Leadership and Empowerment Success"
• 51:45 "Connection Boosts Team Performance"
• 53:30 "Shop Marketing Pros: Top Tier Marketing"

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. As a leadership coach, trainer, and speaker, I help aspiring leaders in the automotive repair industry tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit limitlessleadership.co and check out The Limitless Leadership Blueprint HERE

Every great leader deserves a great beard. Be sure to visit https://www.thebeardedbrotherhood.co/LEAD15 to grab your favorite beard oils, beard balms, mustache waxes, and more, and get 15% off in the process.

Darrin Barney is the CEO of Elite Worldwide and co-owner of Barney Brothers Off Road. Today, he shares his journey of transitioning into leadership at Elite Worldwide and the importance of a servant leadership approach focused on people, not just metrics. Darrin and Josh talk about Elite’s commitment to personalized coaching, the power of training and follow-up, and how intentionality and continual growth are essential for effective leadership.

Timestamps: 

• 00:00 Buying Bob Cooper's Company
• 06:03 Joy in Helping Others Transform
• 07:17 Content, Not Comfortable
• 10:59 Impactful Listening and Questioning
• 15:50 Embracing Leadership Change
• 17:57 Don't Abandon Your Passions
• 22:56 "Identifying and Closing the Gap"
• 24:19 "Focus on Customer Needs First"
• 27:46 "Set Time to Think"
• 31:42 "Pursue Purpose, Persist, Improve"

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. As a leadership coach, trainer, and speaker, I help aspiring leaders in the automotive repair industry tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit limitlessleadership.co and check out The Limitless Leadership Blueprint HERE

Every great leader deserves a great beard. Be sure to visit https://www.thebeardedbrotherhood.co/LEAD15 to grab your favorite beard oils, beard balms, mustache waxes, and more, and get 15% off in the process.

In this episode, Josh is joined by Jeremy Hoyum, John Maxwell certified leadership coach and business owner. Jeremy shares how his journey through the military and decades in the family entertainment industry shaped his leadership philosophy. He highlights the importance of quality leadership across all industries, the need for organizations to intentionally develop leaders rather than promoting based only on task performance, and the significance of resilience and servant leadership when guiding teams through challenging times.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Automotive Leadership Networking Insights
• 05:32 Cultivating Quality Leadership Early
• 08:31 Quick Facility Lockdown Success
• 10:42 "From Breakdowns to Leadership Growth"
• 15:18 Hiring Leaders: Key Traits Needed
• 16:42 Humility and Emotional Intelligence
• 22:50 Shifting Perspectives: Finding Daily Good
• 25:28 Emotional Maturity and Servant Leadership
• 28:55 Prioritizing Health for Fatherhood
• 32:04 Balanced Leadership and Management Essential
• 35:06 "The 1% Problem"
• 39:08 "Empathy in Business Interactions"
• 39:58 "Empathy in Customer Service"
• 43:22 Empathy and Leadership Impact

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. As a leadership coach, trainer, and speaker, I help aspiring leaders in the automotive repair industry tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit limitlessleadership.co and check out The Limitless Leadership Blueprint HERE

Every great leader deserves a great beard. Be sure to visit https://www.thebeardedbrotherhood.co/LEAD15 to grab your favorite beard oils, beard balms, mustache waxes, and more, and get 15% off in the process.

In this episode, Josh is joined by Hunt Demarest of Paar Melis & Associates, an automotive industry accountant and educator. Hunt shares insights into the critical role that accurate financial reporting plays in helping shop owners drive profitability and business growth. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and measuring financial data—not merely delegating it—as well as the connection between communication, productivity, and strong shop leadership.

Timestamps:

00:00 Specialized Automotive Repair Consulting
04:06 Passion for Cars Over Accounting
06:32 Optimizing Financials for Business Success
10:16 Simplifying Financials for Auto Shops
13:02 Coaching Clients on Productivity Issues
17:26 Client Relations and Bookkeepers
20:00 Tracking and Auditing Business Operations
23:29 Improving Communication to Cut Business Costs
27:10 Young Talent Outshines Older Experience
30:56 Contact for Accounting Help
32:22 Tax Planning Insights for the Auto Industry

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. As a leadership coach, trainer, and speaker, I help aspiring leaders in the automotive repair industry tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit limitlessleadership.co and check out The Limitless Leadership Blueprint HERE

Every great leader deserves a great beard. Be sure to visit https://www.thebeardedbrotherhood.co/LEAD15 to grab your favorite beard oils, beard balms, mustache waxes, and more, and get 15% off in the process.

Zeb Beard is the owner of Stroker's Diesel and Automotive in Monticello, Arkansas. With nearly three decades in the automotive industry and almost 20 years as a business owner, Zeb shares hard-earned wisdom on everything from building a successful, large-scale shop to the power of networking and relationships in business. Zeb talks about overcoming challenges, the importance of community in the industry, and how he balances work and life (even when home and work are under the same roof).

Timestamps: 

• 00:00 "Connecting for Greater Success"
• 04:49 Zeb's Inspiring Support and Guidance
• 06:25 Humility Behind the Facade
• 11:55 Lake House Getaway
• 13:50 Advice for Pursuing Long-Term Dreams
• 16:26 Maximizing Shop Efficiency
• 21:30 Conflicted Leader's Reflections
• 25:09 "Kevin Markle's Impactful Mentorship"
• 28:23 Industry Events Under-attended: 1-2% Participate
• 29:17 Expanding Industry Podcast Reach

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. As a leadership coach, trainer, and speaker, I help aspiring leaders in the automotive repair industry tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit limitlessleadership.co and check out The Limitless Leadership Blueprint HERE

Every great leader deserves a great beard. Be sure to visit https://www.thebeardedbrotherhood.co/LEAD15 to grab your favorite beard oils, beard balms, mustache waxes, and more, and get 15% off in the process.

Tonnika Haynes is a second-generation repair shop owner of Brown’s Automotive, ASTA board member, and proud mom. Today, Tonnika and Josh talk about Tonnika's journey into leadership and how she's learned to overcome imposter syndrome. She also talks about the pressure she feels to live up to her father’s legacy, but how that also pushes her to be a better leader. 

Timestamps

• 00:00 Chapel Hill, NC Auto Shop Owner
• 04:24 Son's Hidden College Struggles 
• 08:17 Service Over Sales Focus
• 11:29 "Growing Through Guidance & Community"
• 16:23 Rediscovering Camaraderie After Military
• 18:43 "Agreeing on Firing Customers"
• 22:16 Leadership and Industry Standards
• 26:38 Parenting Teenagers: Navigating Media Exposure
• 27:41 Mindful Living and Consistency
• 32:44 Respectful Leadership and Team Development
• 35:02 "Aunt Tonnika's Advice on Positivity"
• 38:28 "Daily Self-Compassion Reminder"

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. As a leadership coach, trainer, and speaker, I help aspiring leaders in the automotive repair industry tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit limitlessleadership.co and check out The Limitless Leadership Blueprint HERE

Every great leader deserves a great beard. Be sure to visit https://www.thebeardedbrotherhood.co/LEAD15 to grab your favorite beard oils, beard balms, mustache waxes, and more, and get 15% off in the process.

In today’s episode, Josh Parnell and Michael Smith have a conversation about the changing landscape of leadership today and how business owners CAN look to the future with security. Michael shares his unique outsider perspective, having transitioned from a career in big consulting and private investment into the world of shop ownership and coaching. He reveals the pivotal role that chance encounters and powerful peer networks have played in his journey, and discusses how industry-wide shifts—driven by consolidation, private equity, and the coming wave of baby boomer retirements—are reshaping the future for business owners everywhere.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 "Bearded Brothers: Meet Michael"
• 04:28 "Outsider's Futurist Perspective"
• 08:24 Business Entry to Exit Strategies
• 11:37 Pre-COVID Industry Peer Meeting
• 14:41 People-First Leadership Coaching
• 16:53 Building a High-Performance Culture
• 21:07 Transformative Leadership Insights Spread
• 22:42 "Paradigm Shift Through Perspective Change"
• 27:56 Uninformed Coaching Challenges Youth Dreams
• 31:33 Breaking Habits for Mastery
• 33:00 "Roots to Results Coaching"
• 35:32 Aspiring CEO's Humble Beginnings
• 41:12 Embrace Flexibility for Success
• 42:28 "Value Questions Over Answers"
• 45:17 "Strategic Shift for Investor Appeal"
• 50:08 "Revive Meaningful Connections"
• 51:34 "Incredible Podcast Guest & Institute"

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. As a leadership coach, trainer, and speaker, I help aspiring leaders in the automotive repair industry tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit limitlessleadership.co and check out The Limitless Leadership Blueprint HERE

Every great leader deserves a great beard. Be sure to visit https://www.thebeardedbrotherhood.co/LEAD15 to grab your favorite beard oils, beard balms, mustache waxes, and more, and get 15% off in the process.

Erich Schmidt is the owner of Schmidt Auto Care. Since founding the company in 2009, Erich has learned a great deal about leadership through serious change and growth. After leasing several properties over the years as the business expanded, Erich recently acquired the very property and buildings where the shop currently operates—a significant milestone after years of planning and perseverance. What did it take to get there? What has Erich learned through this season? Find out today!

Timestamps: 

• 00:00 "Limitless Leadership Podcast: Eric Schmidt"
• 04:16 Commercial Real Estate Strategy Insights
• 08:03 Securing an SBA Loan
• 11:53 Loan Inquiry & Financial Disclosure
• 13:22 Preparation and Documentation for Success
• 16:54 High Costs and Financial Risks
• 22:48 Contractual Costs & Obligations Risks
• 24:32 Floating Rate for 504 Loan Closing
• 28:24 Managing Growth: Key to Success
• 32:39 Profitability vs. Passion Guidance
• 33:09 Stick to Established Processes

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. As a leadership coach, trainer, and speaker, I help aspiring leaders in the automotive repair industry tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit limitlessleadership.co and check out The Limitless Leadership Blueprint HERE

Every great leader deserves a great beard. Be sure to visit https://www.thebeardedbrotherhood.co/LEAD15 to grab your favorite beard oils, beard balms, mustache waxes, and more, and get 15% off in the process.

In this episode, Josh Parnell and David Martin talk about the upcoming Sunrise Training and Expo in Chandler, Arizona. David also reflects on his career from pumping gas at his father’s Chevron station, to running a thriving full-service automotive repair shop. He tells you why true leadership is about listening more than talking, building culture, and creating space for every team member to contribute and grow.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Generational Family-Owned Auto Business
• 03:09 Beyond Training: A Holistic Experience
• 09:08 Workplace Camaraderie and Collaboration
• 10:34 Embracing an Abundance Mindset
• 15:44 Comprehensive Arizona Training Expo
• 17:49 Explore Training Classes Online
• 20:13 "Implementing Training for Industry Success"
• 23:46 Empowering Ideas through Collaboration
• 29:07 Embrace Lifelong Learning

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I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. As a leadership coach, trainer, and speaker, I help aspiring leaders in the automotive repair industry tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit limitlessleadership.co and check out The Limitless Leadership Blueprint HERE