When customers don’t trust shops, they don’t trust your marketing either. In this episode, we look at how F & L Tire and Service built a female-friendly, family-first brand experience that keeps customers coming back—even when the township puts a hard cap on physical growth. You’ll hear how intentional communication, paid inspections, and a clear value story turn everyday visits into long-term loyalty.

Frank and Kristy Sponaugle are a third-generation tire family running a seven-bay shop just outside Bethlehem, PA. Frank grew up patching tubes at 15, while Kristy came in through business school, Goodyear University, and a front-counter role that quickly became the face of the brand. Together, they’ve had to evolve from “tire shop” to trusted, full-service advisor without losing the personal touch.

Their biggest struggle wasn’t just potholes, rust, and thin tire margins—it was how those realities showed up in customer conversations. Customers bristled at surprise “free” inspections, worried about big repair estimates, and often felt talked down to, especially women who had been burned elsewhere. At the same time, township zoning blocked any more bays, forcing F & L to grow through better experience and communication instead of just more square footage.

Frank and Kristy responded by turning inspections into a paid Car Care Package, using Mitchell notes and OEM schedules to pace work around budgets and long-term plans. Kristy leaned into her role as a female advisor, translating tech talk into real-world decisions and building the kind of trust where customers simply say, “Do what you think is best.” Along the way, they tightened up record-keeping for future expansion, strengthened vendor relationships, and made weekends-off part of their employer brand story.

For independent shop owners, their story is a playbook for growing when the building can’t. You’ll walk away with ideas for packaging inspections customers actually want, using maintenance plans to protect warranties and wallets, and positioning your front counter as a marketing asset—not just a scheduling function. If you’re capped on bays but not on ambition, this conversation will help you turn communication into your competitive edge.

Guests:
Frank Sponaugle — F & L Tire and Service — Bethlehem, PA
Kristy Sponaugle — F & L Tire and Service — Bethlehem, PA

What you’ll learn:
How to turn inspections into a paid value package
Ways to explain OEM maintenance without sounding salesy
Using Mitchell notes to pace work and avoid bill shock
How female representation shapes your shop’s brand experience
Positioning a family shop as “part of the family”
Turning weekends-off into a recruiting advantage message
Educating tire buyers beyond price to protect reputation
Using warranty language to frame maintenance conversations

Call-to-Actions
Got questions? Comment or post in the FB group—guests will chime in.
Subscribe for more shop-owner panels & Origin & Impact stories.
Want to be a guest? Share your story in the group.

Links
Next Step Guide: https://www.aashopmarketing.com/aashopmktg/public/next-steps.aspx
Grid Request: https://www.aashopmarketing.com/aashopmktg/public/grid-request.aspx
Request a Call: https://www.aashopmarketing.com/aashopmktg/public/request-a-call.aspx
Join the Podcast Panel: https://www.aashopmarketing.com/aashopmktg/public/join-panel.aspx
Partnership Info: https://www.aashopmarketing.com/aashopmktg/public/partnership.aspx
Garage Grit Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/forautorepairshopowners
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aashopmarketing
Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/garagegrit

Episode Metadata
Episode: GGP #056 | Guests: Frank Sponaugle & Kristy Sponaugle | Shop: F & L Tire and Service | Bethlehem, PA