Ratchet+Wrench Radio

From the latest round of PPP to employee retention credits, Eric Joern, a James Hamlin & Co. accountant with a focus on the automotive industry talks through the latest legislative updates shop owners should keep top of mind as they prepare their 2020 tax filing.

Some months are bound to be busier than others, but a slow period doesn't have to be a total loss.  Rather than ride out a historically slow time of the year, Shop Fix Academy founder Aaron Stokes explains why now is the time to grow the business by fine-tuning your operations in preparation for busier days ahead. 

Jeff Baker, owner of Local Wrench in Belfair, Wash., shares how his local auto repair shop has extended a helping hand during the COVID-19 pandemic. From hosting field trips for the local youth to running fun social media contests, Baker has kept his community top of mind. Baker shares his story and how he hopes it can influence others to do the same. 

From the Biden administration's plans for a zero-emissions federal fleet to General Motors' move to sell only zero-emission vehicles by 2035, the future is looking electric. But what could a future filled with EVs mean for the general repair industry? In the latest episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Frank Leutz, owner of Desert Car Care in Chandler, Ariz., discusses what the transition could include...

Nearly a year after COVID-19 first began making headlines, the virus continues to impact the way most small businesses operate. With more customer interaction happening online than ever before, the pandemic has also left its mark on the way customers write and search through online reviews.  But what exactly has shifted in the digital review landscape and why? Brett Steele, director of auto servic...

After a year filled with ups and downs, it may be hard to find the energy to kickstart those goals and plans for the new year ahead.  For Aaron Stokes, founder of Shop Fix Academy, finding fresh motivation is all about surrounding yourself with the people, resources and environments that inspire you.  Stokes talks tips in spotting the factors that may be draining your motivation, tapping networks...

This week's episode is part two of our conversation with Dynamic Automotive CEO Dwayne Myers. If you missed part one, don't worry, we recap the highlights, but you can also listen to it at ratchetandwrench.com/podcasts. This episode picks up after the financial crisis of 2007 and Dynamic's issues with their new larger bank. Learn how partners Dwayne, Lee and Jose picked up the pieces, fought back...

Year-end planning. It may not be fun but it is a critical process to master when it comes to a shop's ultimate success. From setting net pay to renegotiating your shop's lease to understanding the ROI of your shop's marketing efforts, monthly podcast guest Frank Leutz, owner of Desert Car Care in Chandler, Ariz., breaks down how to manage the weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual planning steps sh...

If you've met Dwayne Myers or his partners at Dynamic Automotive, Lee and Jose, you know they're salt-of-the-earth people. Gracious, kind, funny, not to mention the owners of a killer operation. But that hasn't precluded them from tough times. In fact, in 2007 and 2008, they went through a period that nearly destroyed them. It was a period so destructure it moved past burnout into nearly a midlife...

According to Greg Bunch, running five stores is easier than running one. It's a phrase he wholeheartedly believes and also lives, but that doesn't mean it's been easy to reach that point. Growth can be painful, financially, of course, but also emotionally. Throughout his time owning Aspen Auto Clinic, Greg has experienced it all, and through his work with Transformer's Institute, he's helped count...

It's not easy to get back on the horse, as the saying goes. The same applies to business ownership. After years of ups and downs, how do you find not only the motivation, but also the enthusiasm, to keep moving forward? That's what we talked to Autobahn Automotive owner and Ratchet+Wrench online columnist Dave McClung about recently. He shares how he lost enthusiasm for the shop, and how he found...

One of the most difficult aspects of dealing with burnout is that it's not always easy to spot—sometimes until it's too late. Urb's Garage owner Ryan Hillebrand has experienced his fair share of burnout throughout the ups and downs of managing his Kentucky shop. However, in recent years, he's made a concerted effort to learn the warning signs and come up with easy, repeatable processes to stave of...

Feeling unmotivated, exhausted and overwhelmed? Us, too. That's why this month, Ratchet+Wrench Radio will focus on the topic of burnout, talking to industry insiders about their experiences with it and how to overcome that feeling of exhaustion. Up first is Aaron Stokes, Ratchet+Wrench columnist and AutoFix owner. In this episode, you'll learn about how Aaron's ups and downs in the industry led to...

Hear from Ledge CEO Alex Woodie, a CPA by trade who specializes in working with auto-related businesses to help them get their finances in order.

Monthly columnist Aaron Stokes talks pushing past the urge freeze up or to perfect your plans you hit a fork in the road and how to keep your business moving forward as challenges arise. 

Thinking of promoting your business with discounts and coupons? Take Frank Leutz's advice from personal experience: don't. In this episode, Leutz and co-host Susie Sockets discuss when discount coupons go completely wrong and how they could negatively impact your business.

Want to elevate your marketing message but don't know where to start? Philipp Lomboy has got you covered. In this edition of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, staff writer Abby Patterson sat down with Lomboy, founder of Marami Marketing Group, on what you first need to address in your digital marketing tactics.

In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, monthly guest Aaron Stokes talks setting boundaries and easy markers of misspent time to help identify how to budget your time for maximum ROI. 

In this edition of From the Editors, Bryce and Anna celebrate the 100th issue of Ratchet+Wrench by discussing the changes in the industry over the past eight years. You will learn inside information on how this issue came together, how (and why) we chose the four operators profiled in this issue, and the best strategies we've learned from shop owners throughout the years.

Monthly podcast guest Frank Leutz, owner of Desert Car Care in Chandler, Ariz., shares just why employee incentive plans aren't the solution to engaging employees.

Montgomery Miller, area manager at Sun Devil Auto in Phoenix, Ariz., shares how a unique pro bono project the shop took on has helped a budding vintage car aficionado fix up his dream truck while connecting the local community at large.

It's no one's favorite task, but when it comes to replacing key staff you can never overprepare. Monthly guest Aaron Stokes talks tips and strategies to keep top of mind when addressing problematic performance and determining when it may be time to cut ties.

Chris Deater is the Team Lead in Technical Support at Sage Microsystems, which is now joined by its sister brands under the DRB Systems umbrella. Chris explained how ransomware attacks work and how shop owners can take steps to protect themselves from digital intrusions.

Her stature may be small, but her sales and service skills are mighty. Becky Merlini, service advisor of Adams Autoworx in Castro Valley, Calif., was named this year's Best Shop Worker for a reason. While she came to work for owner Bill Adams with no automotive experience whatsoever, her ability to form trust and intimacy with customers made her stand out. Listen to her backstory [1:24], what make...

Successful shop owners Leigh Anne Best and Laura Frank established Brakes for Breasts in 2011 and are about to hit the million dollar mark for funds for Breast Cancer research.