Maximum Octane

What makes your auto repair shop different from Joe's down the street?  In this episode, I'm thrilled to be talking with Phil Jackson, Business Development Manager at Pit Crew Marketing. Phil helps small business owners streamline their marketing efforts, increase customer retention, and prevent "one-and-done" clients by providing tools, reports, and education.  We had a fantastic conver...

Workers' comp is a delicate matter for most auto repair shop owners, a thorny issue they wish they didn't have to deal with. Truth of the matter is, as long as internal customers and employers contemplate the law before taking any action, they'll be just fine.  In this episode, I'm joined by Paige Hazeltine, Esq, Head of Florida Workers Compensation Department at the Law Firm of Alex Dell. Th...

Less than 4% of the car park in America is electrified, yet if specialists' projections are accurate, by 2030, over 8% of the cars rolling on American soil will be electric cars. Should the average auto repair shop be worried? Our guest, Chris Chesney thinks they shouldn't be worried; they should be prepared.  In this episode, I'm joined by Chris Chesney, Vice President of Training & Orga...

Creating a people-centric culture is easier said than done; many companies brag about having it, yet just a few are telling the truth.  In today's episode, the Co-Founders of 360 Payments, Lisa Coyle and Jesse Meddaugh join us to share their views on the need and benefits of people-centric cultures and their experiences incorporating technology into payment processes in the automotive industr...

Phrases like "Never let that technician talk to the customer" are more common than we think in the automotive industry. Still, there are simpler, more efficient, and profitable ways of dealing with the issue without locking a technician in a basement whenever a customer needs guidance or advice.  In today's episode, I'm joined by Jim Bennett, Owner and Operator of CarMasters Automotive since...

Being endlessly unsatisfied with how far you've taken your auto repair shop is not a bad thing; it is what you need to avoid hitting a plateau, promote constant growth among your internal customers, and feel fulfilled.  This week, I'm joined by George Zeeks, Certified Life Coach and ICF Executive Coach, to talk about how to go further faster with your auto repair shop.  Throughout our co...

How much should you charge for a 15-minute accurate diagnosis made by an A Tech? What about the same diagnosis made in four hours by your best B Tech?  This week, Brian Hunnicutt visits us to discuss one of auto repair shop owners' most common struggles: setting rates that adequately represent the value they provide. As an Executive Coach and Certified Profit First Professional, Brian shares...

Service advisors are a vital part of every auto repair shop. Making the right choice when hiring them can be the difference between boosting your automotive business, slowing it down, or drowning it.  Ask yourself a simple question, would you rather bridle a racehorse or saddle a donkey? Because you'll work as hard for both of them.  In today's episode, I'm joined by Jodi and Darren Knep...

Even when games feel under control and coaches can taste victory, they must be prepared for the unexpected. What if their star player injures or gets ejected? In that case, only an eager and capable bench can save them.  With automobile repair shops is the same. Your internal customers might be doing great, yet you must have a few replacements lined up, just in case, ready to jump on the fiel...

PTSD and severe wounds don't really care about political views, party affiliations, or opinions on sensitive topics. They exist, they are real, and they affect thousands of real American people. On the bright side, providing massive help to them is pretty simple; anyone can do it, and it doesn't require communing with any particular political view.  In today's episode, I'm joined by the inspi...

Creating a healthy relationship with your business and internal customers requires little more than transparency, respect, creating time and space to rest, and developing healthy habits.  This week, we revisit the second part of my conversation with the great Bruce Spencer, Owner of Walt Eger's Service Center in Maryland, President of BJS Consulting, and an experienced strategic leader of hig...

Specialists forecast consumers will spend between $26 to $30 billion in the automotive industry in the next two to three years. What are you doing today to ensure your business is ready to secure a piece of that?  In today's episode, I'm joined by Mike Bennett to talk about the tendencies and trends of 2023 in the automotive industry and how shop owners can be more proactive and take their bu...

No one likes to think of accidents or the possibility of getting hurt or incapacitated, yet accidents and fortuitous events happen. We can't prevent them just by ignoring them. If any of those things occur, how ready are you, your spouse, or your business partner to deal with them? In today's episode, I'm really excited to welcome Donna Hazeltine, the co-owner of American Import Auto in Venice, Fl...

When we think of retirement, we usually focus on what kind of life we want to have or where we want to take our business before that happens, yet we rarely think of who'll be in charge after we are gone. Having a succession plan and working backwards from it is an excellent way of figuring out our and our business direction, streamlining our path and setting a definite date for our goals.  In...

If you are a baseball fan and have never seen a coach breakdancing in the middle of a game, an umpire dancing before calling a play, or a male cheerleading team, you don't know the Savannah Bananas. And that, my friend, means you are missing a lot.  In this episode, I'm delighted to welcome Jesse Cole, Founder of Fans First Entertainment and owner and operator of the Savannah Bananas. Jesse i...

Many shop owners think there is a right time to turn off their marketing. There is not; you should never turn off your marketing! But that is just one of the many misconceptions about marketing and how it can improve your car repair shop.  In this episode, Jimmy Lea revisits us to share seven proven marketing methods to help you take your business to the next level. Jimmy is a colleague, frie...

We all want to grow our businesses, influence our internal customers and help them develop, grow, and become better professionals. But how many of us are prepared to delegate and trust our team members' decisions?  Today, I'm joined by the fantastic LeAnne Williamson. She is an Executive Coach, Advanced Certified Profit First Professional, Certified Engagement Coach, DEI Certified, and Consul...

Many shop owners make conscious and sincere efforts to keep their internal customers happy or satisfied, yet their retention rates keep dropping. Pizza parties and scratch-offs might get employees happy, but to get engaged employees who feel appreciated and valued, managers and shop owners need to do a bit more than that.  In today's episode, I welcome Don Rheem to explain how neuroscience an...

Having a family atmosphere in your shop makes everything smoother; it creates a great work environment and strengthens relationships, trust, and efficiency. It sounds simple, yet it is not so easy to get.   In this episode, we chat with Greg Marks, Owner, Technician, and Advisor at Marks Automotive in Jasper, Alabama. Greg's shop is known not only for its top-notch quality service but al...

The world can be a hateful place, yet luckily, there are people out there showing us that you don't have to be upset or hostile all the time. Meet Lee Anderson, Service Manager at Integrity Auto Care in South Beloit, Illinois, and the protagonist of a unique, inspiring, and touching story.  In today's special episode, we delve into an unknown side of adoption, how Lee and his wife Brittany na...

The holidays are, for most people, a reason to gather with their loved ones and celebrate. But for many people, Christmas and New Year's eve are two of the most triggering weeks of the year.  In today's episode, Mike Warren visits us to talk about the side of the holidays no one wants to discuss: a lot of people suffer during this time of the year. Mike is an Executive Coach at ATI, and an ac...

What kind of business do you want to have one year from now?  In this episode, the amazing Don Walter visits us to share some of his vast experience in the automotive industry and invites us to take a minute and think about our next year's goals. Don has done everything, been everywhere, and seen everything in the industry. Now he is a Certified Executive Coach and Profit First Professional a...

Why are successful shop owners in the automotive industry treated differently from successful entrepreneurs or business owners? In today's special episode, I'm joined by Gilda Dyckman, owner of Cars Muffler & Automotive; Denise Stanley, owner of Quality Automotive; Chris Cozad, President at Alternative Auto Care; and Frank Leutz, Marketing Director at Desert Car Care and host of the Wrench Nat...

Today's episode is special in the whole extension of the word because Gilda Dyckman joins us to tell the story of her identical twins, Troy and Brent.  The twins, now 22, were blessed with an autism diagnosis, and since they arrived in Gilda and her husband's lives, they did nothing but bring joy, good laughs, and tons of teachings about love, empathy, patience, and compassion.  Gilda ha...

How familiar are you with your personal auto policy?  This week, on the second and last part of the two-part series on insurance, Richard Sharman joins us again to talk about everything you must (or at least should) know about your auto policy. From how it looks and what it's written on it to State limits coverage and exclusions, Richard unravels every detail you must be aware of to avoid get...