Ratchet+Wrench Radio

In this episode, Travis Comfort, vice president of Rick's Automotive in Springfield, Missouri, talks about the innovative mind of owner Rick Hughlett, working on fleet accounts, and their modern shop complete with an employee gym.

In this episode, Carrie-Lynn Rodenberg of Turnkey Marking talks about direct mail marketing and how auto repair shops can get the most out of it. We also discuss how to create your messaging, target your audience, measure results and how to fit it into your digital marketing mix.

In this episode, Daniel Wisian of Tech One Automotive in Austin, Texas, talks about what's new at his shop and walks us through his processes as a shop owner. He talks about his hiring and retention practices, expanding his shop, how he budgets for marketing, and collaborating with Tesla early on. Wisian's shop was featured in the March 2023 issue of Ratchet+Wrench.

In this episode, Ratchet+Wrench Radio host Chris Jones reviews some of his favorite episodes of the year and talks about changes to the podcast for 2024. Sponsord by Ford Motorcraft

In this episode, Chris Enright of Enright Automotive talks about how he amassed a huge following on social media. To date, he has 53,000 YouTube subscribers, 30,000 TikTok subscribers, 45,000 Instagram followers and his Instagram Reels have over 50 million views. Chris talks about how he did it and how you can find your brand voice on social media and get noticed.   Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft

In this episode, Jeff Furrow of Wellsboro Automotive talks about being a relational leader and how that translates into creating an environment where his technicians can learn, grow, and in turn train their fellow techs. He also discusses his apprentice program and how he finds students. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft

In this episode, Mike and Susan Henn of Henn Automotive talk about their southern North Carolina shop. Mike talks about getting rejected by the bank for a loan, building his shop with his own hands, how he trains his technicians, and why they stay for the long haul (most have been with the shop for over a decade). Susan discusses managing the front end, why providing full benefits matters and her...

In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Rachel Spencer of Spencer's Auto Repair shares her journey through shop ownership and how she overcame challenges personally and professionally to become the empathetic and strong leader she is today.    Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft

In this episode, Daniel Stewart, service manager at Oceanside Auto in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, talks about his shop, its future goals, its culture and how he gets the best from his Gen Z technicians.  Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft

In this episode, Stephannie Maneval, owner of Dave's Pro Auto Service in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, talks about her rise from service advisor to shop owner and takes us through her shop and what she loves about being an owner.   Sponsored by FordMotorcraft

In this episode, Doug Grills, owner of AutoStream Care Care Center with multiple locations across Maryland, talks about vetting, hiring and training technicians. Today, he's going to share his processes from: Creating goal posters with his team to cast a vision Why 1-on-1 meetings matter in retaining technicians The need for good communication Why training inspires technicians to stay How his shop...

In this episode, Dave Boyes and Ron Shanas of Today's Class talk about how shop owners can better coach their teams by understanding how their team members learn and process the knowledge they gain from educational sessions.   Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft

In this episode, Connor Tracy, senior regional manager and director of partner relations at KUKUI , talks about ways shop owners can pinpoint gaps in their customer service sequence to increase the likelihood that customers keep coming back.    Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft

In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Ryan Burton of Leads Near Me . We discuss marketing, what it is, the difference between marketing, advertising and public relations and we get Ryan's reactions to the marketing results in the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Industry Survey Report. Lastly, we talk about his upcoming High Gear Auto Repair Marketing Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, from Nov. 29-Dec. 1.   S...

In this episode, Taran Sodhi, owner of Conceptual Minds , an auto repair shop marketing firm, talks about how he helped Wiygul Automotive rebrand its shop and what shop owners need to think about when considering a refacing of their own. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft .

Why are auto technicians in auto repair shops leaving their jobs? In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Chris Lawson of  Technician Find  talks to editor Chris Jones about a Statistica survey that details eight reasons why people quit jobs and what auto repair shop owners can learn.   Sponsored by  Ford Motorcraft

In this episode, Ratchet+Wrench columnist Joe Marconi talks about why shop owners need to be objective when interpreting external data and trends while taking a subjective look at the KPIs that impact their auto repair businesses.   Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft

Keith and Liz Perkins of L1 Diagnostics and Programming recount their humble beginning when Keith refused to work for free and was fired from his job only to realize his dream of being a full-time diagnostic tech was waiting for him on the other side.   Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft

Lucas Underwood is the owner of L&N Performance Auto Repair in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. In this series focused on getting to know some of the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference speakers, Lucas is going to talk about what he does, what his session topic is about and why you should attend, what excites him about the industry today, and his biggest accomplishments and greatest lessons...

Darrin Barney is the co-founder of Barney Brothers Offroad and Repair and the CEO of Elite Worldwide. In this series focused on getting to know some of the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference speakers, Darrin is going to talk about what he does, what his session topic is about and why you should attend, what excites him about the industry today, and his biggest accomplishments and greatest l...

Phil Carpenter is the COO of Urban Auto Care and Avalon Motorsports in Denver, Colorado. In this series focused on getting to know some of the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference speakers, Phil is going to talk about what he does, what his session topics are about and why you should attend, what excites him about the industry today, and his biggest accomplishments and greatest lessons in bus...

In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Tara Topel of Topel's Service Center tackles the tough topics of diversity, equity, inclusion and representation. We look at it from the lenses of gender, ethnicity and ability (those with handicaps mentally and physically) and discuss how to encourage education and involvement so that shop owners and their personnel can be mindful of every customer and of...

Lauralee Schmidt is the VP of marketing and operations of Schmidt Auto Care in Springboro, Ohio. In this series focused on getting to know some of the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference speakers, Lauralee is going to talk about what she does, what her session topic is about and why you should attend, what excites her about the industry today, and her biggest accomplishments and greatest les...

In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, J.J. Mont of J.J.'s Auto Service in Waldorf, Maryland, stops by to talk leadership. J.J. is known around his shop for his emotionally intelligent and empathetic servant leadership that aims to get people in the right positions to maximize their potential.    Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft

Chris Knuth owns Star Motors European Service and founded APAC ATI, both in San Juan Capistrano, California. In this series focused on getting to know some of the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference speakers, Chris is going to talk about what he does, what his session topic is about and why you should attend, what excites him about the industry today, and his biggest accomplishments and grea...