Ratchet+Wrench Radio

In this episode, the first in our 2023 Best Workplaces podcast series, Will Dunford, chief operating officer at SimplyTRUE Auto Group, talks about the shop, its culture, what makes it an anomaly in the auto care industry and the value of nurturing people (and their families).

In this episode, Rissy Sutherland, CEO and president of Drive Automotive Services, an Atlanta-based corporate office that runs repair shops for all major vehicle brands across six states and under a handful of operating banners, talks shop with host Chris Jones. Rissy talks about her childhood in her father's auto repair shop, going to tech school as a female, the triumphs and challenges of being...

In this episode, Cathy Heying, founder of The Lift Garage in Minneapolis, Minnesota, visits Ratchet+Wrench Radio to talk about the inner workings of nonprofit auto repair shops. Heying, who was once a social worker, made a career change at 38 in order to help more people in real time. Here's what we discussed: Her time as a social worker When she became an auto technician The founding of The Lift...

In this episode, Jeff Beck, owner of Beck's Garage in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, joins Chris Jones to talk about how he got started in automotive, the creation of his shop, his affinity for Route 66-style Americana antique decor, show he trains his team and his love for repairing classic cars. 

In this episode, Jesse Jackson, owner of Mango Automotive, talks about her drive to make her brand of auto repair shops a national name. She shares how she got into the auto care industry, getting into her first shop, how she skillfully acquires new shops, her onboarding process and the timeline for full national coverage.

In this episode, Suresh Krishna, CEO of Northern Tool+Equipment stops by Ratchet+Wrench Radio to discuss his company's latest role in helping high school automotive programs. Through Tools for the Trades, students get to use professional-grade tools found in auto repair shops to learn about the industry and work on vehicles. Suresh also discusses Northern Tool+Equipment's partner in the program, N...

In this episode, ASA Washington, D.C. representative Bob Redding visits Ratchet+Wrench Radio to talk about a variety of Right to Repair topics. We discuss: Stellantis and its new business focused on monetizing consumer vehicle data. What's going on behind the scenes in Washington, D.C., with Right to Repair advocates and OEs. What the automotive aftermarket can do right now to show its support. Wh...

If you attended the 2022 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference, you were treated to a Texas-sized conference in downtown Arlington, Texas with over 30 sessions, top-flight presenters and many networking opportunities.   This year, the Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference is in Aurora, Colorado, from September 21-23, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency Aurora Conference Center. And much like conferences in th...

In this episode, Brad Fink of Christian Brothers Automotive talks about how shops can weather a potential recession. He shares his experiences as a shop owner and as a leader within the franchise on how he's approached economic tightening through conservative business practices while continuing to give to customers and the community.

In this episode, Chris Salvo of Electrified Garage talks about how shops should ready themselves for electrification. He shares insights from his career working with Tesla and offers ways shop owners can start getting their technicians up to speed on understanding EV parts and maintenance.

This week, we talked to Jimmy Alauria, president and shop owner of 3A Automotive Service and co-founder and CEO of Victory Teambuilding Group. He discusses the findings of a survey he created that polled technicians about what they really want from an auto repair shop. 

In this episode, Chris Lawson of Technician Find, an agency that helps independent auto repair shops find qualified technicians through digital ad campaigns, joins us to talk about his company. We discuss why shops need to change their hiring narrative, ways to write effective job ads, and how Technician Find's clients have made the service work for their shops.  

In this episode, Travis Troy of Honest Wrenches in Des Moines, Iowa, talks about why he and business partner Josh Mullins hold culture within their shop in high esteem. He opens up about his methods, such as family outings, team outings and even cooking for his team members, why culture matters internally and externally, and how to lead the way as a shop owner. Lastly, he dives into another facet...

In this episode, we talk to Tim Suggs and Rachel Grewell of Turbo Tim's Anything Automotive in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We talk about how Tim got started in automotive, his love for cats, big shops, and his community. We also discuss how Rachel decorated the shop, some of its eclectic and fun touches, how they train the front and back of the house, their shop culture, and more.   

In this episode, Chris Cloutier of Golden Rule Auto Care and autotext.me visits Ratchet+Wrench Radio to discuss personal mission statements. Many shop owners have a detailed and comprehensive vision for the health and growth of their shop, but how many also apply this to their personal lives where all of that drive stems? Chris breaks down his four pillars for developing a personal mission stateme...

In this episode, Chris Knuth of APAC ATI stops by the show to talk about how his nonprofit auto technician training program can help shops across the country with labor shortages. He shares the background of the organization, how it finds technicians to train, and how auto repair shops can work with him.

In this episode, Mitch Moncur of Denny's Auto in Riverton, Utah, talks about how he finds, trains, and develops high school-age apprentices to be shop-ready by their graduation date.

In this episode. Ratchet+Wrench Editor Chris Jones catches up with Lauren Beaulieu, VP of Advance Professional, Worldpac, Carquest, and Autopart International. They are to revisit a story from the June 2022 issue of Ratchet+Wrench on TechNet Impressions and talk about what's new with the program.

In this episode, Kim Conti, VP of product for RAIN Agency, talks about her company's new disruptive shop technology, Ortho . This voice assistant will increase the speed at which techs work by eliminating unnecessary back-and-forth computer searches replacing them instead with voice commands.

This week, EBM Digital Editor and ADAPT Podcast host Hanna Bubser talks about what ADAPT is and why forward-thinking shop owners should care about it. We dive into its differences from Ratchet+Wrench and how to find and access all of its content.    Subscribe: ADAPT newsletter Listen: The ADAPT Podcast Learn: ADAPT Automotive website

In this episode, Daniel Gonzalez of Boudreau's Auto in Holliston, Massachusetts, tells how he went from technician to shop owner during the pandemic, and about relocating from Texas to Massachusetts to open his shop (and the lessons he learned).

This week, Mickie Kennedy, founder and president of eReleases, the small business leader for press release distribution, joins editor Chris Jones on Ratchert+Wrench Radio. Mickie is an expert at helping small businesses increase their visibility and credibility and he’s here today to share some valuable insights on why more shops should use press releases to draw attention to their shops. [2:28]:...

In this bonus episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Bob Redding, the  Automotive Service Association ’s Washington, D.C., representative, joins editor Chris Jones for a look at how California's decision to become a zero-emissions state by 2035 will affect the automotive aftermarket. We also discuss the significance of the decision by the  California Air Resources Board  to intervene on behalf of indepe...

In this episode, David Boyes joins Ratchet+Wrench editor Chris Jones to talk about his company’s app, Today's Class , an online learning organization that has been supporting the automotive industry for more than 20 years. If you recall, Boyes was highlighted in the August issue Breakdown, A Classroom in Your Pocket .   We discuss:  (0:06): What Today’s Class is and how it works  (3:15): What the...

In this episode, Carolyn Coquillette talks about how she founded Shop-Ware while running her shop, Luscious Garage .  We discuss: (1:15): The pain points that conceived the idea for Shop-Ware (4:45): Going from analog to digital platforms in her career (5:48): Why shops are hesitant to go full digital on software (8:35): How she decided to create software for the industry (16:01): What's under the...