Repair Shop Reckoning

In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Chris Craig returns to Repair Shop Reckoning to tear the lid off the real issue plaguing the automotive industry: Toxic Leadership!  From the dealership drama to independent shop dynamics, Chris and Kevin dive deep into the culture clashes, ego-driven managers, and leadership failures that fuel technician burnout, broken systems, and the ongoing skilled lab...

In this no filter, full throttle episode of Repair Shop Reckoning, Kevin and Jason tackle the real reason your shop culture sucks — and it starts at the top. Forget the fluff about happy cultures and Google-style perks. This is a masterclass in leadership, accountability, and building a shop that actually works. If you’re a shop owner, manager, or tech tired of excuses, underperformers, or being t...

What if the reason your shop is struggling isn’t flat rate… but your culture, your pricing, and your leadership? In this solo deep dive, Kevin peels back the curtain on what it really takes to run a successful, profitable, no-BS repair business in today’s climate. From dealing with walkout employees and overhyped social media critics to offering benefits, 401(k) matches, paid vacations, and even p...

In this no filter, full throttle episode of Repair Shop Reckoning, Kevin and Jason tackle the real reason your shop culture sucks and it starts at the top. Forget the fluff about happy cultures and Google-style perks. This is a masterclass in leadership, accountability, and building a shop that actually works. If you’re a shop owner, manager, or tech tired of excuses, underperformers, or being the...

Is flat rate the future or the failure of the industry? In this unfiltered episode, Kevin and Jason rip into the growing wave of online whining about flat rate and expose the real reason so many techs are struggling. From union bloat to dealership greed, from lazy techs to clueless service advisors, this is a full-throttle breakdown of what’s working, what’s broken, and how to stop being a victim...

In Part 2, Kevin Brown and Jason Tracey return with a deeper dive into ownership mindset—this time spotlighting opportunity in adversity. From turning a rival Verizon store into a revenue boost to teaching smartphone classes that built lasting loyalty, it’s all about service as a differentiator. Jason shares how recognizing overlooked talent, embracing risk, and refusing to be boxed in by limiting...

Kevin Brown sits down with Jason Tracey to tackle the harsh realities of business ownership. From handling tough customers to surviving economic downturns like COVID-19, they break down the entrepreneurial mindset—how it feels to be on top versus scrambling to survive. Optimism and resilience are key, but so is knowing your numbers. They dig into financial literacy, stressing the importance of und...

In Part 2 of this Repair Shop Reckoning conversation, Kevin Brown and Shane shift gears—literally—kicking off with a deep dive into the electric vehicle revolution. From early skepticism to firsthand experiences with self-driving tech, Shane breaks down how EVs are changing the game. But that’s just the start. They tackle the realities of business today—how AI is reshaping sales, why an online pre...

This week on Repair Shop Reckoning, Kevin Brown sits down with Shane Meren to break down the raw realities of business, sales, and survival. From hustling door-to-door fixing computers to selling websites when people thought the internet was a fad, Shane learned early that success isn’t about what you’re selling—it’s about solving problems. They get into the tough lessons—losing money on bad colle...

In this part 2, Dave Davis, from Hunter Engineering, tackles  the challenges facing the automotive industry, including staffing shortages, EV reliability, and the complexities of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS). He touches on the evolving role of calibration technology, the importance of customer service, and the pressures of rising repair costs. With personal stories and a look at the w...

In this episode, Kevin is joined by Dave Davis from Hunter Engineering, who shares insights into the evolving landscape of aftermarket sales, focusing on tire changers, balancers, alignment tools, and automated drive assist technology. He discusses the challenges facing the automotive industry, including staffing shortages, skill gaps, and technician frustrations, while also highlighting Hunter's...

In part two of this discussion, Bill Griffin of Griffin’s Neighborhood Auto Clinic continues his conversation with Kevin about the challenges facing mechanics and the realities of running an independent repair shop. He delves deeper into the struggles of hiring, cautioning against dealership-trained techs and their rigid approaches. Bill stresses the importance of hands-on experience over certific...

This week on "Repair Shop Reckoning", Kevin Brown sits down with shop owner Bill Griffin to unpack his unexpected path into the industry. Bill started in accounting but ended up at Jiffy Lube, bouncing between dealerships before a layoff forced him into side work and MoTec training. The 2007 recession pushed him to open his own shop after seeing firsthand how broken the industry was. But self-empl...

In this episode of Repair Shop Reckoning, Kevin Brown sits down with Jeff Stucki, Territory Sales Manager from Auto-Wares, to tackle the hard truths about the rising costs of car repairs. From skyrocketing parts prices to the critical need for licensed mechanics, Stucki lays it all out. He shares personal stories, like improper brake repairs, to drive home the importance of safety and quality in a...

On this week's Repair Shop Reckoning, Kevin Brown sits down with Jeff Stucki, Territory Sales Manager at Auto-Wares, for a no-holds-barred look at the auto parts industry. From stock boy to seasoned pro, Jeff shares how customer service has morphed from handshakes to high-tech systems. He pulls no punches discussing skyrocketing repair costs, diagnosing today’s complex electrical components, and n...

In the second part of this insightful conversation, Kevin Brown dives deeper with Lincoln Brown of LCB Auto Detailing to uncover the keys to building a thriving auto detailing business. Lincoln stresses reinvesting in equipment and employee training to elevate service quality and professionalism, while maintaining a polished appearance to win customer trust. From tackling flat-rate pay challenges...

In this candid episode, Kevin Brown sits down with Lincoln Brown, owner of LCB Detailing in Howell, Michigan, to explore his journey from cleaning cars at his father’s request to running a mobile detailing business. Lincoln shares how TikTok-inspired hustle and some local marketing grit launched his detailing career, despite early challenges like lacking a driver’s license and handling equipment f...

Host Kevin Brown continues his conversation with Marty from Martin’s Tire & Service in Part 2 of this deep dive into Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) calibration. Marty breaks down the hefty financial investments required for equipment and training, emphasizing the need to set proper pricing to stay profitable. He critiques competitors offering free calibrations, calling out the unsus...

This week, host Kevin Brown sits down with Marty from Martin’s Tire & Service to dig into the realities of running a repair shop in today’s challenging landscape. In the first episode of this two-part series, Marty shares his journey, from retail loss prevention to opening a performance shop and eventually pivoting to general auto repair for better profits. He doesn’t hold back about the chall...

In the second part of this two-part series on Repair Shop Reckoning, host Kevin Brown continues the conversation with Michael Paul and John Turnbull, diving deeper into the evolving landscape of vehicle maintenance. They emphasize the importance of staying on top of regular upkeep to extend vehicle life, maintain resale value, and avoid costly repairs. Marty from Martin’s Tire & Service joins...

This week on Repair Shop Reckoning, host Kevin Brown sits down with industry heavyweights Michael Paul and John Turnbull to tackle the critical—and often overlooked—topic of regular vehicle maintenance. From transmission flushes to brake systems and coolant care, the trio dives into why staying on top of these essentials is non-negotiable for keeping your car running strong. They get real about mo...

This week, we've got Part 2 of Kevin and Marilyn Brown's dive into the highs and lows of family life, financial struggles, and lessons learned. They recount the early days of tight budgets, school expenses, and the thrill of couponing, reflecting on how family support shaped their journey.   The episode explores the complexities of blending families, co-parenting, and overcoming financial setbacks...

In this revealing episode of Repair Shop Reckoning, Kevin Brown and his wife, Marilyn, open up about their raw and unfiltered journey through early financial struggles. Marilyn shares hard-earned lessons from her 30-year accounting career and the creative ways they managed tight budgets, even extending her work life through challenges like COVID-19. Kevin reflects on the sacrifices and tough calls...

In the debut episode of "Repair Shop Reckoning", Kevin Brown sits down with his parents, Jim and Carol Brown, for a heartfelt and candid conversation. They reminisce about Kevin’s energetic and rebellious childhood, sharing personal stories that shaped his tenacious personality. The discussion delves into the Browns’ family dynamics, the challenges of raising a spirited child, and the life lessons...