Garage Grit Podcast

Mercedes specialist Tyson Fisher breaks down how a 42-year family shop in Gainesville, FL thrives by niching hard, running in-house systems, and obsessing over quality and retention. Shop owners will hear practical ways to tighten invoicing, plan tools/training, and win profitable fleet and Sprinter work. Guests: Tyson Fisher — Star Import Service — Gainesville, FL What you’ll learn (shop-owner ta...

A family-run collision & mechanical shop shares a trust-first playbook: transparent inspections, pushing back on insurers, and SOPs that keep quality high and customers loyal. Real tactics you can use tomorrow—without upselling games. Guests: Alan Austin — Austin Spencer Collision — Henrietta, NY Shanley Austin — Austin Spencer Collision — Henrietta, NY What you’ll learn (shop-owner takeaways)...

Credit card fees are eating into shop profits, but how you pass them on makes all the difference. In this episode, Rob Davis and David Nacion explain the rules, risks, and real-world options for surcharging, dual pricing, and cash discounting in auto repair shops. Guests: Rob Davis — CardConnect / Fiserv — Philadelphia, PA David Nacion — CardConnect / Fiserv — Philadelphia, PA What you’ll learn (s...

Credit card fees are eating into shop profits, but how you handle them can make or break customer trust. In this panel, three operators compare dual pricing, bundling fees, and simply raising rates. They dig into state-by-state rules, POS limitations, and where transparency matters most. You’ll hear what actually triggers pushback and what keeps customers happy. Lou Cannata explains why he’s track...

Fourth-generation owner Max Blatt of Blatt Tire and Automotive shares how he took over the family shop in Center City Philadelphia, modernized operations, and is plotting new ventures like mobile tire service—all while balancing customer trust, employee loyalty, and his dad’s legacy. Guests: Max Blatt — Blatt Tire and Automotive — Philadelphia, PA What you’ll learn (shop-owner takeaways): Balancin...

From service stations with gas pumps to today’s DVIs, Mike Scaglione of Kempsville Auto Care Center shares 45 years of lessons on running a shop, leading in Virginia, and why he believes inspections and charging what you’re worth matter more than ever. Guests: Mike Scaglione — Kempsville Auto Care Center — Virginia Beach, VA What you’ll learn (shop-owner takeaways): How service stations evolved in...

Loaner cars aren’t a “nice-to-have”—they’re a sales tool that closes RO’s, reduces chaos at the counter, and lets independents compete with dealerships. Laura Tierney from Shop Loaner breaks down how to do it safely and profitably. Guests: Laura Tierney — Shop Loaner What you’ll learn (shop-owner takeaways): Why loaners close higher-dollar repair orders How to structure a separate rental LLC Insur...

How do you scale a six-bay shop without burning out your team—or your customers? Elite Automotive Center’s co-owners share how they’re growing the right way: fill capacity first, lock in systems, and win with relationships (not transactions). Guests: Philip Korbel & Brian Teberg — Co-owners, Elite Automotive Center — Fargo, North Dakota What you’ll learn (shop-owner takeaways): Why an owner sh...

In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock of AA Shop Marketing is joined by Mike from Grinnell Firestone, Steve Finzel of Finzels Master Tech, and Kelly and Lee Weatherby from Mesa, Arizona to discuss succession planning for automotive repair shops. The panel shares insights into transitioning business ownership, dealing with unexpected changes, and the importance of written pr...

"The Three Jobs of a Shop Owner Are Marketing, Hiring, and Training" – Kevin Bird of JM Auto Service | Trust, Team Culture & Coaching Kevin Bird of JM Auto Service in Eveleth, Minnesota, breaks down the three jobs every shop owner must master—marketing, hiring, and training—while sharing how he built customer trust, shaped team culture, and embraced coaching to grow his shop. I’m Bra...

Join Brad Hurlock on the Garage Grit Podcast for an inspiring Origin & Impact episode with Bill Vallely, owner of Tru-Fix AutoWorks in New York. Bill shares his 25-year journey from a mechanic’s son in Queens to opening Tru-Fix AutoWorks on January 9, 2025, driven by a “truth always” philosophy. Learn how he transformed his collision-focused shop into a full-service auto repair hub, boosting r...

In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock from AA Shop Marketing sits down with guest shop owners Gina and Shaley to discuss the intricacies of successfully managing auto repair and collision services under one roof. The conversation delves into a variety of topics including the benefits, challenges, and market advantages of having both services available at a single location....

Join Brad Hurlock on the Garage Grit Podcast as he dives into the wild journey of Bahaa Elabbasi, owner of Crown Auto Repair and Collision in Sugarland, Texas. From a high school tire tech to building a multi-shop empire, a 25-truck towing company, and three used car dealerships, Bahaa spills the tea on how he turned a failing shop into a cash machine, dodged Groupon disasters, and never let failu...

Join host Brad Hurlock on the Garage Grit Podcast for an engaging Origin & Impact episode (#027) featuring Jeremy Bucy, owner of Alan Cox Premier Auto Care in Marietta, Georgia. In this episode, Jeremy shares his journey from sweeping floors to owning a shop specializing in Asian makes, with a unique side division for vintage car restorations. Discover how Jeremy navigates the challenges of a...

Join host Brad Hurlock on the Garage Grit Podcast for an insightful Origin & Impact episode (#026) featuring Paul Marquardt, owner of Clintonville Automotive Repair in Columbus, Ohio. In this episode, Paul shares his journey from technician to shop owner, offering practical insights into building trust with customers, empowering employees, and running a high-value auto repair business. Learn h...

From humble beginnings to a thriving Roswell shop, Renan Souza shares how grit, quality, and family values turned BR Auto Repair and Collision into a standout in a crowded market. This episode of the Garage Grit Podcast is part of our Origin & Impact series—real stories from shop owners who built their business from the ground up. Brad Hurlock sits down with Renan Souza of BR Auto Repair and C...

Join host Brad Hurlock for another Origin & Impact episode of the Garage Grit Podcast! This week, we sit down with David Light of Lighthouse Automotive, located on the iconic Outer Banks of North Carolina. David shares how he and his wife built their auto repair business from the ground up—literally starting with a backyard, a tree, and a metal shed. Hear how they grew to two locations, how th...

In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock of AA Shop Marketing discusses the challenges of work-life balance in the auto repair industry with guests David Light from Lighthouse Automotive, Paul from Clintonville Auto Repair, and Kevin from Fox River Tire and Auto. The conversation covers various aspects of managing work-life balance, such as delegating responsibilities, the imp...

Join Brad Hurlock on the Garage Grit podcast as he sits down with Kelli Weatherby, co-owner of Accurate Automotive in Mesa, Arizona, for an inspiring "Origin and Impact" story! In this candid conversation, Kelli shares the remarkable journey of building Accurate Automotive from the ground up with her husband, Lee, starting from an unexpected decision to quit a dealership job. Discover ho...

In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, hosted by Brad Hurlock of AA Shop Marketing, shop owners Mike, Josiah, and Kevin discuss the significant impact coaches have had on their automotive businesses. They describe their varied backgrounds and experiences in the industry, emphasizing the importance of finding the right coach who aligns with their values and goals. The panel delves into topics...

From Milk Deliveries to Multi-Shop Success 🛠️ Kevin Millevoi joins host Brad Hurlock for Episode 3 of the Garage Grit “Origin & Impact” series. What began as a three-bay Exxon gas station in 1965—run by his father, a former milkman—has grown into a multi-generational family of trusted auto repair shops across Northeast Philly and Bucks County. This episode is packed with lessons on resilience,...

In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock interviews Chris Whited from Community Auto, exploring the profound impact of community involvement on auto shop success. Chris shares his journey from a troubled youth to a community-focused business leader, emphasizing the importance of genuine service, building trust, and investing in employees. The conversation highlights how strate...

In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast's Origin & Impact series, host Brad Hurlock interviews Kevin Bickford, the owner of Fox River Tire and Auto. Kevin shares his journey from a young car enthusiast in Southern California to becoming a successful shop owner in Illinois. He discusses the challenges he faced in management, the importance of building trust with customers, and the transition...

In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock delves into the red flags encountered during the hiring process. He is joined by auto repair shop owners Jen, Mark, and Chris, who share their experiences and strategies for vetting potential employees. Topics discussed include the importance of team culture, the impact of the mechanic shortage, effective interview processes, and the gr...

Show Notes In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, hosted by Brad Hurlock, the focus is on finding alternative revenue streams for auto repair shops to boost cash flow during downtimes and overall business enhancement. The guests, Tyson Fisher from Star Import Service in Gainesville, Florida, and Bill Vallely from Tru-Fix Auto Works in Long Island, New York, discuss their respective experience...