LIFT Your Shop

From 1 Shop to 10 Locations: How Jim Brown Scaled a Multi-Million Dollar Auto Repair Business. How do you go from running one struggling shop… to scaling 10 high-performing locations? In this episode of the LIFT Your Shop Podcast, Kelsey sits down with Jim Brown, owner of Speed Auto Repair, to break down the exact systems, mindset shifts, and operational strategies that transformed his business. A...

What does it really take to build a highly profitable auto repair shop—even in a tough location? In this episode of The LIFT Shop Podcast, Kelsey sits down with Jay Huh, owner of CARMEDIX in Durham, North Carolina, to break down how he went from working out of his home garage to building a shop generating over $3 million in revenue—and consistently netting $60K–$100K per month. Jay shares the real...

In this episode of the Lift Your Shop Podcast, Kelsey sits down with Matt Curry, founder of Craftsman Auto Care, to break down what it really takes to scale an auto repair business the right way. After building Curry’s Auto Service to 10 locations and $18M in revenue, retiring at 47, and then coming back to do it again — Matt now runs 8 shops (with more on the way) and is on track for $36M in sale...

In this episode of the Lift Your Shop Podcast, Kelsey sits down with Eric Walker, owner of Walker Automotive in Elkton, Kentucky, to talk about what truly separates great shops from average ones. Eric shares how bringing back old-school customer service — commitment times, promise-based scheduling, loaner vehicles, and real accountability — has transformed his shop’s growth in a town of just 1,600...

In this episode of the Lift Your Shop Podcast , LIFT Auto Repair Marketing CEO Kelsey Ostrom sits down with Tonnika Haynes , owner of Brown’s Automotive, to talk about pride in the trades, leadership, and building the next generation of technicians. Tonnika shares her journey growing up in a family-owned shop, transitioning from collision repair to mechanical, and what it really takes to build tru...

In today’s episode, we sit down with Jason Fan — owner of one of the fastest-growing European specialty shops in his region — to talk about the real work behind scaling a shop, elevating team performance, and building a business that changes lives. Jason shares what transformed his operation over the past 18 months: daily meetings that actually work, leadership built on encouragement instead of pr...

In this episode of the Lift Auto Repair Marketing Podcast , we sit down with Lauren from Keeton Auto Repair to talk about how consistent marketing, authentic reviews, and year-over-year tracking transformed their business. From Google Maps calls skyrocketing to monthly meetings that keep goals on track , this conversation dives into the real-world marketing strategies that helped this shop grow —...

In this episode, we sit down with Colleen Shannon of Shannon Family Automotive to talk about leadership, growth, and navigating major transitions in both business and life. Colleen shares her journey of stepping into leadership during a breaking point, the lessons she and her husband learned from swapping roles, and how they discovered new strengths by leaning into each other’s “working geniuses.”...

Branding Auto Repair From the Inside with Lola Schmidt Running an auto repair shop takes more than fixing cars—it takes building a brand that customers trust. In this episode, Lola Schmidt shares her journey of turning a shop from a tough beginning into a standout, customer-first business. She dives into: How to create a brand identity that feels authentic Why appearance, curb appeal, and safety m...

What happens when you outgrow your “buddy culture” but don’t yet have real leadership systems in place? In this episode of the Lift Your Shop podcast, we sit down with Thomas Andrews, co-founder of CDT Automotive, who shares how their team scaled from chaos to clarity. Thomas opens up about the growing pains of leadership, the lessons learned from failed accountability, and how outside coaching he...

Unlock the Power of One-on-Ones: Build a Culture of Accountability & Leadership Join leadership coach Josh Parnell as he breaks down how effective one-on-one meetings can transform your team and workplace culture. Learn why calls to action and consistent follow-up are key to creating accountability, how to empower your team to lead their own meetings, and practical tips to develop stronger lea...

For Greg Buckley, running an auto repair business isn’t just a career—it’s a family legacy. Growing up in his father’s service station in Wilmington, Greg began his journey in the industry at just eight years old as a self-proclaimed “Petroleum Transfer Engineer.” From pumping gas to leading as a multi-shop owner, his path reflects a deep-rooted passion for automotive excellence and community conn...

It’s not every day you see a husband-and-wife duo take center stage in the automotive repair industry—but Nick and Nicole Jones are redefining the game. As the driving force behind Anderson Automotive and two Thrive Automotive locations, their journey is all about resilience, teamwork, and passion. But their impact doesn’t stop there. They’re also the hosts of the "Thrive With Us" podcas...

Is cheap auto repair is costing you more? In this episode of the LIFT Your Shop Podcast, we sit down with Jimmy Purdy, owner of Shift'N Gears Auto Repair in Paso Robles, CA, and host of The Gearbox Podcast. Jimmy shares his insights on the true cost of discounting services, how to build a profitable auto repair business, and why there’s more to business than making money—it's about supporting your...

In this episode of the LIFT Your Shop Podcast , we sit down with Jon Mason, founder of Momentum Works Financial, based in Franklin, Tennessee. Jon shares his incredible journey from selling security systems door-to-door to managing an auto repair shop, and eventually launching a financial services business tailored to the unique needs of the automotive industry. Jon dives into the challenges of de...

Auto repair shop owners, this episode is for YOU! Join us as we chat with Carm Capriotto, the pioneer of podcasting in the automotive aftermarket and the mastermind behind the Remarkable Results podcast. In this episode of the LIFT Your Shop Podcast, Carm shares his incredible journey from Buffalo radio to creating one of the most influential platforms for shop owners and technicians. Hear how a s...

Tune in for an insightful episode of the LIFT Your Shop Podcast featuring Chris Jones, Group Editorial Director at Endeavor Business Media and former editor of  Ratchet and Wrench  magazine! In this episode, Chris shares how he stumbled into the auto repair industry with a background in journalism, marketing, and design, and how that journey transformed his understanding of shop management. With o...

In this episode of the LIFT Your Shop Podcast, we are joined by Ryan Miles, owner of Peak Euro in Bend, Oregon. We dive into his nontraditional journey into the automotive industry. Ryan explains how he transitioned from farm life to automotive sales, starting with a boutique Euro car dealership and expanding into repairs when reliable reconditioning services were scarce. Initially focused on Audi...

In this episode of the LIFT Your Shop Podcast, we are joined by Glenn Todd of Glenn's European Auto Repair. Glenn shares his transition from technician to shop owner and how his passion for learning, entrepreneurship, and side projects drove him to open his own shop in 2017. Since launching the business, his shop has grown rapidly, generating $2.2 million in revenue last year and targeting $3 mill...

In this episode of the LIFT Your Shop Podcast we are joined by Brandon Stapley, owner of Stapley’s Garage in Mesa, Arizona. Brandon shares his journey from working in his garage to owning multiple auto repair businesses. Discover how exploring every opportunity, from starting with a love for cars to navigating business acquisitions, has helped Brandon grow his automotive empire.  If you're a shop...

In this episode of the  LIFT Your Shop Podcast , we welcome Carlos Ramirez, owner of C&G Auto Centers and the new Car Pro location in Orlando, Florida. Carlos discusses his experience as a second-generation auto repair shop owner, starting out in his family’s two-bay gas station in New York. He shares insights into growing an auto repair business, overcoming the unique challenges faced by shop...

In this episode of the LIFT Your Shop Podcast, we sit down with Josh Bird from Bird Automotive to discuss the vital lessons he's learned on time management, delegation, and leadership as an auto repair shop owner. With two successful locations in Blue Springs and Oak Grove, Missouri, Josh shares his journey from being a GM Master Technician to managing and growing a thriving business. He dives int...

In this episode of the LIFT Your Shop Podcast, Jennifer Hulbert, from Service Plus Automotive in Calcium, New York, shares her passion for the automotive industry and her commitment to growth and success through the application of SMART goals.  She joined her family business in 2001, helping it expand from a small three-bay gas station to a 12-bay facility, with a focus on using key performance in...

Building a successful business doesn't happen by chance—it's a journey that starts with a vision and is guided by clear goals. In this episode of the LIFT Your Shop Podcast, we are joined by Travis Leavitt owner of Leavitt Automotive. We explore how goal setting transformed his entrepreneurial path, how he turned challenges into stepping stones and found the roadmap needed to navigate his...

Your success as a leader is directly dependent upon the success of the people around you. As a leader, your primary job is to bring out the best in your team by leveraging their collective resources and talents. Understanding and aligning the goals of individuals with those of the company is crucial for a thriving workplace, boosted morale, and increased retention.  In this episode of the LIFT You...