Maximum Octane

Honest question: What does your auto shop's social media look like? Is it there because "you have to have it," or does it reflect who you are and what your business is all about? This week , we revisit my conversation with Corey Perlman about the dos and don'ts of social media for auto repair shop owners, and why you should view socials as an excellent tool for growth and not a burden. Corey is a...

Do you have a notebook filled with valuable information you wrote during a seminar or training that was never opened again? If yes, today's episode is a must-listen for you. This week, we revisit our conversation with the extraordinary Wendy Hawks, General Manager of Riverside Auto Center. After attending an ATI Conference, Wendy decided the notes, the valuable information, and the brilliant ideas...

Is specializing the inevitable path for auto repair shops? This week, we discuss specialization within the automotive industry with Chris Fraser, Co-owner of TLS Motorwork. For years now, Chris and his partners at TLS Motorwork have been working exclusively on Japanese and hybrid cars and, most recently, EVs. Chris is a seasoned automotive professional with over two decades of experience dedicated...

Mental health issues lead people to believe they are alone in their suffering, and that is, perhaps, one of its trickiest traits. In this episode, we hear about Eric Gibson 's victory over the mental health issues that held him hostage inside a dark cloud for years. Eric is the CEO of 5th Gear Automotive, located just outside Denver, Colorado. Despite making good money as an equipment mechanic in...

The lack of affordable housing, the younger generation's tendency to adopt dogs instead of having children, and other challenges of the modern world are slowly changing employees' expectations. From the environment in the workspace to their relationship with management, what used to make an auto shop "sticky" for internal customers has evolved. Younger generations now seek workplaces that serve as...

Are you aware of the power of coaching and strategic planning to help you elevate your collision shop to the next level? In this episode, we learn from Jeff Zalis ' innovative views on how to take collision shops to the leading edge. Jeff is the Owner of "Specialized Auto Craft, Collision Specialists" and a tireless entrepreneur constantly looking to improve his auto shop through transparency with...

Do you feel it is time to expand your auto shop and don't know where to start? In today's episode, Robbie Windham from Windham Body Shop joins us to share the blueprint of his auto shop's growth and expansion strategy. Robbie's shop is in New Albany, Mississippi, a small town of about 10,000 people; they recently doubled its size, hired internal customers for their office, parts, blueprints, and p...

Sometimes, we forget we are in people's business, not the car business. Cars are what bring people to us. - Geoff Berman In today's episode, Geoff Berman joins us to discuss auto shop repairs' convenience in customer experience and dealing with those moments when the backstage and the front stage intersect. Throughout this episode, you'll hear Kim and Geoff's thoughts on the importance of focusing...

What is the best way to create a culture that positively impacts your auto repair shop? In this episode, Jason Patel, Geoff Berman, and ATI's Collision Division Vice President, Keith Manich, learn from Fred Gestwicki Jr. from Fix It With Fred about the multiple benefits of clear communication and transparency when building an exciting and growth-promoting culture. Fix It With Fred is an AutoTechIQ...

Can we be ready for the unexpected? Of course not; its main characteristic is arriving without previous notice. Still, there are things we can have in place to reduce the impact of unforeseen events: it's called strategic planning. In today's episode, you'll hear about the challenges John Blanton and his son Jackson went through, from John starting his business in his garage to opening a second lo...

Do you feel your auto repair shop is ready to embrace AI? In this episode, we are joined by industry experts Dan Garlock, Mike Bennett, and Ricky Jordan Jr., who provide a glimpse into the automotive industry's future after the disruptive arrival of AI. Whether we see this "Google on steroids" as a powerful tool, an efficient assistant, or the little push humanity needed to lose its soul, AI is he...

How effective are your strategies to attract and retain A-Techs and higher-end sales professionals? In this episode, Dan Garlock , President of Silverlake Auto & Tire Centers, and Ricky Jordan Jr., President of Fifth Gear Automotive, join us to share their approaches to attracting and retaining talent in the ever-evolving automotive industry market.  Throughout this episode, Dan and Ricky...

What kind of auto repair shop do you wish to build? One with excellent customer service, one that is comfortable and visually pleasing, or one with incredible installations for your internal customers?  Kori and Troy: Yes. In today's episode, a power couple joins Kim, Jason Patel, and Geoff Berman at ATI's Annual Super Conference, the owners of Graham Auto Repair, Kori and Troy Vaninetti. The...

If you were parachuted into the middle of the automotive industry, would you know where to start to build a profitable auto repair shop?  Today's guests, Terry and Travis Griffith, weren't precisely parachuted into the automotive industry since their love for cars runs in their family. Yet they were "merely" car enthusiasts when they bought Ocala Auto Repair and turned it into one of Florida'...

Marshall Goldsmith said it first and best, "what got you here won't get you there." This premise works virtually in every aspect of life, yet in business and sports, it is remarkably accurate. Competitors (and rivals) constantly look for weaknesses in our game to exploit, take advantage of, and outperform us. Even when we are winning, we must take a moment to reflect on what can be improved. ...

Regardless of how often you watch football or how much of a Taylor Swift fan you are, as a business owner, you should (or at least we recommend) look closely at the power a faithful following is capable of. It took only rumors of her participating in the Super Bowl's halftime show to break the internet and transform virtually everything touched by that expansive wave into gold.  How likely is...

Is it possible to run a successful auto repair shop with your spouse, keep it stable and solid for three decades, work on your personal growth, and transition from business owner to CEO? The Weatherbys are living proof that it's possible and are here to tell you how they pulled that out.  This week, we revisit my conversation with Kelli and Lee Weatherby , owners of Accurate Automotive. Toget...

How much does your auto repair shop charge for an accurate diagnosis made by an A Tech in 15 minutes? How much for the same diagnosis, made in 4 hours by your best B Tech? This week, we revisit my conversation with Brian Hunnicutt about the doubt that shows up quite often in every auto repair shop owner's mind: how to set rates that make justice to the value they provide. Brian shares his perspect...

Right after losing a loved one or while dealing with addiction, family reunions tend to be pretty hard. Especially Christmas and New Year's Eve, which are synonyms for peaceful times, filled with hope, good wishes, and quality family time. This week, we revisit my challenging yet necessary conversation with Mike Warren about the B-side of holidays, the challenges some people must go through, how b...

This week, we revisit my moving conversation with Lee Anderson, Service Manager at Integrity Auto Care in South Beloit, Illinois. Lee and his wife, Brittany, went from hell to heaven and everything in between before manifesting the arrival of their son, Asher.   Throughout our conversation, Lee shared the highs and lows of his and his wife's struggle with infertility and the exhausting proces...

How familiar are you with your personal auto policy?  This week, we revisit the second part of my conversation with Richard Sharman, in which he shared everything you must know about your auto policy. Richard is an Executive Coach at ATI with over 40 years of experience in the auto collision industry and insurance claims professions. Throughout our conversation, you'll hear Richard's thoughts...

Isn't it frustrating to know you are better than your competitors, yet you see them getting all the work? The only thing you must do to change that is to get your marketing efforts right.  This week, I'm joined by Kim and Brian Walker , Owners of Shop Marketing Pros and Hosts of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast , to discuss auto repair marketing, the importance of creating and presenting uni...

Although talking about the pandemic in 2023 might sound like ancient times for some, many others are still struggling with the stress and anxiety of that epoch, and the worst part is that they aren't aware of it.  In today's episode, I'm joined by the wonderful Cally Rempis to talk about entrepreneurship, stress release, anxiety and trauma relief, and the best methods to lower your cortisol l...

Plugging technology into your auto repair shop can improve your productivity and efficiency, reduce costs, and make your internal and external customers' lives easier IF you choose the right software.  This week, I'm joined by Kirk Mize and Jesse Meddaugh to discuss the advantages and the proper use of tech in auto repair shops. Kirk is the Director of Sales at Shop Boss, the premier shop man...

"When your socials look like everyone else's, like a brochure or billboard, it's not doing you justice or a good service." In this episode, I'm joined by Corey Perlman, Keynote Speaker, Executive Consultant, Social Media and Digital Marketing Expert, Best-selling Author, and Owner of Impact Social Media. Corey got into social media way "before it was cool," teaching technology workshops at General...