Success Leaves Clues: An Automotive Industry Podcast

With a full lot, $3 Million in revenue and a huge local following, Coach Thomas Andrews and his business partner Mike should have been at the height of their lives, but instead they were drowning in overhead and nonexistent profit margins. In this episode, Thomas breaks down the brutal coaching question that exposed their ego at the door, why revenue is the most dangerous number in your shop, the...

$240,000 should be the baseline for a service advisor, but instead it seems like a dream to many shop owners. In this episode Berg and Guy investigate the phone calls that drive your business and how to change your front counter to actually bring in profit. They dive into the systems that will protect your liability, basic objection handling that will save your $8,000 tickets and how properly trai...

Down to $1,100 in savings Coach Stan Andrewski and his wife made an all or nothing decision to buy a plane ticket and save his business. In this episode Stan explains how he went from bartering his tool truck for a failing auto shop, spending seven years working weekends and draining his 401(k), to hitting $5 Million with his business. Learn from his mistakes as he opens up on his first call with...

His manager stole from him, his entire staff left and he STILL made $100k profit in one month. In this first episode of the Shop Fix Academy podcast, Coach Jay Huh breaks down the one phone call that pushed him to shut down a shop, and how that execution mindset became the engine that grew his $1k a month operation into a six figure machine. Hear the hard conversations, the make or break moments,...

Today’s episode is a Berg and Jay sit down to reflect on some of the most impactful moments from the Success Leaves Clues podcast with Aaron Stokes. Together, we revisit the conversations, the wisdom, and the heart Aaron poured into so many people. His ability to encourage, challenge, and lead—always given freely, as he liked to say, at 0%—left a lasting mark on everyone he encountered. Aaron’s co...

In this episode, John Pearson shares his wild ride from racing Corvettes to joining the Army and eventually moving to Alaska. Through determination, grit, and relentless drive, John carved out his own path to success. Born in Manhattan… Kansas! John brings humor, fearlessness, and an incredible story that will keep you buckled into your seat for the entire episode. Want to know what it takes to st...

We’re incredibly grateful to have recorded this episode live at the last Pro Conference with Aaron and special guest Jay Huh. As many of you know, Aaron has since passed. While his presence is deeply missed, his mission lives on. The Success Leaves Clues podcast will continue — committed to the cause he cared so deeply about: stopping the average small business from destroying the average small fa...

Get ready to laugh and hear the story of Doug Rogers. Along with his wife, Donna, Doug retired—then jumped back in to kick his multi-million-dollar operation back to life. He shares the mistakes he made, the changes he had to make, and what it really takes to walk away at the right time and under the right conditions. Doug keeps Aaron and Jay laughing as they dive into what he’s learned and what u...

Aaron and Jay catch up with JR Luna to hear his story of success. JR went from managing a shop to becoming an owner in his late twenties. He quickly learned that running a shop is very different from owning one, and that becoming a lifelong learner was the key to turning his shops around. Now doing millions in revenue at each location, JR shares valuable lessons on selecting the right locations, o...

Joe Stokes joins us for our first episode of 2026 to kick off the year with hard-earned leadership insights. As the leader responsible for managing multiple shops across the country, Joe has seen it all—and knows what it takes to keep operations running smoothly at scale. In this episode, Joe challenges leaders to lean into what might happen, confront their own ego, and ensure their business is tr...

Join Aaron and Jay as they wrap up an incredible year on the podcast and look ahead to the opportunities coming in 2026. With a standout lineup of guests and powerful stories of growth and change, this year set the stage for what’s next. As the auto repair market gears up for a busy season, Aaron and Jay discuss why sharpening the fundamentals and strengthening your skills will be critical for suc...

In this episode, Aaron Miller discusses his business with his brother and the challenges they’ve faced along the way. Through many ups and downs, they’ve navigated a difficult path learning how to work together. Between the pressure of simply making payroll and personal life challenges, Aaron walks us through his journey. Hear how he found his path to success—not only in business, but in life and...

In this episode Owen Buchanan sits down with us in between sessions at the Shop Fix Pro Conference. Owen spent 10 years grinding it out only to be met with a decision, close the doors or put away your ego and get help. Owen reached out to a friend and got a piece of advice that's changed his life, his outlook, and his purpose. Hear how he went from "below the basement" struggling to changing the w...

In this episode, Paul LeBlanc (however you pronounce it) shares his path—from jumping into the family business during a difficult time, to navigating a painful fallout with his brother, to ultimately finding his way to a profitable shop and family redemption. His story highlights the importance of seeking help, getting guidance, and developing the right mindset for success. His dedication to famil...

In this episode, we interview Luke Walker, who runs one of the largest—if not the largest—independent auto repair shops in the United States. This single location brought in over $1,000,000 in just one month. Luke’s story is nothing short of miraculous. His battle with depression as a young man nearly ended in tragedy, but instead, it became the driving force behind his passion for auto repair and...

Aaron and Jay dive into the topic of Marketing and how discounts are viewed both negatively and positively. Aaron shares his strategies about marketing and discounts. He digs into how strategy turns into data and data drives his business to higher revenue. This divisive topic seems to spark strong controversy in the industry. Hear how a successful shop owner views the topic and why he just doesn't...

Eric Walker of Walker Automotive holds multiple degrees, certifications, and an impressive career history. He’s also a trainer for Automotive Training Group and TechFix. A true technical powerhouse, in this episode we uncover his journey and how he got to where he is today. His message for all technicians is inspiring, highlighting the power of mastering foundational lessons—not only for technical...

In this episode, Samantha Wright shares how she became co-owner of Wright Auto Group, a multi-shop business founded on three key pillars: Aim for Happy Customers, Aim for Happy Workers, and Aim for Sustainable Business Practices. Her story—from high school dropout and teen mom to shop owner—is one of determination, learning, healing, and hope. It’s about not letting your past define you, staying o...

In this episode we have the honor to speak with Ed Mylett right after his keynote presentation at Shop Hackers Conference 2025. Ed is a globally recognized entrepreneur, performance coach, and speaker. He got his start in the financial services industry, achieving incredible success that eventually earned him spot on the Forbes "50 Wealthiest Under 50" List. Since then, he has spearheaded a range...

Jesse is an out-of-the-box kind of guy. I'm most cases he didn't even start with a box! In this episode, Jesse, who is an acclaimed author, co-founder of the world's largest private jet company, and award-winning musician and producer among other things, dives deep into his approach to balancing professional achievements with family life. Jesse shares insights on the importance of maintaining an u...

Tommy is BACK! Our first time with Tommy was after he was a keynote at the Shop Hackers Conference in 2024. This time Tommy joins us for an hour packed episode sharing how he grew his garage door service company into a massive enterprise with over 900 employees. He shares what it takes to not just be good at sales, but what it takes to be GREAT. His mindset on growth and having a bigger dream is n...

In this podcast episode, Justin Smith, the charismatic owner of an auto repair shop in Fredericksburg, Virginia, shares his compelling story. Justin recounts working with his father at a young age to opening his own shop at 24, under challenging conditions with no money or local support. Over the years, he navigates through mistakes, such as managing staff poorly and nearly going bankrupt, to even...

In this podcast episode, Tonya and Brett share their dynamic story of starting a successful auto repair shop in Pensacola. From their initial meeting in Philadelphia, Brett's extensive 35-year career in dealerships, and fast pivots in life, their journey is filled with numerous relocations, raising three children, and overcoming major challenges. With their pioneering spirit, they find themselves...

In this powerful episode, Edward Caswell, owner of Full Throttle Automotive and Fast Lane Auto Repair shares more than the details behind his successful business. Edward shares the full story of his life of brokenness turned into transformation. Hear how his wife fiercely fought for his future with the support of those around him, allowing him to become the person he is today. An educator turned s...

Lauren Keeton shares her inspiring story of shop ownership and how she and her husband David turned it into the life they wanted. Despite growing up in a small family-run shop and initially wanting a different career, Lauren was drawn back into the industry when David pursued his dream of opening his own shop. Lauren discusses the financial challenges, including purchasing a $1 million building, r...