Talking Shop with ShopOwner

In a recent interview, Doug Kaufman, the host of "Talking Shop with ShopOwner," spoke with Lauren Langston, president and COO of Tekmetric, to discuss the upcoming Tektonic 2026 Conference. The conference is set for April 9th and aims to empower automotive repair shop owners through strategic insights, networking opportunities, and best practices.  Langston emphasized the importance of yearly busi...

In this episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner, Doug Kaufman talks with David Rogers (Auto Profit Masters / Shop4D / Keller Brothers Auto Repair) about the people-first strategies and practical tech that help independent shops win. In the conversation, the industry veterans cover hiring for character and developing technicians, creating a culture that reduces rework and drives retention, simplifyi...

Doug Kaufman sits down with Sunil Patel, founder & CEO of TekMetric, to unpack Tektonic 2026 — an industry-wide conference built for every role in the repair shop, not just a vendor event. Learn how TekMetric’s data view across more than 14,000 shops reveals what top performers do differently and how Tektonic will translate those insights into practical, measurable outcomes. Patel explains the...

In this episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner, Doug Kaufman interviews David Rogers, COO of Keller Brothers and founder of Auto Profit Masters, about the challenges automotive repair shop owners face with juggling multiple management systems. Rogers emphasizes that many shops lose thousands of dollars monthly due to inefficiencies stemming from fragmented systems that don't communicate with each...

In this episode of "Talking Shop with Shop Owner," Kyle Price, Senior Product Manager at Monroe Shocks, explains about the transition from winter to spring and the importance of suspension maintenance. Price highlights the impact of winter conditions on vehicles, emphasizing the need for drivers to care for their suspension systems. "With rising prices, vehicle owners are holding onto their cars l...

In this episode of "Talking Shop with Shop Owner," Doug Kaufman interviews Jason Rainey, VP of NAPA AutoCare and NAPA Autotech, about the NAPA Team Tool Rebate program. Rainey explains that the program is designed to help shop owners attract and retain technicians by providing them with the tools they need to do their jobs. The program works by allowing shop owners to earn rebates on their NAPA pa...

On this episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner, host Doug Kaufman dives into the incredible journey of Ritchie Wimmer, a man whose passion for cars transformed his life and the lives of those around him. Ritchie Wimmer wears many hats: shop owner, teacher, racer, and technician. But his story is more than just a resume—it's a testament to perseverance, adaptability and the importance of paying it...

America loves competition and will tune in to watch competitors battle on TV. Forget about watching washed up fighters slap at each other - you can watch REAL champions compete at the U.S. Auto Tech National Championship Driven by Yokohama  for the title of 2024 U.S. Auto Tech National Champion. In this episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner, host Doug Kaufman, editor of ShopOwner Magazine, chats...

In this episode of Talking Shop with Shop Owner , Lucas Underwood, owner of L&N Performance Auto Repair in Blowing Rock, NC, discusses the impact of Hurricane Helene on the automotive repair community in North Carolina. Lucas describes how his shop and nearby repair businesses have rallied to support their devastated communities. Local shops have cooked meals for first responders and neighbors...

What's the best type of training? Cheap, convenient, and quick might seem to be the best answer. It costs your shop money when your techs are not repairing vehicles, right. Well consider this: training may seem expensive, but continuous training isn't a cost. It's an investment in employees to retain talent and provide high quality service in the automotive repair industry. In this episode of Talk...

According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are approximately 5,000 fires in automotive service and repair facilities each year. These fires cause an estimated $108 million dollars in direct property damage, result in about 10 civilian an 3 firefighter injuries, and often spread beyond the initial location resulting in even more damage and even deaths. The worst news? They’re usua...

Knowing the different personalities and dominant traits of team members helps with communication and prevents internal conflicts, says John Wade, owner of Super Eagle Auto Care in Charlotte, NC. In this episode of Talking Shop With ShopOwner, Doug Kaufman discusses the challenges of finding, hiring and implementing your next ideal team member. Flexibility and constant adjustment are necessary for...

We all know the value of training - or do we? Is it always valuable? Is it alway effective? Should it always take top priority? Naturally, you want to say yes, but experts say the RIGHT training for your team's needs is what's really crucial. Today's episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner focuses on the challenges of training technicians and service advisors in the automotive industry. The guests,...

Charles Dickens might have said it best when he began his story “A Tale of Two Cities” by saying "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” When you think about it, every year end review and new years forecast could be summed up exactly the same way. It’s all in how you look at things. In this 2023 wrapup/2024 forecast episode of Talking Shop With ShopOwner, Doug Kaufman and Vic Tarasi...

When the workday is over, the tools are put away, the computers have gone to sleep, the customers have driven away safely and the last tech has clocked out, washed up and left the parking lot, do you ever just take a minute to put your hands on your hips, look around your shop, take a deep breath and think, “Is this really all there is to life?” If so, you’re probably not alone. After a tiring day...

We talk a lot about the challenges facing shops these days – from technology to training to technicians, it often feels like we have more problems than solutions. In this episode of Talking Shop With ShopOwner, we endeavor to get answers to some of our questions. Doug Kaufman, editor of ShopOwner and Tomorrow’s Technician, talks with Jen Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation, a national nonprofit org...

Would you go for a ride in a car that has no driver? Autonomous vehicles are making news every day and they're making some automotive professionals nervous. Are they the future of ride sharing? Are we destined to become a world of passengers? Today we're talking about taking a backseat and letting technology do to driving. We're talking Shop with Shop Owner. Autonomous vehicles have been in the ne...

Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan once said, "Enjoying success requires the ability to adapt. Only by being open to change will you have a true opportunity to get the most from your talent." While it's doubtful the Ryan Express was discussing the future of the automotive aftermarket, his words are just as true for us as they were for himself, as he found himself facing increasingly younger, strong...

Of all the changes this industry has faced over its more than a century of life, that past 40 years have been a whirlwind. We’ve seen typewriters transition to mainframes to laptops; we’ve witnessed the eventual embrace of fuel injection and anti-lock brakes; we’ve seen OBDII and the internet come and pagers and faxes go. Through it all, shop owners have adapted. It’s fun to look back at what’s ch...

For years, many automotive professionals feared the growing presence of electric vehicles because of the possibility that they meant fewer service opportunities. Since it's now becoming clear that EVs will still require much of the traditional maintenance and repair found in conventional vehicles, shops are embracing the technology. With electric vehicles, potentially accounting for 40% of total p...

As a fan, the drama and excitement of sports are a great distraction from real life - something amazing might be right around the next corner, the next pitch or the next pass. Yet, as a coach or player, you know you need a great game plan to get to the next level. It's no different with your business. When you've done all you can do to help your team be successful, it's up to them to execute your...

Hopefully we all do vehicle inspections – and hopefully, most of those are digital inspections. And, with constantly evolving advances in technology, those inspections are producing amazing images. Those pictures are telling the story your customer needs to hear in ways that words alone can’t begin to explain. Whether it's between technicians, or the service advisor and customers, or technicians a...

There is justified concern about the future of this industry, and specifically, who's going to be around to fix vehicles when that trusted local mechanic retires his wrenches. Some fear that no one is interested or able to step into the gap. In this episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner, Doug Kaufman talks with Mike Wiant from the Ohio Tech Group. Mike has an innovative way of creating excitement...

Think your job is challenging enough just working with your friends and employees? Try working with your family. Multi-generational shops are looked at in awe because a lot of times we just can't picture ourselves working with our parents or siblings or children. Family businesses can offer significant opportunities and even greater challenges. You know, far too often family businesses are looked...

Do you ever have that 3 am feeling, when you suddenly wake up out of a deep sleep just knowing something is wrong? Most of the time of course, it’s the little things that cause the most stress and anxiety. Oh, but don’t forget the big things. We’ve all heard the gallows humor “What’s the worst that can happen? Wait - don't respond...we all know the answer to that seemingly simple question. In this...