The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled Let’s be honest: BNI isn’t new to you. If you’ve been around this podcast, you’ve heard us talk about Business Networking International before. But this time, we’re taking a deeper dive into something super practical: how to actually choose the right BNI group for your shop. Because let’s be real, not all chapters are created equal. In this episode,...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled Want a shortcut to the best episodes from 2025 that’ll breathe new life into your mindset, your marketing, and your mission as a shop owner? This one’s a must-listen. Kim and Brian sat down, actually face-to-face for once, to unpack the ten episodes from last year that left a lasting impact. Whether it’s building superfans, preparing your shop for an...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled Standing in line for hours at Disney might not sound like it has anything to do with running an auto repair shop but Brian Walker draws a straight line between the two. In this episode, he shares how paying to fast track your experiences, whether it’s in business, life, or even theme parks, can be the smartest investment you make. With real talk from...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled California auto repair shop owners, there’s a new regulation that almost flew under the radar, and if you're doing any kind of digital advertising, you’ll want to hit play on this one. In this episode, Brian Walker sits down with Dave Kusa, president of ASCCA, to break down recent changes from the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) that affect how you...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled Most shop owners avoid tough conversations until it’s too late. But what happens when life throws you something completely unexpected, like the sudden loss of a loved one or a health scare that takes you out of your business? In this powerful, heartfelt conversation between Darrin and Ginger Barney (Elite), and Brian and Kim Walker (Shop Marketing Pr...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled What if your best strategic thinking partner wasn’t on your payroll, but sitting right in your pocket? In this episode of The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, Brian Walker sits down with Hallie Wasinger to unpack what she learned at the MAICON (Marketing AI Conference). But don’t let the name fool you, this conversation goes way beyond marketing. Halli...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled A bland building that blended in… turned bold brand that brought in business. That’s the real story behind this episode featuring Kelly McCart from McCart’s Auto Center. If you’ve ever wondered whether the look and feel of your shop actually matters, you’ll want to hear how a full-on rebrand, from paint to logo to online presence,  transformed K...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled Kim Walker’s flying solo on this one, and she’s got a fire-in-her-belly message for every shop owner still sleeping on email marketing. This isn’t your typical “email tips” episode, it’s a storytelling breakdown of one jaw-dropping, beautifully built email from Mission Mercantile that had Kim hooked, clicking, and even podcasting about it. She breaks...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled There’s a lot you can ignore in marketing, but legal compliance isn’t one of them. Especially when a quiet policy change in California nearly stripped shops of their ability to track marketing ROI overnight. This episode dives into the legalities of call recording, AI evaluations, tracking numbers, and the kind of red tape that can blindside your bus...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled Josh Parnell’s story isn’t your typical rise to success narrative. It’s one of faith, perspective, and the kind of leadership that’s forged through humility and hard lessons. From dreaming of becoming a filmmaker to serving as an Air Force cop in Minot, North Dakota, to climbing the ranks at Christian Brothers Automotive, Josh’s journey is filled wit...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled December comes faster than most of us expect, and if you’re not planning your shop’s holiday marketing now, you’ll be scrambling when the tinsel hits the floor. In this episode of The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast , Brian Walker and Caroline LeGrand break down how to finish the year strong with festive, community-driven content that actually connects...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled Larry Anderson isn’t your typical shop owner and that’s exactly what makes this episode worth your time. From fabricating race cars and building trail-ready rigs with his wife, Cheryl, to mastering lost arts like manual machining and custom fabrication, Larry’s story is a masterclass in keeping your passion alive while running a successful auto repai...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled Kim Walker and Michael Doherty dig into what really happens at the front counter of an auto repair shop and why the service advisor’s role can make or break your marketing efforts. From real-world auditing tips to skill-building strategies, Michael shares how shops can turn their advisors into trusted consultants instead of order takers. You’ll hear...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled AI search isn’t the future, it’s already here, and it’s changing how people find your auto repair shop. Brian Walker just came back from teaching a four-hour class on AI search optimization at the ASTA Expo, and he’s breaking it all down so you can take action now. From getting your shop mentioned in AI overviews to the practical steps that help you...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled Brian and Kim Walker sit down with Wayne Marshall, CEO of The Institute for Automotive Business Excellence, to explore the real power behind storytelling in the auto repair industry. With deep roots in manufacturing and marketing, Wayne shares how his own journey and the stories along the way became the foundation for helping shop owners connect more...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled Caroline Legrand steps in for Brian Walker and is joined by Shop Marketing Pros' COO, Hallie Wasinger, for a power-packed conversation all about planning your November social media content. This one’s tailor-made for shop owners who want to show up with purpose online, not just post for the sake of posting. From meaningful campaigns like honoring vet...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled Wondering how one community-focused idea can transform your shop’s reputation, rally an entire town, and even get the mayor’s attention? Kim Walker connects with Betty Otero of Greg Smith Automotive in Belleview, Florida, a powerhouse shop owner who took a simple idea, a school backpack drive, and turned it into a ripple effect of community involveme...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled In this episode of The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, Brian Walker sits down with Michelle Travis, Director of SEO at Shop Marketing Pros, to break down a question more and more shop owners are asking: Why does content need to be so long? They dig into how longer-form content is outperforming the old 500-word blog strategy, what Google and AI tools a...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled Ryan Grace and David Gibson, former techs turned shop owners, join host Brian Walker to share how they built Pleasant Automotive in Wake Forest, NC. They started with a website before they even had a location. With no deep pockets or big investors, they focused on smart, strategic marketing moves that helped them grow fast without wasting money. Bria...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled Ready or not, October is right around the corner, and Brian Walker and Caroline Legrand are here to help auto repair shops get a jump on fall marketing before it sneaks up. They cover fall-focused campaigns like Breaks for Breasts and Trunk-or-Treat events, along with practical reminders for promoting services like winterization and snow tire prep. T...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled In this no-fluff episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, Brian Walker is joined by Caroline Legrand, Danni Marks, and J.R. Portman for a candid conversation shop owners need to hear, especially if you're trying to figure out the real difference between a marketing agency, a business coach, and a fractional CMO. They dig deep into the roles each...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled In this heart-filled episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, Kim Walker sits down with Christina Beverly from Harrell & Beverly Transmission Auto Repair in Sanford, Florida.  Christina shares the behind-the-scenes story of their now-annual teacher giveaway, an initiative born from local Amazon wish lists that quickly grew into a high-i...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled Let’s be real, owning a shop isn’t just about fixing cars. It’s about managing chaos, wearing 15 different hats, and staying strong through it all. And sometimes? That strength takes a serious hit. In this episode, Kim goes deep with Rachel Spencer, co-owner of Spencer’s Auto Repair, and Leisa Ann from KeepMePostedToday.com, to talk about something w...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled When it comes to community involvement, some shops talk about it and others just do it. In this episode, I sit down with Chris Luoma, third-generation owner of Jerry’s Automotive in Lansing, Michigan, to talk about what it looks like to give back with heart. From car giveaways to Toys for Tots, Chris shares how giving back has become more than just a...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled You know that feeling when summer’s barely over, kids are back in school, and suddenly you’re staring down September, wondering what the heck to post on social media? Yeah, that’s where this episode comes in. Brian is back with Caroline Legrand for their monthly marketing prep session, your go-to podcast for staying ahead with smart, simple ideas tha...