The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled Ever meet someone in this industry doing something completely out of the box, and it works? That’s Ben Tilson. Kim sits down with Ben, the second-generation owner of Tilson’s Auto Repair in Rochester, Minnesota. He’s not just growing a solid shop, he’s writing children’s books to spark curiosity and pride in the next generation of technicians. And no...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled We all want great teams, but most shop owners don’t realize that a high-performing team doesn’t start with talent; it starts with culture. In this episode, I sit down with my right-hand man, J.R. Portman, and we unpack the real story behind building and keeping a team that not only performs but thrives. JR’s been instrumental in shaping the culture h...

Most shop owners don’t think about marketing when things are going great, but wait until the car count drops or the phones go quiet. That’s when the panic hits, and all eyes turn to marketing. But what if your shop’s struggles aren’t about marketing at all? In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Burkholder from Body Shop Marketing to explore a lesser-known aspect of the collision industry. Daniel...

Thanks to our Partners, App Fueled and Shop Boss When car count dips and phones go quiet, the first call most shop owners make is to their marketing company. But what if the issue isn’t the marketing at all? In this episode, I sit down with Stan Stokes, creator of GuestX, to talk about a problem every shop owner faces but most misunderstand figuring out why leads aren’t turning into customers. Sta...

If you’ve ever felt like your Google Ads were rockin’ one month and dead the next, you’re not crazy, and you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by two of my favorite people, our COO, Hallie Wasinger, and lead CSM, Danni Marks, as we unpack the wild ride that is Google Ads. This isn’t a blame game or finger-pointing session. It’s an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what happens when ad perf...

August might feel far off, but now’s the time to get your marketing dialed in. Back-to-school season, college car checkups, fall event prep, it’s all coming fast. Brian Walker and Caroline Legrand break down what shop owners should be doing in June to stay ahead of the game. You’ll hear why now’s the time to smooth out your schedule for slower months, how to build campaigns around national days (y...

Have you ever met someone who just gets it, like, really understands what it takes to create a business people rave about? That’s exactly who Brittany Hodak is. And thanks to Kim Walker, who nailed it as the host of this episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, we get to hear Brittany drop insight after insight that every shop owner needs to hear. Kim sets the stage perfectly, bringing her pa...

Want a real marketing plan that doesn’t live in your head or on a bunch of sticky notes? There’s something powerful about experiencing world-class customer service firsthand and then turning around and asking, “How can I bring this level of intentionality into my shop?” That’s exactly what happened when Brian and Kim Walker took a dream trip to the British Virgin Islands with close friends. What s...

Want a real marketing plan that doesn’t live in your head or on a bunch of sticky notes? In this episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, Kim Walker is joined by Caroline Legrand and Savannah Garrett to talk all things Plan With the Pros Shop Marketing Pros’ hands-on, no-fluff marketing workshop designed to help shop owners create a full-year strategy they’ll use. You’ll hear how last year’s...

July’s here, and while the calendar might look quiet, your marketing shouldn’t be! In this episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, Brian Walker and Caroline Legrand share real strategies to keep your shop top of mind and your bays full during the summer slowdown. From summer travel prep and college car check-ins to back-to-school drives and fun offbeat holidays like Chicken Wing Day and Tatt...

So, you didn’t go to school for HR, and let’s be honest, hiring probably wasn’t what you dreamed about when you opened your shop. But here you are, needing to fill those bays and build a solid team. In this episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, Kim Walker is joined by Lisa Coyle of Promotive to break down what it takes to hire in today’s world, and spoiler alert: it’s all about marketing....

You didn’t go to school for marketing, but here you are, running a shop and needing to fill those bays! In this episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, Kim Walker gets real about what it is like to jump headfirst into marketing when you are not a trained marketer. (Spoiler: it is scary at first, but it is doable.) Kim shares her own story, from teaching school kids to promoting a growing aut...

In this episode, we’re diving into the powerful concept of creating a shared vision and how a lack of clarity could be holding your shop back from real growth. I’ll walk you through what I learned in a deep dive after my own leadership team challenged me to cast a vision that reaches every level of our company. We’ll talk about how to get out of the “small thinking” trap, how to define your goals...

Summer’s heating up and so should your marketing! In this episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, hosts Brian Walker and Caroline Legrand get real about what actually works for shop owners when it comes to June marketing. From summer travel prep and cooling system services to creative promotions for Tire Safety Month and celebrating your hardworking team during Automotive Service Professiona...

Want to create marketing that actually excites your customers and keeps them coming back for more? In this episode, host Brian Walker and co-host Kim Walker sit down with Robert Morton from Panhandle Eurotech to uncover how a simple treasure hunt turned into a marketing powerhouse, boosting website traffic, improving SEO rankings, and creating a stronger connection with their community. Robert sha...

Marketing isn’t just an expense, it’s the key to growth. In this episode, host Brian Walker talks with Chris Cotton live from Vision about how strategic marketing has fueled massive revenue growth in his newly acquired shop. Chris shares why he’s dedicating a significant budget to Google Ads, SEO, and Facebook brand-building and how Local Service Ads (LSAs) are bringing in high-quality leads at a...

Brian and Parker dive into how strategic marketing investment can drive real growth for auto repair shops. Parker shares how increasing his marketing spend transformed his business, leading to record-breaking profits and industry recognition. They discuss why many shop owners hesitate to spend more on marketing and how cutting back can actually slow growth. They break down the balance between bran...

Brian and Hallie break down Google Local Services Ads (LSA) and how auto repair shops are using them to bring in more leads at lower costs. Unlike traditional Google Ads, LSA charges per lead instead of per click, making it a cost-effective approach to customer acquisition. Some shops have reported leads as low as $7 per call. They cover how to set up LSA, key verification steps, and ways to optim...

Marketing isn’t just about spending money; it’s about strategy, creativity, and knowing what actually works. That’s exactly what Brian and Kim Walker unpack in this conversation with Doug DeLuca, owner of Boca AutoFix, who built a thriving auto repair shop without ever working as a technician before opening his doors. Doug’s IT background gave him an edge, helping him master SEO, content marketing...

Want to make your shop’s marketing stand out this May? Join Brian Walker and Caroline LeGrand as they break down creative ways to engage your audience, plan your content, and connect with your community. In this episode, they’ll share creative campaign ideas, fun social media prompts, and practical ways to highlight your team, engage customers, and boost brand awareness. Plus, get inspiration for...

Getting involved in your community is powerful, but how do you share your efforts without sounding boastful? There’s a fine line between successful and selfish self-promotion, and in this episode, Brian and Kim Walker discuss how to highlight your work with authenticity and gratitude—not ego. We’ll discuss framing your message to focus on the cause, aligning community service with your company cul...

Sometimes life just doesn’t slow down, does it? Between running a business, managing a team, and balancing everything else, it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in tasks. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Hi, I’m Kim Walker, and today I’m sharing my personal journey through a season of overwhelm—and how I’m finding my way back to productivity and peace. This episode isn’t just about get...

Join host Brian Walker as he welcomes Mauro Stara to explore the transformative connection between your health and business success. In this episode, Mauro shares his expertise on why your body is your ultimate business card and how optimizing your well-being can take your professional performance to the next level. Discover actionable strategies like improving sleep quality, managing stress, and...

Marketing your auto repair shop can be overwhelming, but with the right tools, it doesn’t have to be. Brian and Kim Walker break down essential marketing tools and tech to make the process easier, more effective, and even enjoyable. Discover how to simplify your social media strategy with tools like Meta Business Suite and Canva, optimize your website performance with SEMrush and Google Analytics,...

Thanks to our Partners, RepairPal at  https://repairpal.com/shops . Quality Car Repair. Fair Price Guarantee. App Fueled at  appfueled.com . “Are you ready to convert clients to members? AppFueled™ specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for auto repair businesses. Build your first app like a pro.” Dive into actionable marketing strategies for April with hosts Brian Wal...