The Institute’s Leading Edge Podcast

136 - Hidden Growth Hack Top Shops Use OR Downturn-Proof: The Shop Owner’s Guide to Growing in Any Economy August 6, 2025 - 00:52:27 Show Summary: Jimmy Lea hosts a conversation with AutoBoost’s Adam Kushner and Joe Pfender, joined by Eric Henley of H Tek Tire & Auto Care in East Tennessee, exploring how auto repair shops can remain visible, relevant, and profitable no matter the economic clim...

135 - "Ask Me Anything" Session with Cecil Bullard & Lucas Underwood July 23, 2025 - 00:56:34 Show Summary: In this AMA-style episode where Lucas Underwood and Cecil Bullard dive deep into leadership, shop management, and real-world challenges auto repair shop owners face. Cecil shares his personal journey from resenting his father’s shop to running multiple successful businesses and eventuall...

134 - Rehearse to Win: The Secret to Service Advisor Confidence June 23, 2025 - 00:39:59   Show Summary: Recorded at the Institute Summit 2025, this episode features brothers Jason and Patrick Brennan in a powerful conversation on leadership, innovation, and growth in the automotive industry. Jason emphasizes redefining training through real-world rehearsal practice for service advisors and techni...

133 -Building Businesses and Believing in Better Days with Cecil Bullard June 9, 2025 - 00:40:00   Show Summary: Recorded live at the Institute Summit 2025, explore what it truly means to stand out in today’s evolving automotive industry. Cecil Bullard covers major industry shifts, including electric and autonomous vehicles, the growing influence of private equity, and the increasing specializatio...

132 - Your Business Playbook: Strategy, Data, and Accountability with Ross Bernstein May 26, 2025 - 00:42:53 Show Summary: Recorded live at the Institute Summit, this insightful conversation explores how business leaders can apply sports principles—like team chemistry, leadership, and preparation—to enhance performance. Keynote speaker Ross Bernstein underscores the impact of storytelling as a pow...

131 - Struggling to Hire? Imagine Recruiting in the Last Frontier with Mike Simard April 28, 2025 - 00:32:39   Show Summary: Recorded at the Institute Summit, Mike Simard dives into the challenges of recruiting and developing talent, especially in a unique setting like Alaska. He shares his innovative strategy of acquiring lube centers as entry points for new team members and highlights the critic...

130 - Look Good, Feel Good, Perform Great – How Branding and Culture Drive Team Excellence July 2nd, 2025 - 00:58:42   Show Summary: What if your shop’s uniform was more than just workwear? In this episode, Jimmy Lea is joined by Leah Grubb, founder of Green Bolt Printing, to discuss how automotive shops can turn everyday apparel into a strategic tool for branding, leadership, and culture. Leah sh...

129 - The New Backbone of a Successful Shop: Software That Actually Works June 25th, 2025 - 00:58:23 Show Summary: In this episode, Jimmy Lea hosts a dynamic conversation with John Phelps from Tekmetric, shop owner and Institute coach Jennifer Hulbert, and Tonnika Haynes of Brown’s Automotive. They dive into the realities of switching point-of-sale systems, discussing both the challenges and the r...

128 - The Power of Storytelling: Engaging Employees and Clients with Parker Branch March 17th, 2025 - 00:35:47   Show Summary: Parker Branch of Branch Automotive joins the conversation to discuss shop culture, leadership, storytelling, and business growth in the diesel specialty repair industry. Learn about the importance of employee buy-in, boosting productivity, and ways to build customer trust...

127 - Fix Your Hiring Woes: How Smart Shops Attract and Keep the Right People June 18th, 2025 - 00:57:07   Show Summary: In this insightful episode, Jimmy Lea of The Institute for Automotive Business Excellence is joined by Brian Burris of Promotive and Mike Grosse of Glen’s Auto to tackle one of the biggest challenges in the automotive aftermarket: hiring and retaining top technician talent. Mike...

126 - Loyalty That Lasts: How Top Shops Build Repeat Business and Stronger Relationships May 29th, 2025 - 00:57:15   Show Summary: This podcast webinar was hosted by Jimmy Lea of The Institute at the Tools Conference in Pennsylvania, the spotlight is on the evolution of customer loyalty programs in the auto repair industry. The conversation features Jeff Rudnick of Pit Crew Loyalty, alongside shop...

125 - ADAS Is Here to Stay: Why Drivers Love It and What Your Shop Needs To Do About It! May 28th 2025 - 01:00:01   Show Summary: Jimmy Lea sits down with Justin Allen from Hunter Engineering Company to discuss the evolution of automotive technology, Justin's personal journey in the industry, and the importance of calibration in modern vehicle repairs. Justin shares insights from his career, from...

124 - From Wrenches to Leadership: How Culture, Systems, and Weekly Meetings Create a Shop That Works May 28th 2025 - 00:59:13   Show Summary: In this inspiring episode, Jimmy Lea hosts Tim Chakarian and Johanna Reichert of Bimmer PhD in Pasadena, CA, as they open up about their journey from humble beginnings to building a thriving, purpose-driven auto repair business. Tim shares his roots from wo...

123 - Cracking the Code – Google’s “Ask for Me” Update, Local Service Ads & What It Means for Auto Shops May 27th 2025 - 00:56:06   Show Summary: In this episode, Jimmy Lea welcomes Dan Vance from Shop Dog Marketing to explore the transformative power of AI in marketing for auto repair shops. They highlight how AI has shifted from an experimental tool to a central part of digital marketing, in...

122 - Trust Your Wings: Embracing Your Authentic Story & Building a Bold Legacy May 21st, 2025 - 00:51:24   Show Summary: This episode dives into the journey of Tonnika Haynes, the dynamic leader behind Brown’s Automotive in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Hosted by Jimmy Lea, the conversation opens with laughter and memories, then unfolds into a powerful reflection on family legacy, leadership,...

121 - An Educated Customer Makes Better Decisions May 14th, 2025 - 00:57:32   Show Summary: In this episode, Jimmy Lea hosts Craig O'Neill from Auto Flow and Mike Simard from Simard Automotive in Fairbanks, Alaska. They discuss the journey of building successful auto repair shops, the importance of transparency with customers, and the transformative impact of Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVIs). Mi...

120 - Defining Expectations: Rewriting Industry Identity with Discipline, Humility, and Purpose May 7th, 2025 - 00:55:37   Show Summary: In this engaging episode, Jimmy Lea hosts Mark Seawell and Brandon Ballou to discuss the critical role of service advisors in the automotive repair industry. Brandon shares his journey from martial arts to the service counter, emphasizing the importance of discip...

119 - From Repair Bays to Balance Sheets: Mastering Your Shop’s Financials April 30th, 2025 - 00:58:20   Show Summary: In this episode of the Institute's weekly webinar, Jimmy Lea hosts Eric Joern, CPA and partner at Kaizen CPAs, for a deep dive into mastering shop financials. They tackle the anxiety many shop owners feel around accounting and taxes, encouraging transparency and strategic planning...

118 - Make More. Keep More. Be Smarter. Shop's Leaving Money on the Table with Derrick Van Ness April 16th, 2025 - 00:51:31   Show Summary: In this enlightening episode, Jimmy Lea welcomes tax and wealth strategist Derick Van Ness to help auto repair shop owners uncover overlooked strategies to save thousands on taxes every year. From foundational tactics like business structuring and paying your...

117 - Becoming a Champion in Communication with David Boyd April 2nd, 2025 - 01:00:14   Show Summary: Jimmy Lea welcomes David Boyd from Inbound to discuss how technology, communication flow, and consistent training shape the customer experience in auto repair shops. They explore how shop owners can use AI to streamline call reviews, build advisor confidence, and ensure consistent, high-quality in...

116 - The Golden Rules of Listening – Part 3: Strengthening Business Partnerships & Relationships March 26th, 2025 - 00:56:14   Show Summary: In this episode, Jimmy Lea from The Institute for Automotive Business Excellence is joined by life coach Juliana Sih of Crescendo Coaching for a masterclass on the Golden Rules of Listening. Together, they explore how powerful listening skills can transf...

115 - 3 Essential Steps to Save Your Home and Your Business With Wayne Marshall March 18th, 2025 - 00:56:44   Show Summary: In this insightful episode, Donny Seyfer from WTI and Jimmy Lea, from the Institute, hosts a special podcast featuring Wayne Marshall, Interim CEO of The Institute to tackle a critical topic for small business owners, how to protect your home and your business through the pro...

114 - Grow Faster, Go Further – The Peer Group Advantage [THA 423] February 7th, 2025 - 00:43:03   Show Summary: In this heartfelt episode recorded live at The Institute Summit 2025, Carm Capriotto sits down with facilitators Aaron Woods and Jennifer Hulbert to explore the transformative power of coaching groups for auto repair shop owners. Aaron and Jennifer, both shop owners and coaches, share t...

113 - The Blueprint for Growth: Business Management Best Practices March 5th, 2025 - 00:46:13   Show Summary: In this episode of The Digital Shop Talk Radio, host AutoVitals, Lauren Thunen, is joined by shop owner Bob Conant of Bob Kaiser’s Repair and Jimmy Lea of The Institute for Automotive Business Excellence. They dive into what it takes to successfully transition from technician to business o...

112 - Great Leaders Don’t Just Manage—They Inspire! 🚀 February 20th, 2025 - 01:03:42   Show Summary: In this impactful episode, Cecil Bullard of the Institute for Automotive Business Excellence shares powerful lessons on what it means to be a truly inspiring leader in the automotive industry. He breaks down how leadership is more than management… it’s about creating culture, communicating vision,...