The NOLN Podcast

Carmen Strickland is starting off 2023 strong. She is celebrating 30 years with Mighty this month, and in late 2022 she was promoted to VP of Franchise Operations within Mighty Distributing System. She joins the show to give context about what this role means, what her goals are and what the Mighty franchise model has to offer.  Thanks to Valvoline for sponsoring this episode of The NOLN Podcast. ...

In many ways, our cars are our lifeline. Our cars get us to work, and allow us to drop our children off at school. When something goes wrong, it can cause a domino effect. As catalytic converter theft remains a prominent issue across the country, many drivers are being left in a lurch. But shop owners have an opportunity to make a difference.  Midas franchisee Ron Katz has been offering services t...

Happy New Year from National Oil and Lube News!  While it may be too soon to determine exactly what 2023 will bring, it isn't too early to start tackling your to-do list. If you are looking to bring some fresh talent onto your team this year, then you're not alone. New employees are on the mind of many shop owners, but the hiring process can be difficult to navigate without the right procedures in...

In October 2022, it was announced that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation into Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motor Company for oil drain pan assemblies. This NHTSA investigation was spurred by a petition that was put together by the Automotive Oil Change Association in July 2022.   Joanna Johnson is a policy advisor for the AOCA. She joins the show to expl...

The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo provides an annual opportunity to explore the latest and greatest that the industry has to offer.  This year at AAPEX, NOLN had the chance to check out some new technology firsthand through a conversation with Vince Caito, VP of marketing and product development at Yoshino Power.  Yoshino recently debuted a solid-state lithium ion portable battery. During t...

Building your toolkit and building your network are two tasks that go hand-in-hand as a quick lube owner and operator. Kevin Davis of the Quick Lube Expert visits the NOLN Podcast to discuss strategies for taking advantage of industry resources and shaping relationships with your peers. 

In this interview from NOLN's sister publication ADAPT Automotive , Senior Digital Editor Noah Brown speaks with Auto Care Association President Bill Hanvey about how shops can promote education surrounding the Right to Repair issue. In addition, Hanvey touches on some of the topics that will be addressed at this year's ADAPT Summit in Dallas, Texas. Learn more about the ADAPT: Automotive Technolo...

FullSpeed Automotive recently announced plans for a "Store of the Future" model that promotes an enhanced customer experience, implements more technology, and gives quick lube buildings a fresh look.  Ron Stilwell, Chief Development Officer at FullSpeed, joins the show to discuss the plans for this store model in greater detail with Digital Reporter Hanna Bubser.

Implementing a strategy for success in this industry can go a long way. Despite any obstacles, when the hard work pays off there is no better satisfaction.  Mike Biddle, Chief Operations Officer and Partner at The Alamitos Group, joins the show to speak with Digital Reporter Hanna Bubser about the Group recently being crowned Jiffy Lube's "Franchisee of the Year". Biddle outlines some of the chall...

Over the last several months, several major quick oil and maintenance brands have started to rollout services specifically developed for electric vehicles, and now FullSpeed Automotive is joining the ranks. FullSpeed Automotive CEO Kevin Kormondy joins the show today to talk about why the company thinks now is the time to jump into EVs and how he sees the overall car parc evolving over the next se...

Whether you think you're saying "yes" too often, or you would just like some strategies to decline requests and maintain strong relationships with customers and colleagues, this podcast episode is all about how to say "no." Michael Tougias, author of the book "No Will Set You Free" joins Editor Chris Jones to talk about "no." He explains why have a hard time saying "no"—especially at work—and how...

As EVs become more commonplace, shops are having to adjust how they provide service to account for vehicles with different drivetrains rolling into their service bays. Mark Ferner, a senior manager with Bridgestone, talks about how Bridgestone locations have slightly shifter their training to promote safety and efficiency with EVs while still focusing on services that are needed on all vehicles, r...

Earlier this year, Valvoline announced it would pilot an EV services program at select locations across the country. A little over a month into that program, the company is evaluating its progress and is looking to expand the program later this year. Heidi Matheys, Valvoline's chief marketing officer, and Jonathan Vice, Valvoline's senior manager of future mobility, talk about the future of the qu...

Join Editor Matt Hudson and get the recent history of the Right to Repair case that's playing out in Massachusetts.  A judge is expected to rule soon on possible changes to a referendum passed in 2020. The state is the first to require OEMs to allow access to wireless diagnostics for all shop owners, dealer or independent. In this episode, get caught up on all the action and learn about what Right...

Hear Andrew Marcott, general manager of American Pride Automotive in Virginia, talk to Editor Chris Jones in this wide-ranging interview about what's on the horizon for automotive service and repair businesses. This episode touches on topics like working with EVs, building the next generation of technicians, what it's like to be a younger shop owner, and so much more.

It's March, which means it's time for the Best Workplaces Awards, which honor operators who set up their employees for success. The winner in the franchise category for 2022 is Jiffy Lube of Indiana. The company has set up many employee support programs throughout the years, including tuition reimbursement, home downpayment assistance, short-term loans, and more. In this podcast, hear from company...

The mission statement for ACE Jiffy Lube is "creating customers for life through fast, friendly, clean, and professional service.” To do that, this franchise in the southeast U.S. takes care of its own, too. In this episode, NOLN welcomes Jessica Lorie, the manager at a service center in West Palm Beach, Fla. She talks about how the shop team got together to do something special to help out a coll...

Rajeev Kapur, author and CEO of 1105 Media, joins The NOLN Podcast to talk about how businesses need to evolve to meet the demands of the new workforce. Kapur explains actionable ways for leaders to ensure that the employment they provide is more than just a paycheck. His new book is called Chase Greatness: Enlightened Leadership for the Next Generation of Disruption.

Longtime quick lube industry professional Dave Everett has launched a brand new consulting service for quick lube operators. On this episode of the podcast, Everett talks about the transition into a new challenge, the big issues he hopes to address in the industry, and the experience he carries with him after 28 years at Service Champ.

This week, check out some of editor Matt Hudson's favorite clips from 2021, covering topics like educating the next generation of techs, finding the right employee, being a "no BS" leader, and much more. There's much more from The NOLN Podcast coming in 2022, so stay tuned to the NOLN website and your favorite podcast platform. If any of the interviews from this episode got your interest, you can...

Back in September, Jiffy Lube launched a pilot program testing a complete service package for electric vehicles. Jiffy Lube President Edward Hymes and Marketing Director Sara Smith join the show to talk about the success of the program over the last few months and how they see quick lubes fitting into an electric-focused future.

The American Petroleum Institute in November published the second edition of its 1525A, a collection of procedures and best practices to make sure engine oil is handled properly at every step of the supply chain, from the manufacturer all the way to individual shops.  Jeff Harmening, a senior manager with API, joins the show to highlight some of the biggest changes made in the second edition and w...

Recycling motor oil has become an increasingly common practice, and rightfully so; one gallon of motor oil can contaminate up to one million gallons of water if not properly disposed of. This week on the podcast, we talk with Sean Nguyen, a technical specialist for Pennzoil and Shell, about the need for and benefits of safe and responsible oil recycling.

Catch a special holiday message from National Oil and Lube News editor Matt Hudson. Have a great weekend!