Ratchet+Wrench Radio

For years, Bockman's Auto has sent out holiday cards and "Christmas in July" coupons to its clients for an estimated $40,000 boost or so. Learn the ROI secrets from owner Jon Bockman. 

Bruce Howes is the owner of Atlantic Motorcar Center in Wiscasset, Maine. For years, Howes has used process maps to train his staff, run his shop, and ensure success. 

Lucas Underwood is the owner of L & N Performance Parts in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Today on R+W Radio, Lucas shares how rewarding—and simple—it is to go the extra step for your clients, and what the concept of extreme ownership means to him.

Pre-sell. Be a promoter. And never, ever stop advertising. This week on Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Aaron Stokes tells it like it is. 

Jeff Matt is the owner of Victory Auto Service & Glass, a six-shop operation in Minnesota (five) and Florida(one). Today, Matt shares his experience working at a shop where customer service was nonexistent, and how he leveraged that experience into a successful multi-shop business (and the old-school media he uses to keep it going). 

Rolland Trowbridge is the owner/operator of  Trinity Sails & Repair  in Nome, Alaska, the only shop for hundreds of miles. Perched on the western coast of Alaska at the edge of the Arctic Sea, Trowbridge faces some unique shop challenges in the frozen north. Hear the conclusion of his story in part 2 of 2 this week. 

Rolland Trowbridge is the owner/operator of Trinity Sails & Repair in Nome, Alaska, the only shop for hundreds of miles. Perched on the western coast of Alaska at the edge of the Arctic Sea, Trowbridge faces some unique shop challenges in the frozen north. Hear his story in part 1 of 2 this week. 

Robert Ohlman's shop was struggling. He found a mentor, however, and things started to change—he listened, learned, and turned his process around. Now Tony's Brake & Alignment is thriving. Hear his story today on Ratchet+Wrench Radio. 

"Don't wait 'til the end of the month!" This is great advice for just about anyone. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, shop owner and R+W columnist Aaron Stokes describes the challenges and opportunities when month-end rolls around and your numbers aren't where you want them to be. Football fans will appreciate his AFC title match comparison to running a shop, and bonus: Stokes shares his Su...

Matthew Roayaee, owner of Auto Check Elite in Katy, Texas, boosts company morale by providing breakfast, lunch, and focusing on traditions around his business. 

Brian Bowersock is the owner and operator of West Automotive Group, a three-store California operation located in San Diego county with shops in Escondido, El Cajon, and Kerney Mesa. Ask the Auto Man, which airs on San Diego Channel 6. Bowersock's show focuses on a different automotive topic every week, ranging from how often drivers should service automatic transmissions to what it means when a v...

Aaron Stokes discusses his 2019 goals: the whiteboard vision, the shop floor implementation, and how he motivates his staff to get there. 

Leon Anderson, owner of Integrity Auto Care in South Beliot, Ill., opened his business in order to provide an answer for those who lost jobs at a local dealership. Today, he's in the process of opening his second location, and talks with Ratchet+Wrench on the lessons he learned from his first year in business. 

Rissy Sutherland talks to Michael Brewster, president of Gil's Garage Inc., about the challenges and opportunities of his thriving family auto shop. 

Stephen Reinarts, Dean of Automotive Programs at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota, discusses the challenges and opportunities of educating and hiring young employees in the body shop industry as well as the current technician shortage. 

Charlie Robertson, president of the Collision Career Institute, explains what shop operators can do to set their entry-level employees up to be assets at their facility. 

Creating an off-site location can bring about change throughout the shop, the separation creates independence among staff members. The location can serve as a separate meeting hub for the shop, and it provides owners with space away from the business. Gary Pontious Jr. of Toledo Auto Care discusses how his business recently took the leap into establishing a separate office location and how it's br...

Today, Ryan Clo is the owner of three shops in the Cincinnati area and is regarded as one of the best operators in the country. But seven years ago, Clo readily admits that his business was running him—to the detriment of his health and his relationships. Since then, he's undergone a personal transformation that challenged his beliefs about business ownership, as well as his physical and mental he...

For Aaron Stokes' monthly contribution to Ratchet+Wrench Radio, he discusses the ways in which shops can hit the goals they set for themselves. By following his steps, you can develop a better understanding of what your goal is as well as how you can get there.

Closing ratio can be broken down by many factors, including dollar amount, type (diagnostic, transmission, etc.), new customer, etc. Here's a system for better tracking closing ratio and knowing where you can improve your sales. Barry Barrett, director of RLO Training, shares his approach.

This month, industry superstar Rissy Sutherland talks to Kukui CEO Todd Westerlund and Buckley Auto Care owner Greg Buckley about the best practices when it comes to online marketing and reviews, as well as provides simple takeaways to get the most out of your online marketing.

For Aaron Stokes' monthly contribution to Ratchet+Wrench Radio, he discusses everything to consider when selecting your right-hand man, whether that be promoting someone within the company or hiring from the outside. By following his steps, you can find the perfect manager that will facilitate your vision as leader of the shop.

Implementation, and simply getting things done, has been the theme of Judi Haglin's success as an owner, consultant and ambassador for the industry. Here's how Haglin, the 2018 Ratchet+Wrench All-Star Award winner in the Executive category, built her operation alongside her husband, Dana.

Rissy Sutherland discusses the importance of developing relationships within the industry with Becki McGinnis, owner of Autovantage Service Center, and Todd Westerlund, CEO of Kukui. McGinnis and Westerlund also discuss unique ways to grow an online presence and how to measure success with Sutherland.   

Carmates is a sort of online marketplace for automotive repair shops, similar to Openbay and RepairPal. And many shop operators have raised issues with companies that offer these kinds of services. Today on Ratchet+Wrench Radio, co-founders Raju Sagiraju and Surik Torosyan explain how Carmates works and address those concerns voiced by shop owners. Editor's note: Ratchet+Wrench is aware that Raju...