Ratchet+Wrench Radio

In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, our guest is Anthony Bodine of Protech Automotive Services in Johnston, Rhode Island. Today, Anthony discusses why he's a stickler for the details when it comes to the aesthetics of his shop, how he manages the Protech brand, the care his techs give vehicles and how customers perceive his shop.  He also talks about all of the ways he strives for excellence...

Most small businesses, such as auto repair shops, focus on customers and sales. Once all the bills are paid and the team members are compensated, there's not enough profit left to build the business—unless you start from the bottom and work backward to discover your real income goal. Today's guest is Murray Voth of RPM Training . Murray is going to teach shop owners how to do the math that creates...

In this episode of Ratchet + Wrench Radio, sponsored by Cinch, Justin Rae, Founder & CEO of Cinch, sits down with Matt Hudson, Content Director for Ratchet + Wrench, to talk about some of the ways shops can sharpen their marketing strategies through the improved use of data. Go here to learn more about Cinch and schedule a demo for a free $50 Amazon gift card.

In this episode, Sunil Patel of Tekmetric discusses cybersecurity as it pertains to auto repair shops, the difference in security between on-site and cloud storage, how to secure your shop's data to prevent breaches and unexpected data loss and how Tekmetric is approaching cybersecurity.   Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft

In this episode, Tony Mercury, VP of Revenue at Autoshop Solutions, stops in to talk all things website. We look at how shop owners should approach building and using a website to convert customers, as well as the type of imagery, content and messaging you need to get customers to choose you. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft

In this episode, Tim Eisenman, CEO of Torqata, talks about EV tires and whether or not shop owners can and should capitalize on servicing tires as an entry point to capturing EV customers.    Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft

In this episode, Rob Choisser of Choisser Automotive Services in Davidsonville, Maryland, talks about how he got into the industry and the four trademarks upon which he built his shop's culture.   Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft

In this episode, Chelsea McDonald of Certified Transmission in Bellevue, Nebraska, shares her journey into the auto care industry and how she committed to becoming the best service advisor in her shop. She also offers actionable tips for service advisors looking to get that winning edge.    Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft

In this episode, Spencer Carruthers, owner of Kenwood Tire & Auto in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, tells the story of this historic shop that was once a one-room school and a public library. He also shares insights he's learned about how auto repair shops can capitalize on EV tires as a service.   Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft

In this episode, Susan McGrath of Girlington Garage in South Burlington, Vermont, talks about how she and shop owner Demeny Pollitt began using branded merchandise.  McGrath tells how they choose what to invest in, what customers like, what fell flat, and how it has helped the shop become known in the community.    Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft

In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Kevin Oswald, owner of Oswald Service and Repair in Idaho Falls, Idaho, talks about his decision to hire a coach and the difference it made for his shop. He also opens up about changing coaches and why for some owners, a different perspective can add to their growth and success.

In this episode, Kieran O'Brien, co-founder of new CRM Shopgenie, talks about how the pitfalls of auto repair shops and their ability to follow up with online customers. We also discuss how the CRM can help shop owners rake in Gen Z and mobile-first customers with its online scheduling and automation capabilities. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft

This week on Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Erin Vaughan, owner of Kinetic Auto Service in Regina, Saskatchewan, stops by to talk about why her shop instituted a four-day workweek and how.  Earlier this spring, Vaughan made the decision and she discusses how she arrived at it, and also discusses: How the shop's days and weeks are structured Consulting the team and how they've responded to the change What s...

In this episode, Matt Lofton, owner of Strut Daddy's Complete Car Care, discusses one step he's taken toward electrification. Lofton added an EV charger inside his Roxboro, North Carolina, shop and talked about: His decision to do so despite being in a rural Why he decided to purchase an EV charger Which type of EV charger he chose and why How he uses the charger within his shop's workflow What sh...

In this episode, Jeremy O'Neal, owner of Freedom Auto Repair and president of Advisor Fix, discusses a service advisor's role in the shop and how the best advisors perform.  He discusses: His definition of a service advisor How and why he started Advisor Fix The characteristics and qualifications of a solid service advisor What owners should look for in a service advisor How advisors can grow thro...

In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Andrew Knudsen, vice president of Coventry Motors in Huntington Station, New York, and Dan Vance founder of digital marketing agency Advanced Local talk about digital advertising.   Knudsen and Vance were featured in the January 2023 issue Case Study “How I Invested in Digital Marketing.” The two talk at length about how they met, why Knudsen hired Vance an...

In this episode, Alex Dunn from  Hailey Auto Clinic in Hailey, Idaho, stops in to talk shop. You may remember Alex's shop from the December 2022 issue of Ratchet+Wrench.  Today, Alex discusses why he chose to custom-build his shop, how he worked with his architect, some of the features he chose and how Hailey runs its day-to-day operations.

In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Mark Allen of OEM1Stop talks about how his organization's website can help shops get OEM-specific repair information in minutes. He discusses: How long OEM1Stop has been in service Which OEM-specific repair information shops have access to on the platform What technicians can expect when using the interface How often the information is updated by OEMs What...

In this episode, Jesse Sammons of Thoroughbred Motors in Ramona, California, talks about the lessons he's learned in his first two years of shop ownership. Jesse opened his auto repair shop—45 minutes from downtown San Diego—during the height of the pandemic in 2020.  Today, he reflects on his career as a technician and the takeaways he got from working at other shops that have helped him succeed...

In this episode, Tonnika Haynes of Brown's Automotive in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, discusses boundaries and expectations. Every shop needs to have a protocol on how to help customers who don't fully understand what shops can and cannot do within reason.  Tonnika discusses: Being a second-generation shop owner How she decided to get into the industry and taking over her father's shop How she man...

In this episode of Ratchet+Wench Radio, my guest is R+W columnist Joe Marconi. Joe owned his shop Osceola Garage for 41 years before retiring in 2022. Today, he talks about the things that keep shop owners up at night and other situations shop owners face.    We discuss: The 'What if's" that cause anxiety in shop owners The responsibility of providing gainful employment and benefits to your team H...

In the second installment of this two-part series, Jimmy Lea, product evangelist at Kikui , is back to show shop owners more about developing and growing trust online through Google.  This week, Lea talks about: What the sweet spot is for Google Reviews. How to optimize the replies you add to customer reviews to help others better find your shop. How many positive reviews does it take to grow your...

In this episode, Jimmy Lea, product evangelist at Kikui , kicks off this two-part series on how shop owners can develop trust online through Google.  This week, Lea talks about: Why shop owners need to pay attention to Google Reviews Why obsessing over 5-star ratings isn't the right strategy with Google Why shop owners must engage with customer reviews and why Google loves this How to report consu...

In this episode, Ratchet+Wrench Radio welcomes Tyler Peartree and Jim Nawrocki of Silver Lake Tire and Auto Centers. They discuss how Silver Lake successfully implemented ADAS services and what shop owners need to know about cost, benefits, liability and space requirements.

In this episode, the last in our 2023 Best Workplaces podcast series, our guest is Curt Rock, owner and founder of Curt's Auto Repair in Phoenix, Arizona. He talks about his shop, how he developed his people-focused inverted pyramid leadership style, his hiring process, how he takes care of his technicians and what serving multiple generations of families means to him.