• Episode 189 - Empowering Service Managers Through Coaching and Communication With Brandon Jones of Limitless Leadership
    Nov 4 2024

    Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
    Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

    Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
    Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

    Utilize the fastest and easiest way to look up and order parts and tires with PartsTech absolutely free.
    Click here to get started: https://geni.us/PartsTech

    Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
    Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros


    In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Brandon Jones, Vice President of Limitless Leadership. Brandon shares a compelling story about educating a customer on her vehicle’s extensive issues, emphasizing the importance of clear communication in the industry. David and Lucas discuss the often unrealistic expectations customers have when purchasing cheap, older vehicles, highlighting the financial struggles many face in maintaining them. They also reflect on the emotional toll of negative feedback and the challenges of providing exceptional customer service in their shops and through their podcast.

    00:00 Weekly one-on-one coaching for service managers.
    04:25 Creating well-rounded individuals enhances professional and personal lives.
    09:56 Customer upset over costly vehicle repairs.
    13:10 People repeatedly seek charity for vehicle repairs.
    14:21 90-year-old lover questions extensive vehicle repairs.
    20:51 Explaining repair avoided customer's unnecessary stress.
    22:32 Closed shop due to financial strain, relocated south.
    25:59 Reconnected to disrupt automotive industry through coaching.
    30:33 Axle problem persists despite new stubs.
    32:50 No new appointments, concerned about manager’s performance.
    35:35 Predicting then mimicking behavior in a conversation.
    39:29 Vehicle seen on tow truck after repair.
    42:02 Took personal pride in family's community legacy.
    46:21 Customer dissatisfaction is their problem, not mine.
    48:07 Frustration with business books; desire to share nihilism.
    53:17 Mixed blizzard poorly, all frosting at bottom.
    54:43 People prefer spending on wants, not needs.
    57:59 Needed sun for my pale legs.

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Episode 188 - The Highs and Lows of Running Two Shops With Adam and Jessica Debaja
    Oct 28 2024

    Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
    Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

    Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
    Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

    Utilize the fastest and easiest way to look up and order parts and tires with PartsTech absolutely free.
    Click here to get started: https://geni.us/PartsTech

    Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
    Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros


    In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Adam and Jessica Debaja of Northland Automotive in Cedar Springs and Rockford, Michigan. Adam shares the challenges and successes of expanding their automotive business, including employee turnover and initial financial struggles. Lucas discusses the importance of proper estate planning and having life insurance to ensure business continuity. Adam and Jessica highlight the lighter side with humorous anecdotes about kids working in their shop and handling energetic family dynamics. I

    00:00 Local shop prospered, offered chance to buy.
    06:43 Used repair shop rather than building one.
    16:04 Five-year-old's endless energy causing family chaos.
    17:42 Father accidentally consumes 1500 mg edible gummies.
    23:16 Unexpected events underscore the importance of planning.
    32:56 Culling early solves persistent employee problems.
    33:23 Concern about technical expertise for hiring assistance.
    39:13 Mistakes often doom businesses or cause burnout.
    49:20 He requests obscure items before normal items.
    54:10 Mike Allen's convincing odd job stories.
    01:00:22 One kind of Mac and cheese, nothing else.
    01:02:29 Cool video on historic Los Angeles taco truck.

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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Episode 187 - Tom Schearer on Awards, Diversity, and Operational Improvements
    Oct 21 2024

    Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
    Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

    Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
    Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

    Utilize the fastest and easiest way to look up and order parts and tires with PartsTech absolutely free.
    Click here to get started: https://geni.us/PartsTech

    Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
    Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros


    In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Tom Schearer from the Ratchet and Wrench Management Conference. Tom discusses his concerns about preparing a speech for his award and how to keep it concise. Both hosts share their perspectives on fostering authentic customer interactions amidst the challenges of running a shop.

    00:00 Big developments; staff managing shop independently now.
    07:26 Daily evaluations disrupt technicians' workflow and efficiency.
    12:38 Tech frustrations with non-technical aspects of work.
    16:54 Working with Cecil; prioritizing tasks for shop projects.
    21:33 Women listen and care differently than men.
    28:18 Prioritize critical issues; non-critical can wait.
    35:01 Reached a plateau; uncertain of next steps.
    40:18 Burnout led to losing multi-million dollar contract.
    46:40 I rush tasks when nervous, causing issues.
    51:08 Planning retirement, traveling, visiting shops with Christy.
    54:25 Confronted a suspicious follower in a crowd.
    01:01:10 Branson Landing: river, bluffs, restaurants, tourist attractions.

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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Episode 186 - Marketing, Client Communication, and Expanding Shops with Mike Allen
    Oct 14 2024

    Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
    Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

    Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
    Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

    Utilize the fastest and easiest way to look up and order parts and tires with PartsTech absolutely free.
    Click here to get started: https://geni.us/PartsTech

    Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
    Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros


    In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Mike Allen at the Ratchet and Wrench Management Conference. Mike discusses his unique approach to managing marketing and customer interactions in the automotive service industry. Lucas reflects on the challenges and stress of expanding his shop from three bays to ten, emphasizing the need for sustainable growth. David shares insights into the importance of thorough documentation and clear communication to manage liabilities and improve customer service.

    00:00 Day with David: intentional antics, wild adventure.
    07:58 Choosing schools for controlled child exposure.
    11:39 No room; kicked out, recording in hotel.
    19:35 Providing one-hour written repair estimate initially.
    22:45 Too many cars now, too few before.
    29:57 Carolyn advised strict client approval in California.
    34:39 New shop added stress; balanced family business.
    40:15 Reformed life path, reconciled with father, embraced corporate.
    46:59 I should have handled conflict calmly instead.
    53:14 He insisted, left job; former employer unhappy.
    56:17 People upset when not hired; not intentional.
    01:01:43 Documentary shows cultural differences in infant upbringing.
    01:05:21 Family murdered, necks draped, slaughtered like hogs.

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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Episode 185 - Insights on the Future of Right to Repair With The CEO of Opus IVS Brian Herron
    Oct 7 2024

    Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
    Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

    Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
    Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

    Utilize the fastest and easiest way to look up and order parts and tires with PartsTech absolutely free.
    Click here to get started: https://geni.us/PartsTech

    Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
    Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros


    In this episode, David and Lucas are joined by Brian Herron, CEO of Opus IVS. Brian discusses the benefits of accessibility in the repair industry, emphasizing how the Right to Repair promotes competition and ensures consumer safety. David and Brian also discuss the proactive efforts by manufacturers like Toyota, who release diagnostic tools to independent shops, contributing to better repair outcomes. Additionally, they highlight the quality and supply challenges between OE and aftermarket parts, underscoring the growing preference for OE parts due to their reliability and sometimes more competitive pricing.

    00:00 Years advertising and evolving car repair industry.
    04:54 Car deck's rise, right to repair relevance debated.
    08:25 Collision repairs now require OEM post-scan software.
    10:43 Does pushing right to repair alienate cooperatives?
    13:08 OE parts more competitive; aftermarket quality declining.
    18:17 Diagnosing post-lightning car requires advanced tools.
    21:54 Industry systems cause inefficiencies and creative fixes.
    24:17 Hourly hybrid pay prevents employee complacency.
    29:12 Aftermarket diagnostic tool success following Opus acquisition.
    30:10 Building something different in a consolidating industry.
    35:40 Prefer in-house repairs due to dealer delays.
    39:30 Issues with Nissan transmission warranties and programming.
    41:31 Organization connections provide solutions and support effectively.
    44:23 Repair friction impacts profitability in car industry.
    47:11 Opus helps MSOs grow through calibration support.
    50:28 ETI expanding to Europe; enhancing OEM relationships, access.
    53:13 Affirmative agreement between two individuals.

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    55 mins
  • Episode 184 - Managing Workflow and Scheduling in High-Volume Auto Shops With Dan Vasquez and Jacob Wierengo
    Sep 30 2024

    Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
    Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

    Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
    Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

    Utilize the fastest and easiest way to look up and order parts and tires with PartsTech absolutely free.
    Click here to get started: https://geni.us/PartsTech

    Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
    Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros


    In this episode, Lucas and David host a conversation with Dan Vasquez and Jacob Wierengo, focusing on the challenges of managing auto repair shops as they increase in revenue and car count. David and Jacob share their experiences with parts estimation, stressing the importance of verifying past job records to avoid costly mistakes. They also get into efficient workflow and scheduling strategies, highlighting the utility of "canned jobs" and dynamic job dispatching to streamline operations and increase average repair orders.

    00:00 Scheduling issues for technician appointments affect planning.
    03:28 Overwhelmed staff due to constant client interruptions.
    09:11 Needs more substantial work, faster turnaround times.
    10:12 Auto ops scheduling conflict due to hour misalignment.
    13:11 Struggling to manage chaotic shop schedule.
    18:06 Spreadsheet review determines weekly appointment goals.
    19:43 Appointments scheduled without inspection lead to uncertainty.
    24:24 Overall target is displayed for each job.
    27:57 Dan explains his old-school work organization method.
    29:30 Managing workflow, redistributing tasks to maintain efficiency.
    32:36 Wish for adjustable queue position during transfer.
    36:33 Busy mornings checking in cars for steps.
    40:48 Uses separate chat rooms for technicians' parts requests.
    44:37 Pulling past services saves time on estimates.
    47:51 Can jobs help manage California shop supplies.
    48:45 Torque to yield complicates Euro vehicle repairs.
    52:13 Listener upset over episode; hosts clowning around
    56:19 Grateful for Aaron Stokes' help with video.

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Episode 183 - The Vomitorium, Self-Help Rants, and Lucas's Yard Sale Insult With Kieran O'Brien of Shopgenie
    Sep 23 2024

    Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
    Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

    Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
    Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

    Utilize the fastest and easiest way to look up and order parts and tires with PartsTech absolutely free.
    Click here to get started: https://geni.us/PartsTech

    Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
    Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros


    In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Kieran O'Brien of Shopgenie from the Sunrise Automotive Training & Expo (https://www.trainingexpoaz.com/). The conversation begins with a humorous discussion about Roman vomitoriums, transitioning to a critique of self-help books and the challenges of extracting practical advice from them. The hosts discuss the complex world of customer experience in shop management software, emphasizing seamless integration over unnecessary feature additions. As the episode unfolds, they also touch on the impact of AI in customer service, sharing their mixed feelings on its growing influence.

    00:00 Boston Celtics player face injury, stays resilient.
    08:11 California's unsustainable environment leads to migration.
    14:09 Existential dread remains despite material possessions.
    16:30 Multi-services shop offers car detailing, coating, and repairs.
    23:48 Reluctantly attend July 4 event, discuss politics.
    27:24 Struggling to stay serious, issue of participation.
    35:16 Sponsorship needed for event, dinner just covers.
    40:11 Starting with vision, friends set up hangout.
    43:32 Embarrassing high school dog poo shoe mishap.
    49:21 Unpleasant encounter at church yard sale.
    54:00 Speaker credits late-night chat for career inspiration.
    01:01:01 Daughter named after mom with unusual spelling.
    01:05:33 Veteran discharged, struggles with job, takes pills.
    01:10:36 "Profit First" book is more storytelling than helpful.
    01:17:42 Build outcomes from problem, not feature requests.
    01:20:20 Experts predict negative consequences of AI development.

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    1 hr and 26 mins
  • Episode 182 - Customer Escalations and Unusual Finds in Car Trunks With Auto Shop Follow Up
    Sep 16 2024

    Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
    Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

    Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
    Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

    Utilize the fastest and easiest way to look up and order parts and tires with PartsTech absolutely free.
    Click here to get started: https://geni.us/PartsTech

    Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
    Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros


    In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Mike Carrillo, CEO, and Lex Sellers, Head of Customer Success and Operations Manager of autoshopfollowup.com from the Sunrise Automotive Training & Expo (https://www.trainingexpoaz.com/). Lucas humorously recounts an incident involving David spilling Mountain Dew during a recording session, which was caught on video. They delve into the challenges of customer interactions and the importance of follow-up strategies in the auto repair industry. Additionally, the hosts and guests share intriguing stories about surprising finds in car trunks, from personal belongings to illicit items.

    00:00 Mountain Dew mishap causes laughter and mess.
    09:36 Encourage visiting shop in town, emphasizing twang.
    15:49 Awful car delivery ends in tragic dog incident.
    21:25 Feedback varies, escalations often seem inconsequential.
    21:58 Customer complaints about air freshener usage.
    30:48 Dad and I visit a mysterious room.
    34:44 Police officer in car wreck found drugs.
    38:20 Customer left without paying, truck hidden, sheriff called.
    43:27 Disagreement over blue substance at work.
    51:09 Upset about sharing info, denies selling anything.
    59:18 Rant about customer's $50 air filter complaint.
    01:01:48 Driving slowly to avoid other people, disliking traffic.
    01:07:25 Childhood curiosity about truckers and road rage.
    01:10:59 Let the cats be and leave them.

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    1 hr and 16 mins