This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group. To learn more about Castrol Service, please visit: https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home.html

Finance can be one of the hardest things for independent garages to get right — and one of the least talked about.

In this episode, we sit down with Lee Schofield, founder of One Funding, for an honest look at the real challenges and opportunities around funding a garage business.

From asset finance to working capital, buying another business to managing risk, this conversation covers the key questions every garage owner should be thinking about. Whether you’re growing fast or just planning ahead, Lee shares practical advice based on years of experience in the industry.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

02:24 – Guest background: About Lee and One Funding

03:51 – What are the biggest financial challenges for independent garages?

08:43 – Understanding asset finance

23:02 – Ensuring you have sufficient working capital30:18 – Sponsored segment

31:32 – Managing cash flow and exploring business loans

48:47 – How can you finance the purchase of another business?

53:29 – What should you look for in a finance provider?Subscribe for more expert insight, honest conversation, and real stories from inside the independent garage sector.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

#ontheramp #automotivebusiness #garagefinance #independentgarage #automotiveindustry

This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group. To learn more about Castrol Service, please visit: https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home.html

From five-star hotels to fault-finding on the road, this episode dives into the journey of Cathal, better known as The Car Nerd. He didn’t take a traditional path into the trade. After starting in hospitality, Cathal moved into car sales, then built a van business from the ground up. But it was diagnostics — not sales — that truly sparked his interest.

We talk about the early days working out of a small yard, how he taught himself remapping, and why he focused on professionalism from the start. From mobile tuning to opening his own workshop, Cathal now runs a growing diagnostics and performance business in Northern Ireland, backed by a Top Gear Tuning franchise and a commitment to doing things the right way.

Whether you’re in the trade or just curious about what it takes to build a business like this, Cathal’s story is full of insight, hard-earned lessons, and practical advice.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

02:25 – How did Cathal get started?

27:50 – What drives him to keep pushing forward?

50:17 – A deep dive into diagnostics

01:04:22 – What’s next for The Car Nerd?

Subscribe for more expert insight, honest conversation, and real stories from inside the independent garage sector.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

#ontheramp #automotiveexcellence #automotivebusiness #automotiveindustry

This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group. To learn more about Castrol Service, please visit: https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home.html

A full year of On The Ramp and the journey is just getting started. In this episode, Alex, Leo and Nathan reflect on the past 12 months, sharing honest insights about their businesses — the wins, the setbacks, and the bold decisions shaping what’s next.

Expect real talk about closing divisions, launching new sites, stepping back from operations, and building tools the industry needs. If you're in the garage trade, this is one to take in.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

03:06 – Business updates from Lindleys Autocentres

18:45 – Dack Motor Group update

33:43 – Sponsor message

34:57 – Walsall Wood Tyre & Service Centre update

Subscribe for more expert insight, honest conversation, and real stories from inside the independent garage sector.

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

#ontheramp #automotiveexcellence #automotivebusiness #Automotiveindustry