• Episode 204 - How Misconceptions in Auto Repair Pricing Impact Business With Jason Quillin
    Feb 17 2025

    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 Jason Quillin, owner of Top Notch Auto. Jason discusses the challenges of managing a shop with two separate buildings, emphasizing the inefficiencies and added costs it brings. He also shares his journey from dealership technician to shop owner, highlighting the struggles with employee management and the importance of creating a cohesive team. They delve into the evolving automotive landscape, particularly the challenges with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and the reluctance of many shops to adapt to new technologies.

    If you're navigating the complexities of shop ownership or grappling with technological advancements in the industry, this episode is a must-listen for you!

    00:00 Old Dealership Dilemma

    10:09 Audi Calibration and Alignment Issues

    13:00 Entitled Mindset at Dealerships

    19:02 Insurance Claim Plan Discussion

    22:56 Progressive Salary Plan Negotiation

    30:50 Forklift Speed and Skill

    35:02 Perpetual Budget Inflation Cycle

    38:01 Revamping Vocational Education Focus

    45:50 "Turn Signal Communication Spy"

    51:29 Rural Ingenuity: Self-Reliant Rebuilding

    55:03 Opposition Silenced by Authorities

    01:00:32 "Young Farm Kid's Work Ethic"

    01:03:25 Self-Reliance in Modern Society

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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Episode 203 - Frank Scandura on Maintaining Business Integrity Amid Growing Industry Pressures
    Feb 10 2025

    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 Frank Scandura, owner of Frank's European Service in Las Vegas and a coach for Transformers Institute. Frank shares his insights on several pressing industry issues, including the challenges posed by increasing costs of business and the strain it puts on shop owners. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong ethical standards and focusing on people over profits, arguing that this approach will ultimately lead to success.

    00:00 "Frank's Industry Insight"

    08:14 Evolving Car Industry Loyalty

    14:51 Impatient Car Owners

    16:44 The Ruthless Business Shift

    23:32 Balancing Coach Guidance and Growth

    30:44 "Planning for Business Ownership"

    35:38 Business Continuity Planning

    37:10 Uninsured Flood Devastates Businesses

    43:25 Is Solo Business Financially Viable?

    50:44 Premium Service Pitch Lacking Training

    54:04 Unintended Business Incentive Issues

    01:01:47 Advisor Troubles Reduce Shop Revenue

    01:03:24 Businesses Lack Flood Insurance

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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Episode 202 - A Conversation with Launch Tech's Haresh Gobin On The Future of Diagnostics
    Feb 3 2025

    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 Haresh Gobin, Product Development Manager at LaunchTech USA. Haresh shares his journey of merging his computer science background with his family's auto repair business, eventually leading to significant roles in both Bosch and Snap-On before joining Launch. The conversation moves to the crucial importance of legitimate data acquisition and compliance within the industry, highlighting LaunchTech's commitment to working with the NASDAQ security task force to ensure the responsible use of immobilizer tools.

    00:00 Advancements in Automotive Diagnostics

    04:14 Automated Maintenance Insights

    07:52 Comprehensive Tools for All Users

    11:44 Thanksgiving Work Dilemma

    13:22 Market Undercutting Incident

    19:43 Becoming a Park Service Ranger

    21:09 Naked Man at Car Fire

    26:13 Dealerships: A High School Experience

    27:21 "Securing a Job at Dealership"

    31:30 Hired by Launch: Five Years

    34:23 Think Beyond the Box

    38:50 Industry Unity Revealed at ETI

    39:47 "Brand Loyalty and Investment"

    44:57 Industry Support and Solidarity

    46:59 Trust Issues in Industry Relations

    49:40 Tool Access and Car Theft Debate

    52:22 "Nastif Debate: Money or Protection?"

    55:32 No More Waddling!

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    1 hr
  • Episode 201 - Revolutionizing Auto Tech Training With Today's Class
    Jan 27 2025

    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 Ron Shanas and Paul Pate from Today's Class. Ron and Paul get into the sophistication of their adaptive learning platform, explaining how artificial intelligence and machine learning tailor training to individual technicians' needs by identifying their strengths, weaknesses, and confidence levels. They highlight the importance of confidence in improving work performance, supported by scientific studies linking confidence to productivity and accuracy. Lastly, they discuss the onboarding process for their training platform, emphasizing the importance of aligning training with business goals to ensure shops gain the maximum benefit from their investment.

    00:00 AI-Driven Adaptive Learning

    06:01 "Learning, Emotion, and Memory"

    12:17 Persistence in Music Mastery

    17:59 Ineffective Training Retention

    23:58 Adult Learning: Autonomy and Recognition

    30:51 Streamlining Training Through Data Insights

    35:00 Make or Break Moment

    40:46 Fuel Trim Case Study Mystery

    47:33 "Embrace Struggles in Business Learning"

    52:06 Teaching Reading and Decoding

    56:11 Cohort-Based Shop Data Training

    01:03:33 Personalized Training Challenges

    01:06:52 "Fostering High-Level Team Discussions"

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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Episode 200 - Balancing Customer Satisfaction and Business Profitability in Auto Repairs With Rick White and Mike Himes
    Jan 20 2025

    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 Rick White of 180biz, and Mike Himes, a shop owner from Brookville, Pennsylvania. Rick highlights the importance of valuing your services to ensure customers do the same. Mike shares his experience raising prices and how it helped eliminate problematic customers. The group also discusses the strategic use of technology and digital tools to enhance customer communication and streamline operations.

    00:00 Reduce customer charge from $1,800 bill?

    09:56 "You should consider trying another approach."

    15:28 Self-value is essential for business success.

    18:01 Labor costs inflated through hidden markups.

    21:21 Braxton's repeated car shop visits discussed.

    31:22 Celiac disease, no peripheral vision caused clumsiness.

    34:03 Planning future roles and managing life changes.

    42:15 Raising prices eliminated problematic, non-paying customers.

    47:18 Embrace growth through uncomfortable client interactions.

    51:24 Superior product: Follow guidelines, replace necessary parts.

    56:51 Mike Allen supports skilled tradesmen with benefits.

    01:03:36 Inspection must be thorough and well-communicated.

    01:04:31 They approve, organized process, explained with pictures.

    01:14:08 Digital Concierge tracks, analyzes, transcribes phone calls.

    01:14:52 Avoid rapid growth for quality assurance.

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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Episode 199 - The Realities of Labor Rates and Technician Pay With Brandon Sloan
    Jan 13 2025

    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 Sloan. Brandon discusses resolving a tricky issue with a 2014 Sierra by identifying a hairline fracture in a spark plug. Lucas criticizes flat-rate pay systems, emphasizing they unfairly burden technicians and reflect poor management practices. Lastly, Brandon and the hosts discuss the repercussions of misinformation in the industry, highlighting the importance of expertise and transparency.

    00:00 Story emphasizes changing priorities over passion.

    07:50 Misdiagnosis due to incorrect identification of part.

    14:47 Costs demand sufficient revenue to justify wages.

    16:31 Understaffed machinists struggling with workflow demands.

    21:18 37" tires damage Dodge Ram transmission quickly.

    26:25 Dealers avoid ECM tuning for big trucks.

    33:45 Acknowledging being a flawed shop owner.

    38:12 Pricing changes for engine modifications and upsells.

    47:03 Lower cost means lower quality expectations.

    51:28 Inspecting 2014 GMC Sierra transmission. Converter replaced.

    57:17 Educated customer on spark plug resistance issues.

    59:47 Cam actuator caused DTC; updated software fixed.

    01:04:30 Lucas Underwood was murdered by fake friends.

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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Episode 198 - Transparency and Member Engagement With Associations with Ryan Ragan of ASTA
    Jan 6 2025

    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 Ryan Ragan, the new executive director for an automotive service alliance in North Carolina. Ryan discusses the importance of developing team members into experts, emphasizing the need for dedicated time and resources. He also highlights the value of vocational training over traditional college pathways, aiming to reduce debt and increase job readiness for new technicians. Lastly, the episode delves into strategies for organizational transparency to avoid rumors and misinformation while fostering an inclusive environment.

    00:00 Therapy offered school escape amid family issues.

    05:20 He's mobile, unlike Kirk Cousins, Brady-like.

    09:38 Intensive effort invested in finding the candidate.

    12:55 Effort essential for associations' relevance and success.

    13:28 Providing real value through cutting-edge training.

    16:53 Access exclusive training, networking, and negotiation benefits.

    22:51 High industry turnover due to management and career paths.

    25:50 Collaboration improves the industry; Changing the Industry Podcast.

    28:34 Excited for development training at NC State.

    30:27 Focusing on Charlotte market strategies and training.

    35:39 Collaborative, adaptable approach; future plans underway.

    37:52 Event location crucial for out-of-state attendees.

    39:44 Exciting future improvements for upcoming show.

    43:41 Stupidly drove pink truck into Bronx danger.

    48:49 Defendant prepares poorly for court with advice.

    50:13 Airsoft gun prank mistaken for robbery panic.

    53:37 Gun unsnapped: scared, unshined shoes: lazy.

    58:14 Judge Ginn: Family friend, praised fair legal process.

    59:16 Breakdown led to appeal due to oversight.

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Episode 197 - The Truth about Used Parts & Deceptive Practices In Auto Repair With Jeff Compton and Keith Perkins
    Dec 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 are joined by Jeff Compton and Keith Perkins. Jeff discusses a scenario involving dishonesty in auto repair, specifically the improper use of tensioners and resistors. Keith shares his experiences and frustrations with repair malpractice, emphasizing the importance of consumer education over financial gain. The group also delves into the legal and ethical challenges surrounding the use of reconditioned car parts, highlighting the need for repair shops to balance cost savings with safety.

    00:00 Crash data complicates module replacement process.

    05:34 Found wired resistors near seatbelt pretensioner.

    15:24 Confrontation revealed deception; honesty followed.

    19:38 Son requested name removal; legal threats ensued.

    25:10 Uncertainty about aftermarket windshield safety standards.

    28:26 Must arbitrate Disney disputes, can't sue.

    32:36 Sometimes too cautious, emphasizing legal documentation.

    40:51 Class discussion quiet; had to elicit responses.

    46:03 New legislation mandates state-issued locksmith identification.

    48:16 Thieves violently steal cars in Canadian neighborhoods.

    53:18 Argument on security vetting and second chances.

    01:01:48 Seeking seals for polar bears near Churchill.

    01:04:16 Social media exposes mistakes in auto repair.

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    1 hr and 12 mins