Confessions of a Shop Owner

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERETurnkey Marketing takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off my plate. And gives it to someone who is. Click HERE for more.Elite Worldwide has CHANGED my business and life through their one-on-one coaching. Use them like I do HEREAsh Kaplan is first and formost a friend of the show. Secondly, she's the founder of Golden Hour Garage. Today, Mike learns all about Ash and the new adventure of buisness owernship she's on. Ash Kaplan shares her vision for Golden Hour Garage, focusing on optimizing efficiency for shops through remote estimate building, warranty processing, and innovative advisor training. The conversation also highlights the importance of building meaningful customer relationships, as well as the value of attending industry events like the ASTA Expo for personal and professional growth.Learn more about Golden Hour Garage HERE Timestamps:00:00 "Ignite 2026 Wrap-Up Reflection"05:28 "Golden Hour Garage Vision"09:25 Intentional Onboarding and Quality Control12:14 "Warranty Costs vs Estimate Service"14:21 "Streamlined Warranty Estimate Solutions"17:58 "Empowering Shops Through Connections"21:23 "Optimizing Processes for Transparency"25:46 "Adapting for Growth in Business"27:27 Struggling to Sustain Employee Growth30:18 Do You Use a Bidet?35:51 "Free Beer Disappointment"38:18 Customized Pricing Approach Explained41:48 "Life-Changing ASTA Experience"42:42 "Red String Connections"48:06 Maximize Networking at Trade Shows49:28 "Breaking Isolation in the Industry"54:24 "AI Phone Systems Discussion"

If you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE for more on Turnkey Marketing.Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HEREThere are a lot of moving parts in a repair shop, opening the door to missing things. Don't let that happen to you. Learn more about Detect AutoRegister for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HEREJoe Marconi and Sabrina Wilkerson are with the best coaching company in the world: Elite Worldwide. Today, they and Mike talk about how to build a strong, service-oriented shop culture. Sabrina shares how the Elite Masters program aims for long-term behavioral change with advisors, blending bootcamp-style training with months of accountability. Joe explains how Fly with the Eagles evolved to help not just shop owners but managers, advisors, and lead techs master the business side of operations.Timestamps:00:00 "Elite's Culture and Purpose"04:32 "Fly with the Eagles Commitment"07:53 Advisor Training with Long-Term Impact10:22 Evolving Shop Owner Training Workshop14:17 "Client Auto Repair Struggles"17:41 Customer Experience Over Details21:08 Creating Welcoming Customer Experiences22:51 "Touchpoint Process Optimization"27:21 "Record Year, Growing Partnerships"32:22 "Topshop 180: Foundational Support Program"35:20 Inspired Writing Journey37:12 Trust the Process42:53 "Smart Room Change Request"

Tekmetrics' business model of listening to customers' needs and implementing new systems makes them super shop-friendly. Start using them at your shop today HERETurnkey Marketing has made my life SOOO much simpler, AND they've helped keep the phone ringing. Do you need these two things too? Learn more HEREElite Worldwide coaching has changed the game for me and my shop. Need a boost? Use Elite like I do. HERERegister for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERECarrie-Lynn Rodenberg is the founder of Turnkey Marketing. Carrie-Lynn explains how her team uses advanced, but fully legal, geo-targeted digital marketing to help auto repair shops reach customers right when they need services. Together, they reflect on the challenges and responsibilities that come with rapid business growth, especially as Carrie-Lynn balances running a large team and raising a family. Finally, they share honest confessions about time management, the dangers of distractions (like doomscrolling), and the evolving role of a business leader.Timestamps:00:00 Kicking off with shock collars for kids and hidden fences01:02 The power of geo-targeted marketing and “Big Brother” advertising03:33 Is hyper-targeted marketing actually legal? Carrie-Lynn explains05:14 Shop owner confessions: When your marketing team knows you better than you know yourself07:48 Growing the team: Challenges of explosive business growth09:58 Parenting confessions: Having 3 kids in under 4 years10:59 Letting go: Why shop kids don’t need to be bubble wrapped12:03 Childhood nostalgia: Drinking from the hose and living to tell the tale14:16 The emotional cost of success: Stepping up and supporting your team17:01 How to keep evolving as a leader—and why it matters18:00 Structuring your goals (without losing your mind)20:05 When shiny objects (like podcasts) derail your business21:26 The trap of doom scrolling and living with intention24:11 Building real connections versus losing time on social media25:06 Next-level onboarding: How Turnkey Marketing works with new shops28:04 Shop marketing myths: Grocery store receipts and bus benches? No thanks!

My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERETekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HEREI was SHOCKED when I saw the things I was missing the first time I used Detect Auto. Simple things, but easy to miss. Detect Auto helped clean that up for me, and they can for you, too. Use them HERERegister for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HEREToday, Mike Allen is joined by Eric Merchant and Andrew Klement to talk about Eric's recent shop expansion and how Andrew has found IMMEDIATE success with free diag. Yes, he pays he techs, he just doesn't charge the customer for the diag. Don't get your panties in a wad! Timestamps:00:00 The Free Diag Debate: Paying Techs and Shop Owner Risks00:53 Live from Ignite 2026: Scottsdale (or “Snotsdale”) and Shop Size Rivalries02:58 Landing Airplanes on Shops & Zeb the Legend05:46 Meet Andrew: Quitting a Job & Opening His Own Shop07:58 Used Alignment Machine Drama & DIY Repair Stories10:00 The Swingline Stapler Mystery – Office Space Reference Exposed12:11 Barrett-Jackson Recap and Shop Marketing Tactics14:13 Paying Techs Fairly, Navigating Free Diag, & Owner Lessons Learned16:32 Charity Work & Community Service: Shop Owner Outreach18:53 YouTube Fame from Contractor Nightmares21:26 Confession Call-Ins and Vanity Phone Number Strategies31:43 Bonus: Crushing Spirits at the Elite Pro Service Racing Challenge32:56 Alignment Maintenance Advice & $14K in Equipment Headaches35:14 Wrapping Up: Shop Ownership is Never Boring

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERETurnkey Marketing takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off my plate. And gives it to someone who is. Click HERE for more.Elite Worldwide has CHANGED my business and life through their one-on-one coaching. Use them like I do HEREIn this episode, Mike Allen and Matt Lofton talk about how weather disruptions impact sales at the shop. Matt says that's why it's important to divide yearly goals by 48 weeks instead of 52 to account for lost days. They also discuss employee compensation strategies for inclement weather, highlighting the need for clear PTO policies and communication plans. Timestamps:00:00 Ignite Event Exceeds Expectations05:31 "January's Weather Impacted Business"09:20 Weather Days and Compensation Policy11:31 "Creating Weather Policies for Business"13:49 "Challenges of Post-Storm Operations"19:08 Maximizing Car Count Strategies23:04 "Impact of Snow on Sales"26:11 "Commitment Over Convenience for Success"30:10 "Making Prepaid Offers Work"33:34 Reviving Maintenance Habits Strategically36:17 "Pre-Booking Boosts Service Sales"41:20 "Stressful Front Counter Reflections"44:56 "Pre-Booking Strategy for Success"45:54 Optimizing Slow Months Momentum

If you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE for more on Turnkey Marketing.Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HEREThere are a lot of moving parts in a repair shop, opening the door to missing things. Don't let that happen to you. Learn more about Detect AutoRegister for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HEREToday, Jamie Caldwell from Jamie's Garage joins Bryan Pollock and Mike Allen as Jamie shares the story of scaling from one stressed-out location to five thriving shops. How? He hired character over skill. They also talk about different pay structures when Jamie shares why his team isn’t paid commissions—and how that’s improved culture and teamwork.Timestamps:00:00 "Stolen Truck Insurance Windfall"04:35 "Extended Warranty Dispute Strategy"07:59 "Mastering Scripts Before Freestyling"12:17 "Shifting Focus to Good People"15:15 European Auto Shop Journey18:13 Private Equity Impact on Auto Industry20:07 Future Possibilities and Industry Impact24:45 Relational vs. Transactional Business27:22 Hiring Challenges and Compensation Talks33:57 "Flat Rate vs Teamwork Culture"38:15 Embracing Transparency in Leadership41:55 "Discovering TikTok During COVID"44:33 Race Car Engine Connection48:59 "Business Over Social Media Earnings"

Tekmetrics' business model of listening to customers' needs and implementing new systems makes them super shop-friendly. Start using them at your shop today HERETurnkey Marketing has made my life SOOO much simpler, AND they've helped keep the phone ringing. Do you need these two things too? Learn more HEREElite Worldwide coaching has changed the game for me and my shop. Need a boost? Use Elite like I do. HERERegister for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERETodd Speciale is the founder of Make Sales Great Again and best selling author of The Ultimate Sales Bible. Today, he and Mike discuss the reputation of salespeople and the keys to selling with integrity. Todd also shares the story behind his company and book, emphasizing the importance of honesty and culture in building successful sales teams.Find out more about Todd hereTimestamps: 00:00 Who do people distrust most in sales? 01:00 Todd’s keynote that broke all Mike’s rules02:30 Why Todd Speciale speaks—his personal story and passion for helping others05:06 The real meaning behind “Make Sales Great Again”07:00 Why Todd left timeshare & how the right sales tactics can change an industry09:00 Dirty sales: How to SELL and still sleep at night10:30 Sales from the negative—flipping the pitch with integrity12:00 Firing the top 1%: Why the best sales aren’t always the best people14:00 Blocking objections & how to own the conversation16:05 Who does Todd’s consulting actually help—and how?18:00 How can auto shops attract high-level sales talent with lower ceiling pay?19:45 The power of culture: 71% hate their jobs—how to fix that!21:00 Best industries for ethical sales training—and the truth about training23:10 Door-to-door horror stories: What it REALLY teaches you25:30 Who invests the most in their teams? The inside scoop on insurance, real estate, roofing & more29:35 Inside Todd’s books: The Ultimate Sales Bible & more33:00 Why the sales process hasn’t changed—but the buyer sure has36:00 Old school vs. new school: Changing prospects and tactics38:53 The compensation trap—can performance pay ever reward ethics?41:00 How to weed out the wrong hires before they cost you44:20 Where to find great trainable sales talent: Youth, servers, and bartenders47:00 Mythbusting the “kids don’t want to work” narrative—how to develop the next generation50:52 How to reach Todd Speciale and learn more

My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERETekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HEREI was SHOCKED when I saw the things I was missing the first time I used Detect Auto. Simple things, but easy to miss. Detect Auto helped clean that up for me, and they can for you, too. Use them HERERegister for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERENate Winston owns Winston's Complete Auto Care in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Today, Nate shares with Mike how he and a friend one day decided to start a shop...with ZERO experience in the industry...They talk candidly about the challenges of business partnerships—including the fallout from a partnership built on a handshake deal—and offer hard-won advice for anyone considering opening a shop with a friend. Like the episode? Call 704-CONFESS or email mike@confessionsofashopowner.com to share your stories or feedback! Timestamps: 00:00 Business Partnerships: Like Marriage...Without the Sex 02:02 Meet Nate Winston: From Blinds Factory to Auto Shop Owner 03:29 Starting a Shop with Zero Experience 06:08 Living in the Shop: Early Struggles as Entrepreneurs 08:25 Growing the Business & Chamber of Commerce Involvement 11:47 Partnership Breakup: What Went Wrong? 14:16 Why Every Partnership Needs an Agreement 17:17 Building a Business “Prenup” vs. Friendship 18:23 Opening a New Shop: The Leap to Solo Ownership 20:17 Coaching, Training & The Value of Events for Shop Owners 22:50 One-Man Operation: The Challenges and Plans for Hiring 24:58 Biggest Challenges in 2026 and Beyond 26:13 Cutting Out Heavy Work: Focusing on the Right Jobs 28:34 Tektonic 2026 Preview & Vendor Networking 

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERETurnkey Marketing takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off my plate. And gives it to someone who is. Click HERE for more.Elite Worldwide has CHANGED my business and life through their one-on-one coaching. Use them like I do HEREJon Cabak is the co-founder and CEO of Detect Auto. Today, he shares with Mike about Detect Auto’s maintenance recommendation tools and talks about their new partnership with BG Products to streamline customer education and shop efficiency. The conversation also explores how AI is already transforming shop operations, from business analysis to coaching service advisors, with Jon sharing practical ways shop owners can leverage these technologies today.Timestamps:00:00 Introducing The "Maintenance Recommendation System" & the Struggle for a Good Name01:05 Jon Cabak's whirlwind trip: Meetings, markets, and minimal sleep02:11 Jon's goals at C&R AAPEX: Building partnerships and sharing tech02:47 Who is Jon Cabak? CEO of Detect Auto, building better tools for shops03:06 How Detect Auto helps service advisors ask the right questions04:06 New features: BG Products partnership & integrating educational content for customers05:00 Educating customers with videos, Tekmetric integration dreams06:16 The power of video explainer tools for maintenance sales07:13 Coaching new shops: How to launch a maintenance program07:49 Why shops struggle to sell maintenance—and how to avoid “kitchen sinking” new customers09:13 Making a maintenance plan not a one-time sales event10:11 Detect Auto’s printable/PDF maintenance planning tool11:02 “SUN”: The new name for maintenance—Shit You Need!11:46 AI’s best use in shop ownership, ChatGPT in action, and practical subscription tips13:06 Voice tech, call analysis, and smarter prospecting with AI14:00 Pipe dream or next reality? AI that writes your service tickets15:00 Using AI for real-time scripts and to improve advisor performance16:45 Ongoing upgrades: Overcoming latency and training obstacles18:31 AI for pre-service surveys and reducing customer friction19:10 Practicing objections and role-playing with voice AI21:11 Upgrading your AI subscription — Is it worth it?21:57 Using AI to analyze business trends and shop performance22:42 Grok, Gemini, Claude: Testing the new AI tools for shops23:44 Will software engineers be replaced by AI? Real talk about tech careers25:19 What Detect Auto features are most valuable to shop owners?27:09 How onboarding and training shops faster drives ROI

If you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE for more on Turnkey Marketing.Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HEREThere are a lot of moving parts in a repair shop, opening the door to missing things. Don't let that happen to you. Learn more about Detect AutoRegister for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HEREBryce Evans is the founder and editor-in-chief of Auto Service Leader. Today, Bryce and Mike talk about the future of automotive media, the role of independent journalism, and how Auto Service Leader's innovative magazine is reshaping the information gap for shop owners. Their model puts content ahead of advertising, giving readers practical information they can actually use. They also cover the current state of journalism, the challenges of maintaining editorial integrity in today’s click-driven media landscape, and what independent shop owners can do to navigate an industry rapidly changing due to private equity and consolidation.See Auto Service Leader's work HERETimestamps: 00:00 Can True Investigative Journalism Survive Today’s Media Landscape?01:05 Auto Service Leader’s Magazine Model – No Ads, Just Content03:27 Building a Consistent Brand & Publication Experience05:00 How Shops & Partners Get Featured in Auto Service Leader06:19 Bryce Evans’ B2B Publishing Background & Ratchet Wrench Insights08:46 Filling the Information Gap: What Shop Owners Really Need09:53 Auto Service Leader’s Searchable Resource Hub Explained11:09 What’s Next for Auto Service Leader in 2026?13:12 Bryce Evans’ Journey: Journalism, Moving Into Automotive17:09 Lessons from Newsrooms & What Changed His Career Path20:58 Why Community and Peer Groups Matter for Shop Owners22:15 Is Print Media Dead? Newspapers vs New Media23:27 “Everyone’s Got a Podcast” – Modern Media Challenges25:17 Media’s Role in Political Division & Clickbait26:19 Absolutism and the Importance of Nuance in the Auto Industry29:44 The Art of Interviewing: Insights for Great Journalism33:25 Dealing With Agenda-Driven Coverage as a Business Owner36:57 Is Print Here to Stay? Why High-End Magazines Matter38:09 Navigating Hot Button Topics: Relational vs. Transactional Selling41:32 How Auto Service Leader Handles Problematic Sources42:32 Private Equity & Consolidation’s Impact on the Automotive Industry

Tekmetrics' business model of listening to customers' needs and implementing new systems makes them super shop-friendly. Start using them at your shop today HERETurnkey Marketing has made my life SOOO much simpler, AND they've helped keep the phone ringing. Do you need these two things too? Learn more HEREElite Worldwide coaching has changed the game for me and my shop. Need a boost? Use Elite like I do. HERERegister for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HEREIn this episode, Mike Allen and Bryan Pollock talk with Mr. Subaru. Mr. Subaru talks through his experiences navigating drama in the automotive influencer space and addresses accusations of clickbait content. He shares some colorful stories from his time as a Snap-on dealer, including the challenges of repossessing toolboxes from delinquent customers. Finally, Mr. Subaru discusses his upcoming plans to build a new shop on his property and the future direction of his YouTube content.Timestamps: 00:00 - Are you a Clickbait Creator? Mr. Subaru on Online Drama00:19 - The Truth About Tool Content—Is It Clickbait?01:08 - Rock Hill & South Carolina’s Automotive Scene03:03 - Content Creator Drama & Automotive Industry Comparison07:09 - Shop Builds: Mr. Subaru Gets Bank Approval for His New Shop08:51 - How It All Started: Mr. Subaru’s First YouTube Videos10:59 - The COVID Boost: Explosive Growth on YouTube12:12 - Monetization Woes: TikTok, Facebook, & Instagram13:33 - The Snap-On Dealer Experience—Sales, Credit, & Repos17:15 - Wild Repo Stories: Guns, Knives, & Toolbox Sting Operations21:30 - The Biggest Toolbox Sale Ever26:03 - Market Insights: Charlotte Money, Shop Opportunities, & Area Growth29:12 - Podcasting & Automotive Media Scene in Carolina29:37 - Drama vs. Good for the Industry: Podcast Growth Strategies33:08 - Rage-Bait vs. Thoughtful Content: Finding Balance35:55 - Instant Opinions & The Problem with Social Media Hate37:00 - Shop Anonymity & Weirdos—Dealing with the Downside of Fame39:16 - Diagnosing for the Diagnostically Challenged: Mobile Work Stories45:27 - B-Techs, A-Techs, and Weaponized Incompetence Rant47:22 - Diagnostic Training on YouTube: Scanner Danner & Self-Learning48:53 - What’s Next for Mr. Subaru? Shop Builds & New Content51:19 - DIY vs. Shop Content: Who Does It Serve Best?54:02 - Upcoming Events: Visions, Asta, Farm Show, and More56:08 - Favorite Training Classes & Shop Stories57:37 - Sumos, Hurricanes, and Confessions—Podcast Outtakes

My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERETekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HEREI was SHOCKED when I saw the things I was missing the first time I used Detect Auto. Simple things, but easy to miss. Detect Auto helped clean that up for me, and they can for you, too. Use them HERERegister for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HEREIn this episode, Mike Allen and Matt Lofton break down 2025's financial results from the shop, and talk about what went wrong and what went right. Matt encourages Mike to work towards pre-booking appointments to drive repeat business, and Mike states his goals for boosting net profit in 2026.Timestamps: 00:00 Matt thinks Mike should only focus on the shop?01:15 Confessions intro03:02 Recapping the year: top-line numbers, gross profit, and performance metrics05:07 Gross profit calculation, labor rates, and tech efficiency09:35 Ad spend breakdown—what’s working, what’s wasted11:15 Setting ambitious but achievable 2026 profit targets13:43 Staffing, productivity by the billable hour, and role expectations16:03 Navigating seasonal slowdowns and weather curveballs21:21 Drilling into process—team consistency and customer experience26:16 Tech inspections, quality DVIs, and closing rate improvements33:04 The #1 process change to add 10% net profit34:16 How (and WHY) to start pre-booking appointments for consistent car count39:00 Pre-booking accountability & reminder hacks that actually work41:51 Retention challenges with new customers & recapture campaign ideas45:14 Why “state inspection only” tickets kill profitability48:48 The key takeaways—retention, consistency, and focusing on fundamentals

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERETurnkey Marketing takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off my plate. And gives it to someone who is. Click HERE for more.Elite Worldwide has CHANGED my business and life through their one-on-one coaching. Use them like I do HEREJared Haleck is the new Chief Product Officer at Tekmetric, and today he talks with Mike about the rapid innovation happening in automotive shop management technology. Jared shares his perspective on how AI tools can streamline service advisor-customer interactions, making it easier to gather, document, and translate repair information for technicians. The conversation also explores the future potential of AI in automating repair estimates and improving digital vehicle inspections—emphasizing that the biggest barrier to integrating these tools is just shop owners’ creativity.Timestamps:00:00 – Will Tekmetric take over the world??00:21 – Confessions of a Shop Owner Presented by Tekmetric01:13 – Speed Vegas recap: Racing exotics, leaderboard drama, and surprises05:15 – Jared Haleck’s background & first impressions of Tekmetric08:43 – What does a Chief Product Officer actually do? (And, yes, nerds are involved)10:39 – The AI revolution: Early adopters, ChatGPT, and what every shop should know13:04 – Practical AI: Intake conversations, tech translation, and smarter service writing16:25 – Summarization, speech-to-text, and eliminating “translation loss”20:03 – Why voice (and phone) is key to the next auto shop breakthrough25:33 – Wish list: AI-powered digital vehicle inspections & visual documentation32:30 – Word choices, loss aversion, and writing the story customers need34:44 – The real trick: Getting creative with AI prompts and trying new ideas36:12 – Gemini, Claude, or GPT: Which AI platform works best?39:54 – Where can shop owners get the most bang-for-their-buck with AI today?41:25 – Fast hacks: Using iPhone Notes for instant transcriptions42:29 – What’s next? The roadmap to automated estimate building44:32 – Why Tekmetric is leading the innovation race (and how to join)

If you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE for more on Turnkey Marketing.Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HEREThere are a lot of moving parts in a repair shop, opening the door to missing things. Don't let that happen to you. Learn more about Detect AutoRegister for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HEREJimmy Purdy is the host of The Gearbox Podcast and owns Shift'n Gears Auto Repair in Paso Robles, California. Today, he and Mike Allen talk about how Jimmy nearly doubled his business in 2025 using the sometimes unpopular AutoShop Answers method. The conversation also covers the challenges of balancing profitability with company culture and how shop owners often struggle to find the one “silver bullet,” when success is really about picking up the right gold nuggets along the way. Timestamps: 00:00 The golden rule: fully inform the customer before doing any repairs01:08 Trade show tricks: why veteran vendors bring two pairs of shoes02:08 Shoe disasters, hiking stories, and quick-thinking hacks03:28 Shop growth: Doubling sales, why net profit isn’t the whole picture04:41 Breaking revenue ceilings: Big changes and new sales processes05:37 Shiny object syndrome and tracking the right KPIs06:21 Learning to filter industry advice and run the shop your way07:36 Sales process overhaul: From tech mindset to customer experience08:53 What great client experience actually means—beyond the inspection10:10 Shop coaching, sales training, and implementing what works for YOU12:25 Adapting big shop advice for smaller or rural markets13:55 Customizing processes, balancing growth and team happiness15:11 Efficiency breakthroughs: Improving inspections and workflow17:37 Overcoming DVI inconsistency and getting buy-in from your team21:50 Estimating strategies: Why quoting everything isn’t always best25:22 Lessons in sales: The “kitchen sink” rule and sales fatigue29:13 Team training, scripting, and crushing phone intake times34:43 Bringing team to trade shows for real buy-in (and to avoid “Black Monday”)39:11 Evolving customer expectations and modernizing shop experiences44:39 The myth of the universal “right way” to run a shop51:06 Seven-day work weeks, shop culture, and the truth about tech retention54:13 Letting your team find their own wins—even new gloves count56:06 Shop life, family life, and defining your own success as an owner57:17 Where to find more: Jimmy’s Gearbox podcast & how you can get involved

Tekmetrics' business model of listening to customers' needs and implementing new systems makes them super shop-friendly. Start using them at your shop today HERETurnkey Marketing has made my life SOOO much simpler, AND they've helped keep the phone ringing. Do you need these two things too? Learn more HEREElite Worldwide coaching has changed the game for me and my shop. Need a boost? Use Elite like I do. HERERegister for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERERick White is the founder of 180Biz, and he hates people who do free diag. So.....this is awkward now...Today, Mike learns more about Rick and his coaching philosophies only then to stir the pot and bring up everything he opposes Rick on. What do you think? Is free diag a smart marketing move, or a decision only idiots make? Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome Rick White to the Show - Now Let's Fight!06:10 – Why Men Struggle with Feelings (and How That Shapes Shop Leadership)10:00 – Building a Coaching Empire: Rick White’s Approach to Scaling and Staying Grounded17:45 – How to Interview a Coach (and Why Some Clients Get Fired)24:12 – One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Franchise Model vs. Tailored Shop Coaching29:40 – Private Equity in the Auto Industry: Boon or Bust?35:18 – Passing the Shop to the Next Generation: Equity Equivalence & Creative Solutions41:55 – “You Do You”: Why There Are Many Ways to Run a Successful Shop45:03 – The Real Cost of Free Diag: Metrics, Marketing, and Moneyball Tactics57:10 – Coaching Confessions: Ego, Impact, and the Danger of Explosive Growth1:07:50 – Final Thoughts: What Matters Most for Shop Owners Right Now

My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERETekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HEREI was SHOCKED when I saw the things I was missing the first time I used Detect Auto. Simple things, but easy to miss. Detect Auto helped clean that up for me, and they can for you, too. Use them HERERegister for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HEREIn this episode, Mike Allen, Bryan Pollock, and Braxton Critcher look back on a year of "Confessions of a Shop Owner". They play back the top moments on the podcast in 2025, and each give their most embarrassing confession thus far. Oh, what a year it has been, and oh, what a year 2026 is setting up to be. Remember, this is the last episode that Mike is current ASTA President...this is about to get good...Finally. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: The Year of "Edit That Out" (But Did We?) 01:12 – Amateur Podcast Setups & Tech Fails 03:12 – 65+ Episodes Later: What Did We Even Do?! 04:30 – Are We the Best Automotive Podcast in the Galaxy? 05:10 – Going Viral: Social Media Buzz & Darren’s Big Weekend 08:07 – Most Memorable Guest: Darren Barney Shares a Vulnerable Story 12:16 – The "16-Foot Trailer" Incident with Zeb Beard  17:00 – When Guest Rage Turns the Podcast Upside Down – David Roman Goes OFF! 22:00 – Saturday Shop: Do Employees Actually Want to Work Weekends? 24:36 – The Great Staffing Challenge & "Short Term Gain, Long Term Pain" 27:47 – Our Most Embarrassing Tech Confessions & Social Media Mishaps 32:43 – Confession Time: When Braxton Lost All the Podcast Files 33:43 – Misspelling Sponsor Names… and the Tattoo Bet is On! 35:01 – Who’s REALLY The Fastest Driver in the Crew? 39:09 – The All-Time Most Embarrassing Shop Owner Confession 43:20 – The Viral Aftermath & Listener Group Chat Chaos 48:30 – Hospitality Suite Stories: Couch Shopping & More Debauchery 50:00 – The Greatest Hot Mic Moment That Will Never Air 52:37 – Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Confessions in 2026? 54:24 – Favorite Moments & Listener Shout-Outs 56:06 – Parting Thoughts & Why We Love This Podcast

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERETurnkey Marketing takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off my plate. And gives it to someone who is. Click HERE for more.Elite Worldwide has CHANGED my business and life through their one-on-one coaching. Use them like I do HEREIn this special Christmas Coaching Call, Mike Allen and Matt Lofton talk about goal setting for the New Year. They did into the details of how to properly project technician hour capacity and slow and busy seasons. They also discuss the importance of a strategic marketing budget, saying that marketing should generate opportunity—not just sales—and how matching tactics to team strengths is crucial for success.Timestamps: 00:00 Farmer Analogy for Shop Owners: Understanding Harvest Seasons00:20 Why Bad October & August Can Sink Your Year01:00 Navigating Health Insurance Options for Your Team03:05 Payroll Mistakes = Free Health Insurance?!04:20 Christmas Episode Intro & Why Shop Goal Setting Matters05:19 Goal Setting Philosophy: The “Elite Pro Service” Approach06:53 Grounding Goals in Math, Not Hope07:54 Calculating Real Shop Capacity with Tech Hours09:01 Factoring Satellite Locations into Your Planning10:02 Breaking Down Staff Roles & Realistic Productivity13:01 Training & Growing Technician Skillsets15:00 Risks & Rewards of Upskilling Your GS18:24 Effective Labor Rate & Parts-to-Labor Ratio Explained20:15 The Monthly Capacity Game & Avoiding Average Traps26:36 Why August & October Are Your Make-or-Break Months28:02 Adapting Your Monthly Goals to Holidays & Vacation29:02 Getting Your Team Singing from the Same Goal Sheet30:00 Coaching Your Team: The Basketball Analogy32:09 Communicating Daily Goals for Technicians & Advisors36:59 Tracking Approvals, Car Count, and Setting Realistic Targets40:29 Translating Manager Math into Daily Team Wins42:38 Setting Your Marketing Budget (3-5% or Up to 10%?)44:08 Google Ads vs. Direct Mail: What Works for New Shops?47:30 The Myth of Bad Customers—Fixing the Real Problems54:21 Community Events, Brand Building, and Consistency55:36 Wrapping Up: Getting Linked Up With Elite & Your Shop’s Growth55:37 Christmas Family Fun Gone Wrong! Elf on the Shelf Stories

If you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE for more on Turnkey Marketing.Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HEREThere are a lot of moving parts in a repair shop, opening the door to missing things. Don't let that happen to you. Learn more about Detect AutoRegister for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HEREAniz Lavji owns a shop in Canada, and met Mike Allen at ASTA 2025. It was in Raleigh where Aniz thought his life was in danger because of Mike and his ESO Miata. They relive that story on today's episode. Turns out, Aniz might be turning into an ESO himself. The guys also talk tires, and why many shops miss opportunities by not doing tires right. Timestamps: 00:00 – Tire Hustles & Leveraging Trades: How Aniz Lavji turned tires into rare Lego sets05:34 – Earning the "evil shop owner badge" – disposing tires, creative deals, and industry banter07:16 – Embarrassing moments: Shop meetings gone awry and podcast stories spilled to the family11:35 – Why tire storage is big business in Canada (and how Aniz Lavji manages hundreds of sets)16:31 – Shop equipment talk: Hunter vs. Coats vs. Corgi, and keeping employees happy with cool machines25:31 – Family business backstory: Dial Attire, Waterloo, and how Aniz Lavji gets mom & dad on vacation31:09 – Big conferences, industry networking, and why ASTA Expo matters41:12 – ADHD, podcast behind-the-scenes, and dealing with "wasted time"53:03 – Used tires vs. new tires: How the tire business evolved56:01 – Offshore tire brands, hilarious mascots, and challenges selling "Triangle" tires1:02:38 – Why Teslas flood Aniz Lavji's shop — EV referrals, repairs, and donut diplomacy1:07:15 – Saturday madness: Shop emergencies, wild tire stories, and customer demands1:13:32 – Building relationships with vendors and parts suppliers1:22:01 – Wrapping up with the worst American cars ever made and naming mishaps

Tekmetrics' business model of listening to customers' needs and implementing new systems makes them super shop-friendly. Start using them at your shop today HERETurnkey Marketing has made my life SOOO much simpler, AND they've helped keep the phone ringing. Do you need these two things too? Learn more HEREElite Worldwide coaching has changed the game for me and my shop. Need a boost? Use Elite like I do. HERERegister for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HEREUwe Kleinschmidt is the Founder of AutoTech IQ, and today shares stories of growing up in East Germany. He also brings up how service advisors need to utilize AI to improve their technical expertise and lean into their people skills. He and Mike also talk about the importance of customer education, and Uwe explains how empowering customers with clear information leads to higher approval rates and better shop retention.Timestamps: 00:00 Uwe Helped Bring Down the Berlin Wall? 04:14 Mike Doesn't Listen to Podcasts Anymore08:01 Reality Behind the Facade11:55 Dual Citizenship Made Easier16:35 "AI Dependency Dumbs Down Skills"20:06 DVI's Potential in Customer Education24:39 "Educating on Filter Cleanliness"25:42 "Empowering Autonomous Decision-Making"31:06 "Improved Workflow for Service Shop"35:20 "We Are the Problem"36:01 Building Trust with New Customers42:01 Empowering Motorists Boosts Approvals43:35 "Text-Only Customer Communication"49:24 "Inspection Process Explanation"

My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERETekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HEREI was SHOCKED when I saw the things I was missing the first time I used Detect Auto. Simple things, but easy to miss. Detect Auto helped clean that up for me, and they can for you, too. Use them HERERegister for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HEREIn this episode, Mike learns that fish hung on a wall are just plastic. He, John Firm, Michael Guenther, and Jeff Compton also get into some ESO talk, free Diag, and if free oil changes are ruining this industry. They also share firsthand experiences managing small-town customer relationships, including the challenges of offering credit and dealing with overdue invoices.Timestamps: 00:00 Mounted Fish Aren't Real??09:51 Rising Star in Auto Industry14:46 "Efficiency Concerns with Machine"17:28 "Free Car Diagnostics Explained"22:42 "The Cost of Your Dream Car"28:44 "Oil Change Pricing Dilemma"32:02 "Fish of a Thousand Casts"42:31 "Local Store Credit System"47:44 Customer Loss After Payment Struggle50:06 "Bronx Tale $10 Lesson"55:37 Fishing Etiquette at Docks