ASOTU Unscripted

In this episode of ASOTU Unscripted, Errol Bomar welcomes John Osborne, Executive Manager at Williamsburg Ford, to reflect on 27 years in the automotive industry and the key inflection points that shaped his approach to leadership, customer experience, and innovation. From entering the industry after time in the Army and firefighting school, to pioneering one-price selling and now pushing digital and AI innovation, John's journey is a testament to growth through intentionality.STAY CONNECTED WITH ASOTU:Sign up for the ASOTU Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/Watch the docu-series “More Than Cars” at https://www.morethancars.tvFollow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/asotu_morethancars/Join the community on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/TIME STAMPS: 0:00 Intro from Errol Bomar0:43 Why pricing transparency excites John today1:26 Leveraging AI and texting for better service ops2:13 From Army and firefighting to auto retail in the ‘90s3:31 2007: A career-shifting moment at a one-price Toyota store4:47 Data as a roadmap for growth and training6:25 Predicting faster, more personalized retail experiences8:12 Connect with John Osborne at Carter Myers Automotive--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Who is John Osborne at Carter Myers Automotive?How is AI improving communication in automotive service departments?What is one-price selling in car dealerships?What trends are shaping the future of car buying?How do dealerships use data to improve customer experience?What is the role of executive managers in modern auto retail?How can dealerships personalize digital retailing experiences?

In this heartfelt episode of ASOTU Unscripted, host Errol Bomar welcomes back Judi Anderson—attending her fourth consecutive ASOTUCON—to explore the personal journey that led her to become a pillar of customer experience in the automotive space. From roller-skating carhop to corporate marketer to a role built just for her, Judy shares how empathy, purpose, and people-first thinking transformed her career and brought her to Carter Myers Automotive.Judi’s story is a testament to rediscovery. After 15 years as a stay-at-home mom, she re-entered the workforce and eventually landed a position that didn’t yet exist—but was created because she was the right fit. STAY CONNECTED WITH ASOTU:Sign up for the ASOTU Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/Watch the docu-series “More Than Cars” at https://www.morethancars.tvFollow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/asotu_morethancars/Join the community on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/TIME STAMPS: 0:00 Intro from Errol Bomar0:50 Judi’s fourth ASOTUCON and why she keeps returning2:35 From hospitality to communications to auto marketing3:49 Re-entering the workforce after 15 years raising daughters5:45 Discovery of a customer experience role built just for her7:58 Why emotional intelligence is her greatest strength9:16 The moment Judi realized she loved people more than product11:14 How understanding employees leads to better customer outcomes-------------------------------------------------------------------Who is Judi Anderson at Carter Myers Automotive?How can emotional intelligence impact customer experience in auto retail?What is it like to return to work after 15 years away?How do dealerships create people-first cultures?Why is empathy a superpower in the workplace?What roles exist in auto that focus on experience, not sales?How can you turn passion into a job without a listing?

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of ASOTU Unscripted, host Errol Bomar sits down with Landon Garside, a former high school drumline teacher turned automotive professional and now marketing strategist. Landon shares how personal transitions—including a divorce and career burnout—led him into the automotive industry by what seemed like chance. But a decade-old positive buying experience at a dealership planted the seed, and a people-centered mindset ultimately propelled him forward. From sales to marketing, Landon's journey is all about doing what's right—even when it isn’t profitable in the moment.STAY CONNECTED WITH ASOTU:Sign up for the ASOTU Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/Watch the docu-series “More Than Cars” at https://www.morethancars.tvFollow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/asotu_morethancars/Join the community on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/TIME STAMPS: 0:00 Intro1:01 Landon's entry into automotive after burnout and divorce2:16 Buying experience inspired dealership job application3:37 A pivot back into sales after leaving briefly4:52 Putting people over profit—literally sent a customer elsewhere5:50 “She bought her next three cars from me.”6:55 Marketing shift after dealership merchandising vacancy7:24 Strategies that helped dominate market share----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------How did Landon Garside transition from sales to marketing in automotive?Why is empathy a strength in car sales and dealership leadership?What’s an example of putting customers first in the automotive industry?How do TikTok and social media boost dealership market share?Why does understanding people matter more than product knowledge in sales?How can storytelling lead to career success in auto retail?What makes ASOTU different from other automotive events?

In this heartfelt and unscripted episode of ASOTU Unscripted, host Errol Bomar sits down with Lou Cannata, a second-generation dealer principal and founder of Level 5 Leadership Coaching & Consulting. Lou shares the deeply personal and professional journey that shaped his leadership—starting from cleaning bathrooms in his family’s dealership to stepping into ownership in its 49th year. Lou’s passion for people, rooted in a legacy of service from his immigrant parents, radiates throughout the conversation as he reflects on the true meaning of success and the power of purpose-driven leadership.STAY CONNECTED WITH ASOTU:Sign up for the ASOTU Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/Watch the docu-series “More Than Cars” at https://www.morethancars.tvFollow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/asotu_morethancars/Join the community on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/TIME STAMPS: 0:00 Intro0:28 Lou Cannata joins ASOTUCON Unscripted stage1:35 Took over family dealership in its 49th year2:06 Started from the bottom—cleaning bathrooms to leadership3:21 Passion for people rooted in early childhood experiences5:00 Facing grief and health challenges shifted his perspective6:41 Redefined success as making people smile daily7:58 Launch of Level 5 Leadership Coaching & Consulting--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------What is Level 5 Leadership Coaching & Consulting by Lou Cannata?How did Lou Cannata take over his family’s car dealership?How do personal challenges shape leadership perspective?What does it mean to redefine success as a business owner?How can entrepreneurs lead with purpose instead of profit?What’s the ASOTU Unscripted podcast about?How does growing up in a family business shape leadership values?

In this high-energy episode of ASOTU Unscripted, host Errol Bomar sits down with Nolan Armpriester, a second-generation automotive leader and Director of Operations with over two decades of industry experience. From his early days growing up in the dealership—literally using the shop as daycare—to overseeing an ambitious mobile service operation, Nolan shares his story with candor and clarity. This conversation is a tribute to longevity in the industry, evolving leadership, and building people-first service models in a traditionally product-driven space.STAY CONNECTED WITH ASOTU:Sign up for the ASOTU Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/Watch the docu-series “More Than Cars” at https://www.morethancars.tvFollow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/asotu_morethancars/Join the community on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/TIME STAMPS: 0:00 Intro0:21 Nolan joins ASOTU Unscripted live at ASOTUCON1:04 Grew up in the shop—dealership was his daycare1:33 Career path: from porter to Director of Operations2:57 Industry shift to mobile and guest-first experiences3:50 24,000 mobile service appointments in one year6:14 Goal: 30,000 appointments and 50 technicians by year’s end7:11 Mobile ops split into three tiers: entry to heavy repair--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Who is Nolan Arm Prester and what is his role in the auto industry?How do mobile service appointments work at dealerships?What’s driving the rise of mobile auto repair in 2025?How can dealerships scale operations to hit 30,000 service appointments?What roles exist in dealership operations from entry-level to director?What makes ASOTUCON different from NADA and other auto conventions?How can dealerships attract and train new mobile technicians?

In this faith-filled and forward-thinking episode of ASOTU Unscripted, host Errol Bomar welcomes Shane Westphal for a conversation that blends personal transformation, professional loyalty, and the future of automotive. Shane shares his “But God” origin story, detailing how a random connection in a Baton Rouge restaurant led him to a 23+ year career in automotive—all at the same dealership. Now serving as general and executive manager, Shane reflects on the power of speaking life into others, leading with purpose, and embracing every role as a calling.STAY CONNECTED WITH ASOTU:Sign up for the ASOTU Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/Watch the docu-series “More Than Cars” at https://www.morethancars.tvFollow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/asotu_morethancars/Join the community on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/TIME STAMPS: 0:00 Intro0:22 Shane Westall joins the Unscripted stage1:23 Origin story: from restaurants to 23 years in automotive2:59 “But God” moments shaped his career journey4:17 From sales to GM at the same store5:00 Passion for developing people and building community6:34 Excitement about AI as a time-leveraging partner10:26 The curiosity mindset fuels better AI use and leadership12:02 Reflections on EV adoption and dealership evolution----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Who is Shane Westall and how did he enter the auto industry?How can AI empower—not replace—dealership teams?What is a “But God” origin story in career journeys?What are the future trends in EV and dealership infrastructure?How can auto leaders cultivate a community-driven dealership culture?Why does Shane Westall believe AI is a collaborative tool?What makes ASOTU’s Unscripted series different from traditional auto content?

In this vibrant and empowering episode of ASOTU Unscripted, host Errol Bomar chats with Alyssa Mazur from the Russ Darrow Automotive Group. Though she claimed to be nervous, Alyssa delivers an inspiring and tactical breakdown of how she transformed the group’s social media presence across 15 dealerships in Wisconsin. Starting with no background in automotive, Alyssa shares her journey from a marketing agency into a role that she shaped from scratch—bringing structure, scale, and strategy to the group’s online voice.STAY CONNECTED WITH ASOTU:Sign up for the ASOTU Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/Watch the docu-series “More Than Cars” at https://www.morethancars.tvFollow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/asotu_morethancars/Join the community on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/TIME STAMPS: 0:00 Intro and welcome to Alyssa Majer1:06 Why ASOTU Con was her must-attend event2:03 Her unexpected entry into automotive via social media3:41 Building a scalable content system across 15 stores5:11 910% impressions growth through store-level content creators8:10 New “employee advocacy” push via Sprout Social9:58 Service team engagement proves long-term buy-in----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------How can car dealerships increase social media impressions organically?What is employee advocacy in dealership marketing?How did Russ Darrow Auto Group grow its digital presence?What tools help manage multi-location dealership social content?How can Sprout Social support automotive retail marketing?What’s the benefit of empowering dealership staff to create content?How does incentivized content creation boost engagement?#lovepeoplemorethancars #morethancars #asotu #automotive #autoretail #autoindustry #cardealers #carsales #carculture

In this episode of ASOTU Unscripted, host Errol Bomar welcomes Dave Donaldson of DealerDMV for his very first ASOTU CON experience. Dave unpacks his journey from working in an Acura dealership’s detail department to leading a nationwide automotive titling solution. With infectious humility, Dave reflects on how the most unexpected roles—like managing tag and title—can become dynamic, problem-solving careers when surrounded by passionate people and purpose-driven technology.STAY CONNECTED WITH ASOTU:Sign up for the ASOTU Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/Watch the docu-series “More Than Cars” at https://www.morethancars.tvFollow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/asotu_morethancars/Join the community on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/TIME STAMPS: 0:00 Welcome to ASOTU Unscripted with Dave Donaldson0:57 ASOTU CON’s unique, people-first vibe1:43 DealerDMV’s “dealers first” philosophy2:49 From detailing Acuras to software product lead3:47 Why title & registration offers endless creative problems4:46 Dealer50: 50 states, one solution5:12 How shared nerdiness builds team synergy-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------What is DealerDMV and how does it help car dealerships?How can dealerships simplify title and registration across 50 states?What is Dealer50 and how does it work?What makes tag and title work exciting in automotive tech?How can you build a strong culture around dealership back-end operations?How did Dave build a career in automotive titling software?What is the DealerDMV “dealers first” philosophy?#lovepeoplemorethancars #morethancars #asotu #automotive #autoretail #autoindustry #cardealers #carsales #carculture

In this heartfelt solo edition of ASOTU Unscripted, host Errol Bomar takes a moment to step from behind the interviewer’s chair to share his own journey in the automotive world. From his early beginnings in car sales in the early 2000s to now being a celebrated speaker and orator for brands like Ford and events like NADA and the Kentucky Derby, Errol reflects on the powerful human moments that shaped his trajectory. One story in particular—a child gifting him a treasured Superman toy—became a symbolic turning point where he realized the industry is about people, not just products.STAY CONNECTED WITH ASOTU:Sign up for the ASOTU Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/Watch the docu-series “More Than Cars” at https://www.morethancars.tvFollow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/asotu_morethancars/Join the community on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/TIME STAMPS: 0:00 Intro from Errol Bomar0:24 His first role in new car sales in 20040:45 The Superman toy story that changed everything1:25 Transition into speaking, hosting, and brand work1:47 Representing Ford and hosting national events2:01 Invitation to share your people-over-product moment-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Who is Errol Bomar from ASOTU Unscripted?What inspired Errol to pursue a career in automotive speaking?How can storytelling transform dealership culture?What is the significance of the Superman toy story in car sales?How do automotive professionals connect with customers emotionally?How can I be featured on ASOTU Unscripted?Why does “people over product” matter in auto retail?

In this energizing episode of ASOTU Unscripted, host Errol Bomar sits down with Kyle Newsom, founder of Vasperio, to explore his transformational journey from technician to Fixed Ops leader, to bold entrepreneur. Kyle shares how his early days working in a family-run business shaped his strong work ethic, and how meeting his wife eventually became the catalyst for a life-changing move and career evolution. Their shared decision to sell everything—including their home—and go “all-in” on launching a people-first training company exemplifies a powerful commitment to values and vision.STAY CONNECTED WITH ASOTU:Sign up for the ASOTU Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/Watch the docu-series “More Than Cars” at https://www.morethancars.tvFollow us on Instagram at   / asotu_morethancars  Join the community on LinkedIn at   / asotu  TIME STAMPS: 0:00 Intro0:31 Born into business: Kyle's multi-industry childhood1:50 From Ford tech to Fixed Ops leadership3:01 Realizing the power of investing in people4:07 Starting Vasperio: Selling everything for a purpose5:43 Kind leadership vs. nice leadership explained7:19 From reactive chaos to proactive systems9:20 The value of practicing with your team, not customers---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------What is the difference between kind and nice leadership in the automotive industry?How did Kyle Newsome build Vasperio by going all-in with his family?Why are proactive systems essential in fixed operations?How can dealerships use training to reduce customer-facing errors?What are the benefits of setting clear standards for automotive teams?How can leadership coaching transform dealership service departments?What does "embrace kindness, ignite greatness" mean in business culture?

In this heartfelt and engaging episode of Unscripted, host Erroll Bomar sits down with Allan Krutsch Director of Enterprise CDP at Claravoy, to explore his unexpected journey into the automotive industry and the surprising personal story that fuels his passion. Allan shares how he transitioned from luxury women’s fashion sales in Sardinia to car sales in the U.S. after an abrupt job loss—an unplanned pivot that turned into a fulfilling 25-year career. What begins as a professional conversation quickly transforms into a touching narrative about his daughter, who also stumbled into car sales and quickly rose through the ranks to become a top performer and sales manager—all within three years.STAY CONNECTED WITH ASOTU:Sign up for the ASOTU Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/Watch the docu-series “More Than Cars” at https://www.morethancars.tvFollow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/asotu_morethancars/Join the community on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ TIME STAMPS: 0:00 Intro: Sardinia, style, and a surprise career pivot1:59 Losing a job led to a lifelong automotive journey4:30 The power of employee satisfaction over customer metrics5:59 His daughter’s unexpected rise in the car business8:44 From aesthetician to top 10% car salesperson12:00 Humility and beginner’s mind fuel growth13:56 Data unlocks cost-effective, meaningful customer experiences15:26 “Helping is the new selling” becomes the ultimate takeaway----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------How can first-party data improve car dealership marketing?What is the impact of employee satisfaction on CSI in auto sales?How did Allan Crutch’s daughter succeed in car sales with no experience?What is “helping is the new selling” in modern automotive retail?What career growth opportunities exist in the car business?How can humility fuel success in automotive careers?What role does beginner’s mind play in dealership leadership?#lovepeoplemorethancars #morethancars #asotu #automotive #autoretail #autoindustry #cardealers #carsales #carculture

Send us a text The Northwood University International Auto Show is the LARGEST student run outdoor auto show in North America. Student volunteers are elected to positions of responsibility to make this show exceptional. These three Northwood students share first hand how they step up to the plate, take on responsibility, and create a successful show together. Special thanks to Colin Kubik, Noah Koss, and Zak McLeod for sharing their passion with us! Check out other content in the ASOTU-ver...

Send us a text Always keep the perspective of a student--there's always something to learn. These Northwood University Students share their passion for the Northwood University International Auto Show as well as future aspirations for their careers. Julia, Bella, and Sydney share how coming together to create this auto show has brought out the best in everyone as they work towards this common goal together. This project has taught them how to stay "a student of the craft" for all fut...

Send us a text Northwood University hosts an annual outdoor auto show completely managed by students. Northwood University doesn't create just your average student. Dr. Kent MacDonald, President of Northwood University, shares their core beliefs which make the educational environment so different from most schools. President MacDonald also covers how personal responsibility and freedom create true opportunities for future prosperity. Their annual auto show puts this core belief to forefro...

Send us a text Martin Schwartz, President of Vehicles for Change, shares how students can learn automotive service technical skills to earn a higher income, faster. He shares how automotive service technicians can earn significantly more in their first year compared to the average college graduate. Vehicles for Change was established in 1999 to gift vehicles to those in need of reliable transportation. In the time since, Vehicles for Change helps those in prison learn an equitable trade sk...