This is our wrap of episode from our Troubleshooting Your Business Podcast Series. We delve into the complexities of scaling businesses sustainably while achieving long-term success and maintaining a balance between work and personal life. The discussion features valuable insights from speakers like Kevin Davis, Barry Theal, Grant Menard, David Caballero, Andrew Houston, and Michael D'Andrea, who share their personal experiences, challenges, and strategies for business growth. Key themes incl...
In this conversation, Luke Howell shares his journey to the detailing industry and emphasizes the importance of identifying and understanding your ideal customer avatar. He highlights the value of niche marketing and tailoring marketing messages to different customer avatars. Luke also discusses the benefits of testing different marketing approaches and building relationships within the community. He emphasizes the need to define success and invest in personal and professional developm...
In this episode, Kevin sits down with Robyn Sweet—owner of The Detail Lab and Field Application Specialist at RUPES USA—for a candid conversation on how she went from 911 dispatcher to premium-level detailer and trainer. Robyn opens up about her journey into the detailing world, how she’s built a successful boutique business in a rural town, and why “success” isn’t always about scaling bigger or faster. With a background in emergency communications, Robyn brings a calm, grounded perspec...
In this episode of the Cruise Control Podcast, Kevin Davis sits down with business mentor, best-selling author, and 7-figure entrepreneur Michelle Jacobik. They dive deep into the messy middle of entrepreneurship, talk about how personal and business finances are married, and why building a business that serves your life — not the other way around — is critical. Michelle shares her journey from drowning in credit card debt at 22 to scaling and selling a successful agency, and how gratit...
In this inspiring episode, Kevin Davis sits down with Giancarlo Rengifo to uncover the “superhero backstory” behind his detailing career. Giancarlo shares how becoming a father of twins at 19 and navigating jobs from construction to marketing eventually led him to discover his passion for auto detailing. He recounts building a detailing business from scratch in South Florida—leveraging hustle, faith, and a knack for connecting with people—ultimately becoming a trainer for RUPES USA. Lis...
In this episode of the Cruise Control Podcast, Kevin sits down with Jay Royal of Ace of Spades Auto Detailing to unpack a wild entrepreneurial journey—starting as a valet hustler in Atlanta, Jay shares how he transitioned from running parking lots to building a premium detailing brand. Hear how a brutal business loss, wise words from his wife, and a complete mindset shift turned everything around. From $25 car washes to $650 details and real business systems, Jay’s story is as raw, Key Takea...
To celebrate the 100th episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis sits down with the wise and wildly entertaining Ray Sanders—a seasoned executive, pastor, entrepreneur, and all-around life philosopher. Together, they dive deep into purpose, legacy, burnout, faith, family, and what it really means to build a life worth remembering. Ray shares powerful insights on how to navigate transition, find fulfillment beyond hustle, and live in alignment with your true calling. This isn’t just a conversatio...
In this episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis sits down with Jamie Werner — founder of Equip Academy and AutoLab Films — to talk about creating a true trade school for the automotive aesthetics industry. Jamie shares his unfiltered entrepreneurial journey, why skills alone won't build a career, and how he’s shaping the next generation of installers with more than just hands-on training. Tune in for lessons on leadership, fulfillment, and why treating employees right isn't optional — it's eve...
In this laid-back but powerful episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis sits down with Roger Demaree, longtime marketing director at Kicker, to unpack the brand's journey from a garage in Stillwater, Oklahoma, to global car audio icon. Roger shares hilarious stories (yes, Sir Mix-a-Lot included), valuable lessons in faith-driven leadership, and golden insights for small business owners on staying ahead of trends, building loyalty, and fostering meaningful relationships—both in business and in l...
In this episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis sits down with operations consultant and fractional COO Joshua Monge for a high-value conversation about building businesses that don’t depend on your sweat alone. They break down the mindset shift from technician to business owner, the importance of hiring before burnout, and how your systems (or lack thereof) are either setting you up for scale or silently killing your exit strategy. From SOPs to rebranding and even leveraging AI, this one is p...
In this episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis sits down with Grant Menard and Chris DiGiovanni live from Mobile Tech Expo 2025 in Orlando to talk about team culture, hiring, leadership, and what makes a business thrive beyond the shop floor. The guys dive into how to build meaningful work relationships, the role of validation in entrepreneurship, and the power of your peer group. They share deep insights—with a lot of laughs—about mental health, business trauma, and leading with heart. 10 Ke...
In this episode, Kevin Davis sits down with Nick McGurk to discuss entrepreneurship, personal reinvention, and taking risks to create a fulfilling life. Nick shares his journey from journalism to real estate and content creation, emphasizing the importance of taking imperfect action, overcoming self-doubt, and building a brand authentically.They also dive into the role of storytelling in business, how to create engaging content, and why mindset is the key to success. Key Takeaways: Take Actio...
In this episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis chats with Steven Lee from Rogue Marketing at Mobile Tech Expo 2025 in Orlando. Steven, a former physical therapist turned marketing expert, breaks down marketing fundamentals, PPC advertising, email nurture strategies, and why most detailing businesses are doing social media all wrong. They discuss how small businesses can optimize their marketing on a budget, the power of retargeting, and why getting a landing page is more important than ...
In this episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis sits down with Ian Rammelkamp, founder of AutoFiber, at Mobile Tech Expo 2025 (MTE) in Orlando. Ian shares his philosophy on running a lean, innovative business and how problem-solving has driven AutoFiber’s success in the detailing industry. The conversation covers product development, continuous innovation, customer feedback, and efficiency strategies that help businesses stay ahead. Ian also discusses how AI and automation will reshape small b...
In this episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis sits down with Jeremy Harding from Nasiol at Mobile Tech Expo 2025 in Orlando to discuss the challenges and strategies of launching an international brand in the U.S. market. Jeremy shares his journey in the detailing industry, from his early days at Meguiar’s and RUPES to his current role in expanding Nasiol’s presence in the U.S. The conversation dives into the importance of relationship-building, market adaptation, branding strategies, and the...
In this episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis sits down with Ashley, Megan, and Justin from Car Candy at Mobile Tech Expo 2025 to discuss the company’s journey from raw material sales to becoming a recognized detailing brand. Ashley shares how she started in the chemical industry, responding to detailers’ needs by formulating their first product, Chocolate Thunder Wheel Cleaner. The conversation covers strategic hiring decisions, the balance between retail and professional-grade products, an...
In this episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis sits down with Anthony Fisher from The Rag Company at Mobile Tech Expo 2025 (MTE) to discuss the evolution of branding, social media, and business growth in the detailing industry. Anthony shares insights into how The Rag Company became a dominant force, not just through great products but by pioneering content creation, YouTube education, and high-quality branding. He discusses the importance of staying ahead in social media, leveraging trending...
In this episode, Kevin Davis sits down at MTE 2025 with husband-and-wife entrepreneurs Steven and Brittney Ruscoe, the dynamic duo behind Northern Lights Home and Auto Coatings and Immersion Media. They share how they balance marriage, parenthood, and a fast-growing detailing business, all while staying true to their down-to-earth Southern roots. From leveraging humor in social media to emphasizing authenticity over “keeping up with the Joneses,” this couple reveals the mindset shifts an...
In this episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis hosts Tony Pando, a seasoned business leader with a diverse career spanning Nicholas Golf, detailing, and Dr. ColorChip. Tony reflects on his time at Nicholas Golf, where he honed his skills in brand building, customer engagement, and driving growth. He shares insights into leveraging emotional connections with customers and the importance of understanding your audience to create lasting loyalty. Transitioning into his current role at Dr. ColorCh...
This engaging episode of the Cruise Control podcast features Kevin Davis hosting entrepreneur and sales expert Jordan Stupar, founder of one of the fastest-growing sales training and media creation companies in the U.S. The conversation dives deep into actionable sales strategies, personal development, and the critical role mindset plays in both personal and professional success. Jordan shares authentic insights from his own life, tracing his evolution from door-to-door salesman to a globally...