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Explore every episode of the podcast Remarkable Results Radio Podcast

Dive into the complete episode list for Remarkable Results Radio Podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
Lost in Translation: Why Customers Ignore Deferred Work [RR 1116]03 Nov 202600:25:07
How much deferred repair revenue is sitting in your shop management system because customers don't understand what you're recommending or why it matters? Patrick Eagan of Spark Interactive joins the conversation to uncover a frequently overlooked problem in auto repair: the language shops use to communicate deferred work. From technical abbreviations to generic text reminders, are we unintentionally confusing customers instead of helping them make informed decisions?  What if the secret isn't more marketing, but better communication? The conversation also explores why authentic storytelling matters in marketing and how sharing the people, values, and experiences behind your business can help customers develop trust before they ever need a repair. What You'll Learn
  • Why technical jargon and unclear repair recommendations can cause customers to overlook deferred work.
  • How AI can translate repair descriptions into language customers understand.
  • The three-pronged follow-up strategy combining direct mail, texting, and phone calls.
  • Why personalized communication can be more effective than generic reminders.
  • How deferred work represents an overlooked opportunity for customer retention and shop revenue.
  • Why authentic storytelling helps differentiate your shop and build customer trust.

Your customers may not be ignoring their vehicle's needs. They may simply not understand what you're asking them to do. When shops communicate the what, why, and importance of deferred repairs, they create opportunities to build trust, reconnect with customers, and turn forgotten recommendations into return visits. Patrick Eagan, Spark Interactive ASTA (Automotive Service & Tire Alliance):  https://astausa.org/2027-Expo Watch Full Video Episode Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS

Learn more about the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with on-site training and six days a week of support: http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocarehttp://napatracs.com/                                        
Are You Diagnosing Vehicles or Just Throwing Parts at Them? [THA 509]30 Oct 202600:46:53
Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode Recorded at ASTA 2026, Rich Falco, Senior Curriculum Developer at CTI, Brin Klein of Assured Auto Works, and Matt Fanslow of Riverside Automotive and the Automotive Field Theory podcast, challenge the industry's approach to electrical diagnostics, technician mentoring, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in the service bay. Rich and Brin also share insights from their sold out, hands-on electrical training class, where participants worked through voltage drop testing, circuit fundamentals, and real world diagnostic challenges. Their experience reinforces an important lesson: Advanced diagnostics require a solid understanding of the basics. What You'll Learn:
  • How hands-on electrical training helps specialists develop stronger troubleshooting skills.
  • Why outdated repair habits and ignoring OE service information can create expensive mistakes.
  • How shop owners can develop more effective technician mentoring programs instead of relying solely on experienced employees to teach new hires.
  • How AI, smart glasses, and remote mentoring could transform technical education and diagnostic assistance.
  • How to communicate the value of diagnostic labor and address customer requests for waived diagnostic fees.
  • Why AI-informed customers are changing conversations about repair estimates, pricing, and trust.

Great specialists understand electrical fundamentals, follow proven diagnostic processes, and continually develop their skills. For shop owners, investing in education, mentoring, and properly valued diagnostic time builds a stronger team, more accurate repairs, and greater customer confidence. Rich Falco, Senior Curriculum Developer at CTI Brin Klein, Shop Owner, Assured Auto Works Matt Fanslow,https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/Riverside Automotive, Red Wing, MN, https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/Automotive Field Theory ASTA (Automotive Service & Tire Alliance):  https://astausa.org/2027-Expo Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training, six days a week of support, and local representation. http://napatracs.com/ Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. https://www.todaysclass.com/ Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. https://www.kukui.com/ You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
You Don’t Have to Be a Programmer to Build AI Tools for Your Shop [RR 1115]27 Oct 202600:33:35
Watch Full Video Episode

What if you could build your own AI tools to solve everyday problems in your auto repair shop without knowing how to write a single line of code?

Seth Thorson, owner of Euro Auto Service Experts and an industry educator, explores how shop owners can move beyond simply experimenting with AI and start building customized applications that improve their businesses. Seth shares how his hands-on AI classes teach attendees to create working tools, from applications that retrieve vehicle information to virtual diagnostic assessments for evaluating potential employees. His approach starts with understanding the fundamentals of AI, then using that knowledge to build solutions tailored to the unique challenges of each shop. But Seth's most compelling message isn't about technology replacing people. It's about using AI to give people more time to be human. Imagine giving your service advisors five additional hours each week to connect with customers, build trust, and strengthen relationships. By reducing repetitive administrative tasks, AI can create opportunities for meaningful human interaction rather than eliminate jobs. What You'll Learn:
  • How to identify everyday shop challenges that AI tools could help solve.
  • How AI can streamline estimating, vehicle information retrieval, and employee skill assessments.
  • How to navigate conversations with customers who arrive with AI-generated diagnoses.
  • Why saving administrative time creates more opportunities for service advisors to connect with customers.
  • How AI can enhance employee productivity and value rather than simply replace jobs.
  • Why embracing AI requires curiosity, experimentation, and a willingness to learn.

The real opportunity with AI isn't just doing more work faster. It's building tools that solve your shop's unique problems while giving your people more time to do what technology cannot replace: connect, communicate, and build lasting relationships. Seth Thorson, President, Euro Auto Service Experts, 5 locations, MN. Listen to Seth’s previous episodes HERE. ASTA (Automotive Service & Tire Alliance):  https://astausa.org/2027-Expo Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Learn more about the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with on-site training and six days a week of support: http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocarehttp://napatracs.com/                                        
Why Electrical Fundamentals, Service Information, and Technician Training Matter [THA 508]23 Oct 202600:52:55
Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode

Recorded at ASTA 2026, veteran industry trainers G Truglia and Eric Ziegler challenge the industry to rethink diagnostic habits, technical education, and the responsibility of ensuring every vehicle leaves the shop safely.

From voltage drop testing and properly loading circuits to interpreting diagnostic results, G and Eric explain why scan tools and shortcuts cannot replace a solid understanding of how systems actually work. They also confront a growing concern: Are specialists following current OE service information, or relying on procedures they've used for decades? Through practical examples, candid opinions, and plenty of humor, G and Eric reinforce an important message: Professionalism in auto repair requires continuous learning, diagnostic discipline, and a commitment to doing the job right. What You'll Learn:
  • Why electrical fundamentals, including voltage drop testing and circuit loading, are essential to accurate diagnostics.
  • How relying on scan tools, assumptions, and diagnostic shortcuts can lead to misdiagnosis and unnecessary repairs.
  • Why current OE service information must guide repair procedures, even when those procedures differ from past practices.
  • How improper brake service and overlooked ADAS calibration requirements can create vehicle safety concerns.
  • Why hands-on technical training builds deeper understanding and stronger diagnostic confidence.
  • How shop owners can improve their return on training investments by having specialists share what they learn.
  • Why sending multiple team members to training can strengthen knowledge retention and collaboration.
  • How continuing education, accountability, and professional standards contribute to safer, more accurate repairs.

The best specialists combine diagnostic knowledge with manufacturer procedures and hands-on training to deliver accurate repairs, protect their clients, and uphold the professionalism of the auto repair industry. Eric Ziegler, EZ Tech Mentors.  Eric’s previous episodes HERE. G Jerry Truglia, Dorman Training, Listen to G Jerry Truglia’s other episodes HERE. ASTA (Automotive Service & Tire Alliance):  https://astausa.org/2027-Expo Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training, six days a week of support, and local representation. http://napatracs.com/ Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. https://www.todaysclass.com/ Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. https://www.kukui.com/ You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
Shop Succession Without Retirement: How Three Employees Became Owners [RR 1114]20 Oct 202600:39:36
Watch Full Video Episode

What if your succession plan could give you more freedom, reward your best employees, and secure the future of your auto repair business without requiring you to retire?

Andy Bizub, owner of Midwest Performance Cars, shares how he transitioned 75% ownership of his three-location business to three key employees while retaining a 25% stake. Three years later, the buyout is complete, his partners are leading daily operations, and Andy continues to mentor the team while living hundreds of miles away.

Andy explains how he identified future owners within his organization, including a technician who started as a porter, and why complementary leadership skills mattered as much as financial considerations. He also shares how the partners financed their ownership through business profits, the importance of transparency, and how he learned to step back without giving up his influence. What You'll Learn:
  • How three employees became 25% owners alongside Andy through a structured, three-year buyout.
  • Why succession planning should begin with identifying and developing potential leaders within your business.
  • How seller financing and business profits helped make employee ownership attainable.
  • Why complementary skills, shared values, and leaving egos behind are essential to successful partnerships.
  • How financial transparency prepared employees to think and make decisions like owners.
  • Why mentoring future owners means giving them the authority to lead, make decisions, and learn.
  • How Andy maintains oversight and supports his partners without being involved in daily shop operations.

Succession doesn't have to mean selling everything and walking away. By investing in the right people, building a fair ownership structure, and developing leaders who can carry the business forward, shop owners can create a lasting legacy while gaining the freedom to enjoy the next chapter of their lives. Andy Bizub, Midwest Performance Cars, Chicago and Northbrook, IL.  Andy’s previous episodes HERE. Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Learn more about the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with on-site training and six days a week of support: http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocarehttp://napatracs.com/                                        
From Technician to Shop Owner: The Challenges You Never Saw Coming [THA 507]16 Oct 202600:47:36
Watch Full Video Episode You can be great at diagnosing vehicles and still struggle to make money owning an auto repair shop. What does it take to make the transition from skilled technician to successful business owner? At the ASTA Expo 2026 in Raleigh, NC, Rick White, founder of 180BIZ, reconnects with Dan Hensel, owner of Amton Auto and Truck Repair, to reflect on nearly 30 years of mentorship, hard lessons, and professional growth. Along the way, Rick and Dan explore the value of honest feedback, the discomfort that comes with personal growth, and why accepting guidance can be one of the smartest decisions a shop owner makes. What You'll Learn:
  • The unexpected business responsibilities that challenge even the most accomplished technicians when they become shop owners.
  • How a mentor or coach can provide accountability, challenge assumptions, and help an owner recognize opportunities for improvement.
  • Why hiring an experienced, highly skilled technician may be a better financial decision than choosing someone simply because they cost less.
  • How adapting your communication to different customer personalities can strengthen relationships and increase sales.
  • How effective leadership and consistent systems can create a more sustainable business without simply demanding longer hours.

Knowing how to repair vehicles can launch a career and even open the doors to your own shop. Building a profitable business takes a different kind of education. Dan's experience demonstrates the importance of financial discipline, leadership development, and having the courage to seek advice when your existing approach isn't working. Sometimes the knowledge that makes the biggest difference comes from someone willing to challenge you to think differently. Dan Hensel, Co-owner of Amton Auto and Truck, Tonawanda, NY Rick White, President and Lead Coach for 180BIZ, Listen to Rick’s previous episodes HERE. rick@180biz.com ASTA (Automotive Service & Tire Alliance):  https://astausa.org/2027-Expo Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training, six days a week of support, and local representation. http://napatracs.com/ Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. https://www.todaysclass.com/ Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. https://www.kukui.com/ You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
Authenticity Is Your Shop’s Best Marketing Strategy [RR 1113]13 Oct 202600:37:11
Watch Full Video Episode What makes your auto repair shop memorable, and are you sharing that story with your customers? Recorded at ASTA 2026 in Raleigh, NC, Melissa “Birdie” Patterson, founder of Bird's iSocial, explores why authentic marketing begins with the people, personality, and culture that make every auto repair shop unique. From a memorable “shop chicken” to customer pet photos, community involvement, and even dad jokes, Birdie shares how everyday experiences can become powerful marketing opportunities. What You'll Learn (00:00:00) Intro (00:04:30) The Power of Connection: Amazing Women in Automotive (00:12:00) What's Your Shop Chicken? Finding Your Unique Story (00:17:00) Birdie's Journey Into Auto Repair (00:20:00) Organic Search and AI: Connecting With Customers Online (00:26:00) Authentic Marketing: Turning Shop Culture Into Content (00:30:00) Working ON Your Business: Leadership, Systems, and Coaching (00:35:00) Investing in Yourself: Personal Growth and Business Freedom Authentic marketing starts inside your business, with your people, your culture, your community, and the experiences customers remember. When you combine that authenticity with intentional marketing, strong leadership, and a commitment to growth, you're not just promoting your shop. You're building relationships, trust, and a business people want to support. Your shop already has a story. Make sure your customers get to hear it. Melissa 'Birdie' Patterson, Bird's iSocial and Growing Shops: https://www.birdsisocial.com/ ASTA (Automotive Service & Tire Alliance):  https://astausa.org/2027-Expo Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Learn more about the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with on-site training and six days a week of support: http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocarehttp://napatracs.com/                                        
The Human Side of Auto Repair: Emotional Intelligence, Mentorship, and Leadership [THA 506]09 Oct 202600:53:27
Watch Full Video Episode

We're great at fixing cars. But how good are we at understanding and communicating with people?

Matt Fanslow, host of Automotive Field Theory, and Margaret Light, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Equilibrium Therapy Services, explore the human side of auto repair, focusing on emotional intelligence, effective communication, mentorship, and the leadership skills needed to build healthier shop cultures. Recorded at ASTA 2026 in Raleigh, this conversation challenges traditional attitudes about workplace emotions and communication. Discover how developing emotional intelligence, understanding different perspectives, and replacing quick reactions with thoughtful responses can strengthen relationships, improve mentorship, and help leaders create a more supportive auto repair industry. What You'll Learn
  • The Field of Fixers: Why auto repair professionals naturally jump into problem-solving mode and how that instinct can prevent meaningful communication and human connection.
  • Listening Before Fixing: Why effective communication begins with understanding, not immediately offering solutions, and how slowing down and asking thoughtful questions builds trust.
  • Emotional Intelligence in the Shop: How recognizing emotions, managing personal reactions, and understanding the feelings of others can improve everyday interactions and workplace relationships.
  • Communication vs. Connection: Why talking to someone isn't necessarily connecting with them, and how empathy, active listening, and genuine curiosity create stronger relationships.
  • Moving Beyond Tough Love: Why shame-based management and the traditional "grow thicker skin" mentality can undermine trust, discourage open communication, and weaken shop culture.
  • The Power of Mentorship: How emotional awareness, constructive feedback, and genuine mentorship build confidence, competence, resilience, and stronger relationships between experienced professionals and the next generation.
  • Leading the Next Generation: Why understanding Gen Z's perspectives, values, and communication expectations can help leaders develop and retain future specialists.

Great shop leadership goes beyond managing production, measuring performance, and solving technical challenges. It requires emotional intelligence, intentional communication, and the ability to understand people before attempting to solve their problems. The auto repair industry has invested heavily in teaching people how to fix vehicles. It's time to give equal attention to helping them communicate, connect, mentor, and lead. Because building a remarkable shop starts with building remarkable people. Automotive Field Theory with Matt Fanslow  https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/ Margaret Light is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the president of Equilibrium Therapy Services, serving clients in Minnesota and Wisconsin. She helps individuals and couples build better relational toolkits, identify blind spots, and replace reactivity with effective communication. https://www.equilibriumtherapyservices.org/ Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training, six days a week of support, and local representation. http://napatracs.com/ Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. https://www.todaysclass.com/ Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. https://www.kukui.com/ You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
AAPEX 2026: What to See, Learn, and Experience [RR 1112]06 Oct 202600:23:01
Watch Full Video Episode What should be on your must-see list at AAPEX 2026? Mark Bogdansky, Vice President of Meetings and Events at the Auto Care Association, shares what attendees can expect from a redesigned AAPEX 2026 experience, including a new home for Joe’s Garage, a more focused education schedule, expanded hands-on experiences, networking opportunities, competitions, special guests, and plenty of surprises. One of the biggest changes is designed to help attendees get more from both education and the show floor. Paid training will take place in the morning, leaving afternoons open to explore exhibits, build relationships, discover new products, and experience everything AAPEX has to offer. Joe’s Garage is also moving to Level 1, directly above the classroom training, making the transition from learning to hands-on exploration even easier. What You’ll Learn
  • Why AAPEX redesigned the education schedule to give attendees more time on the show floor
  • What’s new at Joe’s Garage, including live vehicle training and expanded experiences
  • How to approach AAPEX with a plan and bring actionable ideas back to your business
  • What attendees will find at the AAPEX Forum, including Roadside Attractions, demonstrations, giveaways, and interactive experiences
  • How the expanded Student V8 Engine Competition is showcasing the next generation of automotive professionals
  • Opportunities to connect directly with manufacturers, industry leaders, exhibitors, and fellow automotive professionals
  • Special appearances and experiences featuring Coach K, Mark Wahlberg, Jimmie Johnson, Barry Sanders, Mia Hamm and more

Don’t just attend AAPEX. Have a plan to experience it. Choose your education before you arrive. Explore the show floor with purpose. Ask questions. Make connections. Discover what’s changing in the industry. And if you bring your team, challenge them to return with actionable ideas they can share and implement. AAPEX 2026 isn't just about seeing what's new. It's an opportunity to learn, connect, experience, and bring something valuable back to your business. AAPEX, November 3-5, 2026, The Venetian Expo and AAPEX Forum https://www.aapexshow.com/ Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Learn more about the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with on-site training and six days a week of support: http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocarehttp://napatracs.com/                                        
How to Turn Call Recordings Into Coaching, Conversions, and Customers [THA 505]02 Oct 202600:45:21
Watch Full Video Episode What if the phone is ringing, but your team is unknowingly turning customers away? David Boyd, owner of Call Inbound, and Rich Oppitz, Director of Operations at Telle Tire, overseeing 95 stores, explore how call recording and AI analysis can uncover missed opportunities at the service counter and turn everyday customer conversations into powerful coaching moments. The challenge isn't always getting the phone to ring. It's understanding what happens after someone answers it. Rich shares how Telle Tire discovered that service advisors weren't intentionally turning business away, but their language sometimes communicated “no” without actually saying the word. By establishing clear expectations, analyzing calls, and consistently coaching the team, their appointment capture score improved from approximately 58% to 72% in just three to four months. What You’ll Learn
  • Why a car count problem may actually be a call conversion problem
  • How service advisors can unintentionally communicate “no” by focusing on what the shop can't do
  • Why communicating what you CAN do can change the customer conversation
  • How AI analysis can uncover coaching opportunities across thousands of calls
  • Why expectations need to be established before calls are graded
  • How “Champion Calls” and “Coachable Calls” create continuous learning
  • Why call reviews should be positioned as coaching, not punishment
  • How self-assessment can help service advisors recognize their own opportunities for improvement
  • Why empathy, courtesy, personalization, patience, tone, and follow-up matter to the customer experience
  • How a focused call review can become a valuable coaching conversation in only 5 to 7 minutes

Don't just record the call. Learn from it. Call recordings give shop leaders the opportunity to replace assumptions with actual conversations. When those conversations become part of consistent coaching, the goal isn't to catch someone doing something wrong. It's to help the team communicate better, ask for the appointment, improve the customer experience, and convert more of the opportunities already coming into the shop. Before spending more money making the phone ring, listen to what happens when it does. Cover your communication needs and revolutionize your auto repair business with AI-driven call analytics from InBound. https://callinbound.com/ David Boyd, CEO, Inbound, Listen to David's previous episodes HERE Rich Oppits, Director of Operations at Telle Tire, 95 stores Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training, six days a week of support, and local representation. http://napatracs.com/ Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. https://www.todaysclass.com/ Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. https://www.kukui.com/ You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
The Automotive Repair Podcast Network:
Stop Losing Price Shoppers: Give Them a Price Range [RR 1111]29 Sep 202600:39:06
Watch Full Video Episode

What if the customer calling for a price isn’t someone to avoid, but an opportunity your shop has been trained to turn away?

Brian Walden, COO and co-founder of Mango Automotive, challenges one of the automotive repair industry’s longest-standing practices: don’t give prices over the phone.

Instead of putting up the familiar wall of, “We can’t give you a price until we see the vehicle,” Brian’s team does something different. They give the customer a price range, explain that the vehicle still needs to be inspected and the problem confirmed, and invite them into the shop.

The result? Brian says Mango Automotive doubled its phone conversion rate.

Today’s customers have access to more information than ever. They may have already searched the symptoms, pulled a trouble code, asked AI what might be wrong, and researched what the repair could cost before they ever call your shop. Rather than dismissing that research, Brian believes shops can meet customers where they are and use transparency to build trust.

What You’ll Learn
  • Why the traditional “we don’t give prices over the phone” response can create an immediate barrier
  • How Mango Automotive uses AI to generate price ranges in seconds
  • Why the word “range” changes the conversation with a price shopper
  • How to give a price range without promising an exact repair price before inspecting the vehicle
  • How meeting customers in their “comfort zone” can build trust
  • Why Mango Automotive’s phone conversion rate doubled after changing its pricing strategy
  • How price ranges can give service advisors more confidence on the phone
  • Why every incoming phone call should be viewed as a valuable opportunity
  • How AI call analysis, transcripts, dashboards, and weekly coaching help improve advisor performance
  • Why Brian views AI as a “flashlight” that exposes where your strategy and communication are breaking down

The bigger lesson goes beyond pricing: don’t waste the opportunities already calling your shop. Every phone call represents marketing dollars already spent, a potential relationship, and potentially an entire repair order. Instead of building another wall between the customer and your business, ask whether there is a better way to help them take the next step. Brian Walden, COO and co-founder of Mango Automotive Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Learn more about the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with on-site training and six days a week of support: http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocarehttp://napatracs.com/                                        
Work Together, Thrive Together, Build a Business You Can Sell [THA 504]25 Sep 202600:46:11
Watch Full Video Episode

What does it take to work alongside someone you love, thrive through the pressures of business ownership, and ultimately build a company that can succeed without you?

Amy Castro and Kit Lindsay share a story that goes far beyond the challenges of working together as a couple. It’s about communication, boundaries, complementary strengths, succession, and building a business valuable enough to eventually pass into someone else’s hands.

What You’ll Learn
  • How couples and family members can successfully work together in business
  • Why complementary strengths can become a competitive advantage
  • How clear boundaries help separate business conversations from personal relationships
  • Why assumptions can become one of the biggest communication problems
  • How Kit identified and developed an internal successor
  • The importance of Kit’s “3 A’s”: Attitude, Aptitude, and Ambition
  • Why succession requires owners to mentor future leaders and give them room to lead
  • How letting go of ego becomes part of a successful transition
  • Why building a business that can continue without you creates options for your future

Kit operated Lindsay Transmissions for 37 years before selling it to Cody, an employee who originally joined the shop at age 16 sweeping floors. After Cody expressed interest in ownership, they created a plan to develop his business skills and prepare him for the transition. Kit ultimately carried the note, and Cody paid off the business in four years.

A successful family business isn't simply about working together. It's about learning how to thrive together while building something that can eventually succeed without you.

Amy and Kit show how communication, boundaries, complementary strengths, mentorship, and the willingness to let go can help turn a family business into something worth passing on. Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training, six days a week of support, and local representation. http://napatracs.com/ Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. https://www.todaysclass.com/ Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. https://www.kukui.com/ You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
Inside the Role of a Performance and Accountability Team Leader [RR 1110]22 Sep 202600:28:40
Watch Full Video Episode What does a Performance and Accountability Team Leader actually do inside a high-performing auto repair shop?

Nate McDonald of Empower Automotive gives us an inside look at a unique leadership position that connects inspections, client experience, team development, performance, and accountability.

As Sales Manager, Inspection Team Lead, and Performance & Accountability Lead, Nate isn't managing from behind a desk. He's working alongside his team, performing inspections, shooting videos, checking vehicles, answering questions, coaching younger team members, and looking for opportunities to improve the process.

Nate believes accountability becomes easier when you're present. Working side by side with the team creates opportunities for quick conversations, immediate coaching, and reinforcing standards before small issues become bigger ones.

What You'll Learn
  • What a Performance and Accountability Team Leader does inside an auto repair shop.
  • Why Nate views his sales responsibility more as hospitality than traditional selling.
  • How working "in the trenches" creates natural coaching opportunities.
  • What Nate has learned from mentoring Gen Z team members.
  • Why mistakes and questions are valuable opportunities for development.
  • How Empower Automotive's daily "Take Five" aligns the entire team before the day begins.
  • How inspections connect the back of the shop with service advisors and the client experience.
  • Why performance numbers are openly discussed with the team.
  • How quick one-on-one conversations reinforce standards and accountability.
  • Why team members should have a voice in improving processes and efficiency.

A Performance and Accountability Team Leader doesn't just measure performance. They help create it.

Nate's role demonstrates the value of having someone close enough to the work to see what's happening, coach in the moment, reinforce expectations, listen to ideas, and keep the team connected to the purpose behind the process. It's not about waiting for the annual performance review or calling someone into the office every time something goes wrong. Sometimes leadership is a quick conversation behind a vehicle. Sometimes it's answering a question during an inspection.  And sometimes it's simply being willing to work alongside your people. Performance and accountability become part of the culture when leadership is present every day.

Nate McDonald, Inspection Team Lead and Performance & Accountability Lead, Empower Automotive, Traverse City, Michigan Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Learn more about the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with on-site training and six days a week of support: http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocarehttp://napatracs.com/                                        
How to Develop a General Manager for Your Auto Repair Shop [THA 503]18 Sep 202600:40:17
Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode How does a shop owner find, develop, and trust the right person to become their number two?

Shawn Gilfillan, owner and CEO of Automotive Magic, and Will Barkiewicz, General Manager and Integrator, share the evolution of a leadership partnership that started when Will applied for a technician position.

Shawn quickly recognized something beyond Will's technical abilities. Their values around family, trust, service, and taking care of people aligned. Will eventually moved from running the maintenance center to becoming General Manager over both locations and the Integrator Shawn had been looking for.

Their story demonstrates that developing a number two isn't about finding another version of the owner. It's about finding someone with complementary strengths, then building the trust that allows both leaders to grow into their roles.

What You'll Learn
  • Why core values can matter more than someone's original job title.
  • How the Visionary-Integrator relationship works within EOS.
  • Why owners shouldn't look for "another me."
  • How responsibility and trust are earned over time.
  • Why a strong General Manager needs the freedom to push back on the owner.
  • How DISC profiles can improve communication and self-awareness.
  • Why standardized protocols create consistency as leadership responsibilities expand.
  • How a "Reboot" mindset turns mistakes into opportunities to improve the business.

Finding your number two isn't about finding another you. It's about finding the person who complements you.

For Shawn, that meant learning to hand over responsibility and allowing Will to "dance his own dance." For Will, it meant earning trust through communication, accountability, and a willingness to take ownership when things didn't go perfectly.

The transformation happens on both sides. The General Manager learns to lead, execute, and protect the vision. The owner learns to let go, become the guide, and gradually move responsibilities off their plate. You don't hand someone the keys to the business overnight. You give them responsibility, build trust, and develop the leadership partnership one step at a time.

Shawn Gilfillan, and Will Barkiewicz, Automotive Magic, Kenvil and Lake Hopatcong, NJ. Shawn’s previous episodes HERE NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training, six days a week of support, and local representation. http://napatracs.com/ Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. https://www.todaysclass.com/ Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. https://www.kukui.com/ You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
From Daily Profit to Long-Term Business Value [RR 1109]15 Sep 202600:38:07
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video Episode What is your auto repair business really worth, and are you building it to become more valuable every year?

Coach Chris Cotton, podcast host on the Automotive Repair Podcast Network, challenges shop owners to look beyond today's sales and profits and start thinking about the long-term value of the business they're building.

Many owners spend years on the operational hamster wheel, focused on car count, payroll, production, and this month's bottom line. But when it's time to sell, transition the business to the next generation, or simply step away from daily operations, buyers and banks look much deeper.

Chris explains why clean financials, documented systems, owner independence, and intentional succession planning can transform a shop from a business that provides the owner a job into an enterprise with significant transferable value.

What You'll Learn
  • Why profitability and business valuation aren't the same thing.
  • What buyers and banks want to see before financing an acquisition.
  • Why removing the owner from daily operations can increase business value.
  • How documented systems and protocols make a shop more transferable.
  • Why clean financial statements and tax records are critical to valuation.
  • Chris Cotton's five stages of shop ownership, from daily survival to eventual exit.
  • How increasing capacity can grow value without necessarily adding locations.
  • Why succession and exit planning should begin years before you're ready to leave.

Don't just build a profitable shop. Build a valuable business.

Create strong systems. Develop leaders. Clean up the financials. Build capacity. Reduce owner dependence. And understand what your business is worth long before you're ready to sell it.

Coaching to Valuation [E269]: https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/episode/cc269 

The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix – Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Learn more about the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with on-site training and six days a week of support: http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocarehttp://napatracs.com/                                        
The Automotive Hiring Cycle: When and How to Recruit Top Technicians [THA 502]11 Sep 202600:55:10
Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode What if the best time to recruit your next technician is when your shop isn't looking to hire?

Lisa Coyle, CEO of Promotive, and Sam Freeman, Partner Manager at Promotive, reveal why automotive recruiting has a cycle, and why understanding when technicians are looking can give shop owners a significant advantage. Lisa and Sam explain how recruiting data, market timing, candidate behavior, and consistent relationship-building can create a much more proactive hiring strategy.

Download the 6 Month Promotive Hiring Insights Report for FREE: https://info.gopromotive.com/RRR

What You'll Learn
  • Why technician recruiting has a cycle and why timing matters.
  • Why “post and pray” recruiting puts your shop at a disadvantage.
  • Why finding a top technician can take 60 to 70 days.
  • How local market data can improve your job postings.
  • Why you should recruit even when you don't have an opening.
  • What may really be behind candidate ghosting.
  • Why a counter-offer doesn't have to end the relationship.
  • How consistent communication can prevent first-day no-shows.
  • Why complicated hiring processes can cost you great candidates.
  • How the F.O.R.D. method can make interviews more personal and effective.

Great recruiting is about timing, data, and relationships. Don't wait for an empty bay to discover you need a recruiting strategy. Understand when technicians are most likely to consider a move, know what candidates in your market are searching for, simplify your hiring process, and stay connected with good people even when the timing isn't right. Your next great technician may not be looking when you're ready to hire. The opportunity is to build the relationship when they're ready to listen.

Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/

Meet Paige: The Auto Repair Industry’s First 24/7 AI Recruiter [THA 481]: https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/a481/ 

Lisa Coyle, CEO of Promotive Sam Freeman, Partner Manager at Promotive NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training, six days a week of support, and local representation. http://napatracs.com/ Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. https://www.todaysclass.com/ Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. https://www.kukui.com/ You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
The Power of Financing: A Growth Tool for Auto Repair Shops [RR 1108]08 Sep 202600:31:33
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video Episode What happens when a customer needs a $2,000 repair but doesn’t have the cash available today?

That moment can determine whether the vehicle gets repaired, the customer delays a critical service, or they take their business somewhere else. For automotive shops, offering flexible payment options can be more than a convenience. It can be a powerful tool for helping customers say yes to the work their vehicles need.

Kwane Stokes, Assistant Vice President and Relationship Manager in the automotive division at Synchrony, explains how the program can help shops remove financial barriers, increase repair opportunities, and create another reason for customers to return. Kwane also addresses why many shops still aren't offering financing and how the biggest obstacle may simply be the assumptions advisors make about a customer's ability or willingness to pay.

What You'll Learn
  • Why financing should be presented as a payment option, not something an advisor decides a customer needs.
  • How the program's average first and repeat purchase amounts demonstrate the potential impact on average repair order (ARO).
  • Why assuming a customer can't qualify for credit can cause shops to lose needed repair work.
  • How monthly promotional offers can give shops another reason to communicate with their customers.
  • How advisor incentives and simple training can encourage more consistent presentation of financing.
  • What the upcoming "waterfall" financing model could mean for customers who aren't approved through the primary credit program.

The biggest opportunity may not be finding more customers. It may be giving the customers already sitting at your counter more ways to say yes.

The key is removing the assumption that you know what a customer can or cannot afford. Present the options, explain them clearly, and let the customer decide what works for their financial situation.

For a shop, financing isn't simply about collecting payment. It's another tool for helping customers get the repairs they need while protecting the relationship and keeping the work in your shop. Kwane Stokes, AVP, Relationship Manager, Auto Network, Synchrony Learn more about the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with on-site training and six days a week of support: http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocarehttp://napatracs.com/                                        
Daily Habits That Build a Stronger Auto Repair Shop Culture [THA 501]04 Sep 202600:46:52
Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode

What does a strong shop culture look like when you’re the people living it every day?

Bree Wismer, Service Advisor and Frontline Culture Leader, and Trevor Hinds, Operations Manager and Dispatcher at Empower Automotive in Traverse City, Michigan, take us inside the daily habits and communication practices that keep their team aligned, productive, and focused on the customer.

Rather than approaching culture from the owner's perspective, Bri and Trevor share what happens on the front lines. They explain how Empower Automotive breaks down the traditional divide between the front counter and the bays, keeps everyone on the "same bus," and creates a workplace where every person understands their role, respects the team around them, and contributes to the same goal. What You'll Learn
  • Why the front counter and specialists must operate as one team.
  • How daily huddles and short training sessions keep the team aligned.
  • Why the 1:00 PM check-in can prevent late-day customer surprises.
  • Why a "no-update" update can be one of the most valuable customer communications.
  • How to respond when customers arrive with AI-generated or parts-store diagnoses.
  • How respect, communication, and accountability create confident professionalism.

Building a world-class shop culture doesn’t require a massive budget or a complicated organizational overhaul. By committing to these small, consistent actions, you can transform your shop from a high-stress environment into a thriving, unified business that both your team and your customers enjoy.

Bree Wismer, Service Advisor, Frontline Culture Leader, Empower Automotive, Traverse City, MI

Trevor Hinds, Operations Manager, Dispatcher, Workflow and Culture, Empower Automotive, Traverse City, MI

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training, six days a week of support, and local representation. http://napatracs.com/ Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. https://www.todaysclass.com/ Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. https://www.kukui.com/ You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
Rapid-Fire Automotive News: AI, EVs, Autonomous Vehicles, and the $19B Trade School Boom [RR 1107]01 Sep 202600:45:33
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video Episode

How quickly is the automotive repair industry changing, and are you ready for what's next?

Tom Ham, shop owner and founder of the Automotive Management Network, joins Carm Capriotto for a fast-paced conversation covering 12 major trends shaping the future of auto repair. From autonomous vehicles and solid-state batteries to the changing value of trade careers, AI, government regulation, 3D printing, and vehicle reliability, Tom and Carm explore the technologies and economic shifts shop owners need to understand.

What You'll Learn

  • How autonomous vehicles could reshape vehicle safety and the repair industry.
  • What advances in solid-state batteries could mean for EVs and vehicle range.
  • Why trade careers are gaining momentum as technology changes traditional employment.
  • How the technician shortage is creating new opportunities for shops to develop talent.
  • How government regulation and emissions enforcement could affect vehicle owners and repair shops.
  • What current vehicle reliability trends reveal about today's automotive brands.
  • How 3D printing could help shops solve parts availability challenges.
  • Why AI is becoming a powerful tool for reducing friction and improving efficiency.
  • Why shop owners need to stay curious and adapt as automotive technology continues to accelerate.

The automotive repair industry is changing faster than ever. The shops that thrive will be the ones willing to understand emerging technology, embrace new tools, develop their people, and continually rethink how they operate. The future isn't coming someday. It's already showing up in the service bay.

Tom Ham, Automotive Management Network. Tom’s previous episodes HERE.

Learn more about the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with on-site training and six days a week of support: http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocarehttp://napatracs.com/                                        
Brakes for Breasts: How Auto Repair Shops Are Fighting Breast Cancer [THA 500]28 Aug 202600:46:35
Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode

What if your auto repair shop could help advance breast cancer research while growing your business?

Co-founders Leigh Anne Best and Laura Frank, alongside Dr. Justin Johnson from the Cleveland Clinic, share the story behind one of the automotive industry's most impactful grassroots fundraisers. Since 2011, participating shops have partnered with parts vendors to provide free brake pads during October, helping customers save on repairs while shops donate 10% of the total service cost to breast cancer vaccine research at Cleveland Clinic.

With $2.4 million raised and a $3 million milestone in sight, the campaign is helping fund continued research into the alpha-lactalbumin breast cancer vaccine for triple-negative breast cancer while giving independent repair shops an opportunity to strengthen their communities and grow their business.

What You'll Learn

  • How the Brakes for Breasts win-win fundraising model works.
  • How participating shops can partner with parts vendors and customers.
  • Why 100% of donations go directly to the research laboratory.
  • How grassroots funding helped keep the Cleveland Clinic research lab open after Dr. Vincent Tuohy's passing.
  • What Phase 1 vaccine research revealed and what Phase 2 will require.
  • How participating shops can generate community awareness and increased car count.
  • How your shop can participate and access promotional resources.

Brakes for Breasts demonstrates what can happen when the automotive industry comes together around a cause. Shops can serve their customers, strengthen their communities, grow their businesses, and help fund research that could change lives. Every shop, every customer, and every dollar can make a difference.

https://www.brakesforbreasts.com/ The First Breast Cancer Vaccine Trial Recipient Jennifer Davis: https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/cc111/ NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training, six days a week of support, and local representation. http://napatracs.com/ Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. https://www.todaysclass.com/ Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. https://www.kukui.com/ You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
The Automotive Repair Podcast Network:
Top 5 Qualities of a Genuine Service Advisor [RR 1106]25 Aug 202600:31:00
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video Episode

What makes a good service advisor great?

Levi Linseman, performance coach at Autoflow, shares the five human qualities that separate a good service advisor from a truly trusted professional. With 25 years of automotive experience, including 15 years at the service desk, Levi explains why eye contact, a smile, warmth, caring, and humility can turn everyday transactions into long-term customer relationships.

The conversation also explores sophisticated professionalism, the role of AI in the customer experience, proactive communication, hiring for coachability, and why the best advisors know when to simply say, "I don't know."

What You'll Learn

  • The 5 qualities that define a genuine service advisor.
  • How admitting mistakes can actually increase customer trust.
  • Why AI should support the service advisor, not replace the human connection.
  • How digital vehicle inspections can improve transparency and communication.
  • Why coachability and continuous learning are essential for advisors.
  • How proactive communication reduces customer anxiety.
  • Why setting clear expectations can dramatically improve the customer experience.
  • What shop owners should look for when hiring their next service advisor.

Great service advisors do more than sell repairs. They build trust, reduce anxiety, communicate with honesty, and make customers feel cared for. Technology can make the process more efficient, but genuine human connection remains one of the most powerful advantages a shop can offer.

Levi Linseman, Performance Coach, Autoflow

Learn more about the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with on-site training and six days a week of support: http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocarehttp://napatracs.com/                                        
Your Shop’s Toughest Competitor Is in the Mirror [THA 499]21 Aug 202600:47:30
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode

Who is your shop's toughest competitor: the business down the street, or the people inside your own four walls?

Carm Capriotto sits down with shop owners Dwayne Myers and Al Oramas to explore internal competition and why the biggest threats to a shop's success often come from within. The conversation challenges owners to stop obsessing over competitors and start examining their own leadership, consistency, processes, and customer experience.

What You'll Learn
  • Why operational consistency matters and how small deviations can create chaos.
  • Why owners can't effectively lead from the "engine room."
  • How true delegation requires owners to let go of control and trust their teams.
  • Why "everything speaks" when it comes to the customer experience.
  • How standing at the curb can reveal things owners no longer notice inside their own shops.
  • How simple physical and operational improvements can create meaningful change.
  • Why asking employees what they love and what they would change can reveal the true health of a business.

Your greatest competitor may be staring back at you in the mirror. The shops that grow stronger are willing to look inward, challenge their own habits, listen to their teams, and consistently raise the standard. Leadership isn't about controlling every detail; it's about creating the environment, expectations, and trust that allow the entire team to perform at its best. Dwayne Myers, Dynamic Automotive, 8 locations, Maryland. Dwayne’s previous episodes HERE. Al Oramas, Pro Auto Care, 2 locations, Denver and Littleton, CO Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ David Boyes, President of ‘Today’s Class”  David’s previous episodes HERE Brad Updegraff, Dave’s Ultimate Automotive, 7 locations, Austin, TX. Brad’s previous episodes HERE. Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
...
Bring the Classroom to the Shop: Raising the Bar For On-Site Training [RR 1105]18 Aug 202600:39:06

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS

Watch Full Video Episode

What if the best place to train your technicians isn't a classroom, but your own shop?

In this episode of Remarkable Results Radio, Carm Capriotto sits down with Brandon Steckler, former Motor Age editor and industry educator, to discuss S.W.A.T. (Steckler Worldwide Automotive Technical Training and Diagnostics) and his mission to elevate automotive repair through hands-on education, diagnostic support, and a culture of continuous learning.

Brandon explains why effective training should close knowledge gaps rather than simply provide quick answers, and why shop owners should view education as an investment in their people, their business, and the entire local repair community.

What You'll Learn

  • How S.W.A.T. combines just-in-time diagnostic support with technician training.
  • Why on-site training can create stronger technical foundations and better diagnostic habits.
  • Why shop owners shouldn't fear inviting neighboring businesses to participate in training.
  • How collaboration between local shops can strengthen the entire automotive repair community.
  • Why technicians need to become "perpetual students" as vehicle technology continues to evolve.
  • How investing in training can improve technician confidence, productivity, and profitability.
  • Why bringing education directly into the shop can shorten the distance between learning and earning.

Great technical training doesn't simply help a technician fix today's vehicle. It builds the knowledge, habits, confidence, and diagnostic thinking needed for tomorrow's challenges. Brandon's message is clear: shops that consistently invest in education create stronger professionals, stronger teams, and a stronger industry.

Brandon Steckler, S.W.A.T Training and Diagnostics. Brandon’s previous episodes HERE.

Brandon's Cell Phone: 1 (484) 824-4621

Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocare

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:

Download and Listen on Our Mobile App: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/app/


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/


Engage, Educate, Reward: How Today's Class Is Changing Auto Repair Training [THA 498]14 Aug 202600:36:53
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode

What if the best way to train an automotive team isn't another four-hour evening class, but a few minutes of learning every day?

Carm Capriotto sits down with David Boyes, President of Today's Class, and Brad Updegraff, owner of Dave's Ultimate Automotive, to explore how continuous learning and gamification are creating more engaged, knowledgeable teams.

Brad shares how his seven-location operation uses Today's Class to support ASE certification, keep experienced technicians current with rapidly changing vehicle technology, and turn training into something employees actually want to participate in.

What You'll Learn
  • Why daily learning can be more effective than traditional after-hours training.
  • How raffles, auctions, and rewards turn training into a team-building experience.
  • How shop-versus-shop competition can create stronger teamwork than individual leaderboards.
  • How custom training content can identify knowledge gaps and strengthen advisor performance.
  • Why continuous learning is essential as vehicle technology continues to evolve.
  • What's coming next for Today's Class, including EV, hybrid, electrical, leadership, and financial training.

Training doesn't have to feel like a requirement. When learning is consistent, accessible, rewarding, and connected to career growth, it can become part of the culture. Brad and David demonstrate how gamification can turn education into daily engagement while helping automotive professionals build the skills needed for the future. Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ David Boyes, President of ‘Today’s Class”  David’s previous episodes HERE Brad Updegraff, Dave’s Ultimate Automotive, 7 locations, Austin, TX. Brad’s previous episodes HERE. Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
Inside the ASTA Expo 2026: Training, Technology, and Tribal Networking [RR 1104]11 Aug 202600:24:10
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video Episode

What happens when one of the industry's fastest-growing events doubles its exhibit space and brings together more than 200 exhibitors, 80+ training sessions, and thousands of automotive professionals?

Carm Capriotto sits down with Ryan Ragan, Executive Director of the Automotive Service and Tire Alliance (ASTA), for a preview of the upcoming ASTA Expo in Raleigh, North Carolina. Ryan shares what makes this year's event different, from its massive growth and unique Survivor themed networking experience to next-generation training and technology designed for today's increasingly complex vehicles.

What You'll Learn
  • Why the ASTA Expo has more than doubled its exhibit space to over 112,000 square feet.
  • What attendees can expect from more than 200 exhibitors and 80+ educational sessions.
  • How theSurvivorthemed networking activities are designed to get attendees out of their comfort zones and meeting new people.
  • How AI, virtual reality, and augmented reality are changing automotive training.
  • Why today's automotive professionals need skills beyond turning wrenches.
  • How the event is designed to serve everyone from first-year apprentices to experienced shop owners.

The ASTA Expo is evolving alongside the automotive industry. With expanded education, emerging technology, creative networking, and opportunities to connect with professionals across the industry, the event is designed to help attendees learn, adapt, and build relationships that move the industry forward. Exclusive $25 off your ASTA Registration with Code: Results25 Register Here: https://astausa.org/buy-expo-tickets Ryan Ragan, Executive Director, ASTA. Listen to Ryan's previous episodes HERE Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocare  

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocarehttp://napatracs.com/                                        
Mastering Shop Flow with Online Scheduling and AI Communication [THA 497]07 Aug 202600:50:14
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode

What if the key to a better customer experience wasn't working harder, but creating better shop flow?

Murray Voth of RPM Training and shop owner Doug Brackett join Carm Capriotto to discuss how online scheduling, AI-powered communication, and intentional processes can reduce front-counter chaos while improving efficiency and customer satisfaction.

What You'll Learn
  • Why online scheduling should function as a reservation request, not an automatic appointment.
  • How setting the "next expectation" builds customer trust and reduces anxiety.
  • Why qualifying customers helps create a better experience for everyone.
  • How AI and digital communication reduce interruptions and free advisors to build stronger relationships.
  • The operational strategies behind a calm, highly productive service counter.
  • Real-world performance metrics that demonstrate the power of better shop flow.

The best shops don't eliminate the human touch, they eliminate unnecessary chaos. By combining clear communication, intentional scheduling, and smart technology, shop owners can create a more predictable workflow, a better customer experience, and a less stressful environment for both employees and clients. Murray Voth, RPM Training. Listen to Murray’s previous episodes HERE. murrayvoth@rpmtraining.net Doug Brackett, Pro-Vitals Consulting, Downtown Automotive, Nelson, BC. Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
Why Employees Disengage and How Leaders Reconnect Them [RR 1103]04 Aug 202600:39:38
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video Episode

Why are so many employees disengaged at work, and what can leaders do about it?

Dr. JJ Peterson explores how business leaders can cure employee disengagement by applying the StoryBrand framework to their management style. The episode addresses a massive workplace crisis: roughly 80% to 90% of the American workforce identifies as disengaged, meaning they are stressed, disconnected, and not giving their best. Because a boss can impact an employee's mental health even more than a therapist, Dr. Peterson argues that leaders have a profound responsibility to show up in a way that positively impacts their team. What You'll Learn
  • Why most employees disengage and what leaders can do to change it.
  • The four workplace character roles: Victim, Villain, Hero, and Guide.
  • Why great leaders stop trying to be the hero and instead help their employees succeed.
  • How empathy and authority work together to build trust and accountability.
  • Why people want to feel they matter more than they want to feel motivated.
  • How defining purpose and creating a shared story strengthens company culture.
  • Why repairing relationships after mistakes builds lasting trust and psychological safety.

Dr. Peterson notes that people don't wake up wanting to be motivated; they wake up wanting to matter. Leaders must clearly communicate two things to make employees feel they matter: why the company's work is important (e.g., alleviating severe stress for customers with broken down cars) and why the individual's specific role in that mission is valuable. Similarly, true company culture is not about having snacks in a breakroom; it is about intentionally building a shared story where everyone knows their roles, values, and what success looks like. Dr J.J. Peterson, https://www.drjjpeterson.com/. Listen to JJ's other episodes HERE Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocare  

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocarehttp://napatracs.com/                 https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/app/                          
The AI-Informed Customer Has Arrived: What It Means For Auto Repair [THA 496]31 Jul 202600:51:22
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode Are your customers rolling up to the counter with their vehicles already "diagnosed" by ChatGPT or Gemini?

More customers are turning to AI before they ever call your shop, using tools like ChatGPT and Gemini as the "WebMD" for their vehicles. They often arrive convinced they've identified the problem, making today's service advisor responsible for validating the customer's concerns while guiding the conversation back to proper testing and professional diagnostics.

Brian Weeks, Jon Kloosterman, and Alex Littlewood join Carm Capriotto to explore how AI is reshaping customer expectations and why the shops that thrive will be the ones that combine technology with authentic human connection. What You'll Learn
  • Why the "human premium" is becoming more valuable as AI-generated content grows.
  • How to respond when customers arrive with AI-generated vehicle diagnoses.
  • Why AI should automate administrative tasks, not customer relationships.
  • How AI helps service advisors and technicians become more efficient.
  • Strategies for adopting AI without overwhelming your team.
  • Why AI can reinforce the value of professional diagnostics and repair expertise.

As AI-generated content floods the internet, customers are finding it harder to separate facts from fiction. That uncertainty creates an opportunity for repair shops. AI can improve efficiency, but trust is still earned through knowledgeable people, thoughtful communication, and genuine relationships. The future belongs to shops that use AI to support the customer experience, not replace the human connection that builds lasting confidence.

Jon Kloosterman, Director of Operations, WestSide Service, Zeeland, MI. Jon’s previous episodes HERE

Brian Weeks, ATC Auto Center, Augusta, GA. Listen to Brian’s previous episodes HERE Alex Littlewood, Founder, ONRAMP Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
Get Out of Your Own Way: Leadership Lessons for Shop Owners [RR 1102]28 Jul 202600:39:48
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video Episode

What's holding your shop back: your competition or your leadership?

Bill Haas of Auto Ignite Management joins Carm Capriotto to challenge shop owners to rethink leadership, accountability, and the value of their expertise. Anchored by his mantra, "If you're not on your way, you're in the way," Bill discusses how complacency, avoiding difficult decisions, and failing to lead with intention can limit a shop's success. He also shares why building a profitable, employee-focused business is essential for attracting top talent today and creating a business worth selling tomorrow.

What You'll Learn
  • Why "specialist" better reflects today's automotive professionals.
  • How shop owners can become the biggest obstacle to business growth.
  • Why accountability is the foundation of strong leadership.
  • How data leads to better financial and operational decisions.
  • What creates a healthy, profitable shop culture.
  • Why investing in employees increases your shop's long-term value.

The most successful shops are led by owners who embrace accountability, value their team's expertise, and continually invest in their people and culture. Build a business employees want to join, customers trust, and future buyers will want to own. Bill Haas, Auto Ignite Management, Bill’s previous episodes HERE Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocare  

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocarehttp://napatracs.com/                 https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/app/                          
The “Kohl’s Cash” of Auto Repair: Turning Customer Rewards Into Repeat Business [THA 495]24 Jul 202600:47:32
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode

What keeps customers coming back when the shop down the street is advertising lower prices?

Tom Sciortino of Total Automotive and Jeff Rudnick of Pit Crew Loyalty reveal how a well-designed loyalty program can become your shop's competitive advantage. Drawing from Tom celebrating 40 years in business, they share how rewarding customers, celebrating milestones, and investing in the community create stronger relationships, more referrals, and sustainable growth.

What You'll Learn

  • How customer loyalty programs increase repeat visits and average repair orders.
  • Why rewards help differentiate your shop from price-driven competitors.
  • Creative referral strategies that attract high-quality new customers.
  • How time-sensitive rewards can recover deferred work and win back inactive customers.
  • Ways to celebrate business milestones that engage employees and customers.
  • Why community involvement builds trust, loyalty, and lasting relationships.

Loyalty is more than a rewards program. When combined with meaningful community engagement and exceptional customer experiences, it becomes a powerful strategy for increasing retention, referrals, and sustainable business growth.

Tom Sciortino, Total Automotive, Buffalo, NY. Tom’s previous episodes HERE.

Jeff Rudnick, CEO, Pit Crew Loyalty

You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/

Beyond the Repair Order: The Strategy of Customer Loyalty [RR 1077]: https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e1077/

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
The Automotive Repair Podcast...
Deferred Work: The Most Overlooked Growth Opportunity in Auto Repair [RR 1101]21 Jul 202600:48:36
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video Episode

Most auto repair shops are sitting on a goldmine of untapped revenue without realizing it.

In this episode, Carm Capriotto welcomes Jimmy Alauria of 3A Automotive & Diesel Repair to discuss how deferred work can become one of your shop's most effective growth strategies. By pulling just two years of data from his shop's database, he discovered $3.3 million in potential revenue from deferred services. From better customer communication to smarter follow-up systems, Jimmy explains how to turn yesterday's declined repairs into tomorrow's repair orders.

What You'll Learn
  • Why your customer database is one of your shop's most valuable assets.
  • How deferred work can create significant new revenue without increasing car count.
  • Why shops should schedule the next appointment before the customer leaves.
  • While DVIs provide excellent transparency, their primary goal should be to educate the customer and help them plan, rather than to force an immediate $5,000 repair order. Jimmy notes that customers decline work not necessarily because they lack trust, but because they need time to budge
  • How categorizing repairs by safety, reliability, maintenance, and appearance improves customer understanding.
  • Understanding the customer's personal "car goals," whether they love the car and want to avoid a new car payment, or they hate the car and want to trade it in, is also critical to framing recommendations effectively.
  • The shortcomings of traditional CRM follow-up systems and how AI can improve communication.
  • How AI helps prioritize repairs and translates technical repair language into customer-friendly messaging that drives response.

Deferred work isn't lost business; it's future opportunity. By building better follow-up processes, educating customers, and using technology to communicate more effectively, shops can strengthen relationships, improve customer retention, and unlock substantial revenue already waiting in their database. Jimmy Alauria, 3A Automotive and Diesel Repair, Phoenix, AZ. Jimmy’s previous episodes HERE Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocare  

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocarehttp://napatracs.com/                 https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/app/                          
The Truth About ADAS Calibrations Every Shop Needs to Hear [THA 494]17 Jul 202600:52:14
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode

A viral social media clip about ADAS calibrations sparked thousands of comments and exposed a troubling reality: many automotive professionals still misunderstand when and why calibrations are required. In this episode, Carm Capriotto welcomes technical specialists and industry leaders Keith Perkins and Matt Fanslow to examine the industry's response, separate fact from fiction, and explain why following OEM repair procedures is essential for both vehicle safety and professional credibility.

What You'll Learn
  • The difference between static and dynamic ADAS calibrations, and why confusing the two leads to costly mistakes.
  • Why programming, configuration, initialization, and calibration are separate procedures with different purposes.
  • How fear of losing a sale often outweighs concerns about vehicle safety and liability.
  • The real-world consequences of skipping OEM-required calibration procedures.
  • How a properly calibrated vehicle helped protect Keith's wife and children during a serious highway rollover crash.
  • How elevating the role of theCalibration Specialistreinforces professionalism and builds customer confidence.

ADAS calibrations are not optional add-ons or revenue generators; they are critical safety procedures designed by vehicle manufacturers to ensure advanced safety systems perform as intended. Professional repair shops protect their customers by following OEM repair information, completing every required calibration, and returning every vehicle to the road safe and ready to perform.

Why ADAS Calibrations Are Being Ignored in Auto Repair Shops [THA 484]: https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/a484/

Keith Perkins, Previous episode HERE. L1 Automotive, https://www.l1diagnostics.com/, L1 Automotive Training: https://l1training.com/

Matt Fanslow, Riverside Automotive, Red Wing, MN, Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z Podcast: https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
Curing Organizational Drag: The Courage to Fire a Non-Fit Employee [RR 1100]14 Jul 202600:40:55
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video Episode

Building a successful auto repair business isn't just about hiring great people; it's about creating a culture where the right people can thrive.

In this episode of Episodic Education, Carm Capriotto welcomes Matt Lachowitzer, founder of Matt's Automotive Center, to discuss the leadership principles that helped grow his company to 11 locations. Matt shares why protecting culture sometimes means making difficult personnel decisions, how investing in employee development fuels long-term success, and why great leaders always begin by looking in the mirror.

What You'll Learn
  • Why one employee who doesn't fit your culture can create organizational drag.
  • When letting go of a top performer is the best decision for your team.
  • How leaders should evaluate their own role before blaming an employee's performance.
  • How 29-day customer follow-up calls build trust and long-term loyalty.
  • How company-wide training events reinforce culture and accelerate growth.
  • The leadership mindset required to build a business that succeeds without depending on one person.

Strong businesses are built by protecting culture, developing people, and leading with both accountability and compassion. Matt's leadership philosophy demonstrates that long-term success comes from investing in your team, making values-based decisions, and creating an organization where everyone has the opportunity to grow. Matt Lachowitzer, Matt’s Automotive Service Center, Fargo-Moorhead, North Dakota and Minnesota. Listen to Matt’s previous episodes HERE Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocare  

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocarehttp://napatracs.com/                 https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/app/                          
Maximizing Profit Through Effective Labor Rate Strategy [THA 493]10 Jul 202600:39:30
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode

Your posted labor rate may not be the labor rate you're actually collecting, and that gap could be costing your shop thousands of dollars every month.

In this episode, Carm Capriotto is joined by Andy Adams, a shop owner and business coach, and Rob Sperring, a service manager, to explain why the Effective Labor Rate (ELR) is one of the most overlooked yet impactful performance metrics in the auto repair industry. They break down why ELR falls short, how it affects profitability, and the practical steps every shop owner can take to close the gap.

What You'll Learn
  • What Effective Labor Rate (ELR) is and why it matters more than your posted door rate.
  • Why healthy shops should collect at least 90 percent of their posted labor rate.
  • How unbilled diagnostic time, underpriced canned jobs, and complimentary inspections reduce profitability.
  • Why excessive discounting, even with good intentions, can quietly erode your bottom line.
  • Why improving ELR creates opportunities to increase technician compensation and strengthen your business.
  • How auditing repair orders can uncover missed labor opportunities and unnecessary discounts.
  • Why updating your labor matrix and canned jobs can immediately improve financial performance.
  • How sharing KPI's (key performance indicators) with your team builds ownership and accountability throughout the shop.

Effective Labor Rate is more than a financial matrix; it's a direct measure of how well your shop captures the value of the work it performs. By understanding where labor revenue is being lost and making intentional operational improvements, shop owners can increase profitability, invest in their teams, and build a stronger, more sustainable business. Rob Sperring, Grand Rapids Motorcar, Grand Rapids, MI Andy Adams, Adams Garage, Terre Haute, IN. Coach at Repair Shop of Tomorrow Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
Selling to the Curb: How AI Turned More Calls into Customers [RR 1099]07 Jul 202600:37:39
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video Episode

What does it take to build one of the fastest-growing auto repair businesses while leveraging artificial intelligence to improve performance at every level?

In this episode, Carm Capriotto welcomes Jesse Jackson, Founder and CEO of Mango Automotive, to discuss how she scaled from zero to eight locations in less than five years. Jesse shares the leadership lessons learned through rapid growth, how custom AI tools are helping improve customer experience and operational consistency, and why she believes it's time to rethink how independent shop owners plan their exit from the industry.

What You'll Learn
  • How Mango Automotive expanded from a startup to eight locations through strategic acquisitions.
  • The leadership challenges that come with rapid growth and why building a corporate support team became essential.
  • The three cultural principles that drive employee engagement: never yell, bonus well, and have fun.
  • How AI is being used to measure standard operating procedures and improve accountability.
  • Why analyzing phone conversations with AI helps advisors convert more callers into customers.
  • How providing realistic price ranges over the phone can improve appointment conversion rates.
  • How AI-driven follow-up processes dramatically increased maintenance rebooking rates.
  • Practical ways any shop owner can use tools like ChatGPT or Claude to evaluate service advisor performance without spending hours reviewing phone calls.
  • Why thousands of shop owners approaching retirement may be leaving significant business value on the table.
  • How Jesse's cooperative exit model could help independent shop owners achieve substantially higher business valuations than traditional private equity acquisitions.

Artificial intelligence isn't replacing great leadership; it's making great operators even better. Combined with a strong culture, measurable processes, and innovative thinking about business ownership, AI can help repair shops improve customer experience, scale more effectively, and create greater long-term value for both. Jesse Jackson, CEO, Mango Automotive, 8 locations Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-carehttp://napatracs.com/                 https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/app/                          
AI Search Visibility: How Customers Find Your Auto Repair Shop [THA 492]03 Jul 202600:41:38
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how consumers search for auto repair services, and shop owners who don't adapt risk becoming invisible online.

Carm Capriotto welcomes Heather Myers, Chief Technology Officer at KUKUI, and Connor Tracy, Director of Partner Development at KUKUI, to explain how AI-powered search is transforming local marketing. They separate fact from fiction, share practical strategies for improving AI visibility, and explain why strong marketing fundamentals remain the key to long-term success.

What You'll Learn
  • Why optimizing your Google Business Profile remains the most important step for local AI search visibility.
  • How AI platforms like ChatGPT and Google's Gemini use consistent business listings to recommend local repair shops.
  • Why maintaining accurate Name, Address, and Phone (NAP) information across online directories is more critical than ever.
  • How AI now crawls social media platforms for business information and why authentic, human-created content improves discoverability.
  • What "Google jail" is, how AI is filtering reviews, and why violating Google's review policies can seriously damage your online presence.
  • Why review gating and incentivized reviews can put your business at risk.
  • How to use AI effectively by following the principle of "trust but verify."
  • Why better prompting leads to better AI-generated results and how to avoid incomplete or misleading responses.

AI is changing the way customers find and evaluate repair shops, but success still depends on the fundamentals. Accurate business listings, a well-maintained Google Business Profile, authentic content, ethical review practices, and thoughtful use of AI tools will position your shop to earn trust, improve visibility, and convert online searches into paying customers. Heather Myers, Chief Technology Officer at KUKUI Connor Tracy, Director of Partner Development at KUKUI, Listen to Connor's other episodes HERE

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
Building a Winning Scoreboard For Your Auto Repair Shop [RR 1098]30 Jun 202600:34:21

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video EpisodeWhat if your shop operated like a championship team, where everyone knew the score and was motivated to win together?

Gerry Frank, business coach and former shop owner of 35 years, joins Carm Capriotto to explain how gamification can transform an auto repair business by increasing profitability, accountability, and employee engagement. Rather than relying on pressure or incentives alone, Gerry shares a practical system that turns daily performance into a shared game built around visibility, ownership, and teamwork.

What You'll Learn

  • Why diagnosing the real business problem is more important than applying quick fixes.
  • How visible scoreboards create accountability and keep the entire team focused on shared goals.
  • Why technicians and service advisors should update their own scores instead of management.
  • Which key performance indicators matter most, including car count, billable hours, margins, and hours presented.
  • Why aligning the front and back of the shop creates stronger teamwork and better customer outcomes.
  • How storytelling helps employees understand the importance behind the numbers.
  • A leadership approach that improves performance by focusing on results instead of criticizing people.

Gamification isn't about making work feel like a game, it's about giving every employee clear goals, measurable results, and ownership of their performance. When leaders diagnose problems correctly, track meaningful metrics, and connect the numbers to a larger purpose, they create a culture where accountability, engagement, and profitability naturally grow. Gerry Frank, former shop owner, trainer and coach for Maverick Shop Owners Want a more profitable shop? Start with your service advisor. They are the face of your business, the voice on the phone, and the key to every approved repair. Download 'Words That Work - The Service Advisor's Complete Phone Scripts Playbook at https://serviceadvisortraining.com/ Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-careNAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

SPONSOR: NAPA Auto Care

Connect with the Podcast:


How to Sell Your Auto Repair Shop for Maximum Value [THA 491]26 Jun 202600:42:19
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode

The auto repair industry is facing a "Silver Tsunami" as thousands of shop owners approach retirement age. The challenge isn't simply selling a business; it's maximizing its value and creating a successful transition that benefits employees, customers, and future owners.

In this episode, host Carm Capriotto welcomes shop owner and business coach Aaron Woods and Ryan Bushman, a recent shop owner seller, for a candid discussion on exit planning, business valuation, financial preparation, and the leadership mindset required to build a shop that can thrive without its founder.

What You'll Learn

  • Why every shop owner needs an exit strategy, even if retirement feels years away.
  • How to transition from being the daily "hero" of the business to becoming a strategic guide.
  • The key factors that influence shop valuation and why buyer risk impacts sale price.
  • How creating a turnkey operation can significantly increase a business's market value.
  • The importance of clean financial statements and separating personal expenses from business expenses.
  • What "add-backs" are and how they can reveal the true profitability of your shop.
  • Why investments in team development and training may strengthen valuation discussions.
  • How defining your retirement goals helps determine the financial target your business must achieve.
  • The value of coaches, peer groups, and industry-specific advisors during exit planning.
  • Why finding an automotive-savvy accountant should be a priority for owners considering a future sale.

The best business exits don't happen by accident. Owners who begin preparing years in advance can reduce buyer risk, increase profitability, strengthen leadership teams, and ultimately maximize their company's value. Whether retirement is five years away or fifteen, the time to start building a business that operates independently of you is now. A successful exit begins with intentional planning, disciplined financial management, and a clear vision for life after ownership.

Ryan Bushman, Business Coach, Institute for Automotive Business Excellence

Aaron Woods, CEO X-tra Mile Auto Care, Stillwater, OK, Business Coach, Institute for Automotive Business Excellence. Listen to Aaron’s previous episodes HERE

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
How a Purple Heart Veteran Became a 6-Shop Auto Repair Owner [RR 1097]23 Jun 202600:30:02
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video Episode

What does it take to grow from a single auto repair shop to six locations in less than a decade?

Host Carm Capriotto sits down with AJ DeBuono to discuss his journey from serving as a U.S. Marine in Iraq and Afghanistan to becoming a successful multi-shop operator. AJ shares the lessons learned through rapid growth, the acquisition strategy that has fueled his expansion, and how military discipline, financial discipline, and a commitment to people have shaped his leadership approach.

Rather than buying struggling businesses and attempting turnarounds, AJ focuses on acquiring profitable shops with untapped potential.

What You'll Learn

  • How AJ leveraged SBA veteran loan programs to purchase and expand his first auto repair business
  • Why he prefers acquiring profitable shops instead of distressed operations
  • The key performance indicators he targets to quickly improve profitability
  • How military leadership principles influence his management style and business decisions
  • The importance of creating career advancement opportunities through expansion
  • Lessons learned from growing too quickly and navigating financial stress
  • How AJ approaches shop transitions to minimize disruption for employees and customers
  • Why maintaining strong personal relationships with team members remains a priority despite operating multiple locations

Growth is not simply about adding locations. It's about creating opportunities for your people, building systems that scale, and maintaining the discipline to make smart decisions when the pressure is highest. AJ DeBuono's story demonstrates that successful expansion comes from acquiring the right businesses, investing in your team, and staying focused on long-term value rather than short-term gains. AJ DeBuono, Diehl Auto Repair, Chicago, IL Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-carehttp://napatracs.com/                 https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/app/                          
Why Auto Repair Specialists Leave Our Industry (And How Shop Owners Can Keep Them) [THA 490]19 Jun 202600:51:00
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode

Why do talented automotive technicians leave the automotive industry, and what can shop owners do to keep them?

Host Carm Capriotto is joined by Technical Specialist Matt Fanslow and Technician Find CEO Chris Lawson to explore what it takes to attract, hire, and retain top talent in today's automotive repair industry. The conversation examines industry professionalism, workplace culture, compensation, employee engagement, and proactive recruiting strategies that help shops become destinations for exceptional technicians.

What You'll Learn

  • Why elevating the image of automotive professionals is critical to attracting the next generation of talent
  • The three primary reasons technicians leave shops: lack of respect, limited growth opportunities, and compensation concerns
  • How financial transparency can build trust, ownership, and a stronger team culture
  • The difference between a shop's "official game" and its "shadow game," and why understanding both matters
  • Practical ways to gather meaningful employee feedback and turn ideas into action
  • How leaders can remove obstacles that prevent technicians from finding joy and fulfillment in their work
  • Why relationships with tool truck drivers can become a valuable recruiting resource
  • How a shop's appearance and reputation can influence whether top candidates choose to work there

Finding and keeping great technicians requires more than competitive pay. Shops that create a culture of respect, provide clear growth opportunities, communicate openly, and actively remove workplace frustrations are far more likely to attract and retain top performers. The most successful shop owners don't wait for talent to find them, they intentionally build workplaces where skilled professionals want to stay and grow. Matt Fanslow, Riverside Automotive, Red Wing, MN, Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z Podcast: https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/ Chris Lawson, TechnicianFind.Com. Listen to Chris' other episodes HERE Love your shop? Stay, but stay ready. Auto techs join to level up, find good shops, and keep tabs on top indie jobs nationwide. Techs only. No BS. Independent Wrench Jobs: https://www.skool.com/independentwrenchjobs Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
The Automotive Repair Podcast Network:
2026 Automotive Training Trends Every Professional Shop Owner Needs to Know [RR 1096]16 Jun 202600:20:54
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video Episode

How are automotive technicians learning today, and who is investing in their future?

Matt Shepanek, President of the ASE Training Managers Council (ATMC), discusses the findings of the 2026 ATMC Benchmark Survey. The survey offers valuable insight into technician education, training preferences, emerging technologies, and the industry's commitment to continuous learning.

The conversation highlights significant differences between dealerships and independent repair shops, reveals what technicians most want to learn, and reinforces why ongoing professional development remains essential in an era of rapidly advancing vehicle technology.

What You'll Learn
  • How dealerships continue to lead the way in training investment, paying for technician education 85% of the time, while many independent technicians still share the cost or pay out of pocket.
  • Why Hybrid/EV systems and Electrical/Electronics training top the list of requested subjects as vehicle technology continues to evolve.
  • What the survey reveals about technician learning preferences and why hands-on, instructor-led training remains the gold standard despite the growth of online education.
  • The wide gap in annual training hours, from technicians receiving no structured education to others completing more than 56 hours each year.
  • Why continuous learning has become a business necessity, not an option, for shops hoping to remain competitive and profitable.

The 2026 ATMC Benchmark Survey reinforces a simple truth: the future belongs to technicians and shops that embrace lifelong learning. As vehicles become increasingly dependent on advanced electrical systems, software, hybrid technology, and diagnostics, professional development is no longer a luxury. Shops that invest in training, provide access to relevant education, and foster a culture of continuous improvement will be better positioned to attract talent, improve performance, and thrive in a rapidly changing automotive landscape. Download the 2026 ATMC Benchmark Survey: https://bit.ly/4aOaigM Matt Shepanek, President, ASE Training Managers Council (ATMC) Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-carehttp://napatracs.com/                 https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/app/                          
Motor Oil supply Crisis: Fact, Friction, and What Happens Next [THA 489]12 Jun 202600:36:25
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode Is there really a motor oil shortage, or is the industry caught up in another wave of panic buying? In this episode of Remarkable Results Radio, host Carm Capriotto welcomes automotive expert Lauren Fix and Deckman Oil Territory Sales Manager Lee Rhodus to separate fact from fiction surrounding today's motor oil supply concerns.

Together, they examine what's driving skyrocketing oil prices, why certain synthetic oils are becoming harder to source, and how fear-driven purchasing is creating additional strain throughout the supply chain. Most importantly, they discuss what repair shops and vehicle owners can do to navigate the uncertainty without making costly mistakes.

What You'll Learn
  • Why the world is not actually running out of motor oil
  • How global shortages of base oils and additives are impacting the availability of ultra-low viscosity synthetic oils such as 0W-8, 0W-12, and 0W-16.
  • The role panic buying plays in creating artificial shortages and driving prices even higher.
  • Why motor oil prices are increasing at unprecedented rates and what that means for repair shops and consumers.
  • The risks of delaying routine maintenance as oil changes become more expensive.
  • Practical advice for shop owners on managing inventory and communicating with customers during periods of market uncertainty.

The current motor oil situation is real, but panic is making it worse. While supply constraints and rising prices are creating challenges across the automotive industry, experts agree that hoarding inventory and delaying maintenance are not the answers. Patience, informed decision-making, and a focus on preventative maintenance remain the best strategies for both repair shops and vehicle owners. As supply chains stabilize, those who avoid fear-based decisions today will likely be in the strongest position tomorrow. Lee Rhodus, Territory Sales Manager, Deckman Oil. Lauren Fix, Car Coach Reports,  The Drive Podcast, is an automotive expert and analyst based in Buffalo, NY. She is an established television and radio personality with over 30 years experience in the auto industry as a journalist, consumer advocate, and race car driver. She was Oprah’s Auto Expert and is currently a regular contributor and reporter to Fox News, CNN, Inside Edition, and the Weather Channel. Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
Anyone Can Teach, But Not Everyone Can Educate: Lessons from 30 Years in Automotive Training [RR 1095]09 Jun 202600:35:14
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video Episode

Carm Capriotto sits down with Todd Fortier, retiring automotive professor and program coordinator from Illinois Central College, to discuss a lesson learned over three decades in education: anyone can teach, but becoming a true educator requires purpose, empathy, and continuous growth.

Todd shares how his passion for education was sparked by helping students experience those breakthrough "lightbulb moments" and why the ultimate goal of teaching is not simply delivering information, but ensuring meaningful knowledge transfer. As he prepares for retirement, Todd reflects on the challenges facing automotive education and his mission to help develop the next generation of industry instructors.

What You'll Learn
  • Why technical expertise alone doesn't make someone an effective instructor
  • How educators can improve knowledge transfer and student engagement
  • Todd's "Three C's" framework: Concern, Cause, and Correction
  • Why connection, empathy, and vulnerability are critical teaching tools
  • How to identify the root causes behind student disengagement
  • The importance of recognizing the personal challenges students bring into the classroom
  • Why many students leave training programs early and how educators can help retain them
  • How trainers and mentors can evolve into true educators
  • The soft skills needed to successfully connect with today's students and technicians

The best educators do more than share information, they build relationships. Todd Fortier's career demonstrates that teaching is most effective when instructors combine technical knowledge with empathy, curiosity, and genuine human connection. As the automotive industry works to address technician shortages and workforce development challenges, creating better educators may be one of the most important investments the industry can make. Todd Fortier, Professor/Program Coordinator, Illinois Central College, ToddFortier@techtoteacher.com Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:


The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-carehttp://napatracs.com/                 https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/app/                          
From Data to Loyalty: How AI and Hospitality Are Redefining Shop Growth [THA 488]05 Jun 202600:57:16
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode

What happens when artificial intelligence meets world-class customer hospitality?

In this episode of Remarkable Results Radio, host Carm Capriotto welcomes Mike DelaCruz, CEO of Overdryve Marketing, and Michelle Tansey, co-founder of Euro Clinic, for a forward-thinking discussion on how auto repair shops can use AI, data, and intentional customer experiences to build stronger businesses.

From using AI as a strategic business assistant to creating a luxury-level customer journey that rivals brands like Ritz-Carlton and Nordstrom, Mike and Michelle share practical insights on what separates average shops from elite operations. They explain how predictive marketing, operational excellence, and deeply embedded core values can transform customer retention and long-term profitability.

What You'll Learn
  • How AI can serve as your shop's "big brain" to improve decision-making and uncover blind spots.
  • How predictive marketing can forecast car count, identify customer churn, and improve campaign performance.
  • The concept of the "NASA Shop" and what elite automotive operations do differently.
  • How Euro Clinic creates unforgettable customer experiences through personalized hospitality.
  • The importance of building systems and processes around your shop's core values.
  • Why strong operations must come before marketing success.
  • How small communication changes can dramatically improve customer trust and confidence.
  • The role data plays in making better business decisions and reducing emotional guesswork.

The future belongs to shops that combine technology with humanity. AI can provide unprecedented insight into customer behavior and business performance, but lasting success still comes from exceptional service, consistent operations, and a culture built around caring for people. The shops that embrace both innovation and hospitality will be the ones that stand out, retain customers, and thrive in the years ahead. Mike DelaCruz, CEO Overdryve Marketing Michelle Tansey, Euro Clinic, Santa Clara, CA. Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
Stop Hiring in Panic Mode: Build a Recruiting Pipeline for Your Shop [RR 1094]02 Jun 202600:38:21
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video Episode

Host Carm Capriotto welcomes Chris Lawson, founder of Technician Find, to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing independent auto repair shops today: finding and keeping great technicians.

Chris explains why many shop owners fall into what he calls "fire alarm syndrome," waiting until a technician leaves before starting the hiring process. That reactive approach often leads to rushed decisions, poor hires, and ongoing turnover. Instead, he advocates for an "Always Be Recruiting" mindset, where shops continuously build relationships with potential candidates long before they have an opening.

The conversation explores practical strategies for becoming a destination workplace, creating a recruiting pipeline, and building a culture that attracts top talent in a competitive market.

What You'll Learn
  • Why reactive hiring creates costly staffing problems
  • How to build a bench of pre-qualified technicians before you need them
  • Why becoming "10-mile famous" can help attract both technicians and customers
  • How culture-focused marketing can outperform traditional help-wanted ads
  • The three things technicians value most: respect, growth, and compensation
  • Why sign-on bonuses often fail and how to structure them more effectively
  • Practical ways to engage passive candidates who are not actively job hunting
  • Resources available through Chris Lawson's free online community for shop owners

The best time to recruit a technician is before you need one. Shops that continuously market their culture, build relationships with local talent, and maintain a pipeline of qualified candidates are better positioned to grow, avoid staffing emergencies, and create a workplace where top technicians want to stay. Recruiting is no longer an occasional task. It is an ongoing business strategy. Chris Lawson, TechnicianFind.Com Love your shop? Stay, but stay ready. Auto techs join to level up, find good shops, and keep tabs on top indie jobs nationwide. Techs only. No BS. Independent Wrench Jobs: https://www.skool.com/independentwrenchjobs

Finding Technicians Part 1- Chris Lawson [RR 803]: https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e803/

Finding Technicians Part 2 – Chris Lawson [RR 816]: https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e816/

Technician Attraction Blueprint [RR 921]: https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e921/

Attract, Develop, and Retain Top Automotive Talent [CC 113]: https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/cc113/

Beyond Babysitters: Developing Strong Managers and Financial Transparency [RR 1076]: https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e1076/

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS

Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:

Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto

Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976 Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm   The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/ Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/ Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/
When Personal Stress Walks Into the Shop: How Leaders Protect Performance [THA 487]29 May 202600:43:13
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode Are you tired of telling your staff to “leave their problems at the door”? The reality is, what happens outside the shop often follows employees into the bays, the service counter, and every customer interaction throughout the day. Financial pressure, family struggles, burnout, stress, and emotional fatigue all impact confidence, communication, productivity, and sales performance, whether leaders recognize it or not.

In this insightful episode, Rena Rennebohm, CEO of Empowered Advisor, and service advisor coach and shop owner Rachel Spencer, challenge the old-school mindset of “leave your problems at the door” and explore what modern leadership really looks like in high-performing repair shops.

The strongest shops aren’t built only on process and productivity; they’re built on leaders who understand people.

What You’ll Learn

  • How personal stress impacts sales performance and customer communication
  • Why technician morale directly affects advisor confidence and trust
  • The connection between emotional stability and shop productivity
  • How great leaders identify performance struggles before KPIs decline
  • Why empathy and accountability must work together
  • The importance of daily check-ins and emotional awareness
  • How negativity spreads through shop culture and how leaders can stop it
  • Why “soft skills” have become essential leadership skills in auto repair

When employees feel supported, understood, and valued, communication improves, confidence grows, and performance follows. This episode offers practical insights for shop owners and managers who want to protect team performance, strengthen culture, and lead more effectively in today’s high-pressure auto repair environment.

Rena Rennebohm, CEO and Creator of Empowered Advisor. Rena’s previous episodes HERE. Rachel Spencer, Spencer’s Auto Repair, Krum, TX. Rachel's previous episodes HERE Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew...
From Guesswork to Process: Modern Diagnostic Strategies for Auto Repair Shops [RR 1093]26 May 202600:33:35
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video Episode

Recorded live at the 2026 TST Big Event, Carm Capriotto sits down with automotive trainer Ken Zanders to discuss the importance of ongoing technical education, building efficient diagnostic processes, and adapting to rapidly evolving vehicle technology. Ken explains why too many shops still rely on a chaotic “grocery list” approach to repairs and how a structured diagnostic strategy can dramatically improve technician efficiency, profitability, and customer trust.

What You’ll Learn

  • Why inefficient diagnostic habits directly reduce technician productivity, shop profitability, and overall earning potential.
  • The importance of following a structured diagnostic workflow instead of guessing and replacing parts.
  • How electronic relative compression testing with a lab scope and amperage probe can reduce diagnostic time from hours to minutes.
  • How modern vehicle technologies like GM’s Vehicle Intelligence Platform (VIP) and Over-The-Air (OTA) updates are changing diagnostics and repair procedures.
  • Why continuous education is no longer optional for automotive professionals working on today’s advanced vehicle systems.

The biggest takeaway from this episode is that repair shops cannot afford to operate in constant chaos and guesswork. A reactive “grocery list” approach to diagnostics leads to wasted time, unnecessary parts replacement, lower profits, and poor customer outcomes. To succeed in today’s increasingly complex automotive industry, shop owners must create a year-round training strategy that helps technicians diagnose efficiently, think critically, and continuously improve their skills. Structured processes, modern testing methods, and ongoing education are no longer advantages; they are necessities for survival and growth.

TST Big Event: https://tstseminars.org/

Ken Zanders, Dorman Training

Photography by Joe Manna

Don’t Base Your Success On Probability – Ken Zanders [RR 822]: https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e822/

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS

Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:

Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto

Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976 Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm   The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/ Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/ Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-carehttp://napatracs.com/
Failing at Retirement: Building Eight Shops in Eight Years [THA 486]22 May 202600:52:04
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode

Carm Capriotto talks with Matt Curry and Judy Curry of Craftsman's Auto Care about building one of the automotive industry’s most respected multi-shop operations twice.

After growing Curry’s Auto Service to 10 locations and retiring in 2013, the Currys returned to the industry with a new vision, launching eight Craftsman’s Auto Care locations in eight years. Matt shares his role as the visionary leader driving momentum and ideas, while Judy explains how operational discipline, marketing, and customer experience keep the business grounded and scalable.

The conversation explores their “5 Ps” philosophy: People, Policies, Processes, Procedures, and Profits, along with their commitment to employee development, strong culture, customer transparency, and community involvement. The Currys also discuss how Digital Vehicle Inspections and an intentional customer experience helped them earn nearly 10,000 five-star Google reviews.

What You’ll Learn

  • How Matt and Judy Curry scaled multiple successful shop operations
  • Why leadership balance and “staying in your lane” matters
  • The “5 Ps” framework for building a strong shop culture
  • How employee investment drives long-term success
  • Why transparency and DVIs build customer trust
  • How culture and customer experience fuel growth and retention

Sustainable growth in automotive repair comes from more than technical expertise. It requires intentional leadership, strong systems, a healthy culture, and a commitment to both employees and customers.

Matt and Judy Curry, Craftsman Auto Care, 8 locations, Virginia Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast: ...
The AI-Driven Auto Repair Leader: Using Technology as Your Strategic Thought Partner [RR 1092]19 May 202600:51:30
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video Episode

In this forward-looking conversation, Carm Capriotto and Chris Cloutier, CEO of AutoFlow and owner of three Golden Rule Auto Care locations, explore how artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the automotive repair industry; not as a replacement for people, but as a powerful tool that helps shop owners lead smarter, communicate better, and operate more professionally.

Chris shares firsthand experiences using AI inside both his software company and his repair shops, revealing how the technology can dramatically reduce time spent on leadership and administrative tasks while improving workflow efficiency and customer communication. From refining technician notes to helping build business plans and expansion strategies, AI is becoming what Chris describes as a 'thought partner' for today’s shop owner.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Why AI should be viewed as a strategic business partner, not a threat to the automotive repair profession
  • How effective prompting and providing context can dramatically improve AI-generated results
  • Ways AI can streamline major business tasks such as SBA loan preparation, SWOT analyses, and growth planning
  • How AI-powered technician note rewrites improve customer communication and strengthen professionalism
  • Why clear, polished communication acts as a “curtain of professionalism” that builds customer trust
  • How AI can help bridge language barriers by translating repair orders and inspection results
  • The risks and humor of “AI versus AI” hiring practices, where both employers and applicants rely heavily on artificial intelligence
  • Why Chris believes today is the least expensive AI will ever be, and why shop owners should begin learning it now

The biggest takeaway from this episode is simple: AI will not replace highly skilled automotive professionals, but it will absolutely enhance the shops that learn how to use it effectively. From improving efficiency and communication to elevating the image of professionalism, AI offers tremendous advantages for modern repair businesses. However, Carm and Chris emphasize one critical principle throughout the conversation: trust, but verify. Just like quality control in the service bays, AI-generated information should always be reviewed carefully before being shared with customers or used to make important business decisions.

Chris Cloutier, Golden Rule Auto Care, and CEO of Autoflow. Listen to Chris' other episodes HERE

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS

Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:

Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto

Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976 Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm   The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/ Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/ Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.
The Rise of the Specialist: Redefining Automotive Professionalism [THA 485]15 May 202600:53:43
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode

Host Carm Capriotto is joined by shop owners Craig Noel, Brett Beachler, and Tom Palermo for an important discussion on how “The Rise of the Specialist” is moving from idea to implementation inside automotive repair shops across the industry. Written by Carm Capriotto, “The Rise of the Specialist” is a growing movement and declaration designed to elevate the language, image, professionalism, and culture of the automotive service industry.

In this episode, the panel shares how they are actively implementing “The Rise” within their own businesses, from changing terminology and redefining job titles to elevating customer communication, shop presentation, and team culture. The conversation highlights the real-world challenges and successes of shifting away from outdated labels like “mechanic,” “wrench,” and “technician” and embracing the more professional and accurate title of “specialist.”

Carm explains that this movement is more than a branding exercise; it is a professional evolution aimed at helping the industry better reflect the expertise required to service today’s highly advanced vehicles. Modern automotive professionals are diagnosticians, calibration experts, technology specialists, and problem-solvers operating in one of the most sophisticated skilled professions today.

Throughout the discussion, the shop owners explain how adopting the language and principles of “The Rise” has strengthened team pride, improved customer trust, and helped create a more professional identity within their organizations. The panel also explores how service advisors play a key role in communicating the value of diagnostics, testing, and specialist-level expertise to clients in a way that builds understanding and confidence.

The episode draws powerful comparisons to professions like medicine and culinary arts, emphasizing that automotive specialists deserve the same respect given to highly trained experts in other industries. Just as chefs and medical specialists earn recognition through mastery and continuous education, today’s automotive professionals must also be seen as specialists whose expertise protects the safety and reliability of every vehicle entrusted to them.

“The Rise of the Specialist” has already gained momentum throughout the industry. Carm’s signature keynote, The Rise of the Specialist, has been delivered to influential audiences across North America, including the ASE Board of Governors, Ford Motor Company, and hundreds of forward-thinking automotive professionals.

What You’ll Learn

  • Why “The Rise of the Specialist” was created and what it represents
  • How shop owners are implementing “The Rise” in their businesses
  • Why the industry must move beyond outdated titles like “technician” and “mechanic”
  • How language shapes customer perception, professionalism, and team culture
  • The role service advisors play in explaining specialist-level diagnostics and repairs
  • How hospitality, presentation, and communication strengthen customer trust
  • Why this movement can help attract the next generation of automotive professionals

This episode demonstrates that “The Rise of the Specialist” is no longer just a concept; it is becoming a real cultural shift within the automotive industry. By adopting language that reflects expertise, elevating professionalism throughout the customer experience, and embracing the identity of the specialist, shop owners are helping reshape how the industry sees itself and how the world sees it.

Download 'The Rise of the Specialist': https://remarkableresults.biz/rise Craig Noel, 
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