AAPEX 2025: The Aftermarket Trade Show Reimagined [RR 1059]

The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) returns to Las Vegas on November 4–6, bringing the industry’s biggest names, most advanced training, and a completely redesigned show floor.

Here’s what you can expect:

A major structural change to the show floor, segmenting exhibitors by product category for buyer efficiency.

Keynote speaker announcement: Wayne Gretzky, “The Great One.”

Expanded education with 75+ classes plus a new “Meet the Trainer” segment for direct access to instructors.

AAPEX 2025 is more than a trade show—it’s the industry’s hub for education, innovation, and connection. Come prepared, but leave space for the unexpected conversations and discoveries that could change your business.

remarkableresults.biz/e1059

The Silent Profit Killer: Inconsistent Processes [THA 452]

Too many shops rely on inconsistent, informal methods of “this is how we did it yesterday.” The result? Fluctuating outcomes, missed opportunities, and daily frustration. Imagine four technicians completing a Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) in four different ways, which can be confusing for staff, stressful for owners, and costly for customers. The solution is a unified process that everyone follows to deliver consistent results. “Without systems, the owner becomes the system.” Every decision rests on the owner’s shoulders, trapping them in the daily grind.  Leaders must shift from being “needed” to being “required”: their role is to create the environment for success, not micromanage.

Systems Win Wars: As Carm Capriotto said, strong systems are the foundation of a profitable and enjoyable business.
Breaking Free from Chaos: Inconsistent methods (“this is how we did it yesterday”) lead to stress, missed opportunities, and fluctuating results. 
The Owner’s Dilemma: Without systems, the owner becomes the system. Matt Wagg’s injury showed the necessity of trusting people and processes.
Profit Through Process: Profitability is tied directly to defined, repeatable steps. Systems also eliminate business “friction” and make operations easier.
Key Benefits of Documented Processes: Faster, smoother training & onboarding. Clear accountability for both staff and owners. Ongoing continuous improvement to adapt and grow
Empower Your Team: Trust the people you’ve hired. Give them processes and training, then step back. Empowered teams drive success, customer satisfaction, and owner freedom.

Takeaway: Strong systems aren’t just about profit; they create happier teams, better customer experiences, and sustainable growth.
remarkableresults.biz/a452

2025 Voice of the Technician Survey: Addressing Industry Pain Points [RR 1058]

What does the future of the automotive repair profession look like through the eyes of technicians themselves? Jay Goninan unpacks Wrenchway’s annual Voice of Technician survey with 4,700+ responses, revealing a concerning drop in satisfaction, but also a roadmap for improvement.

Key Insights:

Technician Sentiment: 50% wouldn’t recommend their shop, with negativity dominating social media.
Career Development: Technicians want visible growth paths, certifications, and new specialized roles like ADAS or EV diagnostics.
Compensation: Pay remains the top frustration. Shops need profitability strategies and flexible pay plans (61% prefer hourly/salary with bonus).
Culture & Tools: Proper equipment, work-life balance, and intentional team-building are critical to retention.
Professionalism: Shifting language from “mechanic” to “specialist/technologist” elevates the industry’s perception.
Leadership & Communication: Shop owners must ask “why,” listen to technicians, and implement meaningful change.
Download: https://wrenchway.com/resources/2025-voice-of-technician/#download-report

This isn’t just about attracting new talent; it’s about creating workplaces where technicians feel valued, respected, and see a future in the industry.
remarkableresults.biz/e1058

Business By The Numbers: Insights Into Auto Shop Benchmarks [THA 451]

The conversation draws on insights from the 2025 Paar Melis Benchmark Report, built from verified financials and survey data from hundreds of shops. The report reveals what top performing shops are doing differently and where common challenges remain.

Key Takeaways:

Paar Melis Report Insights: Get a real world look at what drives profitability, efficiency, and growth across the industry.

Track the Right Metrics: Focus on gross profit, productivity, and expense management.
Use Benchmark Reports: Compare your numbers to industry averages to spot strengths and weaknesses.

Seek Expert Guidance: Professional input helps shop owners interpret data and optimize results.
Adapt to Grow: Success comes from knowing your numbers and being willing to adjust processes.

remarkableresults.biz/a451

Process Engineering: Six Sigma for Auto Shop Efficiency and Growth [RR 1057]

David Boyd, Six Sigma Black Belt, emphasizes that defined processes and systems are essential for shop efficiency and growth. Every task follows a process, whether recognized or not, and “rapid toggling” (doing the same job differently each day) leads to chaos.

Key Insights:

Define Processes: Ask “Why do you do it that way?” to uncover gaps and create consistency.

Use DMAIC: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control, establish “normal” and fix what’s “abnormal.”

Apply Lean Thinking: Reduce wasted motion and idle time (e.g., proper tool placement, faster approvals).

Link KPIs to Action: Observe workflows directly (“management by walking around”), not just reports.

Commit to Continuous Improvement: It’s a loop, not a one-time fix.

For MSOs: Scaling requires standardized systems and local accountability.

The payoff: higher efficiency, stronger customer experience, productive technicians, fewer mistakes, and sustainable growth.

remarkableresults.biz/e1057

Recruiter’s Playbook: Overcoming Ghosting and Hiring Roadblocks [THA 450]

Ghosting, when candidates or employers suddenly stop communicating, is one of the biggest frustrations in the automotive hiring process. It impacts everyone, from fresh tech school grads to 30-year veterans, and makes filling roles even harder.

For Candidates

Be Honest: Shops value transparency about skills and areas for growth.
Make a Strong Impression: Be punctual, dress appropriately, and communicate delays.
Stay in Touch: Keep recruiters and shops updated, communication builds trust.

For Shop Owners
Move Fast: Top technicians field multiple offers. A quick verbal offer after a strong first interview can secure them.
Be Clear: Write detailed job ads that set expectations and filter unqualified applicants.
Mind Your Reputation: Shop appearance, online reviews, and culture shape candidate perceptions.
Show the Opportunity: Highlight training, career growth, wages, and benefits beyond just pay.
Prepare for Counter Offers: Be ready to show long-term value when candidates get tempted to stay put.

Recruiters like Promotive help both sides by prepping candidates for interviews and matching shops with the right cultural and financial fit.

The bottom line: honesty, communication, and speed are the antidotes to ghosting. Treat the hiring process like a first date, make it the start of a strong, lasting connection.
remarkableresults.biz/a450

A Phone Call Is Worth a Thousand Emails [RR 1056]

In today’s fast paced industry, automation and digital tools like texts, emails, and online bookings make business easier but often leave interactions feeling “people free.” Convenience can come at the cost of real customer relationships, reducing decisions to price alone.

Mike Carrillo, founder of Autoshop Follow-Up, reminds shops that while automation has its place, nothing replaces the power of a phone call. His company helps shops bring back that personal touch, building the know, like, and trust factor every business depends on.

Why phone calls matter:
• Build trust and loyalty by making customers feel valued.
• Prevent lost business by uncovering issues before they turn into bad reviews.
• Gain insights you can’t get from analytics alone.
• Challenge digital norms: 40% of calls get answered, even by younger generations.
• Ensure consistency with dedicated ambassadors who represent your shop’s culture.

Texts are great for generating reviews, but they miss the middle ground where future revenue lies. A thoughtful follow-up call turns transactions back into relationships, because at its core, auto repair is a people business.
remarkableresults.biz/e1056

The Growth Tax: What Every Shop Owner Must Pay to Move Forward [THA 449]

This episode is all about transformation: how coaching, mindset shifts, and strategic decisions can take a shop from survival mode to real growth. Matt Wagg opens up about his journey from being coached by Bill Haas to becoming a coach himself, and the lessons learned along the way about leadership, profit, and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

Coaching Works: It paid for itself almost immediately and pushed Matt into changes that fueled growth.

Listen for Real: True success starts with listening, not just to reply, but to understand.

Differentiate Everything: Even oil changes can be a premium service when properly communicated.

Profit Fuels Growth: Embrace profitability to invest in tools, reward your team, and scale.

Owner’s Mindset: Step out of the bays and into leadership with a clear job description.

Leadership = Responsibility: Owners carry the weight of their team’s livelihoods—accountability matters.

Teaching to Learn: Coaching others deepened Matt’s own understanding and perspective.

And this is only Part 1! Next time, we’ll dive into systems—because “systems win wars.”
remarkableresults.biz/a449

Practice What You Preach: Coach Chris Cotton’s Shop Ownership Experience [RR 1055]

Chris Cotton’s latest venture into shop ownership puts his coaching philosophy to the ultimate test, and the results speak volumes.

Episode Highlights:

Shop Acquisition and Rapid Payoff: Despite once saying he’d never own a shop again, Chris purchased Firestone of Durango about a year ago, calling it “too good of a deal to pass up.” Planned as a three-year owner-financed purchase, he paid it off in just six months.

Profitability and Growth: With a 31% net profit (compared to the industry average of 5–8%), the shop’s success reflects the very systems Chris teaches. 

Advertising and Expansion: Spending roughly $10K per month, Chris follows his mantra: “Advertise for the shop you want to be, not the shop you are.” He prioritizes Local Service Ads (LSAs).

Operations and Staffing: Chris rejects the idea of a “technician shortage,” noting great shops attract great people. 

Coaching in Action: Chris practices what he preaches: action based learning, accountability, and focusing on fundamentals like proper pricing before chasing more customers. For owners eyeing an eventual exit, he advises cleaning up financials 3–5 years in advance and building a business that thrives without daily owner involvement.
remarkableresults.biz/e1055