Posts by Carm Capriotto, AAP
The “Monster” in Your Head Is Costing Your Shop Money [RR 1086]
In this episode of Coffee with Carm and a Coach, host Carm Capriotto sits down with Greg Bunch, business coach and Founder at Transformers Institute and owner of Aspen Auto Clinic, to unpack the mindset barriers that quietly limit leadership and growth in auto repair.
At the center of the conversation is the “monster” voice that is wired for survival, not success. While it once kept us safe, today it often holds leaders and advisors back from difficult but necessary actions: addressing underperformance, having honest conversations, or confidently recommending needed work. Left unchecked, that fear can cost shops hundreds of thousands, even millions, in missed opportunities.
Greg shares five foundational pillars for effective leadership:
Wisdom: Surrounding yourself with the right voices and guidance
Knowledge: Understanding your numbers and facts without emotion
Understanding: Knowing what those numbers actually mean in your business
Diligence: Doing what needs to be done, even when it’s uncomfortable
Right Choices: Staying aligned with your values, no matter the pressure
Together, Carm and Greg explore how business is ultimately an emotional math problem, a constant balance between data-driven decisions and the human side of leadership. They also challenge listeners to become perpetual students, actively seek honest feedback, and confront the habits that hold them back.
The episode wraps with a powerful reminder: long-term success comes from “slow dimes,” not “fast nickels.” Doing the job right, every time, builds trust, safety, and sustainable profitability.
remarkableresults.biz/e1086
Continuing the Language Shift – BTW Don’t Skip This!
The language shift in business isn’t coming—it’s already here. More and more, I find validation in the evolving job titles across industries. Roles are being redefined. Words are being elevated. And with that shift comes a change in how professionals see themselves—and how customers perceive them. I’ve also been receiving thoughtful suggestions from peers across…
Batman Needs a Robin: Meet Your Shop’s New Sidekick Ninja App [THA 479]
Recorded live at VISION 2026, host Carm Capriotto is joined by Jeremy Glassco of AppFueled and shop owner Joe Schindler to explore how auto repair shops can better connect technology with customer engagement.
Gladsco introduces the concept of the “App Gap,” explaining that while consumers frequently engage with apps from major brands, auto repair shops struggle with adoption because customers only download apps they trust or see immediate value in. To bridge this gap, he emphasizes delivering clear incentives and meaningful engagement.
A key innovation discussed is “Sidekick Ninja,” a Chrome extension tool that complements the shop’s management system by surfacing real-time customer insights, including communication history, profile data, and available offers, directly within the advisor’s workflow. This integration ensures no missed follow-ups, rebates, or opportunities to enhance the customer experience.
Schindler also highlights strategies to protect shop profitability, including gamifying customer engagement within a shop app. By rewarding users for actions such as adding vehicle details or personal information, shops can gather valuable data while encouraging deeper engagement.
Ultimately, the episode reinforces that when technology is used to enhance, not replace, the human connection, shops can create better experiences, stronger relationships, and more consistent growth.
https://www.appfueled.io/sidekick-ninja
VISION Hi-Tech Training and Expo: https://visionkc.com/
Jeremy Glassco, Founder, App Fueled
Joe Schindler, Schindler’s Garage, Floyds Knobs, IN
remarkableresults.biz/a479
Stop Leaving Money on the Table: How to Master Your Shop Management System [RR 1085]
Recorded live at VISION 2026, host Carm Capriotto speaks with Evis Husejnovic of NAPA TRACS about how shops can boost profitability and customer service by better using their shop management systems.
Husejnovic highlights that most owners use only 10–15% of their software, often missing key tools for managing operations. NAPA TRACS addresses this with hands-on support, user groups, and daily training.
The conversation also emphasizes a “treatment plan” approach to digital vehicle inspections, helping shops increase revenue through thorough, preventative maintenance rather than higher car counts. While technology has rapidly evolved, Husejnovic reinforces that auto repair remains a relationship-driven, “handshake” business, and shares how NAPA TRACS is helping train future technicians through partnerships with technical schools.
VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo: https://visionkc.com/
Evis Husejnovic, Regional Sales Manager, 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/
remarkableresults.biz/e1085
A Brainiac Celebration
Working in the professional automotive repair industry requires intelligence, creativity, and problem-solving. Every day in our shops there are “smart” or even brainiac moments that deserve to be recognized — or at least talked about. Here’s the rub: if you’re a smart shop, great ideas happen all the time. You discover a diagnostic shortcut that…
Smart Glasses in the Shop: Inside NAPA Autotech’s XcceleratoR Training [THA 478]
Recorded live at VISION 2026, host Carm Capriotto sits down with Matt Crumpton, Director of Program Development at NAPA Auto Care, and Robin Cowie, Creative Technologist, to explore the official rollout of NAPA’s Extended Reality (XR) training program.
The conversation centers around solving some of the industry’s biggest challenges: the ongoing technician shortage, the high cost of tools for new hires, and the need to get technicians productive and billable faster. By leveraging immersive technology that feels familiar to younger generations, NAPA is creating a pathway for new technicians to build skills and confidence in a low-risk, high-impact learning environment.
The XR ecosystem is built around three core technologies. Virtual Reality (VR) delivers immersive, point-of-view training with over 50 lessons focused on essential shop skills, reinforcing the idea that “brakes pay bills.” Using a structured “teach five, test five” approach, technicians develop muscle memory before ever working on a live vehicle. Mixed Reality (MR) bridges the gap between virtual and physical by combining real tools with guided digital overlays, allowing for hands-on practice with built-in support. Augmented Reality (AR) smart glasses bring the technology directly into the service bay, giving technicians instant, voice-activated access to critical information like torque specs, keeping them focused on the vehicle and saving valuable time on every job.
Looking ahead, the platform continues to evolve. Future integrations are expected to include shop management systems, Identifix, and digital vehicle inspections, enabling fully hands-free workflows and even customer-facing video communication directly from the bay.
After successful testing with early adopters, NAPA officially announced at VISION 2026 that its XR training packages are now available for general purchase, offering shops a powerful new way to train, support, and retain the next generation of technicians.
https://napaxccelerator.com/
VISION Hi-Tech Training and Expo: https://visionkc.com/
remarkableresults.biz/a478
Is Your Shop the Problem? Hard Truths from the Voice of the Technician Survey Results [RR 1084]
Host Carm Capriotto speaks with Jay Goninen, co-founder and president of WrenchWay, about insights from the 2026 Voice of the Technician Survey and what it reveals about the state of the automotive workforce.
Jay encourages shop owners to download the free report to uncover blind spots and start meaningful conversations with their teams. The data show that technicians strongly prefer a four-day, 10-hour workweek with no weekends, along with proper equipment, paid vacation, retirement benefits, and paid training.
While dealership technicians made up a larger share of respondents, independents stood out in workplace culture. 63% of independent technicians would recommend their shop to a friend, compared to 36% at dealerships, though dealerships scored higher in providing paid training. Across both groups, technicians favor an hourly wage plus bonus structure, which many feel better supports diagnosticians than traditional flat-rate systems.
The discussion also highlights a troubling trend: the industry’s Net Promoter Score dropped to -60 in 2026, signaling that many technicians would not recommend the profession to others.
To strengthen the talent pipeline, Jay discusses ASE Connects, a new initiative aimed at connecting shops with high school and technical school automotive programs to support them through mentorship, advisory roles, and community engagement.
Carm also advocates elevating the profession by shifting the language from “mechanic” or “technician” to “specialist,” emphasizing the expertise required to work on today’s vehicles.
Overall, the episode serves as a wake-up call for shop owners to use the survey insights to evaluate their culture, communication, and work environments, and to become employers technicians are proud to recommend.
https://wrenchway.com/resources/2026-voice-of-technician-survey-report/
Jay Goninen, Co-Founder and President, WrenchWay
remarkableresults.biz/e1084
Are you exploring? Imagining? Being creative and curious?
Or are you simply reacting to what’s happening around you? Change is not optional — in life or in business. Especially in our industry. Technology evolves. Vehicles evolve. Client expectations evolve. There is no hiding from it, dodging it, or refusing it. But there is a choice in how you respond. The Japanese call it…
General Service Technician Academy: Building Educational Foundation For Tomorrow’s Careers [THA 477]
Recorded live at VISION 2026, this episode highlights the General Service Technician Academy (GSTA), a two-day training program offered at VISION designed to build strong foundational skills for early-career automotive technicians. Host Carm Capriotto speaks with industry leader and shop owner Travis Troy and two young technicians who completed the program about how mentorship and structured training are shaping their careers.
The discussion emphasizes that great technicians are distinguished not by advanced tools alone, but by how well they execute fundamental skills. The GSTA curriculum covers essential, practical topics including OSHA training, lift safety, fluids and oil, tire safety and repair, alignments, thermal management (A/C), and hands-on electrical training.
The academy addresses a critical training gap in the industry through a hands-on learning model that encourages participants to learn it, practice it, and teach it, reinforcing both understanding and communication. Mentorship plays a key role in guiding young technicians who often face unclear career paths and discouraging workplace experiences, helping them build confidence, opportunity, and long-term direction.
Ultimately, the conversation reinforces a culture of continuous learning, highlighting that both new and experienced technicians benefit from revisiting the fundamentals to maintain safety, productivity, and professional growth in an increasingly high-tech automotive industry.
VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo: https://visionkc.com/
remarkableresults.biz/a477
Own the Technician Shortage: How One Shop Owner is Transforming Industry Recruitment [RR 1083]
In this episode, Carm Capriotto speaks with Chris Machado, founder of XGen Academy, about a bold new approach to solving the automotive technician shortage.
Machado has developed an intensive 16-week training program that blends virtual reality simulations, classroom learning, and hands-on shop experience to accelerate the development of new technicians. At the core of the academy’s philosophy is the “reverse funnel,” which attracts a wide pool of young talent and progressively refines their skills toward professional mastery.
The program goes beyond technical instruction. Through its “Reality Hub,” students also learn essential life and workplace skills, including financial literacy, professionalism, and ethics.
By modernizing the training experience and making automotive careers more appealing to younger generations, Machado aims to build a scalable model that can be replicated nationwide, offering a proactive, high-tech solution for developing the industry’s next generation of technicians.
XGen Academy: https://xgened.email/
remarkableresults.biz/e1083
The Affordability Myth in Auto Repair: Rethinking How Service Advisors Present Repairs [THA 476]
“I think the push back is more in our head than it is in the pocketbook.”
In this episode, host Carm Capriotto talks with Andy Fiffick and Chris Letendre about the perceived affordability crisis in auto repair. Both guests challenge the idea that customers can’t afford repairs, suggesting that price resistance often stems from the service advisor’s mindset rather than customer reality.
The discussion highlights practical strategies for improving repair approvals, including repackaging repairs with different parts or warranty options, presenting financing as “payment option plans,” and avoiding the “Sophomore Jinx,” where advisors begin to pre-judge what customers can afford. They also address the “maintenance-free” myth promoted by automakers and encourage shops to proactively educate customers with long-term maintenance planning.
Ultimately, the episode reinforces a key truth: auto repair is a relationship business. When shops build trust and focus on helping people, price objections become far less common.
remarkableresults.biz/a476
Stop Winging Human Resources in Your Auto Repair Shop [RR 1082]
In this episode, host Carm Capriotto sits down with Lola Schmidt, COO of Schmidt Auto Care, to discuss how independent auto repair shops can professionalize their human resources and management systems.
Lola outlines a deliberate, multi-step hiring process built to eliminate desperate decisions and reduce candidate ghosting. It begins with a focused 5-10 minute phone screen designed to evaluate attitude, communication skills, and professionalism before investing time in in-person interviews.
Once hired, new team members go through a structured two-week onboarding experience that intentionally integrates them into the shop’s culture and operations, complete with personalized touches and cross-training across the team.
To establish clarity and transparency, Lola shares her “no gatekeeping” philosophy: providing candidates with a legally reviewed employee handbook before a formal offer is made. She also explains how to handle HR documentation and unemployment claims using a “no feelings, just facts” approach, relying on accurate records, clear timelines, and policies tied directly to the signed handbook.
The result? Intentional systems that protect the culture, the employees, and the long-term health of the business.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to build a structured hiring process that prevents reactive decisions
Why a short phone screen reduces ghosting and wasted time
How to hire for attitude and cultural fit first
What an effective two-week onboarding plan looks like
Why a legally reviewed employee handbook is essential
How to document HR issues clearly and objectively
remarkableresults.biz/e1082
Who is Looking for Your Top Talent?
Top shop operators realize their greatest competitor is not the shop across town—it’s themselves. They build a reputation. They build trusted relationships with their clients. They perform at the highest level of competence. They are always recruiting. They cultivate a formidable culture. These operators commit to excellence in every dimension of their business. That’s why…
The 250K Mile Maintenance Mindset: Mastering the Art of Vehicle Delivery [THA 475]
This episode explores the critical “delivery” phase of a 250,000 mile maintenance program, reframing the moment you hand the keys back as the continuation of a long-term professional relationship, not the end of a transaction. Host Carm Capriotto, joined by Brett Beachler and Rena Rennebohm, shares practical strategies to strengthen customer communication, elevate the shop experience, and proactively guide clients toward vehicle longevity. By focusing on the vehicle’s full lifecycle and scheduling the next visit before the customer leaves, shops can move beyond transactions to build loyalty, retention, and long-term profitability.
What You’ll Learn:
How advisor pods create a more comfortable, trust-building customer experience
Why pre-appointment calls improve approvals and reduce estimate resistance
How strong phone skills shape customer perception and confidence
Why personal communication increases trust and average repair orders
How to educate customers so they understand the value of maintenance
How scheduling the next visit at delivery improves retention
Why mileage-based follow-up systems drive better long-term results
How consistent, shop-wide processes strengthen culture and customer loyalty
remarkableresults.biz/a475
Why Employee Reviews Are Broken and What to Do Instead [RR 1081]
In this episode of Coffee with Carm and a Coach, Carm Capriotto and leadership coach Murray Voth explain why traditional employee reviews often fail to build trust, engagement, or real growth. Instead, they advocate replacing formal evaluations with ongoing “Career Alignment Meetings,” and one-on-one conversations focused on coaching, open dialogue, and removing obstacles.
They discuss the shop owner’s role as a coach, the importance of onboarding and positional clarity, and why wage discussions should be separated from development conversations. Murray also shares practical tools, including the three key questions that drive meaningful feedback and real-time coaching moments.
This episode offers a modern, human-centered approach to leadership that strengthens culture, improves communication, and helps employees and shops grow together.
remarkableresults.biz/e1081
When Is Later?
I know you’ll read this later. No, you won’t. “Later” is where good intentions go to die. Not just this blog post—but the articles, podcasts, ideas, and insights you meant to come back to. They get filed away… and forgotten. And somehow we keep lying to ourselves that we’ll “get to it.” We don’t. I’m…
Why Women are the Secret Weapon in Auto Repair Shop Hospitality [THA 474]
In this episode, Melissa Parker, Amy Bartel, and Sara Abrecht join Carm Capriotto to discuss why women are the automotive industry’s “secret weapon.” The panel explores the concept of automotive hospitality, focusing on relationships, empathy, and customer experience as key drivers of trust, loyalty, and profitability.
They share how hospitality driven environments, strong listening skills, and hiring from service focused industries elevate the customer experience and strengthen shop performance. Sara also reveals data showing female-led shops achieve higher average repair orders, highlighting the business impact of communication and relationship building.
The conversation challenges outdated industry perceptions and calls for a shift toward hospitality centered operations, encouraging shop owners to embrace these principles and inspiring more women to pursue leadership roles in this evolving, people first profession.
remarkableresults.biz/a474
The New Economics of Auto Repair: Rising Rates, Fewer Cars, Higher Profits [RR 1080]
In this episode, Carm Capriotto speaks with Tom Ham about the rising labor rates shaping the automotive repair industry. Drawing from the Labor Rate Tracker tool on the Automotive Management Network, Tom explains how shops across the country are steadily increasing rates, with many approaching the $200 per hour threshold. Geographic trends reveal higher rates in regions like the San Francisco Bay Area and Connecticut, and Tom recommends gradual monthly increases of $1 to $2 to maintain profitability without alarming customers.
They also discuss shifting business realities, including rising repair order values driven by vehicle complexity, higher parts costs, and increased technician compensation, even as car counts may level off. Many shops are also setting vehicle age limits to improve efficiency and reduce liability.
Looking ahead, Tom highlights how artificial intelligence will enhance diagnostics and workflow, supporting the rise of a highly skilled mechanical specialist working alongside AI. The episode offers a forward looking view of an industry evolving through smarter pricing, cultural alignment, and advanced technology.
https://laborratetracker.com/
remarkableresults.biz/e1080
Wasted Bandwidth
“I never have enough time.” “I can’t believe I didn’t finish that project.” “When will I ever get to what really matters?” “I need more time.” Sound familiar? If you’ve ever thought—or said—any of these, you’re not alone. In fact, most high-performing professionals repeat some version of this almost daily. Ten years ago, who would…
The Superhighway to Estimating: Canned Jobs and Categories For Shop Efficiency [THA 473]
Host Carm Capriotto dives into the untapped power of Shop Management Systems (SMS) with business coach Dave Schedin and Ben Dexter, National Training Manager at NAPA TRACS. Together, they reveal how two often-overlooked tools, categories and canned jobs, can dramatically improve shop efficiency, consistency, and profitability.
The conversation highlights how a smarter system setup leads to faster workflows, clearer data, and stronger decision-making.
Key Topics Discussed
Unlocking the Power of Categories: Dave Schedin explains the importance of tracking three core labor types: Diagnostic, Preventative Maintenance, and Repair. When categorized correctly, shop owners can pinpoint exactly where time and money are gained—or lost.
Building the “Superhighway” to Faster Estimates: Schedin compares developing Canned Jobs to constructing a freeway: it takes an upfront investment of time, but once built, it enables rapid, efficient estimating.
Professional Communication: Canned jobs help replace vague descriptions with clear, value-focused explanations. This allows newer advisors to communicate like seasoned professionals while ensuring consistent pricing, messaging, and storytelling across the shop.
Turning Data into Profit: Ben Dexter reinforces the principle of “garbage in, garbage out”: without clean, organized data, shop owners are simply guessing.
By mastering categories and canned jobs, shop owners can turn their management system into a powerful engine for clarity, consistency, and long-term profitability.
remarkableresults.biz/a473
Beyond Service Advisors: Embracing the ‘Repairathist’ Mindset [RR 1079]
“The reality of a client advocates daily work is translating fear into clarity.”
Shop owner and coach Clint White explores a powerful shift at the auto repair front counter, from “Service Advisor” to “Repairathist.” He explains that because vehicles represent freedom and control, many customers arrive feeling anxious and financially defensive. As a result, the Repairathistt’s role becomes part technician, part therapist, focused on translating fear into clarity and helping people feel understood. Customers aren’t buying parts, he says; they’re buying relief.
The conversation dives into how to put this mindset into practice, starting with a “language shift” that replaces industry jargon like “diag” and “DVI” with clear, value-based explanations. This approach invites customers into the process instead of making them feel excluded. White also stresses the importance of transparency, showing clients the “MRI and X-ray” of their vehicle before prioritizing repairs, and ensuring that front counter promises align with what happens in the shop.
Ultimately, the episode defines the Repairathist as a professional with an “others first” mindset who builds trust through empathy, honesty, and consistency—delivering an experience so positive that customers remember how they felt more than what they spent.
remarkableresults.biz/e1079
Assemble the Team – Meetings That Matter
If you’re holding regular team meetings—whether daily huddles or weekly sit-downs—that’s a great start. I don’t know a single coach in our industry who doesn’t recommend them. Are they working for you? FYI: Send this to your meeting planner. Here’s the key: Meetings only work when they’re purposeful, prepared, and respected. When done right, meetings…
Looking Rich VS Living Free: The Hidden Truth About Success and Money [THA 472]
“Rich is loud. Wealthy is quiet.”
In this episode, host Carm Capriotto sits down with Jerry Kezhaya and Dr. Laura Shwaluk, owners of The Auto Shop and business coaches with BBMUSA.
They share their unconventional journey from healthcare to auto repair, including how Laura stepped in to run the shop while Jerry was hospitalized. With no technical background, she succeeded by focusing on leadership, culture, and relationships—proving that auto repair is ultimately a people business.
The couple also discusses the realities of working together as spouses. By clearly defining roles—Jerry managing systems and strategy, Laura leading team and customer relations—they’ve built a respectful, healthy workplace culture.
A major focus of the episode is financial freedom. Jerry contrasts “visible wealth” with “quiet freedom,” emphasizing passive income, low debt, and disciplined spending. They warn against lifestyle inflation and investing in depreciating assets, encouraging shop owners to prioritize long-term security over short-term status. They dive into the psychology of money, explaining how emotional wounds and unmet needs often drive overspending. Laura stresses that financial healing often starts with personal healing.
Our panel reinforces that real success comes from clarity, discipline, and emotional awareness. Rather than chasing status or appearances, they encourage shop owners to focus on building strong teams, healthy finances, and personal balance—creating businesses that support true freedom, peace of mind, and long-term fulfillment.
remarkableresults.biz/a472
Executing a 25 Year Plan: Retired at 47 [RR 1078]
In this episode, Carm Capriotto reconnects with industry veteran Peter Rudloff to explore his transition from shop owner to consultant, his “stay in your lane” philosophy, and the future of EV repair.
Rudloff shares how a 25-year exit plan allowed him to retire from shop ownership at 47 and transition into his home-based “Pete Cave,” where he continues hands-on work without managing employees. He later founded Rhino Collective LLC, helping manufacturers connect engineering with real-world repair.
A central theme is specialization. By focusing on domestic and Asian vehicles and avoiding brands like BMW, Rudloff improved efficiency and profitability. He argues that staying within your strengths leads to “profit by default” and long-term stability.
Looking ahead, he predicts EVs will dominate, and repair will shift toward modular, aircraft-style maintenance. He encourages new shop owners to consider EV specialization as a growth path.
Rudloff also emphasizes ongoing education, recommending 60 hours of training per year and crediting the Delaware Training Group as a major influence on his career.
This episode delivers clear, practical insight on focus, future-proofing, and lifelong learning in today’s repair industry.
remarkableresults.biz/e1078
You Just Fix Cars? Right!
Below, find an important and smart overview of what I call ‘Confident Professionalism.’ Understanding and knowing how important it is to provide your client with a smart perspective on vehicle longevity. It was written by shop owner Tom Ham from Grand Rapids. Tom is the founder of Automotive Management Network and the Labor Rate Tracker.…