Carm Capriotto Remarkable Results Radio Podcast https://remarkableresults.biz/author/carmencapriotto/ Automotive Repair Business Success Stories Thu, 06 Aug 2026 17:51:21 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://remarkableresults.biz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/cropped-site_icon-32x32.jpg Carm Capriotto Remarkable Results Radio Podcast https://remarkableresults.biz/author/carmencapriotto/ 32 32 Mastering Shop Flow with Online Scheduling and AI Communication [THA 497] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/a497/ Fri, 07 Aug 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/a496/

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] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e1103/ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/e1102/

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/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> The Hidden Cost of Procrastination for Shop Owners https://remarkableresults.biz/the-hidden-cost-of-procrastination-for-shop-owners/ Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:25:50 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/?p=46203 Guilty. Yes, I am.

And if you’re honest, I bet you are too.

We’ve all done it. The list grows longer.

Responsibilities pile up. Important becomes urgent.

“I’ll get to it tomorrow.” “It’s not due until next week.” “It can wait.”

Sound familiar?

As shop owners and leaders, we juggle countless responsibilities every day. Customers, employees, family, finances, training, equipment, planning, hiring. The list never seems to end.

The problem isn’t usually knowing what needs to be done. It’s deciding to do it before it becomes a crisis.

Think about your responsibilities:

  • Every delayed employee review is a missed coaching opportunity.
  • Every postponed equipment purchase can cost productivity.
  • Every deferred education class is another day your team isn’t improving.
  • Every marketing idea left on the list is another customer who never learns about your shop.

Do you keep lists? I keep lists. Lots of them. I review them every day, usually again in the evening. That habit has helped me stay organized, but I’ll admit something else.

I’ve always been someone who seems to do my best work against a deadline. While that can produce results, it also comes with a cost. There isn’t enough time to think. No opportunity to revisit the idea. No chance to improve the plan.

Looking back, many of my most meaningful accomplishments didn’t happen because I rushed to the finish line. They happened because I started early, allowed the idea to develop, and gave myself time to refine it.

Great ideas need room to breathe. Strategic thinking requires margin. Leadership demands intentionality.

Every item on your to-do list represents a promise you’ve made to yourself, your business, your team, or your family. If it was important enough to write down, it deserves more than being pushed to tomorrow over and over again.

Ask yourself:

  • What have I been postponing that could move my business forward?
  • What conversation have I been avoiding?
  • What opportunity keeps getting delayed because something else feels more urgent?

Whether you use a legal pad, sticky notes, or sophisticated project management software doesn’t really matter. What matters is reviewing your priorities, adjusting as circumstances change, and taking action before urgency forces your hand.

Progress rarely comes from waiting. It comes from deciding. Today, don’t hit the delay button. Choose one important task you’ve been putting off and move it forward. Your future self and your business will thank you.

What will you accomplish today because you chose action instead of delay?

As we say on our podcasts: “Listen to learn just one thing… and implement it.” Now that you’ve read this, find one thing that sparked you in this blog and implement it. Thanks, Carm.

]]> The AI-Informed Customer Has Arrived: What It Means For Auto Repair [THA 496] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/a496/ Fri, 31 Jul 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/a495/

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] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e1102/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/e1101/

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/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> Bring the Classroom to the Shop https://remarkableresults.biz/bring-the-classroom-to-the-shop/ Mon, 27 Jul 2026 13:40:28 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/?p=46186 Carmism: The shortest distance between learning and earning is bringing education to your shop.

One of the most exciting trends in the automotive repair industry is the growing commitment to on-site training. A strong option for continuing education is when the instructor comes to your shop, to your team, and to your equipment.

Learning happens where the work happens.

Even better, many shop owners are partnering with neighboring independent shops to share the investment. A handful of businesses split the cost, bring everyone together, and create an intimate learning environment where questions are encouraged, hands-on practice is expected, and real-world challenges become part of the lesson.

It’s education on steroids.

I’ve talked with shop owners who close their doors for two days so their entire team can focus on learning without sacrificing evenings or weekends. Others schedule training over a Friday and Saturday. There isn’t a single right formula. The important thing is making education a priority instead of something you hope to get around to later.

Our industry is fortunate to have an incredible group of educators who are willing to travel to your location and tailor their instruction to your team’s needs. Whether you have multiple locations and can justify hosting the event yourself or you invite several local shops to participate, the result is the same.

Your team grows together.

This isn’t meant to replace our outstanding industry conferences. Those events deliver tremendous value, networking, and exposure to new ideas. But the reality is that not everyone can travel. Time, budgets, staffing, and family commitments often get in the way.

On-site training fills that gap.

The pace of vehicle technology isn’t slowing down. ADAS, advanced diagnostics, software-driven systems, electrification, and constantly evolving repair procedures demand continuous learning. Shops that commit to ongoing education are positioning themselves to deliver more accurate diagnostics, greater efficiency, and a better customer experience.

Education isn’t simply about becoming smarter. It’s about becoming more productive. It’s about improving effective labor rate. It’s about increasing technician confidence. It’s about reducing comebacks. It’s about creating a culture where your team knows they’re valued because you’re investing in their future.

Every repair shop sells time. The more knowledge your specialists have, the more valuable every hour becomes. Better-trained professionals diagnose smarter, communicate more effectively, and solve problems with greater confidence. Those improvements show up in productivity, profitability, and customer trust.

The shops that will lead this industry tomorrow won’t necessarily have the biggest buildings or the newest equipment. They’ll have the people who never stopped learning.

Because when education comes to your shop, everyone wins.

]]> The “Kohl’s Cash” of Auto Repair: Turning Customer Rewards Into Repeat Business [THA 495] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/a495/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/a494/

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 Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

 

 

]]> Deferred Work: The Most Overlooked Growth Opportunity in Auto Repair [RR 1101] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e1101/ Tue, 21 Jul 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/e1100/

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/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]>  From Mediterranean Ave to Boardwalk https://remarkableresults.biz/from-mediterranean-ave/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:46:20 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/?p=46167 Yes, that is a reference to the game Monopoly.

I’ll go out on a limb and believe that 90% of us have played this game at least once in our lives. It is a game of strategy, decisions, risk, and, of course, the roll of the dice.

Recently, I started thinking about how running and sustaining a business feels a lot like playing Monopoly. You throw the dice, move your token, land on a property, decide whether to buy it, pay rent, take a Chance card, or get involved in the Community Chest. Every turn presents a decision, and every decision has consequences.

Business is much the same.

Every day, we toss the dice. We make decisions about hiring, training, marketing, pricing, investments, customer service, and leadership. Some choices move us closer to Broadway and Boardwalk. Others feel more like landing on Mediterranean Avenue with limited options and resources.

What I’ve come to realize is that while the dice determine where you land, preparation often determines what happens next.

The most successful Monopoly players are not simply lucky. They understand the game, recognize opportunities, manage risk, conserve resources, and prepare for the unexpected. Business owners do the same. When opportunities appear, preparation allows us to act. When challenges arise, preparation helps us respond instead of react.

We all experience moments when the roll doesn’t go our way. A key employee leaves. A major expense appears. A customer says no. Yet those moments don’t define the game. What matters is how prepared we are to handle them.

The truth is, every business owner throws the dice every day. The outcome isn’t determined solely by luck. It’s influenced by the countless hours spent learning, planning, training, improving systems, building relationships, and preparing for the next move.

So the next time you throw the dice in your business, remember that success is rarely about the roll itself. It’s about what you’ve done before the roll and what you choose to do after it.

You’ve landed on good properties. You’ve paid rent. You’ve taken chances. You’ve weathered setbacks. And you’re still here, working hard, growing your business, and waiting for your next turn to toss the dice.

Every business owner throws the dice each day. The difference between surviving and thriving is rarely the roll, it’s how well you’ve prepared for wherever the dice may take you.

]]> The Truth About ADAS Calibrations Every Shop Needs to Hear [THA 494] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/a494/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/a493/

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 the Calibration Specialist reinforces 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:

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

 

 

]]> Curing Organizational Drag: The Courage to Fire a Non-Fit Employee [RR 1100] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e1100/ Tue, 14 Jul 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/e1099/

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/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> Bring Your Education to Work. Leave Your Baggage at Home. https://remarkableresults.biz/bring-your-education-to-work-leave-your-baggage-at-home/ Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:29:16 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/?p=46147 One line from HBO’s The Pitt hit me like a punch in the gut: “We bring our education to the job, not our baggage.”

Think about that. How many people walk into your shop every morning carrying baggage instead of bringing value?

The baggage might be an ego that refuses to learn. A bad attitude. Resistance to change. Poor communication. Excuses. “I’ve always done it this way.” A lack of accountability.

Every piece of baggage costs your business money. It shows up as misdiagnoses. Comebacks. Poor productivity. Frustrated teammates. Lost customers. Shrinking profits. Then we wonder why we’re struggling.

Here’s a harder question: What are you doing about it?

If you’re not making continuing education a non-negotiable part of your culture, you’re choosing to accept mediocrity. You’ve heard me say it before: stop calling it training. Call it education.

Training teaches someone to complete a task. Education develops professionals who can think, adapt, solve problems, and lead. There is a difference.

Our industry changes every single day. Vehicles become more complex. Technology advances. Repair procedures evolve. If your knowledge isn’t growing, you’re falling behind.

Would you trust a doctor who stopped learning ten years ago? Then why should your customers trust an automotive repair professional who thinks they already know enough?

The excuses have run out. Our industry has never made education more accessible. National conferences. Regional events. Manufacturer classes. Weekly webinars. Lunch-and-learns. Daily learning platforms like Today’s Class.

The opportunities are everywhere. The only question is whether you’re committed enough to take advantage of them.

Look at your budget. Is education one of your largest investments, or one of the first things you cut?

Look at your team. Can you tell me how many hours of education each specialist completed this year? If not, don’t tell me education is important.

Show me. Track it. Budget for it. Expect it. Celebrate it. 

Because hope isn’t a business strategy. Wishing your team gets better isn’t leadership. Investing in their education is. The best shops don’t accidentally become great. They build a culture where learning never stops, excuses never win, and every person walks through the door carrying more knowledge than baggage.

Which kind of shop are you building?

]]> Maximizing Profit Through Effective Labor Rate Strategy [THA 493] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/a493/ Fri, 10 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/a492/

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] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e1099/ Tue, 07 Jul 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/e1098/

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/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> Power of the Room https://remarkableresults.biz/power-of-the-room/ Mon, 06 Jul 2026 14:23:06 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/?p=46123 Stop Flying Solo: The Brutal Truth About the “Power of the Room”

Recently, Aaron Woods dropped a phrase on the show that completely reframed how I look at leadership: “The Power of the Room.”

I’ve always known this, but this time it hit me like a ton of bricks, specifically regarding how we, as shop owners, handle accountability. Or more accurately, how we avoid it.

If you are already in a peer or twenty group, you know exactly what this power feels like. If you aren’t? After reading this, go find one and get your head out of the sand.

Here is the cold, hard truth: You don’t know what you don’t know.

The Illusion of the All-Knowing CEO

When you played sports back in the day, you had a coach to push your raw talent. But in the automotive business? Most of us stumbled into the CEO chair without a playbook. We are expected to magically be experts in hundreds of variables—leadership, systems, protocols, marketing, finance, HR.

Spoiler alert: You aren’t an expert in all of them. And trying to fake it is killing your net profit.

A powerful room of peers cuts through the noise. It forces you to narrow your focus to what actually matters. When a fellow shop owner throws their real, raw numbers on the table and challenges your subpar metrics, it triggers something inside you. It forces you to look in the mirror and say, “No more excuses. It’s time to change.”  The Power of the Room!

Leave Your Ego at the Door

The level of motivation a peer group provides is immeasurable—but only if you let it.

The absolute key to unlocking the “Power of the Room” is dropping your ego and ask for help. Stop trying to go it alone. Stop pretending you have it all figured out when your shop is running you instead of you running it.

The people in that room have already been exactly where you are. They’ve bled money, made hiring mistakes, and survived cash crunches. They are the experts you need right now.

The Bottom Line: Get out of your own island. Find a peer group, open your mind, and unlock the talent you’re currently wasting by flying solo. Your shop—and your wallet—will thank you.

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