Latest Blog

Advice That Makes You Uncomfortable May Be The Very Advice You Need To Hear

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | Oct 31, 2026

Have you ever asked a question on social media hoping someone would confirm what you already believe? Think about that for a moment. In the echo chamber of social media, you can ask just about anything and find someone who agrees with you. You’ll also find people who strongly disagree.…

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Brining Attention To Sometimes Invisible Thoughts or Issues

Are You Sharing Your Financial Statements?

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 01/05/2022

A business is often more successful when owners are open and honest about their finances. Many of our industry’s…

6 Excuses Why Shops Have Not Embraced an Apprentice Program

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 12/28/2021

Agree or not with these reasons why only a small percentage of shops have not implemented an apprentice program.…

VP of Fun

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 12/23/2021

Building a strong belonging culture in any business requires a sense of purpose that all believe in. It is…

Does Your Customer Know That You Know How to Fix Cars?

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 12/07/2021

Does your customer know that you ‘Know How’ to fix their car? Do they really know? Do you make…

I Got an Ear Full

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 10/06/2021

If you follow the podcast, on a recent Town Hall Academy on the Supply Chain from a Manufacturers’s perspective,…

Great Place to Work

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 09/22/2021

Do you have a great place to work? Do your people believe you have a great place to work?…

Everyone’s Recruiting. Everyone.

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 09/01/2021

What to pay. How to recruit. I was filling up the car with petro. Hanging from the hose was…

AAPEX Awards

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 08/25/2021

Each year AAPEX, rightfully so, honors many in the distribution and supplier segment of our industry. Two years ago,…

Summer Car Shows – Good for the Soul

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 08/16/2021

Two car shows this week. It’s summer, and the classic cars are eye candy.  I’m on the hunt to…

Perfect Timing

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 08/09/2021

August is a great month to start setting your sights on Fall. Conferences, marketing, training, strategies for new business,…

Call Us – It’s OK

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 07/31/2021

Reaching the pinnacle in customer relationships is when they drop their keys and say I’ll be back at the…

I Need Your Help, Again!

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 07/26/2021

A few years ago when AAPEX announced Repair Shop HQ as a stand-alone entity at AAPEX, I got all…

We Should be Rivaled

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 07/19/2021

We have amazingly smart people in our industry. If anyone would ever say that the independent automotive aftermarket is…

Ask Your Customers

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 07/12/2021

Ever ask your customer why they come to your shop? Why they are loyal to your shop? What is…

A Dream Has No Limits

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 07/07/2021

I heard a quote from Barry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records. “A Dream Has No Limits.” My mind…

Latest Episodic Education

Lost in Translation: Why Customers Ignore Deferred Work [RR 1116]

11/03/2026

Are You Diagnosing Vehicles or Just Throwing Parts at Them? [THA 509]

10/30/2026

You Don’t Have to Be a Programmer to Build AI Tools for Your Shop [RR 1115]

10/27/2026

Why Electrical Fundamentals, Service Information, and Technician Training Matter [THA 508]

10/23/2026

Shop Succession Without Retirement: How Three Employees Became Owners [RR 1114]

10/20/2026

From Technician to Shop Owner: The Challenges You Never Saw Coming [THA 507]

10/16/2026

Authenticity Is Your Shop’s Best Marketing Strategy [RR 1113]

10/13/2026

The Human Side of Auto Repair: Emotional Intelligence, Mentorship, and Leadership [THA 506]

10/09/2026

AAPEX 2026: What to See, Learn, and Experience [RR 1112]

10/06/2026

How to Turn Call Recordings Into Coaching, Conversions, and Customers [THA 505]

10/02/2026

Stop Losing Price Shoppers: Give Them a Price Range [RR 1111]

09/29/2026

Work Together, Thrive Together, Build a Business You Can Sell [THA 504]

09/25/2026

Inside the Role of a Performance and Accountability Team Leader [RR 1110]

09/22/2026

How to Develop a General Manager for Your Auto Repair Shop [THA 503]

09/18/2026

From Daily Profit to Long-Term Business Value [RR 1109]

09/15/2026

The Automotive Hiring Cycle: When and How to Recruit Top Technicians [THA 502]

09/11/2026

The Power of Financing: A Growth Tool for Auto Repair Shops [RR 1108]

09/08/2026

Daily Habits That Build a Stronger Auto Repair Shop Culture [THA 501]

09/04/2026

Rapid-Fire Automotive News: AI, EVs, Autonomous Vehicles, and the $19B Trade School Boom [RR 1107]

09/01/2026

Brakes for Breasts: How Auto Repair Shops Are Fighting Breast Cancer [THA 500]

08/28/2026

Top 5 Qualities of a Genuine Service Advisor [RR 1106]

08/25/2026

Your Shop’s Toughest Competitor Is in the Mirror [THA 499]

08/21/2026

Bring the Classroom to the Shop: Raising the Bar For On-Site Training [RR 1105]

08/18/2026

Engage, Educate, Reward: How Today’s Class Is Changing Auto Repair Training [THA 498]

08/14/2026

Inside the ASTA Expo 2026: Training, Technology, and Tribal Networking [RR 1104]

08/11/2026