Latest Blog

People Support What They Help Create

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | May 11, 2026

There’s a lot of talk about culture. It’s often treated like an enigma, something you can’t touch, hard to define, yet undeniably one of the most important elements of any successful business. In the best automotive service operations, culture isn’t accidental. It’s intentional. It’s built into the fabric of the…

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All Articles and Blog Posts

Different Isn’t Wrong

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 04/21/2025

When my friends hire a coach, an expert for their business, and they allow their new accountability partner to…

 The Stark Reality of Pricing

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 03/17/2025

  On a recent road trip I could not help to realize what we pay for water and yogurt…

 Improve your CX

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 03/11/2025

I’ve discussed, on the podcast, hiring for a new position: the CXO, or Client Experience Officer. Most automotive repair…

Remember That Spark? Reconnecting with Your Business Dream

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 03/03/2025

  Every business begins with a dream – a vision of what could be.  You’re in the automotive repair…

Courage and Professionalism Must RULE.

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 02/26/2025

As 2025 dawns upon us, the quiet moments between the past holiday celebrations offer us a precious opportunity for…

Vibrant Collaboration: Unveiling Insights Through Invoice Auditing

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 02/17/2025

It was about understanding communication, design, and the client experience from multiple angles. Remember, there were no competitors in the room, even though all the shops were from the local marketplace.

Modern Auto Repair: Far Beyond the ‘Mom-and-Pop’ Shop.

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 02/10/2025

  I get hot under the collar when independent automotive repair service businesses are called mom-and-pop. The term “mom-and-pop…

Success Leaves Clues: Are You Reading the Signs of Your Success?

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 01/27/2025

Think of success like a detective story. Each achievement leaves behind subtle traces—breadcrumbs of what’s working and what isn’t.…

You Want to be Pushed Out of Your Comfort Zone

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 01/19/2025

Leadership is often romanticized as a journey of self-motivation and personal drive. However, a powerful, often overlooked strategy can…

 I wished I’d Known Then What I Know Now

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 01/13/2025

Yes, I’m sure you’ve said this hundreds of times: “I Wished I’d Know Then What I Know Now”. Having…

Stop Stopping

That Is The Way I’ve Always Done It! Or Stop Stopping.

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 12/29/2024

Ever wonder what others are doing to enhance their business, how others find technicians, or what real profits look…

Comparing Veterinary Care to Auto Service Care

The Parallels Between an Automotive Repair Shop and Veterinary Care

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 12/21/2024

When we think about care and maintenance, two professions might seem worlds apart at first glance: the automotive repair shop owner and the veterinarian. Yet, these professionals share a remarkable similarity in their fundamental mission – caring for cherished members of the family, whether they have four wheels or four legs.

The Training Paradox: When Actions Don’t Match Beliefs

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 12/09/2024

We’ve all been there. We sit at our desks, nodding in agreement as we read another article about the…

Who Is Your …?

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 11/24/2024

While at AAPEX 2024, I had a revelation. It happens a lot. It hit me while doing what I…

Be Like A Bakery

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 11/11/2024

Images of warm, freshly baked bread and delightful pastries instantly come to mind when you think of a bakery.…

Latest Episodic Education

15 Headlines in 30 Minutes: Rapid Fire Automotive News For Shop Owners [RR 1091]

05/12/2026

Why ADAS Calibrations Are Being Ignored in Auto Repair Shops [THA 484]

05/08/2026

Auto Repair Marketing Isn’t What You Think (AI Is Changing Everything) [RR 1090]

05/05/2026

Turn Your Parts Spend Into Team Rewards with the NAPA Team Tool Rebate [THA 483]

05/01/2026

Detective Mind Mapping: A Forensic Approach to Automotive Diagnostics [RR 1089]

04/28/2026

The Dealer Alternative Advantage in Today’s Auto Repair Industry [THA 482]

04/24/2026

Build Customer Loyalty: Branding, Event Planning, and Community [RR 1088]

04/21/2026

Meet Paige: The Auto Repair Industry’s First 24/7 AI Recruiter [THA 481]

04/17/2026

Your Shop Might Need Marriage Counseling: Fixing Communication in Auto Repair [RR 1087]

04/14/2026

How to Get Unstuck When Your Auto Repair Business Stops Growing [THA 480]

04/10/2026

The “Monster” in Your Head Is Costing Your Shop Money [RR 1086]

04/07/2026

Batman Needs a Robin: Meet Your Shop’s New Sidekick Ninja App [THA 479]

04/03/2026

Stop Leaving Money on the Table: How to Master Your Shop Management System [RR 1085]

03/31/2026

Smart Glasses in the Shop: Inside NAPA Autotech’s XcceleratoR Training [THA 478]

03/27/2026

Is Your Shop the Problem? Hard Truths from the Voice of the Technician Survey Results [RR 1084]

03/24/2026

General Service Technician Academy: Building Educational Foundation For Tomorrow’s Careers [THA 477]

03/20/2026

Own the Technician Shortage: How One Shop Owner is Transforming Industry Recruitment [RR 1083]

03/17/2026

The Affordability Myth in Auto Repair: Rethinking How Service Advisors Present Repairs [THA 476]

03/13/2026

Stop Winging Human Resources in Your Auto Repair Shop [RR 1082]

03/10/2026

The 250K Mile Maintenance Mindset: Mastering the Art of Vehicle Delivery [THA 475]

03/06/2026

Why Employee Reviews Are Broken and What to Do Instead [RR 1081]

03/03/2026

Why Women are the Secret Weapon in Auto Repair Shop Hospitality [THA 474]

02/27/2026

The New Economics of Auto Repair: Rising Rates, Fewer Cars, Higher Profits [RR 1080]

02/24/2026

The Superhighway to Estimating: Canned Jobs and Categories For Shop Efficiency [THA 473]

02/20/2026

Beyond Service Advisors: Embracing the ‘Repairathist’ Mindset [RR 1079]

02/17/2026