Wealth Building: Become a Financial Adult [RR 575]
Wealth Building: Becoming a Financial Adult [RR 575]
Jerry Kezhaya and his wife Dr. Laura Shwaluk bring you a powerful discussion on wealth and money. Jerry and Dr. Laura own The Auto Shop in Plano, TX. They are also leading Business Builders Mentor and Mastermind USA, helping entrepreneurs accelerate their businesses and open doors of mental blocks that prevent them from succeeding.
We discuss Debt, Wealth Building, Entitlement, Consumerism and Determining a Need or a Want. Surprisingly, 85% of 65 years or older don’t have access to $25,000. That is a very sad percentage knowing that you have worked almost all of your life, but do not reap the benefits!
Let this episode be your springboard to bounce you back to financial stability. The episode talks about Fiat Currency, the distinction between spending and investing, spending habits, and other in-depth financial mechanisms wired deep within you. As you listen, there are a lot of variables on why we fail with money. But there are also a lot of things to help us with what to do about it.
Get Jerry and Laura’s bio and talking points and previous episodes at remarkableresults.biz/e575.
Listen and view episode notesMassachusetts Right to Repair Law: Vehicle Data Access [RR 574]
Massachusetts Right to Repair Law 2020: Vehicle Data Access [RR 574]
Welcome to an important and vital episode as it relates to how we will do business in the future. It’s about access to data that will be necessary to fix our clients’ vehicles. There is some astounding money being put up against this pro-consumer initiative in Massachusetts. The intention of this episode is to serve up awareness and the impact a NO vote from Massachusetts voters will mean to automotive repair going forward.
By 2022, 87% of new vehicles will be transmitting telematics data wirelessly. But who owns the data? The car manufacturer does. Without access to data, the independent service professional will not be able to get specific diagnostic data. They will hold all the cards and charge handsomely for it.
My guests are advocates of this ‘Right to Repair Law – Vehicle Data Access Requirement Initiative (2020)’. Bill Hanvey, President and CEO of Auto Care Association, and Aaron Lowe, Senior Vice President, Regulatory and Government Affairs.
Find the show notes at https://remarkableresults.biz/e574.
Listen and view episode notesSuccession Planning: With an Internal Candidate [THA 190]
THA 190 Succession with an Internal Candidate
In keeping with my goal to keep the succession theme burning as we face the reality that many of you need to retire and sell your business and many of you would like to become business owners.
This episode reveals a transaction with two internal non-family successors. Bob Ward anchors this episode as he helped orchestrate this transaction.
I’m with business owner Steve LaFleur from Prescott Import Car Service and one of the internal co-buyers, Dave Mendez. Dave has worked for Steve for 10 years.
This very candid conversation will help move your succession plans forward and you can get all the key talking points from this episode at remarkableresults.biz/a190. These key talking points will make for a great planning agenda.
Listen and view episode notesAssessments: Hire Engaged, and Productive Employees Who Find a Home [RR 572]
Assessments: Hire Engaged, and Productive Employees Who Find a Home [RR 572]
There is a need in supporting businesses in enhancing their organizational eco-system through it’s single most important asset… The PEOPLE! The lifeline of a healthy business culture can be done at the tip of your fingertips
My guests today are; Carlo Sabucco, Mark Simons, David & Bonnie Schedin. They will be enlightening us with the value and importance of assessments. Assessments can identify people who have the highest probability of being successful in a role and provide practical recommendations for maximizing their performance.
learn the importance of two different assessments and how hiring with this knowledge will help your businesses leverage and streamline your hiring process and find a great match to enhance your team
The key talking points and important links found at remarkableresults.biz/e572/
Listen and view episode notesDelayed Maintenance: The Power of Appointments [THA 189]
THA 189 Delayed Maintenance – The Power of Appointments
This episode is about delayed maintenance and the power of appointments. You are going to find fascinating data and information that will help you make strategic changes in your business.
I’m with Bill Thompson, President, IMR Inc. / automotiveresearch.com and shop owner Brett Beachler, Beachler’s Vehicle Care and Repair, Peoria, IL
To see the data referenced in this Academy episode you can watch the video on the show notes page or find each chart on the show notes page.
BTW there is a ton of great advice here but don’t take my word for it, listen until the end, even in two sessions. Get all the key talking points on the website at remarkableresults.biz/a189
Listen and view episode notesIndustry Terminology: It’s Time to Change it. Can You Get Behind This? [RR 571]
Industry Terminology: It’s Time to Change it. Can You Get Behind This? [RR 571]
The Panel: Chris Cloutier is co-owner of Golden Rule Auto Care in Dallas Texas and CEO of Auto Text Me. He spent many years in the software industry developing solutions for companies, and Bob Greenwood is President and C.E.O. of Automotive Aftermarket E-Learning Centre Ltd. (AAEC) a company focused on providing Business Management Resources and Development for the Independent Sector of the aftermarket industry.
Welcome to a fun and fast-paced show for you all about the language of our beloved aftermarket. Chris and Bob are providing provocative ideas for change in the language we use. They believe that many of the words we use don’t have the same meaning today that they did years ago.
Some of the language they feel we need to remove is training, customer, and business owner to name just a few. We’ve taken great notes for you so you can use as an agenda in your next team or networking meetings, Go to the show notes page at remarkableresults.biz/e571 . Also, find Chris and Bob’s bios and links to their previous episodes.
Listen and view episode notesSuccession With a Family Member [THA 188]
THA 188 – Succession with a Family Member
Family succession can be different than selling to a non-family member, yet many components of a transaction are similar. Jessica and Ron were very forthcoming and business coach Dave Justice helped shape the plan.
The panel: Ron Tinner, owner of Sparks Tire and Auto, along with his daughter Jessica Carrino. Jessica will become the owner, and they share their story about making a family transaction work. David Justice from Repair shop of Tomorrow is their business coach.
Succession is one of the hottest trends in our industry. So many want to retire, pass the business on to family or sell to a team member. Selling to another shop owner or group is also in the cars. We can’t talk about this enough.
For the key talking points, audio and video go to remarkableresults.biz/a188.
Listen and view episode notesElectrical Engineers Become Shop Owners Growing to Seven Stores – John and Karen Manelas [RR 569]
Electrical Engineers Become Shop Owners Growing to Seven Stores – John and Karen Manelas [RR 569]
John and Karen Manelas attended the same school, took the same degree and became successful at their careers for 15 years as electrical engineers. They decided to take a huge life change and pay cut to start their own shop. They took on the challenge and the uncertainties. With low capital, they grew their shop from one in 2004 to an amazing 7 shops in 2019.
Growth is an amazing thing when you do it the right way. Prepare yourself mentally to put a lot of work into each location, hiring, training, and preparing the right staff.
Find the key talking points, John and Karen Manelas’ bio and links to their previous episodes at remarkableresults.biz/e569
Listen and view episode notesLabor Rates: A Function of the Business Not the Market [THA 187]
THA 187 Labor Rates: A Function of the Business Not the Market
Labor Rates is a very touchy subject for some shop owners. It is the sacred measure that customers rate you on. If you believe that this episode is for you.
We are covering multiple labor rates, an approach to calculating your rates, and what the future holds as far as the importance that labor rates ill be to your business if not most critical already today.
If you are struggling to make money there are many areas you need to pay attention to, and most importantly your labor rate. Is your rate based on the market or on the function of your business.
The panel: Bob Greenwood, AMAM, President and of the Automotive Aftermarket E-Learning Center, Business coach, and as I like to say one of the best numbers guys in the industry. Also Business coach Brian Gillis the Cheif Strategist at You Net-Results and joining us halfway through is shop owner Bill Nalu from Interstate Auto Care in Madison Heights, MI
Listen and view episode notesMike Tatich – 20 Questions in 30 Minutes [RR 566]
Mike Tatich – 20 Questions in 30 Minutes [RR 566]
Listen to shop owner Mike Tatich from TMT Complete Auto Service Center answer 20 questions on life and business. He shares some great advice he got from family and friends. He talks about how important people are in business and how important your networks are in case all else fails.
Mike Tatich also talks about reading more and networking to other shop owners. Mike has become a John Maxwell Leadership Certified business coach. He has a story of letting go, a perfectionist control freak, a helicopter dad, and he needs to get busier doing other stuff.
Find the key talking points, Mike Tatich’s bio and links to his previous episodes at remarkableresults.biz/e566
Listen and view episode notesLive at the Grill with Chris Della Bella [THA 186]
THA 186 Live at the Grill with Chris Della Bella
Welcome friend to a first for the Town Hall Academy. I attempted to pull off a live cooking show with my friend Chris Della Bella, the Director of Market Development, Northern US for Advance/Carquest. We had some tech glitches, but we created a short and fun episode that accomplished our goal.
You know food is a universal language and breaking bread with people is one of the most intimate and fun relationship builder.
Imagine a cooking show in audio format. Our industry is known to hold cookouts for the team and with that idea in mind, we held a live cooking show. Sure you can listen to the podcast or go to the show notes page or my Youtube channel to watch Chris in action. remarkableresults.biz/a186
I hope you have plans this week to cook out for your team and your family while practicing social distancing.
Listen and view episode notesGiving Back: His Calling to Expose the Automotive to High School Students [RR 565]
Giving Back: His Calling to Expose the Automotive to High School Students [RR 563]
My guest today demonstrates paying it forward. Luke Walker from Columbus, OH shares his 10-year success path from a one-bay shop into a 16 bay, $4M business.
He credits great people, coaching and a strong culture. A fascinating part of Luke’s story is his giving back to the community. As you listen, think about how you can help impress the automotive industry on the young people in your community. He is leading and supporting an after school program that unwraps automotive systems to students that may show technical/mechanical gifting and encourage them to our industry.
Talk to me at carm@remarkableresults.biz Thanks!!!! for sharing your thoughts. Find the key talking points, Patrick’s bio and links to his previous episodes at remarkableresults.biz/e565
Listen and view episode notesPatrick McHugh – 20 Questions in 30 Minutes [RR 563]
Patrick McHugh – 20 Questions in 30 Minutes [RR 563]
Welcome to the second episode of the new format. You’ll hear from shop owner Patrick McHugh from Bimmer Rescue. He talks about the top three most important needs when opening a shop and his solution to time waste.
Patrick McHugh also shares his personal views on business and family. During the start of the interview, he talks about his Appreciation for Family because he was separated from them the moment COVID-19 hit.
Find the key talking points, Patrick McHugh’s bio and links to his previous episodes at remarkableresults.biz/e563
Listen and view episode notesDecade the Seventies – Talking Auto Repair [THA 184]
Decade the Seventies: Talking Auto Repair – THA 184
What was auto repair like in the decade of the seventies? In order to make this panel work, I needed to find aftermarket leaders that are still active in the industry and who were in the trenches in the seventies. I found them. And what you are going to hear is an incredible journey from their collective memories.
Listen to this cast: Mitch Schneider, Chris Chesney, Maylan Newton, Jerry Kezhaya, and Bob Pulverenti. Needless to say, this group had so much fun sharing their escapades as technicians or shop owners. Even if you weren’t a member of the class of the seventies you’ll appreciate the stories of how things were and without them, we wouldn’t have what we have today.
Key talking points and links to my guest’s previous episodes at remarkableresults.biz/a184
Listen and view episode notesRyan Clo – 20 Questions in 30 Minutes [RR 561]
Ryan Clo – 20 Questions in 30 Minutes [RR 561]
Welcome to this inaugural new format you’ll hear from shop owner and coach Ryan Clo from Dubwerx and Avid Autowerx in Cincinnati. Ryan answers 20 questions within about 30 minutes. This is up close and personal and I believe brings value to you as you continue to navigate and grow your business to boundless success.
Ryan Clo shares one new skill he would like to have, new technology he recently added, his dream car, and one of his biggest mistakes and a whole lot more.
Find the key talking points, Ryan Clo’s bio and links to his previous episodes at remarkableresults.biz/e561
Listen and view episode notesImprove Your Leadership Influence: Join Toastmasters [RR 560]
Improve Your Leadership Influence: Join Toastmasters [RR 560]
Ever want to grow your self-confidence, your ability to speak to a small meeting or a larger group. Well, toastmasters is a forum to challenge yourself to not only be a better presenter but a better listener and even a stronger leader.
Two aftermarket pros who are in Toastmasters Chris Cloutier, co-owner of Golden Rule Auto Care in Dallas Texas and CEO of Auto Texg.me and Craig O’Neill an integrator and trainer at Autotex.me are my guests. Learn their tale on how Toastmasters has really helped them in their careers.
We live and die by communication. Three out of four people have a fear of speaking and if you know it or not you are always selling, which requires good communication skills. Craig’s challenge to the industry is to get our trainers to embrace toastmasters to help them in their engagement and delivery. He and Chris believe we can all become better presenters and leaders.
Find the key talking points and my guest’s bio’s at remarkableresults.biz/e560
Listen and view episode notesBusiness Side of ADAS – Part 2 [THA 182]
THA 182 The Business Side of ADAS Part 2
This is the second part of a series on the ‘Business Side of ADAS’ as we need to have a continual discussion on ADAS calibration. Should we invest or just outsource the work? As you know vehicle systems are highly integrated and respecting these advanced driver systems to keep the vehicle in OE operating conditions is the moral side of the importance of performing ADAS calibrations.
Listen to another great aftermarket panel talking about the Business of ADAS. With me is David Friend, owner of Mobile Tech and Wilmington Hybrids, from Wilmington, NC
Matt Lachowitzer, from Matt’s Automotive Service Center, with six locations in North Dakota, he also has a new ADAS Calibration Center and, James Carpenter, Collision Manager at Eastlake Diagnostics.
Part one of this ADAS series is in Town Hall Academy episode 138: remarkableresults.biz/a138 The key talking points for this episode can be found at remarkableresults.biz/a182
Listen and view episode notesSix Shops in Eleven Years: The Story Behind This Explosive Growth [RR 557]
Six Shops in Eleven Years: The Story Behind This Explosive Growth [RR 557]
I’m with Matt Lachowitzer, a 6 location shop owner. Matt had aspirations to become a lawyer, but a fork in the road led him to be a technician and now shop owner; 6 shop locations in under 11 years. That is an amazing feat but it required a lot of work, a strong culture, pure process disciplines, and a total focus on the customer experience. Matt also has a body shop and an ADAS calibration center.
On his way to owning 6 locations, Matt Lachowitzer dropped out of school and started working In a local GM dealership. Matt shares how he grew and transformed his business with a top culture, an incredibly strong community presence, the Teddy Bear treasure, and the Girl Scout Cookie campaign that supports local food pantries and our veterans.
Learn all about these programs and more along with how he has integrated a lottery system in training and engaged his technicians to own and teach their in house training program.
Matt’s full bio and the key talking points can be found on the website at remarkableresults.biz/e557
Listen and view episode notesAfrica’s First Technician Holding Three ASE Master Technician Certificates and L1, L2 and L3 [RR 556]
Africa’s First ASE and L1 Certified Tech With Huge Goals [RR 556]
Taurayi Raymond Sewera overcame an enormous amount of obstacles on his pathway to become an ASE world-class tech. Not even chronic pancreatitis or lack of funds stopped him from reaching his goals. He reminds us that nothing should stop you from achieving your goals. You are the only obstacle to your goals.
Taurayi talks about Vision 2020, his ASE goals, his illness, and about building an automotive school to his hometown in Zimbabwe, Africa. He is the only technician in Africa who is certified by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) for light-duty diesel, medium and heavy-duty trucks, and advanced level specialist (L1). That in itself speaks volume of the man’s resilience.
Show notes at remarkableresults.biz/e556
Listen and view episode notesFake Reviews: How to Handle Them [THA 181]
Fake Reviews – THA181
Fake Customer Reviews, we’ve covered reviews in the past but never have we focused on Fake reviews; the Why they Happen, What to do about them and What should a response look like.
On the panel is Lauren Anderson from eight location Victory Auto Service, Minneapolis, MN, From Mighty Auto Pro in Medina, OH, and co-founder of Brakes For Breasts, Leigh Anne Best, and Mike Della Cruz, National Sales Manager, Broadly.com
And as per usual this panel delivered the goods and beyond, which is why you love listening to the Town Hall Academy.
See the show notes at remarkableresults.biz/a181 for the key talking points. Whoever in your company that manages reviews this is a must-listen.
Listen and view episode notesWife Raised the Kids and After 27 Years and Partnered With Husband to Open a Shop [RR 554]
Wife Raised the Kids and After 27 Years and Partnered With Husband to Open a Shop [RR 554]
In this episode, we will be visiting Russell and Connie Cook’s new world of shop ownership at Finish Line Automotive in Ocala, Florida.
They tell you how they got their money, what they put down, how they built working capital, what went wrong in the last 5 months, and how Connie had to work the shop with zero experience. Buying the shop was their decision after Connie spent 27 years raising the children. Gutsy and bold move. This is what this industry is made of.
An interesting story on how this mid-aged couple jumped into shop ownership with all four feet. They give us a nice and transparent look into how and why they did it while Russell was still turning wrenches at a dealership.
Find the show notes and key talking points at remarkableresults.biz/e554.
Listen and view episode notesWhy We Have Loaner Cars [THA 180]
THA 180 Why We Have Loaner Cars
This episode showcases two shops that have loaner cars. The industry seems to be split on having loaners. This episode opens up a strong position and the reasons they have loaners.
My panel includes Greg Buckley, from Buckley’s Personalized Auto Care, Wilmington, DE and Tom Lambert, from Shadetree Automotive, Layton, UT
Greg just added three new vehicles and Tom has thirteen. There are support companies that help you with a digital and GPS loaner transaction. Find the show notes at remarkableresults.biz/a180
Listen and view episode notesUnscripted with Andy Bizub and Lucas Underwood [RR 553]
Unscripted with Andy Bizub and Lucas Underwood [RR 553]
This episode speaks for itself. Raw and Unscripted. And intended to push a button or two maybe one of yours. It’s a collection of ideas and thoughts from my guest’s world which resulted in nothing more than some extraordinary talk.
My guests are shop owners, Andy Bizub and Lucas Underwood. They are veterans of the show and have multiple episodes between them. Andy Bizub owns Midwest Performance Cars in Chicago, two locations and Lucas Underwood from L & N Performance Auto Repair, Blowing Rock, NC
They share the challenges of attracting and retaining customers. Lucas had guidance from his coach that told him that some shop owners often fall in love with their problems and not the solutions. While Andy remains choosy in all of the customers that come through his shop. He programs his business to attract his right customers. This and much more.
Find the key talking points for this interview with Andy Bizub and Lucas Underwood at remarkableresults.biz/e553.
Aftermarket Pros Talk Tesla [RR 552]
Aftermarket Pros Talk about Tesla [RR 552]
In this episode we are talking Tesla and this is a topic I’ve wanted to learn more about as the aftermarket should be a source for service and repairs for this brand. Seth Thorson is servicing them and we pulled a panel together to help you fill in the blanks on where the aftermarket stands as it comes to service and parts for the Tesla.
Find the show notes and key talking points at remarkableresults.biz/e552. Not only do Scott and Seth own Tesla’s, they are working on them, in a limited way, but nonetheless they are learning how to acquire parts, and understand what is going wrong with them. My panel feels that we will be able to play a role in the service of Tesla’s in the future.
The panel: Seth Thorson, Scott Brown, and Matt Fanslow. They are veterans in the industry working on Tesla Vehicles. They know the first-hand issues and workarounds. Learn how they generate energy, securing parts, service and distribution models.
Listen and view episode notesA Simple Letter of Intent Transformed an Employee Into a Shop Owner [RR 551]
A Simple Letter of Intent Transformed an Employee Into the Shop Owner [RR 551]
Let’s welcome Terica Buckner. She worked for 21 years at Hawthorne Auto Clinic, Portland, OR. She was offered the chance to purchase the shop and took over ownership 2 years later in January 2020. A really good example of good succession planning. The previous owner wanted to retire and Terica wrote a letter of intent wanting to purchase the shop. She had the experience in many different roles in the business along with established relationships with the employees and customers.
Terica continues working with passion in the automotive industry and is excited to now be in the position to set new standards in an ever-changing field, especially with the current challenges COVID-19 presents.
Find the key talking points for this interview with Terica Buckner at remarkableresults.biz/e551.
Listen and view episode notes