RR 245: Kate Jonasee from K-Tech in Sebastopol, CA
Do you remember when you started in business? What humble beginning did you have?
Kate Jonasee from K-Tech and Pauline’s Auto worked her way across the country after graduating from automotive technology college in upstate New York. She persisted through every opportunity to own two shops in Sebastopol, CA.
Kate says she learned something along the way from every shop she worked at and always had the goal to own her own shop, let alone two and possibly more.
Listen to the smart choices she made along the way, what her personal motivations were and how she is working to improve herself and her business.
RR 244: Brian Sump from Avalon Motorsports
Industry outsider used his business acumen and detailed, process-based, management philosophy to grow his business.
Brian Sump is not your typical shop owner. A former professional athlete, Sump had never turned a wrench in a shop before starting Denver-based Avalon Motorsports in 2007.
Recognized with multiple industry and business awards, Brian Sump is an entrepreneur who runs six different organizations and he explains why you need to network-up and network-down.
This industry awarded shop owner brings his wisdom to the premier aftermarket podcast.
RR 238: Greg Bunch from Aspen Auto Clinic
Is your service adviser getting forty hours of training per year?
Greg Bunch owner of Aspen Auto Clinic a five-store operation in Colorado Spring, CO tells the story on how his first branch came about. Greg tells of his best practices on how to scale for multiple locations. He shares the traits of a shop owner when preparing for expansion.
We talk consolidation, the value of quality service adviser training, what good technicians want from their shop owner, how to prepare for expansion (you need capitol), customer retention and more.
He also talks about his Transformers Mastermind group for multi-shop operators.
RR 235: Tom Piippo from Tri-County Motors
Where does a three time ASE Technician of the Year and shop owner find a new technician?
Tom Piippo a three-time recognized ASE Technician of the Year needed to find a new technician. He decided to grow his own and found a candidate in a most interesting place. Also listen to Tom share his story of remarkable results over the last 39 years operating in a small town of 491 households in northern Michigan.
Tom was recently honored by ASA as their 2017 Alpha award winner for his generous and far-reaching contributions to the automotive service industry.
RR 233: Brian Weeks from atc AutoCenter
How can a Re-Branding Strategy Create a Total Make-Over for this Family Business and Prepare for Market Growth.
Brian Weeks and his brother Chris from atc AutoCenter in Augusta, GA bought out their Dad in 1999 and worked hard in the family transmission business. Their story is typical until they both realized that their current business model was under stress. They needed to make changes to allow them to grow and meet market demands.
Brian shares the re-branding story, and how he and his brother made the bold moves to work on their business instead of in it.
RR 231: Tony Tatich from TMT Complete Auto Service Center
How do you integrate a second-generation millennial into a succession plan?
Tony Tatich from TMT Complete Auto Service Center in Bremen, IN shares his view on the family business and the aftermarket from a millennials point of view.
Hear Tony talk about his Dad, the business, the industry and the future. It is a big business in a very small town.
He’s doing a lot of things right. See how many you agree with.
RR 224: Family Business: Three Dads Point of View
Aftermarket Family Business Dynamics. The Dads Speak About Their Family Business and Their Role and Relationship with their Sons.
Service professionals Terry Beachler, Gary Pontious, Sr. and Joe Palermo discuss their family business and the relationship with their sons. Many know that family dynamics is so rewarding and can also have their challenges, however if you make it work the results are personally gratifying.
I’m grateful to the three sons for gathering their dads for this interview. There are many great talking points; traits that they share with their son, the dads’ current role in the business, who is the bigger risk taker, how they see new technology, managing the numbers, the importance of communication and trust and special advice for all family business.
RR 223: Family Business: Three Sons Point of View
Aftermarket Family Business Dynamics. Second and Third Generation Service Professionals Speak About their Role and Relationship with their Dads.
Brett Beachler, 3rd generation join second generation sons Tom Palermo and Gary Pontious, Jr. in a discussion on the family business and their father son relationship. The aftermarket is mostly lead by family businesses and many business owners are contemplating succession.
Learn how these three sons have grown up in the business and how they see their role and what their dad has taught them about leading into the next generation.
RR 222: Dwayne Myers from Dynamic Automotive
Vice Chair of CCPN is Honored as a 2017 ASE/Autocare World Class Technician
Dwayne Myers tells his story that starts in the Army and ends with the 2017 ASE/Auto Care World Class Technician Honor. It seems that everything Dwayne Myers did in his career helped pave the way to this recognition.
A partner in the four-shop operation Dynamic Automotive in Frederick County, MD, listen to Dwayne’s message that anyone can have success. He says, “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go after the great.”
Dwayne shares some great wisdom on Dynamics commitment to training and building a team. He sees a bright future for all shop owners and provides a great piece of management wisdom: ‘Never Talk Mad’.
RR 221: Bill Greeno from Quality Automotive & Smog
An Unyielding Commitment to Customer Service is Facilitated through Communication Education.
Bill Greeno from Quality Automotive and Smog in Truckee, CA and a business consultant with a focus on leadership and management is big on communication. He and his team work hard on building strong internal communication, that he says makes huge difference in his unyielding customer service.
He also believes that having a satisfied staff is pivotal to customer service success. Having a shared vision is at the core of this. Their Vision Statement is “Your Trusted Local Auto Care.” Their service related conversations revolve around their Vision Statement and it is the launch pad for discussions regarding new ideas and/or changing a policy or procedure.
RR 219: Nick Lenhart from Lenhart’s Service Center
Fourth Generation Millennial in Partner With His Dad Speaks to the Challenges of Succession, Debt Management and the Changing Industry.
Nick Lenhart from Lennart’s Service Center Tire Pro’s brings a very honest and transparent discussion to the table. On top of the legacy customer service that Lenhart’s is known for they are big in community philanthropy. Nick shares the story on one key tool they use to do community outreach.
Nick shares why they made a move to Tire Pros and that their move to DVI was important and rewarding. He explains the strategy he uses on social media why improving his balance sheet is important to his dad’s succession plan with him and the value he places on networking and twenty groups.
RR 217: Stacia Hamp from Community Auto
Father & Daughter Team Keep their Strong Culture at the Forefront of their Shop and Get Recognized by BBB with their Highest Honor.
Stacia Hamp and her dad Eric Warrington have worked together for 13 years. They’ve forged a strong working relationship and the business has blossomed.
Stacia’s dad Eric, built the business on trust and ethics. She says dad has the heart of the business culture firmly in hand and no better tribute than in being recognized as the winner of the 2017 Northern Colorado Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics in the Small Business Category.
Stacia talks training, the value DVI has brought to their business, the value of having a mentor, how dad and daughter bring their diverse personalities into a perfect focus for the business among many more key talking points.
RR 211: Judi and Dana Haglin from Haglin Automotive
Husband and Wife Team Keeps Careful Watch on all Details of their Business.
Judi and Dana Haglin work together so well because they say ‘They are opposites’. Each of their own passions help drive their successful business. Haglin Automotive, a twelve bay shop in Boulder, CO, was recognized in 2015 as Motor Age Top Shop of the Year. They continue to look for ways to improve their systems and marketing that will give them a competitive advantage.
The Haglin’s are all about team and culture and share many great ideas and insights on marketing, training, and stress relief. They share their rules for finding harmony in their personal and business relationship, their core values and their top strategy to corral new customers.
RR 209: Pierre Respaut – Former BMW Shop Owner, Trainer, TST Vice-President
Carm with G Jerry Truglia, President TST Since being in the aftermarket for fifty years, Pierre Respaut has a steep history as an automotive shop owner, dealership mechanic/technician and trainer. Pierre worked at BMW and Ferrari dealerships and owned “Ultimate Cars”, a BMW specialty repair shop for 30 years. After he closed the shop he…
RR 207: Gonzo’s Tool Box Part 2
Scott Weaver from Superior Auto Electric … the world knows him as Gonzo from Gonzo’s Tool Box. He is published every month and shares his brand of knowledge and humor on ‘Gonzostoolbox.com’. No doubt if you earn your living on the service side of the aftermarket; you’ve either been to his site, read his articles…
RR 205: Chris Monroe from Monroe Tire & Service in Shelby, NC
Big Investment in “Driver Lounge” Brings Top Shelf Amenities to the Customer Experience
Chris Monroe from Monroe Tire & Service in Shelby, NC is a second-generation business owner with an equal mix of tire and automotive service for 30 years. He is passionate about our industry and the future as technology changes the landscape.
Chris feels that industry change paves the way for many opportunities that we are slowly uncorking. He is an active participant in improving our industry image and training through networking and mentoring.
RR 203: Russell McCloud from Accurate Automotive Attention
2nd Generation Shop Owner and Politician Shares His Story
Russell Mc Cloud, his sister Michele Payne, his brother in-law and his 2 sons (3rd generation) are keeping the legacy of his dad Dennis going strong. This three-location operation is thriving in Yuma, AZ.
Russell is also a Yuma County Supervisor for the last 13 years. He does double duty working for the people of Yuma county. He shares what his motivation was in entering politics. Russell also talks about the challenges of a family business, the tech shortage, insights from his coaching group and how the idea for his new TV commercial was born.
This is a very transparent interview from a person who learned from his dad that honesty and integrity were the most important personal traits and to treat customer and employees as family.
RR 201: Margie van Lierop from Beach Cities Garage
Unlikely pathway to shop ownership.
Margie van Lierop from Beach Cities Garage purchased a shop from friends after being a successful magazine publisher. She has had an interesting career in corporate radio and in the music business.
Margie has made a strong transition to a shop owner and tells you the things she is doing to make improvements to her business every day. She makes no mistakes that is has been trial by fire for her.
She has a great spirit and her personal drive and commitment shines throughout the interview. She shares her experience in working with a beta program from Bosch called Sweetworxx.
RR 199: Brett Beachler from Beachlers Vehicle Care & Repair
Third Generation Service Professional is Known, since 1951, as a Super Ethical shop that Never Compromises.
Brett Beachler is Vice President of Beachlers Vehicle Care & Repair. Brett’s grandfather Bob started the business and his Dad Terry is active every day. Beachlers believes that customers need to be taught the concepts of automotive and become friends. They are known throughout their community as the shop of second options.
Helping their customers get 250K miles from their vehicle helps drive the high maintenance numbers the shop performs. Giving tours of the new facility is a smart tactic and strives to educate their customers of the behind the scenes of automotive repair.
To add to their new customer growth Brett has instituted a traveling lunch and learn program in his community and has a strong charitable program for new customers first oil change.
RR 197: Gary Pontious, Jr. from Toledo Auto Care
A Big Emphasis on Culture has helped this Entrepreneur Create Duplicity to Scale his Business.
Gary Pontious Jr. is the Vice President and General Manager of Toledo Auto Care that is celebrating their 100th year in business in 2017.
Toledo Auto Care is the oldest independent auto repair shop in Toledo, OH and has been owned and operated by the Pontious family since 1985.
The family has just opened their second branch in December 2016 and the strength of their culture and fundamental business practices has allowed them to scale their business for growth.
RR 195: Tatsu Tsuchida from Tokyo Automotive
Second Generation Shop Owner Still Learning
As a kid growing Tatsu Tsuchida, VP of Operations, Tokyo Automotive, was a natural at pulling things apart and putting them back together.
His father, Akio Tsuchida, started Tokyo Automotive in 1978. For Tatsu it would take the better part of his twenties, from being a ski bum, to living in Japan as an English teacher for him to sow his wild oats, but always knowing that he’d return one day to work in the family shop.
Today Tatsu has learned there’s much more to running an automotive shop than loving cars. He learns through his mentor and coaches, that how the bathroom looks, the decor, and how one talks; matter more to the customer than you would ever think. Tatsu is more than honest about his challenges, and often shares with other friendly garages his mistakes (and his triumphs) so that others can benefit. Tatsu says, “Together we learn and earn more.”
RR 193: Kirk Richardson from South Street Auto Care
Major Business Turn Around Set Up a Plan to Retire from one Business and Buy a New One.
Kirk Richardson from South Street Auto Care in Rochester, MI, prides himself on his ability to create a family culture within his businesses. The culture is a blend of hard work, accountability, fun, and hijinx, which combine to make loyal and dedicated coworkers.
Kirk shares his companies culture, pay plan and a few elements of his strategic plan. He has a work distribution system that gets the maximum value out of every technician. Kirk loves business and people in general and will talk for hours about business!
RR 187: Parker Davis – BMW Specialist – Owner Broad Stroke Associates
A strong Dealer Alternative Strategy for this BMW/MINI Service Professional
Parker Davis, President of Broad Stroke Associates has been a BMW specialist for the last ten years. He been in the industry for eighteen years and started Broad Stroke to offer his customers a strong dealer alternative.
Parker shares his strategy in customer service, training, and the ARO results of implementing his digital vehicle inspection program. Parker sees more specialization in the industry with more shops working on specific platforms. He explains how shops will evolve to be specialists.
RR 185: Bill DeBoer Jr, AAM from DeBoer’s Auto Sales and Service
High Flying Entrepreneur Combines Used Cars with Automotive Service to Create the Right Formula.
Bill DeBoer, AAM has been responsible for bringing innovations in daily operations to the full-service, high-tech auto repair facility for 20+ years. Started by his dad in 1982 DeBoer’s also sells used cars.
DeBoer speaks to the value ride sharing will bring to his business, his new mastermind group, and his new Car Care Club among many other topics.
RR 181: Jerry Kubitsky from Summit Transmissions
Shop owner survives a fire and re-opens within a month.
Jerry Kubitsky of Summit Transmissions has toughed through a few challenges in his business career. From having to buyout a partner, to closing a store to a fire in August 2016 that closed the shop for a month; Jerry has survived and continues to prosper where others would have thrown in the towel.