RR 179: Tristan Realubit from Real Autohaus Automotive
Tristan Realubit, AAM owns Real Autohaus Automotive in Westmont. IL. He has had his share of challenges that for many, would have thrown in the towel years ago. Armed with powerful advice from his mother he continued his quest to be a shop owner even though he didn’t understand the business side of the business.
As luck would have it he found AMI On-Line and then bought a Mitch Schneider book. Those two forces put Tristan on the right path. He has plans to add his second location now that he has retired the debt that mounted as he learned the business.
RR 177: Joe Hanson from Gordie’s Garage
RR 175: Brian Jesko – Shop owner doesn’t have customers, but friends for life.
Shop owner doesn’t have customers, but friends for life.
Brian Jesko from Trinity Auto Haus in Waco, TX started turning wrenches 25 years ago, and always knew he would own a shop; his dream was realized in 2011. In 2016 he purchased the building he rented.
With a realization that if you want to be successful you need to surround yourself with successful people, Brian believes to stand out in the world of business you must treat every customer as the next most important customer.
RR 173: Nick Modesti from Modesti’s Car Care Center
A true family culture ingrained with their customers.
Nick Modesti from Modesti’s Car Care Center in Culver City, CA is second generation nurturer. Nick has carried the tradition of his dad and mom to their team members and customers. Everyone feels the family culture which is never compromised.
Interview covers their goal to maintain 100% satisfaction with our clients, implementation of a DVI program, why having a business coach is one of his best decisions, how he bonuses his team for achieving training goals, and their peace of mind warranty program among others.
RR 171: Robert Noriega from Autoworks Tampa
Humble beginnings: Started fixing cars in his mother’s garage to pay for college.
Bob Noriega from Autoworks of Tampa, FL has been in business only 7 years but has a winning formula of processes and systems that will allow him to duplicate and grow.
He credits his hard work, personal drive and business coach for setting a strong level of accountability. Bob’s business growth is directly attributed to managing his numbers and his passion on a ‘complete’ customer experience.
RR 169: Seth Thorson from Eurotech Auto Repair
Euro specialist shop owner is also a BMW trainer and embraces technician networking.
Scott Thorson has specialized in the service of European automobiles since 1999. A BMW Trained technician also owns a nationwide BMW tech Support service (LMV Bavarian) that people all over the world use for BMW technical advice.
A national BMW trainer embraces new technology and understands that there is always someone willing to work harder to take everything away.
RR 167: Eric Svedberg from Automotive Specialists
How efficiency drives sales and profits for this three-bay service professional.
Eric Svedberg started as an Amoco dealer at the age of 22. Now at 45 years old he has much to share as a young man with 23 years of hard knocks experience. He adopted the slogan ‘Dealer Alternative’ from the day he opened.
RR 165: Mark Goldsmith from Mark’s Independent Service
Hiring a millennial service writer had a positive influence on this service professional.
In 1988 Mark Goldsmith opened Mark’s Independent Service in Chatsworth, CA. He aspired to be the best owner/technician he could be and constantly pushed himself to further his knowledge and understanding of the automotive industry.
RR 163: Frank Scandura from Frank’s European
What happens when you put your people and customers first?
Frank Scandura of Frank’s European in Las Vegas Nevada was fortunate to make the transition from technician to service writer to entrepreneur. Many service professionals never find the degree of success that Frank has achieved, without the transition from working in your business to working on it.
RR 161: John Miller from Freedom Automotive
John Miller says, “It is an ongoing educational experience to work on cars”.
John Miller owner of Freedom Automotive in Stafford, TX is a successful baby boomer shop owner who shows no signs of quitting. Besides the shop he is a weekly radio show and writer and editor for Shop Talk, the Houston ASA monthly.
RR 159: Jason Malo form Advanced Automotive Performance
Brothers Jason and Luke Malo shopped their business plan and no bank would help them.
Jason Malo (pictured) and his brother Luke started 10 years ago with a loan from their parents. With their experience in management and fixing cars, they created a business plan and took the plunge. This is a story of how they pulled together and made it work. Never easy but steady.
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RR 157: Jason Hladyniuk from Oxford Tire and Auto Centre
Competitive Advantage: Be the Dealer Alternative
Jason Hladyniuk from Oxford Tire and Auto Centre in Woodstock, Ontario is reflecting on his eighteen years in the industry. He is certain that his investment in tools and training will be critical to stay relevant for servicing his customer’s vehicles in the future.
RR 153: Doug Callaghan from Vic’s Service Centre
Learn how a total shop transformation in eighteen months earned the 2016 Auto Care Association ACE award.
Doug Callaghan from Vic’s Service Centre in Wainwright, Alberta Canada is the winner of the 2016 Auto Care Association ACE (Automotive Career and Education) award for businesses with under 50 employees. Doug shares his story of transformation, recognized by Auto Care, that earned him this recognition.
RR 151: Gary Keyes from E & M Motors
RR 149: Carolyn Coquillette from Luscious Garage
Carolyn Coquillette discovered wrenching in 2000, shortly after graduating from college. A rare female mechanic, her nickname at the service station and in professional circles became “Luscious Garage.” Carolyn owns Luscious Garage, a hybrid specialty shop in San Francisco and probably the best known hybrid shop in the country. She also owns Shop-Ware, a software…
RR 147: Jacquie Walter Hower from Zimmerman’s Automotive
Jacquie Walter Hower is the Director of Operations and 3rd generation at her family’s business, Zimmerman’s Automotive, in Mechanicsburg, PA. Typical family indoctrination. During high school and into college, Jacquie worked part time for the company working in the Quick Lube department as a technician changing oil and maintaining customer vehicles. After her sophomore year…
RR 145: Dennis Montalbano from German Auto Repair
Dennis Montalbano was born in San Francisco and raised in San Jose. He started his career in the service station business and operated the largest Gulf station on the west coast in volume. Dennis then became the youngest Snap On Tools dealer at 22 years old and then the youngest Field Manager for Snap On at…
RR 143: Kevin Donohoe from Pacific Motor Service
Kevin Donohoe, a multi-shop owner says, “Our clients are the true heroes of this story! And our purpose is to serve them”. His story. Kevin Donohoe’s automotive story began in 1966 (at the age of six) when he discovered the thrill of working on cars and equipment with his neighbor Mr. C. He taught Kevin…
RR 141: Scott Waddle of Precision Auto Service
Meet Scott Waddle from Precision Auto Service in Langley, British Columbia. Yes, the first Canadian shop owner to grace the podcast. You will learn that success stories and challenges are universal in north America. An Early Start. Scott Waddle has been fixing cars since he was four, maybe younger… out in the driveway with dad,…
RR 139: Jeff Buckley from My Fathers Shop
Jeff and Candace Buckley, a husband and wife team, have been providing services to their customers in Midlothian, TX for over 20 years at their service business called ‘My Fathers Shop’. This episode is all about the ‘Little Shop that Could’. Why, because the entire team at My Fathers Shop is Jeff and Candace. How…
RR 137: John Anello from Auto Tech On Wheels
John Anello started a Mobile Automotive Diagnostic in 1991 providing technical support & services for automotive Repair & Body shops in Northern New Jersey. These services include diagnostics on Engine Management systems as well as all other on-board control systems. Why Listen? John speaks about the learning curve that needs to be addressed by many…
RR 135: Garry Plimmer from Garry’s Automotive
A smart listen with NAPA’s ASE Technician of the year 2013. Why Listen? Harvest great ideas on customer retention, marketing, technician and adviser training, succession planning and the value of a business coach. Humble Beginning Garry Plimmer’s mechanical training began during his enlistment in the U. S. Navy from 1974-1978, having trained and served as a diesel…
RR 133: TJ Reilly from Same Day Auto Service
Great stories told here from a service professional who spends very little time at his business. This Japanese Repair Specialist operates in Clackamas, Oregon. The Business TJ Reilly has over 40 years of industry experience and 30 years as a shop owner. He started his business from scratch, and has the experience of being both…
RR 131: Don Smith from Elite Electronics
RR 129: Jerry Holcom from S & S Service
This is a very special interview with Jerry Holcom. With nearly 50 years’ experience in the automotive field, Jerry tells of his pathway to success and the typical stumbles or learning curves along the way.
Why should you listen: Jerry tells of great advice he’s received throughout the years about money and property ownership; Learn Jerry’s reasoning behind the decision not to buy his father’s business, and then turned around 10 years later and bought it from someone else.