My Biggest Mistakes [THA 223]
My Biggest Mistakes [THA 223]
In this episode, my panel discusses some of their biggest mistakes they’ve overcome as shop owners. We all wish we could go back in time and fix mistakes from ever happening, but unfortunately, there is no crystal ball for life. Instead, it’s important to reflect and turn it into a learning curve for ourselves and others. Take this opportunity to listen to this giving and transparent episode to perhaps avoid making the same mistakes in your business. Learn from these moments of truth.
The key talking points for this episode reside at remarkableresults.biz/a223
Listen and view episode notesInteresting New Technology with Chris Cloutier [RR 638]
Interesting New Technology with Chris Cloutier [RR 638]
If you love new technology you’re in for a treat! Chris Cloutier discusses the rapid changes in technology and what that means for our industry. If you’re not a fan of new technology, then consider this your opportunity to learn a slice of the future and get on board before it steamrolls you.
New technology is going to happen no matter what, it’s just a question of accepting it and adapting it to your world. The key talking points for this episode reside at remarakableresults.biz/e638
Listen and view episode notesLearn Customer Communication Styles: DISC with Emily Chung [RR 636]
Learn Customer Communication Styles: DISC with Emily Chung [RR 636]
As automotive service professionals, it’s our job to educate our customers and clients. But did you ever stop to think about your approach? What is the best way to efficiently communicate with each individual (client) based on how they like to receive information? In this episode with Emily Chung, from AutoNiche, we discuss how and why it is important to code your customer and train your employees.
The key talking points for this episode reside at remarkableresults.biz/e636
Listen and view episode notesWomen Shop Owners Round Table [CC 087]
In honor of March’s Women History Month, I assembled a panel of lady shop owners to discuss the women’s role in the aftermarket. The ladies brought some wide-ranging perspectives and I loved the trajectory of this discussion. No matter your position or gender in our beloved aftermarket give this episode your due. The ladies were on fire.
Listen and view episode notesMillennials A to Z – Part 2 – Sara Fraser [RR 620]
Millennials A to Z Part 2 – Sara Fraser [RR 620]
Sara from Haas Performance Consulting will cover a large swath of millennials’ behaviors as it relates to being a customer or a team member in your business. Understanding this important and powerful generation will allow you to embrace them to the fullest. You may have millennial children, customers, nieces, and nephews, you may be one — Millennials account for a third of the workforce and you need to know their tendencies as it relates to relationships in the workplace and as customers.
The key talking points for this episode with Sara Fraser reside at remarkablersults.biz/e620.
Listen and view episode notesASE Update: Approaching 50 Years of Certification Excellence [RR 619]
ASE Update: Approaching 50 Years of Certification Excellence [RR 619]
As a listener, I know how much you care about ASE and the value it brings to your people, your quality, and your commitment to excellence.
Did you know that ASE will be 50 years old next year? I’ve done episodes on ASE yet it is time to get an important update from ASE Sr. Vice President Communications, Trish Serratore.
She will cover what is happening with ASE now and into the future. We talk ADAS, the ASE renewal app, and the future related to remote proctoring and recertification tests at home.
The key talking points reside at remarkablersults.biz/e619.
Listen and view episode notesRetirement Plans and Profit Sharing Insights [THA 211]
Retirement Plans and Profit Sharing Insights
We are talking about retirement plans. If you asked your people if they had a retirement account or even a decent nest egg you will most likely get a blank stare or a no answer.
You just discovered an important benefit you can provide your people. Sure you’ve got to have the profits in the company to start up a program like this, but there are many creative ways to start a 401K and/or profit-sharing program.
First off we are not giving any advice or are even qualified to give advice. This is an open discussion among your peers to get your thoughts started, or even to educate you on this potential employee benefit. You need to contact a certified financial planner, your accountant, and possibly an attorney if you get serious about creating another benefit that keeps your team working for you.
Invest in this episode even if you don’t have a glimmer about providing a retirement saving discipline for your people. You may not be ready today, but the information in this episode will give you ideas and insights if ever you consider doing this.
My guests today are Greg Skolnik from Motor Works in Rockville, MD, and Sabrina Gatewood from King Amaco. As shop owners, they both have a perspective and opinion on retirement plans for your people.
This episode’s key talking points are already done for you. Find them at remarkableresults.biz/a211. Let’s talk about it.
Listen and view episode notesBuilding Deep Ties to the Community [THA 209]
THA 209 Building Deep Ties to the Community
Do you agree that paying it forward and creating a lasting rapport with your own community goes a long way?
Being involved in your community is more important than you know. When you support from the heart never expect to get something back. Our episode today tackles and explains exactly why connections and network within your community is essential as well as it is necessary.
Part of branding your business includes your support of the community. I’m with Jennifer Filzen from Rock Star Marketing and Author of the new book “The Give To Get Principle: How Relationships & Reciprocity Build Raving Fans”, Carl Hutchinson from Complete Automotive, Springfield, MO, Patrick Dolder of PALS Ocala Auto Repair, Ocala, FL, and Sue Morsching, Elysian Auto Service, Elysian, MN. You can learn a lot from this community-engaged panel.
This episode’s key talking points are already done for you. They reside on the show notes page at remarkableresults.biz/a209.
Listen and view episode notesThe Give to Get Principle: How Relationships & Reciprocity Build Raving Fans [RR 610]
The Give to Get Principle: How Relationships & Reciprocity Build Raving Fans [RR 610]
We are happy to introduce Jennifer Filzen’s Fifth book which is out now on Amazon. The Book “The Give to Get Principle: How Relationships & Reciprocity Build Raving Fans” is a book that you can use as a tool to give back to the industry and to your community. If you are not involved enough in your community, you should be. Let this episode push you into paying it forward.
Jennifer CEO of Rock Star Marketing, a digital marketing agency, will help you discover these three important principles you need in your life. Your Why, Your Superpower, and Your Attitude. If you only work on these three, you will improve.
The incredibly successful businesses in our industry are extremely community-minded and involved. Use this episode as inspiration to take your community to the next level.
The key talking points reside at remarkablersults.biz/e610
Listen and view episode notesCareer Upgrade: Service Manager to Shop Owner at 29 Years Old [RR 608]
Career Upgrade: Service Manager to Shop Owner at 29 Years Old [RR 608]
In keeping with my goal to interview new shop owners and the upcoming youth of our industry. Here is an incredible story.
Our episode today a succession story from a non-family internal candidate. A trusted service manager who hasn’t even purchased her first home.
Welcome, Colleen Yarger. She trained in the hotel industry for more than 10 years and has risen through the ranks as a service manager. Amazing that this 29-year-old has taken steps to become a shop owner. Despite her young age, she doesn’t lack the talent and has been guided by former owner Mark Goldsmith who has been a great supporter of the RR podcast.
This episode shows what is possible and how Colleen seized many opportunities she had presented to her starting with my friend Maylon Newton, then with Ryan Tunison. Lots of great inspiration to see what can be possible when you capitalize on every situation presented.
The key talking points reside at remarkablersults.biz/e608
Listen and view episode notesWomen in Auto Care Awards 2020 [RR 604]
Women in Auto Care Awards 2020 [RR 604]
This episode honors the 2020 Women in Auto Care Awards. There are 3 prestigious awards presented annually, namely; Auto Care Woman of the Year, Female Shop Owner of the Year, and Auto Care Woman of Excellence. The awards are presented to a Women in Auto Care member who has provided recent outstanding contributions to the auto care industry.
I welcome Auto Care Woman of the Year, Lauren Beaulieu, Vice President, Professional Marketing, Advance Auto Parts, The Female Shop Owner of the Year Kim Auernheimer, owner and Business Manager, Cool Springs Automotive, Brentwood, TN and the Auto Care Woman of Excellence, Danielle Sonnefeld, Vice President, Business Development, N.A. Williams
The key talking points for this episode reside at remarkablersults.biz/e604
The Women In Auto Care organization is very dedicated to the advancement, education and empowerment of women within the auto care industry, especially their commitment to educational scholarships. Please listen for details on the unrivaled nurturing they make in scholarships and continuing education.
You can find my panels previous episodes, their bios and the key talking points for this episode at remarkablersults.biz/e604
Listen and view episode notesMillennials in High Gear with Sara Fraser – Part 1 [RR 603]
Millennials in High Gear with Sara Fraser Part 1 [RR 603]
Our topic today centers around millennial customers and employees. With me is Sara Fraser. Sara has been a favorite on the show and lives what she teaches as she is a millennial. Each generation has its traits and you must adjust your business to accommodate the millennial customer and employee.
Sara is with Haas Performance Consulting and teaches the millennial story. We look at the millennial customer needs/wants and the same for the millennial employee. This is part one of a two-part millennial series with Sara
You can find Sara’s other episodes and the key talking points for this episode at remarkablersults.biz/e603
Listen and view episode notesA Blessing in Disguise From My Biggest Mistake [THA 200]
A Blessing in Disguise From My Biggest Mistake [THA 200]
Welcome to the 200th milestone episode of the Town Hall Academy. The industry’s premiere and original single subject forum. Thank you for your support in listening and watching the forum and making it a staple of information and insights for our automotive service industry.
Wisdom comes from many sources. If you think about the many mistakes you’ve made there are hundreds. But the blessing that can come from failure is to think of the challenge you faced and the outcome. Your panel today digs deep in their heart and shares with you the triumphs that came from some tough and low spots in their careers. I thank Emily Chung, Kelli Weatherby, Matthew Lachowitzer and Kevin Eckler for their transparent and emotional rendering on how they overcame a huge mistake and found blessings in their decision to act.
Matt Lachowitzer owns and founded Matt’s Automotive Service Center, Emily Chung owns and operates AutoNiche auto repair shop in Markham, Kelli Weatherby co-owner, with husband Lee, co-owns Accurate Automotive in Mesa, AZ., and Kevin Eckler, along with wife Lisa, owns Foreign Car Specialists.
The key talking points from this episode are already done for you on the show notes page at remarkableresults.biz/a200.
Listen and view episode notesScience Based Hypnotherapy with Maureen Pisani [RR 590]
Science-Based Hypnotherapy with Maureen Pisani [RR 590]
I’m with Maureen Pisani a Certified Master Hypnotherapist and the founder of ProThrive Science-Based Hypnotherapy, where she works with individuals and groups (both in-person and online) to help empower, streamline success, and truly thrive.
Why this interview? I found the discussion with Maureen refreshingly different. I can see where some never reach their potential, yet we know they have it in them. Maureen offers solutions.
Imagine this as a tool for the automotive aftermarket. You do the math. Unlimited potential and untapped ideas.
We discuss how the brain works in hypnotherapy and the science behind it that proved useful in uplifting and giving us an edge in life! The talking points can be found at remarkablersults.biz/e590
Listen and view episode notesShop Talk 9: The Ladies Have a Lot To Say [RR 577]
Shop Talk 9 – The Ladies Have a Lot to Say – RR 577
Three lady shop owners that will speak to marketing to women, offer their perspective on margins and cost management, how the pandemic has made important changes and how it changed the hiring process. Will you agree, take exception from their ideas or gain a new insight.
The panel: Jamie Carlson from Ervine’s Auto Repair, who was honored as the Female Shop Owner of the Year 2019 from AutoCare’s Women In Auto Care, Emily Chung
AutoNiceh in Markham, Ontario, and Rachael Wacha from City Auto Repair, Gainesville, FL.
Find the key talking points at remarkableresults.biz/e577
Listen and view episode notesMargaret Palango – 20 Questions in 30 Minutes [RR 570]
Margaret Palango – 20 Questions in 30 Minutes [RR 570]
Margaret is the Executive Vice President at Autoshop Solutions in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area. She shares some great and applicable advice on grit and positive thinking while emphasizing on the importance of building trust and building better teamwork.
Margaret Palango also talks about how she relies on her intuition whenever there is a difficult decision to make. She never regrets listening to her intuition. She made her intuition stronger in her professional life.
Find the key talking points, Margaret Palango’s bio and links to his previous episodes at remarkableresults.biz/e570
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 notesThe Women Stereotype: Creates Friction, Insecurity, and Gender Issues [RR 567]
The Women Stereotype: Creates Friction, Insecurity, and Gender Issues [RR 567]
My guest today is Emily Chung. She owns and operates AutoNiche, a family-friendly auto repair shop in Markham, Ontario, Canada. She is a licensed Automotive Service Technician, and Automotive Writer for various publications. She also teaches in the Automotive Business School of Canada at Georgian College.
We are going to talk about gender stereotyping. I want you to listen to this episode in its entirety and let me know what you took away. I believe it will help you understand some of the reasons we do what we do as it relates to hiring and leading our team.
When it comes to gender biases, Emily makes very strong points. No doubt you can put yourself in many of the situations Emily speaks about. So we get this on the table here in episode 567 and I welcome Emily back to keep the dialogue going. Please recall another episode recently where we had a female shop owner, technician and service adviser discuss the Female Impact in the aftermarket. It is episode RR 549
Find the key talking points, Emily Chung’s bio and links to her previous episodes at remarkableresults.biz/e567
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 notesFemale Impact: Getting Through [RR 549]
Ashley McCabe – McCabe’s Automotive Specialist, University Place, WA. In 2015, Ashley took over her father’s decades-old automotive business. She might not have known much about cars when she started, but she sure did know about customers. Ashley started at the front counter, and her father said he could tell that she understood customer service and…
Listen and view episode notesCarrie Lynn Rodenberg and Kim Walker on Social Media [RR 530]
Carrie-Lynn Rodenberg, the owner of Turnkey Marketing, founded her boutique marketing firm after moving from New York where she was in charge of the direct response marketing for a 10 BILLION dollar company (Emblem Health). She went on to be the Director of Marketing and won the 2nd place Infusionsoft Ultimate Marketer Of The Year Award. Carrie-Lynn graduated…
Listen and view episode notesWhat Needs to be in Your Marketing Plan Right Now [RR 524]
Dori Eppstein is the Founder and President of Amazing Women in Automotive and is an Automotive Coach/Consultant for ESi. She grew up in Southern California and started off in the auto repair industry handling the marketing for her brother’s first shop. She learned more about the business challenges auto repair shop owners face through working…
Listen and view episode notesKelly Moore – Enticing our Youth to have a Career in the Aftermarket [RR 518]
Kelly Moore Dr. Kelly Thumm Moore has over 20 years of experience in the career-focused higher education industry. She currently serves at Campus President for Lincoln College of Technology – Denver, a career-focused college offering certificate and degree programs in the automotive and skilled trades fields. Her previous experience includes presidencies for Westwood College and Career Colleges…
Listen and view episode notesOur Customers Don’t Know How We Make Our Sausage and it is Time They Learned [RR 516]
Carolyn Coquillette of Luscious Garage, San Francisco, CA chairs the ASCCA Connected Cars Committee, serves on the ASCCA Board of Directors and is active in her local San Francisco chapter. She’s also the Founder and CEO of Shop-Ware. Look for Carolyn’s other episodes HERE. Scott Brown is an ASE Master Certified Automobile Technician with over three…
Listen and view episode notesKim Aurenheimer – Fall In Love With Your Business, Again [FTR 086]
Kim Auernheimer, AAM is the Co-Owner & Business Manager of CS Automotive in Brentwood, Tennessee. CS Automotive was opened in October of 2006 in the back of a warehouse and now they call a 6,400 square foot, 10-bay shop home. Prior to joining her husband Rob in the business on a full-time basis, Kim had a career…
Listen and view episode notes