Six 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

Africa’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

If How To’s Were Enough We’d All Be Rich and Skinny- Dave Schedin [RR 555]

If How To’s Were Enough We’d All Be Rich and Skinny- Dave Schedin [RR 555]

The episode will teach you how to face your fears and understand the depth of your ego. Managing your ego and self-confidence in balance will get you the result you really need. Find out the truth behind the overconfidence and arrogance that we all try to avoid. We are all victims of whatever circumstance we chose to put ourselves into. The sooner we understand that the better off we are at handling difficult situations.

My guest is a coach and a former shop owner, Dave Schedin from Computrek Group a
Coaching and Training Company. Dave has 40+ years of experience in the automotive field.

David has a powerful message for you. We are talking about the fear-based scarcity mindset that can plague the best of us. If it remains unchecked it will derail most business owners by undervaluing themselves. The opposite of this has the same effect too. You can be too arrogant when you are overconfident. You have to balance things out. You’re gonna love this episode.

Wife 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.

Unscripted 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.

A 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.

Female 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…

Tire Pro Wants Your Customer Experience to Be Your Differentiator [RR 548]

Alan Beech knows what it takes to succeed in today’s marketplace. With more than 30 years of experience in the business world, he has worked his way to the top of the automotive service industry in Canada. Alan’s professional career has spanned within both the corporate and entrepreneurial spaces. Today Alan has a number of…

Business Processes and Better Staffing with Brian Gillis [RR 547]

Brian is the Chief You Net Results Strategist, with 25+ years experience in auto shop operations, hiring, recruiting, systems, processes, multi-store experience, and employee training. More about Brian Gillis… 25+ Years owning and operating auto repair shops in Texas, Georgia and Colorado, multi-unit stores Hired and Trained over 2000 staff members Budgeting and Profits Brian’s…

Remedy: Shop has Case of COVID-19 [RR 546]

Kirk Richardson is a young and successful entrepreneur. Born into a blue-collar, hard-working family, he was a below-average student in high school and college. At the age of 22, he left school and started his first business. He bought his first three-bay shop at the age of 24. Seven years later he bought his second shop,…

Theft of Catalytic Converters with Peter Neilson [RR 545]

Peter Nielson is the Hybrid Guy in the hybrid and electric car space of our industry. His company Certified Auto Consulting, came about to help other niche companies inside the hybrid and electric car market grow. As an independent contractor for sites like TorqueNews, he use his professional skill set to help others achieve success. Peter…

Diagnostic Pathways vs. Silver Bullets [RR 544]

Scott Shotton has over 25 years of technical experience in automotive repair shops. As the owner of The Driveability Guys, Scott performs mobile diagnostics and reprogramming for local repair shops in the DeKalb Illinois area as well as industry training around the United States and Canada. He was also one of the four trainers for…

Embracing Change with David Martin [RR 543]

Dave Martin is the Owner and President of Martin’s Auto Repair in Phoenix, AZ. His automotive career began pulling weeds on the shop property then as he got older Dave moved into a station helper and gas attendant. Dave then became the shop manager before taking over the family business from his father in 2006.…

Businesses Grow when Owners Grow – Maryann Croce [RR 542]

Maryann Croce from SmallBusinessvantge.com. She and her husband Tony also own Croce Transmission in Norwalk, CT. As a business owner, she can chalk up many a mistake that has turned into wisdom. She has been there and done that and shares 5 key principles to help a startup business person get ahead of the game. She is speaking…

Everything you do Reflects your Brand with Jennifer Filzen and Rene Arreola [RR 541]

It all started when Jennifer Filzen decided to become a singer/songwriter and created her first pop music album, Sirena. Her marketing and sales talents afforded her the opportunity to get her music heard around the world, including India, China, Europe, Australia, and the United States. Her writing talents launched her into writing SEO content for websites, social…

From Technician to Service Advisor to Operations Manager – Phil Carpenter [RR 540 ]

Phil Carpenter has been in the automotive industry since 2002 however his passion for Automotive started much earlier. He bought his first vehicle at 14 years old and still has it, a 1959 Chevy Pickup. He has spent time as an Audi Certified Technician, Service Advisor, Parts Specialist, Service Manager, General Manager and currently, is…

Status of the Aftermarket – Journalist Mark Phillips [RR 538]

Mark Phillips is editor and publisher of Aftermarket Intel and has been in the automotive aftermarket for more than 12 years. Previously, he was editor of newspapers in several cities in Ohio and Boston. He is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University.  Aftermarket Intel HERE. Key Talking Points: Automotive industry- essential industry during the pandemicLos Angeles…

Recruiting and Job Search for Industry Technicians and Owners – Elie Massabki [RR 536 ]

Elie Massabki is the founder and CEO of Mechanics & Body Shops Marketplace, a company focused on helping auto repair shops find talent and empowering automotive professionals through permanent job placement, free career advice, resume reviews and an App to find permanent jobs with reputable businesses and side/temporary jobs quickly. Elie is an automotive enthusiast who…

Dealing With the Loss of a Job or a Business – With Dolah Saleh [RR 535]

Through her advice columns, books, and seminars, Dolah Saleh has sought to help others make choices that honor who they are and what they want to accomplish. Ms. Saleh is an educator, lecturer, and author with more than 20 years of counseling others in making optimal life choices.  Ms. Saleh is the author of a few…

Gamification – Changing Behavior with Kent Bullard [RR 534]

Kent Bullard. Find Kent’s other episodes HERE. Key Talking Points: Gamification- changing behavior, designing an experienceHow do you engage people with game theory? Focus on process orientation than goal orientation- not outcome focused, be action focused Customer’s want to come back again The Big E’sEnvironment: Physical triggers for customers and employees- is it distracting them…