RR 127: Dave Kusa of Autotrend Diagnostics

Reasons to listen to Dave Kusa, President Autotrend Diagnostics:

-Find out how much reliance Dave places on building customer relations and home town value in a city of 2.5 million people.
-Dave believes that their top internet reviews come from his strategy on good customer communications.
-If you are looking for great insight or advice on the need for business training, Dave will explain to you his biggest learning curve.

RR 124: Jeremy O’Neal from Advisorfix

The three most important traits of the professional Service Advisor. Jeremy O’Neal president of Advisorfix joins Carm Capriotto in an engaging interview on the value of the service advisor and the traits and role they play in successful shops. Jeremy covers goals, the ratio of service advisors to technicians, accountability, trust and why most shops approach the sales side vs. the client’s vehicle agenda of the business completely wrong.

RR 119: John Eppstein from John’s Automotive Care

John Eppstein from John’s Automotive Care in San Diego, CA was recognized in 2016 as the NAPA ASE Technician of the Year. Started Like So Many Others John Eppstein started in the automotive industry in 1983 because he wanted a job where he could help people. Like so many others in the industry, John pumped…

RR 111: Frank Palange from V & F Auto

Frank Palange from V & F Auto Service in Agawam, MA, and his dad Vinny bought an acre parcel in 1988. They built their shop and today this thriving enterprise includes repair, auto sales and auto parts. Frank is a ‘tell it like it is’ guy (he is proud to say that is who he…

RR 101: Ron Inchausti from Coast Motor Werk

Ron Inchausti always had entrepreneurial ideas since childhood, but lacked goal setting to implement these ideas. He started his automotive career like most, working for someone else. He never considered, or saw the need, to start his own company. This young, eager mechanic had a special passion fueled by providing quality service with a thoughtful…

RR 100: 100th Episode Retrospective

We’ll I believe you are in for a treat. A kind of behind the scenes of the last 100 episodes and some engaging talk on a few hot industry topics with my invited guests Jerry Kezhaya, Greg Buckley and Bill Nalu. I also invited all former guests, I call my alumni, to join in using…

RR 097: Jeff Ruffing from Ruffing Automotive Services

Can you relate to this: Jeff Ruffing from Ruffing Automotive in Kaukauna, WI, yes a Packers fan, started washing cars at a Buick dealership in 1985. Later that year he was asked to bring his tools in when a technician was injured. When he started his own shop he got into business with ‘’training wheels” on…

RR 095: Tim Davison from Chumbley’s Auto Care

Meet third generation owner, Tim Davison from Chumbley’s Auto Care in Indianola, IA. Chumbley’s got it roots as a service station over 59 years ago. Tim Davison talks about those roots and how it has led to the very personal business it is today. Tim’s been in the industry for 35 years and 17 of them…

RR 092: Ryan Clo from Dubwerx in Cincinnati, OH

Ryan Clo from Dubwerx in Cincinnati, OH is an eighteen-year veteran in the Automotive Service industry. He currently owns two specialized automotive service locations. Ryan grew his enterprise from a single customer into a multi-location profitable business with 12 employees, that includes 6 technicians with a 99% customer satisfaction, and he has automated his business…

RR 087: Tom Palermo from Preferred Automotive Specialists

Tom Palermo from Preferred Automotive Specialists, Philadelphia, PA, was honored as the NAPA ASE Technician of the year 2015. What a humble and enthusiastic entrepreneur; he’s firmly engaged in the 40 plus-year-old family business that his dad Joe started, back in the day. Preferred Automotive Specialties employs seven technicians in six bays with eight lifts.…

RR 046 Greg Skolnik from Motor Works

Greg Skolnik from Motor Works in Rockville, MD is a 40 year industry veteran and a  shop owner for 37 years. Greg has a 3,000 SQ FT facility with 6 bay/lifts plus an alignment bay. The shop team is made up of  2 techs, one apprentice, one service adviser, one ops manager and a shuttle…

RR 027: Bogi Lateiner from 180º Automotive

Meet Bogi Lateiner from 180º Automotive in Phoenix, AZ.  She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Oberlin College in just three years with a double major in Womens’ Studies and Pre-Law. Listen to her story on how she got where she is today. Her nine year old shop has an all-female tech team, working eight bays…

RR 023: Maryann Croce from Croce’s Transmissions

Maryann Croce of Croce Transmissions in Norwalk, CT and her husband Tony combined her banking career and his automotive technical skills and bought a transmission business 15 years ago. They have 4 bays, 4 techs and one service adviser As so many in the aftermarket know when husband and wife’s and families, for that matter,…

RR 015: Judy Walter from Zimmerman’s Automotive

Besides growing up in the 57 years young family business, Judy Walter the CFO and co-owner of Zimmerman’s Automotive, Mechanicsburg, PA with her uncles works with a family staff of 12 out of 29 team members. This is a true blue family enterprise. At  they have a 20,000 sq foot facility, sporting a 12-bay shop with seven…

RR 008: Diane Larson from Larson’s Service

Diane Larson owner of Larson’s Service, in Peabody, Massachusetts is an industry veteran of more than 25 years. Since losing her partner and husband in 2008 and taking on the responsibility of the shop full time. With a beautiful setting on the side of a pond, she developed a strong team that has allowed her…