Acquiring and Transforming a 72 Year Old Business [AW 171]
Jon Kloosterman, the Director of Operations at West Side Service in Zeeland, discusses their recent acquisition of a business and their approach to training and retention of technicians. The acquired business had been a pillar in the community for 72 years and was ready for a change in ownership. Jon also highlights the importance of maintaining professionalism and focusing on the right KPIs in your business.
remarkableresults.biz/aw171
Real Estate Strategies [AW 170]
Rick Levitan shares his experience and insights on real estate in the automotive industry. He discusses the importance of developing a strategy when expanding and finding new locations, as well as various methods for finding potential sites. Rick advises against falling in love with a specific location and highlights the option of leasing with an option to buy. He also discusses the role of real estate investment trusts (REITs) and the importance of demographics when considering a new location. Rick emphasizes the need for careful planning, good advisors, and transparency when acquiring a business or property.
remarkableresults.biz/aw170
From Mom and Pop to Multi Shop Owners [RR 671]
Recorded Live at the 2023 Institute Summit in St Petersburg, Florida, Jeannie and David Light, the dynamic duo behind Lighthouse Auto Repair in Manteo, North Carolina, discuss their business, challenges they face, and their recent expansion to a second shop. They also share their experience with joining a coaching program. The coaching program had a significant impact on their sales, with their revenue nearly doubling in the year after joining. Find out how they transitioned from a ‘mom and pop’ shop to successful multi shop owners.
remarkableresults.biz/e871
From Training to Triumph: Breathe Leadership Into Your People [RR 868]
COO’S Max Orsborn and Dave Askwith discuss the importance of training and defined leadership in automotive businesses. They highlight the need for effective training that goes beyond just checking boxes, emphasizing accountability and pressure on individuals who attend training sessions. The conversation also touches on the significance of transparency and communication within organizations, focusing on clear communication during promotions and changes. Max and Dave share their experiences as leaders, with insights on admitting mistakes and making adjustments in hiring, as well as the importance of staying true to one’s beliefs and vision.
remarkableresults.biz/e868
The Noble Mechanic: Before and After Transformation and Rebranding [AW 166]
In this episode, Reggie Stewart covers a range of topics from dispatching and business operations to shop renovations. Reggie recently undertook renovations at his shop in Kokomo, Indiana, he modernized the colors and feel of the shop to give it an upscale vibe, with the help of an interior designer. He also discusses the importance of building a positive culture and is currently working on creating job descriptions and manifestos for each position to better define expectations and attract the right people.
remarkableresults.biz/aw166
Is Your Shop Butcher Clean? [RR 866]
COO’S Andrew Marcotte and Melissa Parker discuss growth and succession in the industry, emphasizing the importance of having a sellable business. They share their experiences with acquiring and managing new shops, highlighting the value of cultural fit over work experience. Andrew and Melissa also encourage others to build relationships within the industry, learn from other operations and have a ‘butcher clean’ shop!
remarkableresults.biz/e866
New Build in 4 Months: A Look Inside [AW 164]
A new build in 4 months? How did Bill DeBoer do it?! When his father suggested knocking down an office building and building a shop in its place, Bill didn’t hesitate. He took charge of the project, handled the financing, and oversaw the construction. This podcast episode is filled with insights on fleet management, business strategies, and the importance of having a reliable network of professionals.
remarkableresults.biz/aw164
Building Better Team Members by Building Better People – Matt Lachowitzer [RR 821]
How has Matt Lachowitzer been able to expand his multi store business while maintaining the culture within it? How did his team support each other through the sudden passing of a key manager? It all starts with building better people. So how do you do that? How do you find those unicorns that want to grow with your company and lead better lives themselves?
remarkableresults.biz/e821
Inside Chapel Hill Tire: Empowering Employees and Branding [AW 128]
Guest Host and Shop Tour with Marc Pons, Chapel Hill Tire, 10 locations, Chapel Hill, NC. Carm joins Marc and visits 2 of his shops while we were in North Carolina for the ASTE 2022 Show. Learn about leadership, branding and empowering your team.
remarkableresults.biz/aw128
The Perfect Second Location – Greg Buckley [RR 785]
Sometimes the best opportunities happen when you’re not even looking for it. Greg Buckley wasn’t searching for a second location, but a gold mine fell on his lap for the taking. The business he purchased was run as a hobby without any records. Find out how and why Greg took on this second location, 85 miles away from his 1st location.
remarkableresults.biz/e785
3 Shops In 1 – Travis Comfort [AW 125]
Guest Host and Shop Tour with Travis Comfort, Rick’s Automotive, Springfield, MO. Take a tour of this 28,000-square-foot campus.
remarkableresults.biz/aw125
Listen and view episode notesThe Hardest Lessons to Learn – Kevin Eckler [RR 744]
There’s nothing better than catching up with an industry friend at TST’s Big Event! Dive into the blueprint of Kevin Eckler’s second location, and his transparency of learning a valuable lesson of full commitment to his employees. He explains words are just words until actions are put into place. You’ll also hear from his newest employee that was an intern at his shop.
remarkableresults.biz/e744
Listen and view episode notesGrowing? Is Another Shop In Your Future? – Greg Bunch [RR 742]
Ever heard of the ‘entrepreneurial curse?’ Do you see opportunity everywhere you look? Are you ready to go multi-location? Or have you been approached to sell? I’m with Greg Bunch from Transformers Institute at Vision 2022 and we discuss the boom in becoming a multi-shop owner and the future of our industry.
remarkableresults.biz/e742
Listen and view episode notesAre You Ready to Open a Second Location? – Justin Barrett [RR 735]
The leap from 1 location to 2 is never easy. But what if you also add in going to Vision 2022 days before the second location opens? How has Justin Barrett prepared his existing employees, while hiring new ones, for his second location? How did he know it was the right time?
remarkableresults.biz/e735
Listen and view episode notesReady, Set, Grow! with Phil Carpenter [AW 094]
Guest host and shop tour with Phil Carpenter, Urban Auto Care and Avalon Motor Sports, Denver, CO, discusses scaling your business the right way. Learn from Phil’s experience with 5 locations and over 30 employees.
remarkableresults.biz/aw094
Listen and view episode notesGrowing Pains When Scaling Your Business [RR 683]
Growing Pains When Scaling Your Business [RR 683]
We all know growing pains happen when expanding your business to more locations. It’s tough, necessary, and normal. But wouldn’t it be nice to skip some of the known challenges? Consider this episode your “How to Scale” road map if you’ve been considering opening more locations. Listen and learn from a shop owner and one of his Directors, as they share some tactics to controlled chaos.
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Listen and view episode notesI Want $1 Million For My Business [THA 240]
I Want $1 Million For My Business [THA 240]
In this episode, my panel will be dissecting a pertinent issue when it comes to selling any business, which is wanting more than it is worth. Many have worked for years and want to get 1 million for their business.
As a business owner, you’ve been painting a very specific picture in your mind about retirement. Where you’ll live, what you’ll be doing, and most importantly, what will your nest egg look like. Too often your ideal price tag does not line up with the bottom line financials of your business and its true market value and what the buyer is willing to pay. And, if you’re a buyer, how do you bridge that gap from want to real value? The panel rolls up their sleeves and discusses both sides of buying and selling a business.
remarkableresults.biz/a240
Listen and view episode notesSatellite Location with Tom Grady [RR 649]
Satellite Location with Tom Grady [RR 649]
So many shop owners want to expand their business but oftentimes have a hard time finding a second location to purchase. You can wait years before a business location becomes available. And sometimes you find the land but building from the ground up isn’t an option for your budget. Have you ever thought about a satellite location?
Tom Grady is in the process of opening his satellite location a few miles away from his current shop. Find out how and why he did it in this real informative episode. https://remarkableresults.biz/e64
Listen and view episode notesShop New Build with Seth Thorson and Troy Vaninetti [THA 227]
Shop New Build with Seth Thorson and Troy Vaninetti [THA 227]
Whether you’re ready to expand to another location, remodeling an existing building or starting from scratch, construction and breaking ground can be very overwhelming with different challenges based on the location. How do you create and build the shop of your dreams?
Shop owners Seth Thorson and Troy Vaninetti share their experiences and offer advice with what they’ve learned during the process. Take this opportunity to get the wheels turning for a future project.
Listen and view episode notesRequirement for Growing a Branch Store [THA 205]
THA 205 Requirements for Adding a Branch Store
Welcome to the 205th episode of the Town Hall Academy. New Year, New Challenges. Many in the industry are contemplating growth and many are thinking of selling or succession. Keep close to the insights and wisdom from your aftermarket peers, right here, who share their growth story with you.
I’m with Greg Bunch, Austin Miller, and John Manelas. Greg is the owner of Aspen Auto Clinic, Colorado. Austin Miller opened Tire Star in2011, and John owns Auto Care Plus and Euro Care Plus. Together this team has 15 branches and growing.
How many shops are enough? Is there a sweet spot? What qualities must a shop owner possess in order to successfully add a shop? What are the challenges? No doubt this group tells their tale of their initial branch store and the huge learning curve that happened with it and subsequent stores.
The key talking points from this episode are already done for you on the show notes page at remarkableresults.biz/a205.
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 notesBrian Sump – Never Let Your Foot Off The Pedal [FTR 081]
FTR 081 Brian Sump – Never Let Your Foot Off The Pedal Multi-shop operator Brian Sump from Avalon Motorsports and Ubran AutoCare brings a whole lot of passion to this episode as he shares some self-reflection on a rocky time he experienced and what he learned. He says that you’ve got to review what works…
Listen and view episode notesRR 397: Acquisition Integration – A Look Inside a New Location Transition
Acquisition Integration: A Look Inside a New Location Transition
Mike Allen, a General Manager Telle Tires and Auto Centers tells of his first-hand experience integrating a recent acquisition. This episode will show you the processes of transition and the sensitivities in customers, people, and brand when acquiring new shops.
Mike was recently involved in integration of one of Telle Tires most recent acquisition. This 10 stores 77-year-old legacy company has been on an acquisition path. Mike Allen talks about how he has lead one particular integration for the Telle family.
Aftermarket Professionals and Shop Owners will find this episode useful if they plan to expand and acquire shops. We can never say that there will be no risks with integrations but Mike’s wisdom will help you understand the excitement, opportunities, and challenges that come with growth.
Listen and view episode notesTHA 082: Acquisition Strategies
Acquisition Strategies
This a perfect bookend episode that connects with Town Hall Academy Episode 075. There we talked ‘Am I ready for my second branch?’
The Panel includes multi shop owners, with growth plans; Greg Bunch, from Aspen Auto Clinic, Colorado Springs and Denver, CO, Greg is also the CEO of Transformers Institute, Dwayne Myers, Dynamic Automotive, Frederick, MD, and Brian Sump, Avalon Motorsports, Denver, CO.
The key talking points are already done for you, sitting on the show notes page at remarkableresults.biz/a075; use them as a to-do list. Just a few highlights: negotiations, scouting leads, approaching owners, financing and a lot more. Another power packed aftermarket lesson for the forever student.
Listen and view episode notesTHA 075: Am I ready For My Second Branch?
Is there another branch location in your plans.
Have you ever thought of growing your brand into other communities? There is an art and science to intelligent growth. According to this Academy panel, it is not an easy task. You can choose an acquisition or open a brand new location.
The Panel includes multi shop owners Greg Bunch, from Aspen Auto Clinic, Colorado Springs and Denver, CO, Dwayne Myers, Dynamic Automotive, Frederick, MD, and Brian Sump, Avalon Motorsports, Denver, CO. They all have additional growth plans.
You will get a solid overview of growing your location count from the panel who have already made a ton of mistakes. Learn from them and take their wisdom to account in your growth plans.
Listen and view episode notes