RR 429: Family Succession Part 2 – Parents on their Daughters Succession Plan

Family Succession Part 2 – Parents on their Daughters Succession Plan

Welcome to the second installment of Family Succession. Learn how parents mold and develop their children to take the helm of the company after they retire. Hear the discipline, methods and strategy each owner is using as they embark on this important journey of succession.

I’m with Judy Zimmerman Walter, a second generation owner of Zimmerman’s Automotive; Jim Paiva, Owner of Elite Auto Repair; and Jeff Matt, owner of Victory Auto Service and Glass. They are the proud parents of Jacqui Hower, Carly Paiva, and Lauren Anderson of Family Succession Part 1, Episode 401.

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RR 401: Family Succession Part 1 – Our Future Female Shop Owners

Family Succession Part 1 – Our Future Female Shop Owners

We are talking to three millennial ladies who are geared for the succession of the family business. Many of our aftermarkets family businesses want to retire knowing that the business they have built is in safe hands, is moving forward and continues to succeed. Grooming a family member to become the CEO is a big decision and challenging journey.

Our guests are young and energetic female successors; Carly Paiva from Elite Auto Repair, in Warwick, RI, Jacquie Hower from Zimmerman’s Automotive in Mechanicsburg, PA, and Lauren Anderson from Victory Auto Service and Glass in Minneapolis. They understood very well the stakes and the responsibilities. They are not shying away and have shown maturity above their young age.

Carly Paiva has been actively participating in service advisory classes to better herself, Jacqui Hower recently graduated from Northwood and Lauren Anderson is finding ways and solutions to better equip her staff for success. The energy and passion of these three must make their parents proud.

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RR 370: Darren Garlock Treating Company Culture and Customer Retention Alike!

Treating Company Culture and Customer Retention Alike!

Darren Garlock along with his brother Dan are the owners of Silver Lake Auto & Tire Center a multi-shop organization headquartered in Oconomowoc, WI. Like so many Darren started his career in the shop pushing brooms, pumping gas and washing cars.

An early adopter of DVI, Darren explains how he and Dan split their responsibilities and how family, values, culture, and customer all intercede to form a cohesive unit that exemplifies their success. It’s a win-win strategy that needs to be applied to all aftermarket shops.

Learn how they are investing in their people, customers and giving back to their community.

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RR 361: Scott and Michael Waddle. Owner and Prodigy. Father and Son.

Father and Son / Owner and Prodigy

Scott and Michael Waddle of Precision Auto Service, Langley, British Columbia. Shows us that a tandem of father and son can unlock different creative and innovative skill sets applicable to the modern shop of today.

Listen to how Scott is nurturing his son’s gifts and transforming them into assets their shop can use. Michael’s innovative work on automotive electrical and lighting systems is phenomenal considering that he is 15 years old this year. Even though Michael still can’t do the heavy lifting within the shop, this doesn’t stop him from his creative thinking. He is creating apps for the business. Learn about them.

Scott continues to provide training and enrollment plans for his son’s future providing an inspiration to every family owned shop and maybe a succession strategy too.

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RR 347: Jonathan Ortiz of Foreign Affairs Auto – From Used Cars to Full Service

A Family Affair

Jonathan Ortiz is the General Manager at Foreign Affairs Auto, West Palm Beach, Florida finished his MBA at Northeastern in Boston. Since he joined the family business, he played a key role, with his Dad, in the transition from a used car dealership to full-service repair. He embodied a people first culture and took the entire shop to Worldpac this year.

He’s changed the way he approaches new hires because of losing past hires before they are set to arrive. Jonathan shares the changes he’s made to his hiring practices because of the impact no-shows has had.

Foreign Affairs Auto’s service pledge is same day service. Their client base is mostly European and has come to accept repairs to take more than one day. Making repairs in one day brings differentiation in the market.

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RR 345: Leon Martin from Auto Tech Services – The Importance of Soap-Paint and Light

The Importance of Soap-Paint-Light

Leon Martin started his shop on a 60×40 oat-field, in a community with a population no less than 2,200. He started it with pure guts and determination despite detractors that told him that he can’t do it. When Auto Tech was open in Rochester, Washington for appointments, he appealed to the emotion of his customers.

Starting a business has a lot of challenges especially on the financial side of things. Leon shares some tips on how to make a wise financial decision, getting a business coach, advocating shop cleanliness and the deeper value of customer service. He shares his cleanliness, colors and bright days and nights in Soap-Paint-Light.

He always tells his customers Maintenance is easy to schedule, breakdowns are not. His customers will nod in approval while he and his crew extract a smile and a simple ‘what can I do to make your day better’ will work wonders on any given situations.

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RR 325: Cecil Bullard on Succession Planning

Looking To Get Out? Candid Talk on Succession Planning.

Cecil Bullard joins Carm Capriotto for this interview at ATE in Seattle. A very special interview with a deep conversation on succeeding your business. Statistics reveal that the average shop owner is in their late fifties. A quality succession plan can take 5 to 8 years.

There are many great pieces of advice and wisdom discussed including family issues, what happens after I sell, what place does your ego have in the transaction, and when do you become a coach and not dad.

For non-family transactions, there is some wise advice on structuring a deal. Cecil gives a blueprint on the steps to building a succession plan.

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RR 256: Rachael Wacha from City Auto Repair

Joined the Family business and doubled sales within a year.

Thirty one-year-old Rachael Wacha from City Auto Repair realized she was more like her dad than she thought. She also didn’t realize how important she was to the business.

You’ll be moved by her story and very open discussion of her very personal journey as she walked through life’s challenges and overcame them all. She has the tenacity to achieve every goal she sets for herself.

Having completed a succession plan to own the business, Rachael has joined a coaching and mastermind group. She is the president of the local ASA chapter and Is investing her time in vocational training and engaging with students.

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RR 253: Scott Buckley & Steve Bullins

The Future of Our Industry Speaks Out on Tech, Technology, Millennials, DVI and Customer Service. 

Scott Buckley and Steve Bullins from Buckley’s Personalized Driver Care bring a refreshing look at our industry. You’ll be happy to hear this duo speak on so many topics.

All the while you are listening, consider these guys are the shop owners of the future and will help guide and steer our industry for many years to come. We’re in good hands.

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RR 252: Eric Carlson from Ervine’s Auto Repair & Grand Rapids Hybrid

Michigan Shop Owner Makes Hybrids His Specialty Niche

Eric Carlson from Ervine’s Auto Repair and Grand Rapids Hybrids has found that his specialty in Hybrids has been a welcome addition to his business and his market is responding. With hybrids as loaners, his hybrid business is growing at an unexpected rate.

Eric shares his story that includes the purchase, 24 years ago, of a business that was on its last leg. His supplier gave him a heads up on the opportunity. Eric has been recognized multiple times as the NAPA Technician of the Year, in the Grand Rapids region. He also tells about his commitment to ASE and the time he was as a subject matter expert. He helped work on the Hybrid tests.

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RR 251: Craig O’Neill form O’Neill’s Transmission Service

Third Generation Millennial Whose Dad Has Complete Confidence in His Decision Making is Looking for an Actionable Succession Plan.

Craig O’Neill from O’Neill’s Transmissions and Service has taken some bold moves in the business and implemented a DVI system and hired a business consultant.

He sees great opportunities in emerging technologies and values the power of a strong business culture.

Regarding the technician shortage, he shares their apprentice program that has helped not only his business but the vocational school he works with.

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THA 025: Disaster Planning and Preparedness

Are you prepared for a disaster?

Business interrupters come in many forms. Natural, environment, death of owner, spouse or partner, surgery, accident, illness or even loss of a key employee.

This Academy lesson discusses: why you should plan, do you need a formalized approach, do you have plans for a normal business operation that can be followed and who makes the decisions.
It is said that business interrupters will happen (Not if but when). Will you be prepared?

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RR 233: Brian Weeks from atc AutoCenter

How can a Re-Branding Strategy Create a Total Make-Over for this Family Business and Prepare for Market Growth.

Brian Weeks and his brother Chris from atc AutoCenter in Augusta, GA bought out their Dad in 1999 and worked hard in the family transmission business. Their story is typical until they both realized that their current business model was under stress. They needed to make changes to allow them to grow and meet market demands.

Brian shares the re-branding story, and how he and his brother made the bold moves to work on their business instead of in it.

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RR 231: Tony Tatich from TMT Complete Auto Service Center

How do you integrate a second-generation millennial into a succession plan?

Tony Tatich from TMT Complete Auto Service Center in Bremen, IN shares his view on the family business and the aftermarket from a millennials point of view.

Hear Tony talk about his Dad, the business, the industry and the future. It is a big business in a very small town.

He’s doing a lot of things right. See how many you agree with.

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RR 224: Family Business: Three Dads Point of View

Aftermarket Family Business Dynamics. The Dads Speak About Their Family Business and Their Role and Relationship with their Sons.

Service professionals Terry Beachler, Gary Pontious, Sr. and Joe Palermo discuss their family business and the relationship with their sons. Many know that family dynamics is so rewarding and can also have their challenges, however if you make it work the results are personally gratifying.

I’m grateful to the three sons for gathering their dads for this interview. There are many great talking points; traits that they share with their son, the dads’ current role in the business, who is the bigger risk taker, how they see new technology, managing the numbers, the importance of communication and trust and special advice for all family business.

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RR 223: Family Business: Three Sons Point of View

Aftermarket Family Business Dynamics. Second and Third Generation Service Professionals Speak About their Role and Relationship with their Dads.

Brett Beachler, 3rd generation join second generation sons Tom Palermo and Gary Pontious, Jr. in a discussion on the family business and their father son relationship. The aftermarket is mostly lead by family businesses and many business owners are contemplating succession.

Learn how these three sons have grown up in the business and how they see their role and what their dad has taught them about leading into the next generation.

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RR 219: Nick Lenhart from Lenhart’s Service Center

Fourth Generation Millennial in Partner With His Dad Speaks to the Challenges of Succession, Debt Management and the Changing Industry.

Nick Lenhart from Lennart’s Service Center Tire Pro’s brings a very honest and transparent discussion to the table. On top of the legacy customer service that Lenhart’s is known for they are big in community philanthropy. Nick shares the story on one key tool they use to do community outreach.

Nick shares why they made a move to Tire Pros and that their move to DVI was important and rewarding. He explains the strategy he uses on social media why improving his balance sheet is important to his dad’s succession plan with him and the value he places on networking and twenty groups.

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RR 217: Stacia Hamp from Community Auto

Father & Daughter Team Keep their Strong Culture at the Forefront of their Shop and Get Recognized by BBB with their Highest Honor.

Stacia Hamp and her dad Eric Warrington have worked together for 13 years. They’ve forged a strong working relationship and the business has blossomed.

Stacia’s dad Eric, built the business on trust and ethics. She says dad has the heart of the business culture firmly in hand and no better tribute than in being recognized as the winner of the 2017 Northern Colorado Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics in the Small Business Category.

Stacia talks training, the value DVI has brought to their business, the value of having a mentor, how dad and daughter bring their diverse personalities into a perfect focus for the business among many more key talking points.

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RR 205: Chris Monroe from Monroe Tire & Service in Shelby, NC

Big Investment in “Driver Lounge” Brings Top Shelf Amenities to the Customer Experience

Chris Monroe from Monroe Tire & Service in Shelby, NC is a second-generation business owner with an equal mix of tire and automotive service for 30 years. He is passionate about our industry and the future as technology changes the landscape.

Chris feels that industry change paves the way for many opportunities that we are slowly uncorking. He is an active participant in improving our industry image and training through networking and mentoring.

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RR 203: Russell McCloud from Accurate Automotive Attention

2nd Generation Shop Owner and Politician Shares His Story

Russell Mc Cloud, his sister Michele Payne, his brother in-law and his 2 sons (3rd generation) are keeping the legacy of his dad Dennis going strong. This three-location operation is thriving in Yuma, AZ.

Russell is also a Yuma County Supervisor for the last 13 years. He does double duty working for the people of Yuma county. He shares what his motivation was in entering politics. Russell also talks about the challenges of a family business, the tech shortage, insights from his coaching group and how the idea for his new TV commercial was born.

This is a very transparent interview from a person who learned from his dad that honesty and integrity were the most important personal traits and to treat customer and employees as family.

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RR 200: 200th Episode Retrospecitive

The automotive aftermarkets premier podcast achieves the 200th episode milestone.

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast creator and host Carm Capriotto shares the 200th episode with ten podcast alumni in a discussion on the industry and the impact the podcast has had on the transfer of knowledge among industry peers.

Capriotto says, “I care about building a stronger aftermarket and connecting people who are sharing their success story with the world”. The podcast features interviews with Service Professionals, Industry Women, Thought Leaders, Technicians, Multi-Shop Owners, Business Coaches and Technology Leaders.

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RR 199: Brett Beachler from Beachlers Vehicle Care & Repair

Third Generation Service Professional is Known, since 1951, as a Super Ethical shop that Never Compromises.

Brett Beachler is Vice President of Beachlers Vehicle Care & Repair. Brett’s grandfather Bob started the business and his Dad Terry is active every day. Beachlers believes that customers need to be taught the concepts of automotive and become friends. They are known throughout their community as the shop of second options.

Helping their customers get 250K miles from their vehicle helps drive the high maintenance numbers the shop performs. Giving tours of the new facility is a smart tactic and strives to educate their customers of the behind the scenes of automotive repair.

To add to their new customer growth Brett has instituted a traveling lunch and learn program in his community and has a strong charitable program for new customers first oil change.

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RR 197: Gary Pontious, Jr. from Toledo Auto Care

A Big Emphasis on Culture has helped this Entrepreneur Create Duplicity to Scale his Business.

Gary Pontious Jr. is the Vice President and General Manager of Toledo Auto Care that is celebrating their 100th year in business in 2017.

Toledo Auto Care is the oldest independent auto repair shop in Toledo, OH and has been owned and operated by the Pontious family since 1985.

The family has just opened their second branch in December 2016 and the strength of their culture and fundamental business practices has allowed them to scale their business for growth.

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RR 195: Tatsu Tsuchida from Tokyo Automotive

Second Generation Shop Owner Still Learning

As a kid growing Tatsu Tsuchida, VP of Operations, Tokyo Automotive, was a natural at pulling things apart and putting them back together.

His father, Akio Tsuchida, started Tokyo Automotive in 1978. For Tatsu it would take the better part of his twenties, from being a ski bum, to living in Japan as an English teacher for him to sow his wild oats, but always knowing that he’d return one day to work in the family shop.

Today Tatsu has learned there’s much more to running an automotive shop than loving cars. He learns through his mentor and coaches, that how the bathroom looks, the decor, and how one talks; matter more to the customer than you would ever think. Tatsu is more than honest about his challenges, and often shares with other friendly garages his mistakes (and his triumphs) so that others can benefit. Tatsu says, “Together we learn and earn more.”

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RR 185: Bill DeBoer Jr, AAM from DeBoer’s Auto Sales and Service

High Flying Entrepreneur Combines Used Cars with Automotive Service to Create the Right Formula.

Bill DeBoer, AAM has been responsible for bringing innovations in daily operations to the full-service, high-tech auto repair facility for 20+ years. Started by his dad in 1982 DeBoer’s also sells used cars.

DeBoer speaks to the value ride sharing will bring to his business, his new mastermind group, and his new Car Care Club among many other topics.

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