RR 417: Rob Rowsell – Achieving Success on a Curved Road

Rob Rowsell – Achieving Success on Life’s Curved Road

Rob Rowsell is a shop owner and author who is an inspiration to the automotive aftermarket. His story of the transition from a homeless individual to a recognized success is a story fit for the ages. He owns Family Auto Service in La Mesa, CA. His 4 shops employed 50 plus employees and 2 of those shops have revenues of $2 Million annually. His success is an inspiration to the automotive industry and built on resilience.

Rob authored the book “Addicted to Life: How I Went from Homeless to Extraordinary Success and Happiness in a Short Period of Time”. It is an easy read with chapters mean to relate to the ordinary person. It is a guideline of building blocks on how to improve your leadership along the way. Addiction effect at least ⅓ of our population. If you don’t know a thing about addiction or you need to learn how to deal with a peer, loved one or yourself, this interview is for you.

A very candid and authentic story of challenges and overcoming obstacles, this episode will not disappoint.

RR 415: Mitch Schneider – Legacy Aftermarket Influencer

Mitch Schneider – Legacy Industry Influencer.

You know Mitch Schneider. He is truly a legacy icon of our industry. He has dedicated his life to run a great shop for decades and at the same time write and speak to help our industry grow. There isn’t an issue that he hasn’t tackled where his reader could take his wisdom and improve themselves and their business.

One thing I wanted to know is how did it all start. If you are a Mitch Schneider fan or follower you may not know this story. You’ll hear how Mitch found his stride and passion for helping the industry by writing and speaking on industry challenges and solutions.

Coming up is a very transparent and personal discussion with Mitch in a way that you may have never heard before. He is also sharing with you his biggest challenge of his life and his extreme confidence in his total recovery. It is in nature to win.

RR 407: Dennis Montalbano: He Survived a Heart Attack and Stroke and so Did His Business!

Dennis Montalbano: He Survived a Heart Attack and Stroke and so Did His Business!

This isn’t the first episode I’ve done on having a health scare. Think about it. The interviews I’ve done lived through their health challenge and are now advocates on what you need to do to help survive your business and also to lead a healthier life. Yes, easier said than done, but if I continue to tell these stories maybe we’ll save one or two business out there and even get you to live a long and happy life.

No doubt eating, exercise, and stress play a big part. I know there is no stress working in or building your business.. As I say that with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek. We are in a high-stress industry and that, of course, is a leading contributor to heart and stroke.

RR 398: Shop Talk 9 – Hitting The Brick Wall – Business and Leadership Transformation

Shop Talk 9 – Business and Leadership Transformation

I’m so glad to welcome Chris Machado from JCircle M Truck Repair, Inc. in Bakersfield, Ca and Corey Evaldi from Olmstead Auto Care, North Ridgeville, Ohio. Two leaders with contrasting style but unified in their quest for shop success.

Chris leads his life with no excuses while using his energy to help people. He values generosity, kindness and willingness to listen as part of his strong leadership traits. Corey loves perfection and is addicted to winning. He holds meetings with his people where their input is critical to the running of the business. There are a lot of things covered to help you grow your leadership and business acumen only here.

A bright vision of success and a hope for more businesses. Don’t miss this.

THA 102: Second Chance – Working with and Supporting Addiction

Second Chance – Working with and Supporting Addiction

We cover a lot of ground in this episode that will open your eyes to addiction including the way out, living life without, the law of exposure, the reward system, opioids, alcohol, and other addictions and the signs of relapse.

The panel: Matt Fanslow, Eric Ziegler, Rob Rowsell, and Tanner Brandt.

Here is a myth: People who struggle with addition come from a bad or broken home and have no support. And here is some truth: Until an addict says ‘Done’ no one can help them. Your heart may say you are done but your actions must demonstrate it.

At least one-third of you have an experience with addiction or have a close friend, family or significant other who is struggling. Use this episode to help in your desire to help yourself or someone you love with addiction.

THA 100: Up Your Game: Become a Level Five Leader and Improve, You, Your Business and the Aftermarket

Up Your Game: Become a Level Five Leader and Improve You and the Aftermarket

Think of this podcast like 9 five minute Ted Talks. Here are the topics covered, Listening, Resilience, Learn to be a CEO, Perseverance, Invest in your Staff, Delegate and Get Out of the Way, Be Your Word, Have High Expectations of your Team and Train Within.

My guests each chose their topic and were given five minutes to present a succinct narrative for you.

Vic Tarasik, Major Accounts Director with RLO Training, Maryann Croce of Croce Transmissions in Norwalk, CT and smallbizvantage.com, Bob Greenwood, AMAM, is President and CEO of Automotive Aftermarket E-Learning Centre, Greg Buckley is the CEO Buckley’s Personalized Auto Care in Wilmington, DE, Shari Pheasant and her husband Jeff own A Master Mechanic, and she is known as the Queen of Horsepower, Chris Cloutier is co-owner of Golden Rule Auto Care and CEO of AutoText ME, Brian Walker is the founder and CEO of 5 Stones Media, a marketing agency and former shop owner, Bill Hill owner of Mighty Auto Pro from Medina, OH and Brett Bohlmann of HWY 7 Service Center, Newel, IA

RR 388: Re-Inventing You! A Personal Story Of Prolific Change.

Re-Inventing You! A Personal Story Of Prolific Change.

Carlo Sabucco from Sils Complete Auto Care Centre, a successful 8 bay shop on the east side of Oakville, Ontario.

This is episode offers some in your face and blunt stores about failure, adversity and managing your ego to get to the next level. You cannot be successful in the changing aftermarket if you do not have the CEO mindset. Your thought process should match the level that you want to be at. There is no downshifting gears when you are climbing a mountain.

Carlo offers one of the most transparent interviews I’ve ever done on the podcast. He shares his romance of selling his business and then he said no. That experience rejuvenated him and allowed him to re-invent his mission and vision about his business and the industry.

One of Carlo’s personal disrupters in his business in 2019 is to take his entire staff to Vision KC. He knows that the future will be shaped by what we do today. Too many shop owners ask for help but never implement. He says they’ll be left behind.

THA 088: Everything I Did Wrong and What I Learned

Everything I Did Wrong and What I Learned

If you are a person who thinks you can do everything yourself, then you need to listen to this trio explain their knock upside the head ‘V8’ moments when they realized it was the worse thing they could have ever done. Learn about this panels school of hard knocks so you don’t spend too much time in the places they were and accelerate your business because you now have the proof of what to do to prevent your business from being stuck in neutral.

It is not what you don’t know it is also about what your people don’t know. We talk micromanaging, training, business models, KPI’s and empowering your people and yes they will make mistakes just like you did.

With me for this Academy is Bambi Crozier, Car Clinic in Lowell, AR, // Frank Scandura, from Franks European in Las Vegas, NV and Tom Lambert, from Shadetree Automotive, Layton, UT

RR 357: Shop Talk Volume 2- Women Shop Owners

Shop Talk Volume 2- Women Shop Owners

Kim Auernheimer of Cool Springs Automotive Brentwood Tennessee, Mary Ann Croce of Croce’s Transmission Specialists, Norwalk, Connecticut, and Kathleen Jarosik of Xpertech Auto Repair, Englewood, Florida comprised the roundtable of the second edition of Shop Talk the Series.

Kim went to her first WorldPac training expo when she was in a tough financial situation. A light bulb came on. She is naturally competitive so she and her husband Rob decided they were going to be one of the best shops in the United States.
Maryann wanted her business to be sustainable. In the beginning just being able to take a paycheck home was a challenge, but keeping an eye on the goal will help you make important decisions to grow and sustain the business.

Kathleen hired a business coach who gave her the courage to step forward. She did a women’s car care clinic that ultimately led to her first Women In Auto Care meeting. That is when she realized she was not a unicorn and there were other female shop owners that inspired her.

FTR 008: Rick White – I’m Tired of You Giving Up!

Rick White from 180 Biz is passionate about the formula for success. He has a message for you on getting up when you fail. Listen for a great quote from Winston Churchill on Success. Rick says accepting and recovering from failure will make all the difference.

RR 341: Mark Bergasse, Carlo Sabucco, Glenn Colling, Todd Sarson. Friends First-Competitors Second.

Friends To The Rescue.

Mark Bergasse from Marks Auto Service in Oakville, ON, had a life-changing medical condition. A heart attack that precipitated a quadruple bypass. His wife Sandy called their friends Glenn Colling of Eastside Auto Service, Todd Sarson of Stop N Go Automotive, and Carlo Sabucco of Sils Complete Auto Care Centre. They share their story of support to Mark and Sandy.

This story is about friendship, caring and the power of humanity. Are you prepared for a possible business or life-changing moment? Is your network in place? Are your friends or competitors ready to step up. Mark, Todd, Carlo and Glenn share the backstory on the value of friendship first, competitor second.

RR 333: Keith Benline & Jeremy O’Neal – 10 Steps to a $1M Shop

10 Steps to Build a Profitable Million Dollar Shop

In the 2018 Vision KC Studio longtime friend of the podcast Jeremy O’Neal from Freedom Automotive and Advisor Fix and shop owner and business trainer/coach, Keith Benline.

The goal of these 10 steps is to give you the Freedom to have a stronger work-life balance and to lead your people to run your business.
Benline says working smarter not harder as business owner, being a strong leader and don’t be afraid to let go and empower your employees. He also says you need to allow mistakes to happen and use them as a coaching moment.

Find your strengths and implement while surrounding yourself with people whose strengths are your weaknesses and don’t forget it’s the people that make the business run, always treat them and respect them as people.

RR 313: Taurayi Raymond Sewera from Truck Tech & General Services

The Trip To Vision KC 2018 was 9,000 Miles. One Way.

There’s nothing too hard if you are determined to work hard enough. Do not underestimate your talent; you may never know where it will take you. Words from Taurayi Raymond Sewera. He is a shop owner from Zimbabwe, Africa. Taurayi is the only ASE certified technician in Africa and is building a new 20 bay shop he says will be opened by August 2018.

He employs 12 technicians and will fix anything with an engine from a lawnmower to a giant earth moving excavator. He is committed to training and has made the trip to Vision KC two times. He’s befriended many technicians in the US and takes ASE tests on every visit to the US. Learn about his story, the Zimbabwe economy and the most popular car he works on. You’ll be surprised.

RR 311: Scott Pelava from Lonsdale Auto Works

Stronger and Better Because of the Challenges He Faced

Scott Pelava a fellow shop owner from Lonsdale, MN has had an interesting road to success; sometimes rocky. Many shop owners can relate to tough times. Scott had the ‘grass was greener syndrome’ that happens to may shop owners and he faced some hard realities that running a business was different than being a tech.

Scott shares a very personal story of almost losing everything because of a plethora of circumstances he faced. Through his story, gain insights to help you prevent financial challenges that can overwhelm your life and business.

Pelava also wanted to share ideas and learn from his industry peers so he started a Facebook group called Automotive Shop Owners Group (ASOG). 

RR 307: Chris Cloutier – Entrepreneurial Lessons from a Serial Entrepreneur

Accept the Struggle and Find a Way to Continually Improve your Entrepreneurial Journey.

Chris Cloutier and I had a great conversation, passionate at times, on entrepreneurialism. Chris is a serial entrepreneur and has some wise words and experience at it. We talk bootstrapping, cash is king, the struggle, trusting your gut, leadership and even salesmanship. Don’t shy away from these topics – the discussion just may set you off on a better course. Chris has the scars, like all of us, which are the lessons we all learn as we march toward an improving and brighter future.

This interview is going to cement much of what you know about growing a business, and some of our talk will hit you, I hope, smack in your entrepreneurial soul and get you to understand the journey you are on a little better.

RR 302: Lisa and Kevin Eckler

Never Too Late to Get a Business Coach to Help Put the Business on the Right Path.

This interview is for anyone who started a business and took time to discover that their talent as a top technician didn’t help when it came to run a business. Lisa and Kevin Eckler from Foreign Car Specialists in Poughkeepsie, NY bring you a very raw and transparent story of their business evolution.

Kevin shared his story so that you will benefit. His business acumen wasn’t as good as his talent as a technician. He gives great advice to anyone who is struggling to make money.

Lisa is new to the business and they married four years ago. They took their blended family and business struggles head-on. Their story is fit for the ages and I know many can relate to the challenges they’ve overcome. 

THA 051: First Moves When Opening a New Shop

Find A Blue Print Outlined For Finding Success If You Are Going To Open An Automotive Aftermarket Service Repair Shop.

There is some secret Sause shared here including a few preferred methods on how to start, setting up your spending plan, how important location is and the need to know the demographics of that local community. Is the income level such that money can be spent on vehicle service and maintenance?

We talk financial, (knowing your numbers) debt, cash flow. All very important parts of a CEO’s responsibility. May great technicians, who are unemployable, strive to start their own business because they want to do things their way. Most find out it is not an easy task. There are responsibilities beyond financial and cash flow like, marketing, the tax man, HR laws and that is just the tip of the iceberg.

This panel does a great job of explaining the challenges you’ll need to deal with, so you can find your successes sooner rather than later. It is a slow process, but success shouldn’t take years to achieve.

THA 043: Book Club – Favorite Books That Have Made Me A Better Leader/CEO

Books That Have Made Me a Better Leader and CEO

Harry Truman said, “Not all readers are leaders but all leaders are readers.” Our Academy panel will share with you the books that have impacted them. They’ll explain their big take-a-ways that have impacted their lives both personal and business.

Many service professionals, that have shared their story on the podcast, credit books as an important resource for building their knowledge on leadership, business culture and personal growth.

THA 042: Impacting a Difference For Those Struggling For Success

The Power of Peer To Peer Help.

When you commit to helping a struggling service professional you help lift all ships. The tough part is starting the engagement. When a shop owner asks for guidance that is the first step to really make change. The teacher arrives only when the student does.

It is very altruistic in nature to help a colleague. These actions help the entire industry. Marginal operations contribute to a negative image problem. A stronger independent service industry brings strength to the industry and compounds success.

Together everyone blossoms and grows as servants to the motoring public. This episode shares a few examples and starts to write the action items you need to take to build a stronger aftermarket.

RR 270: Leon Anderson from Integrity Auto Care

Shop Owner Finds The Holy Grail of Shop Success: Training.

Leon Anderson from Integrity Auto in South Beloit, IL credits training and more training for his success. It wasn’t always like that. He now provides hundreds of hours a year in training for his technicians and service writer.

Catering to women and baby boomers this WIX Filters’ Driving Performance Award Winner in 2016 says he hires people for their head, heart and hands. Integrity is not just the shop’s name but it is what they practice every day.

He credits his business coach and management seminars in improving his business success. He says the DVI system helps the sales process and that written goal posters are important to Leon and his whole team.

RR 245: Kate Jonasee from K-Tech in Sebastopol, CA

Do you remember when you started in business? What humble beginning did you have?

Kate Jonasee from K-Tech and Pauline’s Auto worked her way across the country after graduating from automotive technology college in upstate New York. She persisted through every opportunity to own two shops in Sebastopol, CA.

Kate says she learned something along the way from every shop she worked at and always had the goal to own her own shop, let alone two and possibly more.
Listen to the smart choices she made along the way, what her personal motivations were and how she is working to improve herself and her business.