RR 266: Patrick McHugh from Bimmer Rescue, Richmond, VA
Customer Avatar, Art Shows, Student Automotive STEM Classes are just a small part of this Unique Specialty Shop.
Patrick McHugh from Bimmer Rescue in Richmond, VA took a few twists and turns in his career before starting Bimmer Rescue. Patrick shares the unlikely evolution from jet pilot to shop owner.
He is a strong marketer and big thinker. From the days of working on the neighbor’s toasters to tinkering with a 1985 BMW Patrick’s path to service professional was paved with his love of how things worked.
Listen and view episode notesRR 260: Vic Tarasik – Part 2 – Life’s Lessons
Life’s Lessons that Establish Your Strengths as a Leader.
After nearly 30 years of successfully operating Vic’s Precision Automotive, a fourteen-bay automotive repair facility located in The Woodlands, TX, Vic Tarasik sold his beloved shop, however, he remains active in the industry he loves.
In the episode, Vic’s shares the remaining 5 life’s lessons. He covered the first five in episode 234. He’s very transparent as he speaks to how these lessons changed him as a leader.
Listen and view episode notesTHA 032: Aftermarket Brakes For Breasts Program – Can One Repair Shop Make a Difference in the Fight Against Breast Cancer? You Bet!!
Is it time to get involved in an industry wide fundraiser where 100% of the monies raised go to research on a breast cancer vaccine?
Yes you have many philanthropic commitments in your community and you are so very proud of your efforts, but consider this is an industry program started as a total grass roots program by aftermarket service professionals and as a total volunteer effort with 100% of funds the raised going to breast cancer vaccine research.
Listen and view episode notesRR 235: Tom Piippo from Tri-County Motors
Where does a three time ASE Technician of the Year and shop owner find a new technician?
Tom Piippo a three-time recognized ASE Technician of the Year needed to find a new technician. He decided to grow his own and found a candidate in a most interesting place. Also listen to Tom share his story of remarkable results over the last 39 years operating in a small town of 491 households in northern Michigan.
Tom was recently honored by ASA as their 2017 Alpha award winner for his generous and far-reaching contributions to the automotive service industry.
Listen and view episode notesRR 234: Vic Tarasik – Major Accounts Director at RLO
What is your next calling? What are your plans after you sell your business?
After nearly 30 years of successfully operating Vic’s Precision Automotive, a fourteen-bay automotive repair facility located in The Woodlands, TX, Vic Tarasik sold his beloved shop, however, he remains active in the industry he loves.
In the interview Vic’s shares the typical challenges a passionate technician goes through in learning how to run a good business. Vic goes over five of his ten Life’s Lessons; things he learned along the way that molded him as an entrepreneur. He tells us what he is doing today that continues to bring value to the industry.
Listen and view episode notesRR 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.
Listen and view episode notesRR 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.
Listen and view episode notesRR 198: Oscar Manzo – 2016 Counter Professional of the Year
Longtime O’Reilly Auto Parts Counter Professional Earns National Recognition.
Oscar Manzo, Installer Service Specialist at O’Reilly Auto Parts for over 27 years is recognized as the 2016 Counter Professional of the Year. The honor is given every year, for the last thirty-one, from Babcox Media.
Oscar has dedicated his entire career to the parts business; he started as a part-time cashier. He loves his everyday interaction with his customers and researching hard to find parts. Oscar shares his view on what is new in the parts business and the fulfillment of his customer’s needs.
Listen and view episode notesRR 181: Jerry Kubitsky from Summit Transmissions
Shop owner survives a fire and re-opens within a month.
Jerry Kubitsky of Summit Transmissions has toughed through a few challenges in his business career. From having to buyout a partner, to closing a store to a fire in August 2016 that closed the shop for a month; Jerry has survived and continues to prosper where others would have thrown in the towel.
Listen and view episode notesRR 176: Jennifer Maher from TechForce Discussing a Solution to the Technician Shortage
There’s a tech shortage in the transportation industry. It doesn’t matter if you’re talking automotive, trucking, diesel, aftermarket, motorcycle, marine, collision repair…you name it…they’re all struggling to find trained, professional technicians. Meet Jennifer Maher, the CEO/Executive Director of TechForce Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion students to and through their education and…
Listen and view episode notesRR 167: Eric Svedberg from Automotive Specialists
How efficiency drives sales and profits for this three-bay service professional.
Eric Svedberg started as an Amoco dealer at the age of 22. Now at 45 years old he has much to share as a young man with 23 years of hard knocks experience. He adopted the slogan ‘Dealer Alternative’ from the day he opened.
Listen and view episode notesRR 147: Jacquie Walter Hower from Zimmerman’s Automotive
Jacquie Walter Hower is the Director of Operations and 3rd generation at her family’s business, Zimmerman’s Automotive, in Mechanicsburg, PA. Typical family indoctrination. During high school and into college, Jacquie worked part time for the company working in the Quick Lube department as a technician changing oil and maintaining customer vehicles. After her sophomore year…
Listen and view episode notesRR 128: Joel Ayers of the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation
This podcast episode needs to be heard by everyone in the industry. I’m counting on you to use the social share icons and engage your colleagues or paste the episode URL into your email network. Help get the word out and make sure the reach of AACF gets to the deep corners of the aftermarket so help can be brought to our brothers and sisters that need it.
Listen and view episode notesRR 123: Pete Rudloff from Pete’s Garage
Pete Rudloff owner of Pete’s Garage in Newark, DE. Pete started out in the automotive trade as a machine shop apprentice and after a year became dealer tech and grew into a Mopar Gold CMAT, L1, DEEP certified tech of which have been both the assistant shop foreman and foreman of a few local dealerships…
Listen and view episode notesRR 121: Nikki Ayers from Ayers Automotive
Nikki Ayers and her husband Robert have been shop owners for 38 years. They own Ayers Automotive in Santa Barbara, CA with locations in Chipala and Anacapa. Robert was a Jaguar tech when they decided to go into business for themselves. Nikki shares the big risk they took with their first building and how after…
Listen and view episode notesRR 120: Suzanne Hawley from Family Service Day
Suzanne Hawley is the Executive Director of Family Service Day, an award-winning ’cause marketing’ initiative for the automotive industry called Keeping Cars Kickin’. Their mission is to help businesses do well by doing good. Support for the community Family Service Day helps local shop owners and their employees get involved in supporting their community by sharing…
Listen and view episode notesRR 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…
Listen and view episode notesRR 099: Randy Lucyk from Kalkaska Midas
Randy Lucyk from Midas in Kalkaska, MI is a very interesting entrepreneur. Randy is one strong aftermarket thinker and informally among Midas dealers he is known as the data and IT guy. We covered some great ground in this episode and I promise a lot of very good gems of wisdom for the taking. Randy…
Listen and view episode notesRR 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…
Listen and view episode notesRR 073: Charitable Initiatives in the Automotive Aftermarket
Watch the replay below or listen to the audio only podcast when you are traveling, commuting or when you can’t be in front of a screen. The podcast is available on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and of course listen below. Charity starts at home. Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Initiatives peer discussion. Here’s what’s in store: How Joe, Jeff…
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