Thought Leaders Archives - Remarkable Results Radio https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-tag/thought-leaders/ Automotive Repair Business Success Stories Mon, 26 Oct 2026 16:10:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://remarkableresults.biz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/cropped-site_icon-32x32.jpg Thought Leaders Archives - Remarkable Results Radio https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-tag/thought-leaders/ 32 32 Mastering Shop Flow Part 2: Capacity Planning and Proactive Service Proposals [THA 510] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/a510/ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/a508/

Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today’s Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty

Watch Full Video Episode

Is your shop fully booked but still struggling with scheduling chaos, workflow bottlenecks, and unexpected repairs? How many vehicles should your shop actually schedule each day?

Murray Voth of RPM Training and Doug Brackett of Downtown Automotive and ProVitals Consulting return for Part 2 of Mastering Shop Flow. Building on their previous discussion about online scheduling, they explore two strategies that can transform shop operations: capacity planning and proactive service proposals. Murray and Doug also explore the importance of reserving time rather than simply filling appointments, managing customer pickup expectations, and using online scheduling data to identify opportunities and improve efficiency.

What You’ll Learn

  • Capacity Planning: How to determine your shop’s actual production capacity instead of scheduling every available technician hour.
  • Proactive Service Proposals: Why reviewing deferred work and upcoming maintenance before a customer’s visit improves planning, trust, and repair approvals.
  • Protecting Reserve Time: Why leaving room for additional repairs, unexpected problems, and customer needs can improve productivity.
  • Reducing Workflow Bottlenecks: How to manage technician availability, service advisor workload, vehicle drop-offs, and pickup commitments.
  • Customer Communication: Why giving clients time to review recommendations helps eliminate surprise repairs and high-pressure decisions.
  • Online Scheduling Analytics: How reservation requests, abandoned bookings, and customer follow-up can reveal valuable business opportunities.
  • Building Predictable Workflow: Why fewer scheduled vehicles can sometimes produce better results than a constantly overloaded shop.

A full schedule isn’t the same as a productive shop. When owners understand their true capacity and prepare service proposals before customers arrive, they can reduce chaos, improve workflow, build customer trust, and make every reservation more valuable. The goal isn’t simply to book more vehicles. It’s to plan the right work, at the right time, with the right resources.

Mastering Shop Flow with Online Scheduling and AI Communication [THA 497]: https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/a497/

Murray Voth, RPM Training. Listen to Murray’s previous episodes HERE. murrayvoth@rpmtraining.net

Doug Brackett, Pro-Vitals Consulting, Downtown Automotive, Nelson, BC.

Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today’s Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training, six days a week of support, and local representation. http://napatracs.com/
Optimize training with Today’s Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. https://www.todaysclass.com/
Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. https://www.kukui.com/
You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/
Connect with the Podcast:

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

 

 

]]> Are You Diagnosing Vehicles or Just Throwing Parts at Them? [THA 509] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/a509/ Fri, 30 Oct 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/a508/

Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today’s Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty

Watch Full Video Episode

Recorded at ASTA 2026, Rich Falco, Senior Curriculum Developer at CTI, Brin Klein of Assured Auto Works, and Matt Fanslow of Riverside Automotive and the Automotive Field Theory podcast, challenge the industry’s approach to electrical diagnostics, technician mentoring, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in the service bay.

Rich and Brin also share insights from their sold out, hands-on electrical training class, where participants worked through voltage drop testing, circuit fundamentals, and real world diagnostic challenges. Their experience reinforces an important lesson: Advanced diagnostics require a solid understanding of the basics.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How hands-on electrical training helps specialists develop stronger troubleshooting skills.
  • Why outdated repair habits and ignoring OE service information can create expensive mistakes.
  • How shop owners can develop more effective technician mentoring programs instead of relying solely on experienced employees to teach new hires.
  • How AI, smart glasses, and remote mentoring could transform technical education and diagnostic assistance.
  • How to communicate the value of diagnostic labor and address customer requests for waived diagnostic fees.
  • Why AI-informed customers are changing conversations about repair estimates, pricing, and trust.

Great specialists understand electrical fundamentals, follow proven diagnostic processes, and continually develop their skills. For shop owners, investing in education, mentoring, and properly valued diagnostic time builds a stronger team, more accurate repairs, and greater customer confidence.

Rich Falco, Senior Curriculum Developer at CTI

Brin Klein, Shop Owner, Assured Auto Works

Matt Fanslow, Riverside Automotive, Red Wing, MN, https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/Automotive Field Theory

ASTA (Automotive Service & Tire Alliance):  https://astausa.org/2027-Expo

Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today’s Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training, six days a week of support, and local representation. http://napatracs.com/
Optimize training with Today’s Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. https://www.todaysclass.com/
Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. https://www.kukui.com/
You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/
Connect with the Podcast:

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

 

 

]]> You Don’t Have to Be a Programmer to Build AI Tools for Your Shop [RR 1115] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e1115/ Tue, 27 Oct 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/e1113/

Watch Full Video Episode

What if you could build your own AI tools to solve everyday problems in your auto repair shop without knowing how to write a single line of code?

Seth Thorson, owner of Euro Auto Service Experts and an industry educator, explores how shop owners can move beyond simply experimenting with AI and start building customized applications that improve their businesses.

Seth shares how his hands-on AI classes teach attendees to create working tools, from applications that retrieve vehicle information to virtual diagnostic assessments for evaluating potential employees. His approach starts with understanding the fundamentals of AI, then using that knowledge to build solutions tailored to the unique challenges of each shop.

But Seth’s most compelling message isn’t about technology replacing people. It’s about using AI to give people more time to be human. Imagine giving your service advisors five additional hours each week to connect with customers, build trust, and strengthen relationships. By reducing repetitive administrative tasks, AI can create opportunities for meaningful human interaction rather than eliminate jobs.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to identify everyday shop challenges that AI tools could help solve.
  • How AI can streamline estimating, vehicle information retrieval, and employee skill assessments.
  • How to navigate conversations with customers who arrive with AI-generated diagnoses.
  • Why saving administrative time creates more opportunities for service advisors to connect with customers.
  • How AI can enhance employee productivity and value rather than simply replace jobs.
  • Why embracing AI requires curiosity, experimentation, and a willingness to learn.

The real opportunity with AI isn’t just doing more work faster. It’s building tools that solve your shop’s unique problems while giving your people more time to do what technology cannot replace: connect, communicate, and build lasting relationships.

Seth Thorson, President, Euro Auto Service Experts, 5 locations, MN. Listen to Seth’s previous episodes HERE.

ASTA (Automotive Service & Tire Alliance):  https://astausa.org/2027-Expo

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS

Learn more about the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with on-site training and six days a week of support: http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> Why Electrical Fundamentals, Service Information, and Technician Training Matter [THA 508] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/a508/ Fri, 23 Oct 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/a507/

Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today’s Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty

Watch Full Video Episode

Recorded at ASTA 2026, veteran industry trainers G Truglia and Eric Ziegler challenge the industry to rethink diagnostic habits, technical education, and the responsibility of ensuring every vehicle leaves the shop safely.

From voltage drop testing and properly loading circuits to interpreting diagnostic results, G and Eric explain why scan tools and shortcuts cannot replace a solid understanding of how systems actually work. They also confront a growing concern: Are specialists following current OE service information, or relying on procedures they’ve used for decades?

Through practical examples, candid opinions, and plenty of humor, G and Eric reinforce an important message: Professionalism in auto repair requires continuous learning, diagnostic discipline, and a commitment to doing the job right.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Why electrical fundamentals, including voltage drop testing and circuit loading, are essential to accurate diagnostics.
  • How relying on scan tools, assumptions, and diagnostic shortcuts can lead to misdiagnosis and unnecessary repairs.
  • Why current OE service information must guide repair procedures, even when those procedures differ from past practices.
  • How improper brake service and overlooked ADAS calibration requirements can create vehicle safety concerns.
  • Why hands-on technical training builds deeper understanding and stronger diagnostic confidence.
  • How shop owners can improve their return on training investments by having specialists share what they learn.
  • Why sending multiple team members to training can strengthen knowledge retention and collaboration.
  • How continuing education, accountability, and professional standards contribute to safer, more accurate repairs.

The best specialists combine diagnostic knowledge with manufacturer procedures and hands-on training to deliver accurate repairs, protect their clients, and uphold the professionalism of the auto repair industry.

Eric Ziegler, EZ Tech Mentors.  Eric’s previous episodes HERE.

G Jerry Truglia, Dorman Training, Listen to G Jerry Truglia’s other episodes HERE.

ASTA (Automotive Service & Tire Alliance):  https://astausa.org/2027-Expo

Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today’s Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training, six days a week of support, and local representation. http://napatracs.com/
Optimize training with Today’s Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. https://www.todaysclass.com/
Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. https://www.kukui.com/
You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/
Connect with the Podcast:

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

 

 

]]> Shop Succession Without Retirement: How Three Employees Became Owners [RR 1114] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e1114/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/e1113/

Watch Full Video Episode

What if your succession plan could give you more freedom, reward your best employees, and secure the future of your auto repair business without requiring you to retire?

Andy Bizub, owner of Midwest Performance Cars, shares how he transitioned 75% ownership of his three-location business to three key employees while retaining a 25% stake. Three years later, the buyout is complete, his partners are leading daily operations, and Andy continues to mentor the team while living hundreds of miles away.

Andy explains how he identified future owners within his organization, including a technician who started as a porter, and why complementary leadership skills mattered as much as financial considerations. He also shares how the partners financed their ownership through business profits, the importance of transparency, and how he learned to step back without giving up his influence.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How three employees became 25% owners alongside Andy through a structured, three-year buyout.
  • Why succession planning should begin with identifying and developing potential leaders within your business.
  • How seller financing and business profits helped make employee ownership attainable.
  • Why complementary skills, shared values, and leaving egos behind are essential to successful partnerships.
  • How financial transparency prepared employees to think and make decisions like owners.
  • Why mentoring future owners means giving them the authority to lead, make decisions, and learn.
  • How Andy maintains oversight and supports his partners without being involved in daily shop operations.

Succession doesn’t have to mean selling everything and walking away. By investing in the right people, building a fair ownership structure, and developing leaders who can carry the business forward, shop owners can create a lasting legacy while gaining the freedom to enjoy the next chapter of their lives.

Andy Bizub, Midwest Performance Cars, Chicago and Northbrook, IL.  Andy’s previous episodes HERE.

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS

Learn more about the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with on-site training and six days a week of support: http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> From Technician to Shop Owner: The Challenges You Never Saw Coming [THA 507] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/a507/ Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/a506/

Watch Full Video Episode

You can be great at diagnosing vehicles and still struggle to make money owning an auto repair shop. What does it take to make the transition from skilled technician to successful business owner?

At the ASTA Expo 2026 in Raleigh, NC, Rick White, founder of 180BIZ, reconnects with Dan Hensel, owner of Amton Auto and Truck Repair, to reflect on nearly 30 years of mentorship, hard lessons, and professional growth. Along the way, Rick and Dan explore the value of honest feedback, the discomfort that comes with personal growth, and why accepting guidance can be one of the smartest decisions a shop owner makes.

What You’ll Learn:

  • The unexpected business responsibilities that challenge even the most accomplished technicians when they become shop owners.
  • How a mentor or coach can provide accountability, challenge assumptions, and help an owner recognize opportunities for improvement.
  • Why hiring an experienced, highly skilled technician may be a better financial decision than choosing someone simply because they cost less.
  • How adapting your communication to different customer personalities can strengthen relationships and increase sales.
  • How effective leadership and consistent systems can create a more sustainable business without simply demanding longer hours.

Knowing how to repair vehicles can launch a career and even open the doors to your own shop. Building a profitable business takes a different kind of education. Dan’s experience demonstrates the importance of financial discipline, leadership development, and having the courage to seek advice when your existing approach isn’t working. Sometimes the knowledge that makes the biggest difference comes from someone willing to challenge you to think differently.

Dan Hensel, Co-owner of Amton Auto and Truck, Tonawanda, NY

Rick White, President and Lead Coach for 180BIZ, Listen to Rick’s previous episodes HERE. rick@180biz.com

ASTA (Automotive Service & Tire Alliance):  https://astausa.org/2027-Expo

Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today’s Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training, six days a week of support, and local representation. http://napatracs.com/
Optimize training with Today’s Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. https://www.todaysclass.com/
Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. https://www.kukui.com/
You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/
Connect with the Podcast:

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

 

 

]]> Stop Losing Price Shoppers: Give Them a Price Range [RR 1111] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e1111/ Tue, 29 Sep 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/e1109/

Watch Full Video Episode

What if the customer calling for a price isn’t someone to avoid, but an opportunity your shop has been trained to turn away?

Brian Walden, COO and co-founder of Mango Automotive, challenges one of the automotive repair industry’s longest-standing practices: don’t give prices over the phone.

Instead of putting up the familiar wall of, “We can’t give you a price until we see the vehicle,” Brian’s team does something different. They give the customer a price range, explain that the vehicle still needs to be inspected and the problem confirmed, and invite them into the shop.

The result? Brian says Mango Automotive doubled its phone conversion rate.

Today’s customers have access to more information than ever. They may have already searched the symptoms, pulled a trouble code, asked AI what might be wrong, and researched what the repair could cost before they ever call your shop. Rather than dismissing that research, Brian believes shops can meet customers where they are and use transparency to build trust.

What You’ll Learn

  • Why the traditional “we don’t give prices over the phone” response can create an immediate barrier
  • How Mango Automotive uses AI to generate price ranges in seconds
  • Why the word “range” changes the conversation with a price shopper
  • How to give a price range without promising an exact repair price before inspecting the vehicle
  • How meeting customers in their “comfort zone” can build trust
  • Why Mango Automotive’s phone conversion rate doubled after changing its pricing strategy
  • How price ranges can give service advisors more confidence on the phone
  • Why every incoming phone call should be viewed as a valuable opportunity
  • How AI call analysis, transcripts, dashboards, and weekly coaching help improve advisor performance
  • Why Brian views AI as a “flashlight” that exposes where your strategy and communication are breaking down

The bigger lesson goes beyond pricing: don’t waste the opportunities already calling your shop. Every phone call represents marketing dollars already spent, a potential relationship, and potentially an entire repair order. Instead of building another wall between the customer and your business, ask whether there is a better way to help them take the next step.

Brian Walden, COO and co-founder of Mango Automotive

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS

Learn more about the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with on-site training and six days a week of support: http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> From Daily Profit to Long-Term Business Value [RR 1109] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e1109/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/e1108/

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS

Watch Full Video Episode

What is your auto repair business really worth, and are you building it to become more valuable every year?

Coach Chris Cotton, podcast host on the Automotive Repair Podcast Network, challenges shop owners to look beyond today’s sales and profits and start thinking about the long-term value of the business they’re building.

Many owners spend years on the operational hamster wheel, focused on car count, payroll, production, and this month’s bottom line. But when it’s time to sell, transition the business to the next generation, or simply step away from daily operations, buyers and banks look much deeper.

Chris explains why clean financials, documented systems, owner independence, and intentional succession planning can transform a shop from a business that provides the owner a job into an enterprise with significant transferable value.

What You’ll Learn

  • Why profitability and business valuation aren’t the same thing.
  • What buyers and banks want to see before financing an acquisition.
  • Why removing the owner from daily operations can increase business value.
  • How documented systems and protocols make a shop more transferable.
  • Why clean financial statements and tax records are critical to valuation.
  • Chris Cotton’s five stages of shop ownership, from daily survival to eventual exit.
  • How increasing capacity can grow value without necessarily adding locations.
  • Why succession and exit planning should begin years before you’re ready to leave.

Don’t just build a profitable shop. Build a valuable business.

Create strong systems. Develop leaders. Clean up the financials. Build capacity. Reduce owner dependence. And understand what your business is worth long before you’re ready to sell it.

Coaching to Valuation [E269]: https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/episode/cc269 

The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix – Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/

Learn more about the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with on-site training and six days a week of support: http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> Your Shop’s Toughest Competitor Is in the Mirror [THA 499] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/a499/ Fri, 21 Aug 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/a498/

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today’s Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty

Watch Full Video Episode

Who is your shop’s toughest competitor: the business down the street, or the people inside your own four walls?

Carm Capriotto sits down with shop owners Dwayne Myers and Al Oramas to explore internal competition and why the biggest threats to a shop’s success often come from within. The conversation challenges owners to stop obsessing over competitors and start examining their own leadership, consistency, processes, and customer experience.

What You’ll Learn

  • Why operational consistency matters and how small deviations can create chaos.
  • Why owners can’t effectively lead from the “engine room.”
  • How true delegation requires owners to let go of control and trust their teams.
  • Why “everything speaks” when it comes to the customer experience.
  • How standing at the curb can reveal things owners no longer notice inside their own shops.
  • How simple physical and operational improvements can create meaningful change.
  • Why asking employees what they love and what they would change can reveal the true health of a business.

Your greatest competitor may be staring back at you in the mirror. The shops that grow stronger are willing to look inward, challenge their own habits, listen to their teams, and consistently raise the standard. Leadership isn’t about controlling every detail; it’s about creating the environment, expectations, and trust that allow the entire team to perform at its best.

Dwayne Myers, Dynamic Automotive, 8 locations, Maryland. Dwayne’s previous episodes HERE.

Al Oramas, Pro Auto Care, 2 locations, Denver and Littleton, CO

Optimize training with Today’s Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today’s Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/

David Boyes, President of ‘Today’s Class”  David’s previous episodes HERE

Brad Updegraff, Dave’s Ultimate Automotive, 7 locations, Austin, TX. Brad’s previous episodes HERE.

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/
Thanks to our Partner, Today’s Class
Optimize training with Today’s Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today’s Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/
Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI
Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/
Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty
You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/
Connect with the Podcast:

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

 

 

]]> Why Employees Disengage and How Leaders Reconnect Them [RR 1103] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e1103/ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/e1102/

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS

Watch Full Video Episode

Why are so many employees disengaged at work, and what can leaders do about it?

Dr. JJ Peterson explores how business leaders can cure employee disengagement by applying the StoryBrand framework to their management style. The episode addresses a massive workplace crisis: roughly 80% to 90% of the American workforce identifies as disengaged, meaning they are stressed, disconnected, and not giving their best. Because a boss can impact an employee’s mental health even more than a therapist, Dr. Peterson argues that leaders have a profound responsibility to show up in a way that positively impacts their team.

What You’ll Learn

  • Why most employees disengage and what leaders can do to change it.
  • The four workplace character roles: Victim, Villain, Hero, and Guide.
  • Why great leaders stop trying to be the hero and instead help their employees succeed.
  • How empathy and authority work together to build trust and accountability.
  • Why people want to feel they matter more than they want to feel motivated.
  • How defining purpose and creating a shared story strengthens company culture.
  • Why repairing relationships after mistakes builds lasting trust and psychological safety.

Dr. Peterson notes that people don’t wake up wanting to be motivated; they wake up wanting to matter. Leaders must clearly communicate two things to make employees feel they matter: why the company’s work is important (e.g., alleviating severe stress for customers with broken down cars) and why the individual’s specific role in that mission is valuable. Similarly, true company culture is not about having snacks in a breakroom; it is about intentionally building a shared story where everyone knows their roles, values, and what success looks like.

Dr J.J. Peterson, https://www.drjjpeterson.com/. Listen to JJ’s other episodes HERE

Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocare  

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> Why Auto Repair Specialists Leave Our Industry (And How Shop Owners Can Keep Them) [THA 490] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/a490/ Fri, 19 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/a489/

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today’s Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty

Watch Full Video Episode

Why do talented automotive technicians leave the automotive industry, and what can shop owners do to keep them?

Host Carm Capriotto is joined by Technical Specialist Matt Fanslow and Technician Find CEO Chris Lawson to explore what it takes to attract, hire, and retain top talent in today’s automotive repair industry. The conversation examines industry professionalism, workplace culture, compensation, employee engagement, and proactive recruiting strategies that help shops become destinations for exceptional technicians.

What You’ll Learn

  • Why elevating the image of automotive professionals is critical to attracting the next generation of talent
  • The three primary reasons technicians leave shops: lack of respect, limited growth opportunities, and compensation concerns
  • How financial transparency can build trust, ownership, and a stronger team culture
  • The difference between a shop’s “official game” and its “shadow game,” and why understanding both matters
  • Practical ways to gather meaningful employee feedback and turn ideas into action
  • How leaders can remove obstacles that prevent technicians from finding joy and fulfillment in their work
  • Why relationships with tool truck drivers can become a valuable recruiting resource
  • How a shop’s appearance and reputation can influence whether top candidates choose to work there

Finding and keeping great technicians requires more than competitive pay. Shops that create a culture of respect, provide clear growth opportunities, communicate openly, and actively remove workplace frustrations are far more likely to attract and retain top performers. The most successful shop owners don’t wait for talent to find them, they intentionally build workplaces where skilled professionals want to stay and grow.

Matt Fanslow, Riverside Automotive, Red Wing, MN, Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z Podcast: https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/

Chris Lawson, TechnicianFind.Com. Listen to Chris’ other episodes HERE

Love your shop? Stay, but stay ready. Auto techs join to level up, find good shops, and keep tabs on top indie jobs nationwide. Techs only. No BS. Independent Wrench Jobs: https://www.skool.com/independentwrenchjobs

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS
NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/
Thanks to our Partner, Today’s Class
Optimize training with Today’s Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today’s Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/
Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI
Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/
Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty
You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/
Connect with the Podcast:

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

 

 

]]> Motor Oil supply Crisis: Fact, Friction, and What Happens Next [THA 489] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/a489/ Fri, 12 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/a488/

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today’s Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty

Watch Full Video Episode

Is there really a motor oil shortage, or is the industry caught up in another wave of panic buying?

In this episode of Remarkable Results Radio, host Carm Capriotto welcomes automotive expert Lauren Fix and Deckman Oil Territory Sales Manager Lee Rhodus to separate fact from fiction surrounding today’s motor oil supply concerns.

Together, they examine what’s driving skyrocketing oil prices, why certain synthetic oils are becoming harder to source, and how fear-driven purchasing is creating additional strain throughout the supply chain. Most importantly, they discuss what repair shops and vehicle owners can do to navigate the uncertainty without making costly mistakes.

What You’ll Learn

  • Why the world is not actually running out of motor oil
  • How global shortages of base oils and additives are impacting the availability of ultra-low viscosity synthetic oils such as 0W-8, 0W-12, and 0W-16.
  • The role panic buying plays in creating artificial shortages and driving prices even higher.
  • Why motor oil prices are increasing at unprecedented rates and what that means for repair shops and consumers.
  • The risks of delaying routine maintenance as oil changes become more expensive.
  • Practical advice for shop owners on managing inventory and communicating with customers during periods of market uncertainty.

The current motor oil situation is real, but panic is making it worse. While supply constraints and rising prices are creating challenges across the automotive industry, experts agree that hoarding inventory and delaying maintenance are not the answers. Patience, informed decision-making, and a focus on preventative maintenance remain the best strategies for both repair shops and vehicle owners. As supply chains stabilize, those who avoid fear-based decisions today will likely be in the strongest position tomorrow.

Lee Rhodus, Territory Sales Manager, Deckman Oil.

Lauren Fix, Car Coach Reports,  The Drive Podcast, is an automotive expert and analyst based in Buffalo, NY. She is an established television and radio personality with over 30 years experience in the auto industry as a journalist, consumer advocate, and race car driver. She was Oprah’s Auto Expert and is currently a regular contributor and reporter to Fox News, CNN, Inside Edition, and the Weather Channel.

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS
NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/
Thanks to our Partner, Today’s Class
Optimize training with Today’s Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today’s Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/
Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI
Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/
Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty
You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/
Connect with the Podcast:

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

 

 

]]> From Guesswork to Process: Modern Diagnostic Strategies for Auto Repair Shops [RR 1093] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e1093/ Tue, 26 May 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/e1092/

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS

Watch Full Video Episode

Recorded live at the 2026 TST Big Event, Carm Capriotto sits down with automotive trainer Ken Zanders to discuss the importance of ongoing technical education, building efficient diagnostic processes, and adapting to rapidly evolving vehicle technology. Ken explains why too many shops still rely on a chaotic “grocery list” approach to repairs and how a structured diagnostic strategy can dramatically improve technician efficiency, profitability, and customer trust.

What You’ll Learn

  • Why inefficient diagnostic habits directly reduce technician productivity, shop profitability, and overall earning potential.
  • The importance of following a structured diagnostic workflow instead of guessing and replacing parts.
  • How electronic relative compression testing with a lab scope and amperage probe can reduce diagnostic time from hours to minutes.
  • How modern vehicle technologies like GM’s Vehicle Intelligence Platform (VIP) and Over-The-Air (OTA) updates are changing diagnostics and repair procedures.
  • Why continuous education is no longer optional for automotive professionals working on today’s advanced vehicle systems.

The biggest takeaway from this episode is that repair shops cannot afford to operate in constant chaos and guesswork. A reactive “grocery list” approach to diagnostics leads to wasted time, unnecessary parts replacement, lower profits, and poor customer outcomes. To succeed in today’s increasingly complex automotive industry, shop owners must create a year-round training strategy that helps technicians diagnose efficiently, think critically, and continuously improve their skills. Structured processes, modern testing methods, and ongoing education are no longer advantages; they are necessities for survival and growth.

TST Big Event: https://tstseminars.org/

Ken Zanders, Dorman Training

Photography by Joe Manna

Don’t Base Your Success On Probability – Ken Zanders [RR 822]: https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e822/

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS

Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:

Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto

Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/

Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters

Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976

Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider

All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books

Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom

Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections

Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm

 

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/

Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/

Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/

The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/

The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix – Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/

Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O’Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> Failing at Retirement: Building Eight Shops in Eight Years [THA 486] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/a486/ Fri, 22 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/a485/

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today’s Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty

Watch Full Video Episode

Carm Capriotto talks with Matt Curry and Judy Curry of Craftsman’s Auto Care about building one of the automotive industry’s most respected multi-shop operations twice.

After growing Curry’s Auto Service to 10 locations and retiring in 2013, the Currys returned to the industry with a new vision, launching eight Craftsman’s Auto Care locations in eight years. Matt shares his role as the visionary leader driving momentum and ideas, while Judy explains how operational discipline, marketing, and customer experience keep the business grounded and scalable.

The conversation explores their “5 Ps” philosophy: People, Policies, Processes, Procedures, and Profits, along with their commitment to employee development, strong culture, customer transparency, and community involvement. The Currys also discuss how Digital Vehicle Inspections and an intentional customer experience helped them earn nearly 10,000 five-star Google reviews.

What You’ll Learn

  • How Matt and Judy Curry scaled multiple successful shop operations
  • Why leadership balance and “staying in your lane” matters
  • The “5 Ps” framework for building a strong shop culture
  • How employee investment drives long-term success
  • Why transparency and DVIs build customer trust
  • How culture and customer experience fuel growth and retention

Sustainable growth in automotive repair comes from more than technical expertise. It requires intentional leadership, strong systems, a healthy culture, and a commitment to both employees and customers.

Matt and Judy Curry, Craftsman Auto Care, 8 locations, Virginia
Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS
NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/
Thanks to our Partner, Today’s Class
Optimize training with Today’s Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today’s Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/
Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI
Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/
Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty
You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/
Connect with the Podcast:

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

 

 

]]> The AI-Driven Auto Repair Leader: Using Technology as Your Strategic Thought Partner [RR 1092] https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e1092/ Tue, 19 May 2026 05:15:00 +0000 https://remarkableresults.biz/captivate-podcast/e1091/

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS

Watch Full Video Episode

In this forward-looking conversation, Carm Capriotto and Chris Cloutier, CEO of AutoFlow and owner of three Golden Rule Auto Care locations, explore how artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the automotive repair industry; not as a replacement for people, but as a powerful tool that helps shop owners lead smarter, communicate better, and operate more professionally.

Chris shares firsthand experiences using AI inside both his software company and his repair shops, revealing how the technology can dramatically reduce time spent on leadership and administrative tasks while improving workflow efficiency and customer communication. From refining technician notes to helping build business plans and expansion strategies, AI is becoming what Chris describes as a ‘thought partner’ for today’s shop owner.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Why AI should be viewed as a strategic business partner, not a threat to the automotive repair profession
  • How effective prompting and providing context can dramatically improve AI-generated results
  • Ways AI can streamline major business tasks such as SBA loan preparation, SWOT analyses, and growth planning
  • How AI-powered technician note rewrites improve customer communication and strengthen professionalism
  • Why clear, polished communication acts as a “curtain of professionalism” that builds customer trust
  • How AI can help bridge language barriers by translating repair orders and inspection results
  • The risks and humor of “AI versus AI” hiring practices, where both employers and applicants rely heavily on artificial intelligence
  • Why Chris believes today is the least expensive AI will ever be, and why shop owners should begin learning it now

The biggest takeaway from this episode is simple: AI will not replace highly skilled automotive professionals, but it will absolutely enhance the shops that learn how to use it effectively. From improving efficiency and communication to elevating the image of professionalism, AI offers tremendous advantages for modern repair businesses. However, Carm and Chris emphasize one critical principle throughout the conversation: trust, but verify. Just like quality control in the service bays, AI-generated information should always be reviewed carefully before being shared with customers or used to make important business decisions.

Chris Cloutier, Golden Rule Auto Care, and CEO of Autoflow. Listen to Chris’ other episodes HERE

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS

Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

Connect with the Podcast:

Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto

Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/

Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters

Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976

Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider

All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books

Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom

Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections

Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm

 

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/

Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/

Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/

The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/

The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix – Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/

Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O’Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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