Here are the two most recent episodes
Practice What You Preach: Coach Chris Cotton’s Shop Ownership Experience [RR 1055]
Chris Cotton’s latest venture into shop ownership puts his coaching philosophy to the ultimate test, and the results speak volumes.
Episode Highlights:
Shop Acquisition and Rapid Payoff: Despite once saying he’d never own a shop again, Chris purchased Firestone of Durango about a year ago, calling it “too good of a deal to pass up.” Planned as a three-year owner-financed purchase, he paid it off in just six months.
Profitability and Growth: With a 31% net profit (compared to the industry average of 5–8%), the shop’s success reflects the very systems Chris teaches.
Advertising and Expansion: Spending roughly $10K per month, Chris follows his mantra: “Advertise for the shop you want to be, not the shop you are.” He prioritizes Local Service Ads (LSAs).
Operations and Staffing: Chris rejects the idea of a “technician shortage,” noting great shops attract great people.
Coaching in Action: Chris practices what he preaches: action based learning, accountability, and focusing on fundamentals like proper pricing before chasing more customers. For owners eyeing an eventual exit, he advises cleaning up financials 3–5 years in advance and building a business that thrives without daily owner involvement.
remarkableresults.biz/e1055
Ring to Revenue: The Power of the First Hello [THA 448]
This episode explores how today’s top automotive shops are transforming their business by taking a proactive approach—reaching out to customers instead of waiting for the phone to ring.
You’ll hear strategies to overcome common service advisor objections, such as “cold calling feels pushy” or “I don’t have time,” supported by Dan Taylor’s compelling data showing that just 10 calls can generate 2 appointments. We’ll break down the different types of high-impact calls, thank you calls, deferred work reminders, and even simple “we miss you” check-ins that strengthen relationships and keep customers engaged. Plus, learn why tailoring outreach—whether by call or text—based on each customer’s preference ensures communication feels genuine, not generic.
This conversation reveals why outbound calls aren’t just a task, but a growth opportunity. In an increasingly digital world, it’s the personal touch that builds trust, sets your shop apart, and keeps customers coming back. Don’t wait for loyalty, create it.
remarkableresults.biz/a447
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Plan For Slow Times [THA 275]
The aftermarket is blazing busy. We may think that boomtown will continue without an end in sight. But what are your ‘slow day action plans?’ Some who have not been doing things ‘right’ are feeling the ebb and flow of typical cycle times, holidays, back to school, vacations, weather, and travel. Let this episode help you re-think how you prop up your business. Stop stopping.
remarkableresults.biz/a275
“Vision, KC Is My Happy Place” [RR 743]
Candice and Jesse Beuttenmuller come every March from WaKeeney, KS. to the Vision KC Hi Tech Expo. Vision KC, they say, is their Happy Place, therefore shutting down the shop to attend. Their town is so small it doesn’t even have a stoplight! Since we recorded the episode they changed the name of their business to ‘Old 40 Auto Care’. We also discuss the importance of communication with their customers. As a side note, we had a lot of laughs and fun while recording this episode.
remarkableresults.biz/e743
Power Panel: Internal Communication [CC 107]
Communication is one of the biggest problems in human relationships and among a working team inside your business. We are talking about the power of top internal communication, front to the back of the shop and with your customer. My panel speaks about the process, communication tools, and how a well-oiled communication system makes for satisfied employees and a top customer experience
Streamlining Processes with Brett Beachler [AW 104]
Guest host and a shop tour with Brett Beachler, Beachler’s Vehicle Care & Repair, Peoria, IL. Find out how Brett’s team seamlessly communicates between both buildings and their streamlined processes.
remarkableresults.biz/aw104
Growing? Is Another Shop In Your Future? – Greg Bunch [RR 742]
Ever heard of the ‘entrepreneurial curse?’ Do you see opportunity everywhere you look? Are you ready to go multi-location? Or have you been approached to sell? I’m with Greg Bunch from Transformers Institute at Vision 2022 and we discuss the boom in becoming a multi-shop owner and the future of our industry.
remarkableresults.biz/e742
Details Matter [THA 274]
The complete customer experience package starts with having paid attention to details. When was the last time your shop was painted? Is the parking lot striped? What kind of coffee and amenities do you serve? Does your bathroom have extra hooks on the door? I’m with a panel of shop owners that put that extra in extraordinary. You should get a bare minimum of 5 great ideas to implement.
remarkableresults.biz/a274
Wide Open Training Discussion with No Agenda [RR 741]
Dive into the minds of three incredible industry trainers in the studio of the 2022 Vision KC Hi Tech Training & Expo. We had no agenda, just some friends chatting with a special dynamic and their passion for the advancement of the aftermarket. Some of what we covered: what are their perspectives on electrical theory, becoming a trainer, and training in general, you’ll also hear talk about business culture, mentoring and so much more. Profound fun awaits you.
remarkableresults.biz/e741
Adapt and Overcome with David Friend [AW 103]
Guest host and a shop tour with David Friend, Mobile Tech, Wilmington, NC. Get a tour of David’s 50,000 sq ft building, including a training facility. He has been an early adapter of ADAS since 2015 and has a professional to professional auto supply business.
remarkableresults.biz/aw103
Do Your Standards Align with Your Core Values [RR 740]
How aligned are your business standards with the core values of yourself, and your team members? What are your corrective action plans? I’m with Clint White at Vision 2022 and we discuss accountability when things don’t go as planned in your business. It happens to everyone, but how to address it is a critical step some owners miss.
remarkableresults.biz/e740
20 Group Peer Review [THA 273]
How often do you have an outside perspective on your business to offer improvement ideas? What about 35 outside perspectives? Last month Brian Weeks hosted a team of shop owners from his peer group, from around the country, to dig deep into his business. Keep listening to find out what helpful tips and insights they offered and what they learned from each other.
remarkableresults.biz/a273
Women In Auto Care 2022 Conference – Tracy Capriotto [RR 739]
Not sure if you know that my daughter Tracy joined our media company and quickly signed on to our purpose to Advance the Aftermarket. She has made a great impact and helped to create the Aftermarket Radio Network. I’ve been encouraging her to find her stride and do her own podcast episode. Well here it is and she shares with you a personal story at the Women In Auto Care Conference in the Spring of 2022. Together we’ve attended ASTE, AAPEX, Vision, the Big Event, and others but this experience, she shares with you, is her first solo event and podcast. Get to know Tracy and see how proud I am to have her join the Aftermarket’s Premier Podcast. Many, I know, will relate to her story.
remarkableresults.biz/e739
Growing Through Mergers and Acquisitions – Amanda Drake [AW 102]
Guest host and a shop tour with Amanda Drake, C & C Automotive, Augusta, GA. Amanda is passionate about growth through mergers and acquisitions. Take a tour of their 15,000 ft location which was a strip mall.
remarkableresults.biz/aw102
Pay Attention To Your Health – Jerry Holcom [RR 738]
10 years ago, Jerry Holcom, one of the founders of Vision Hi-Tech Training Expo, self-diagnosed himself with Parkinson’s. Learn how Jerry has lived with it and through it. This episode may hit home for you. The more you know the better. Let this episode be an inspiration to you.
remarkableresults.biz/e738
Ethics 101 [THA 272]
Did you know ethics, culture, and team go hand in hand in a successful business? Doing the right thing means having full transparency, trust, and integrity. Listen firsthand to my panel as they discuss ethics 101 and some standout scenarios they’ve experienced.
remarkableresults.biz/a272
New Customer Orientation – Kevin Vaught [RR 737]
Do you have a clear procedure for orientation of new customers and a commitment to providing an outstanding customer experience? Kevin Vaught from Elite Worldwide shares simple ways to WOW your new customers and reduce their anxiety.
remarkableresults.biz/e737
Tom’s Trends – Shop Open & Close Hours [CC 106]
The theme/goal of this episode is to discuss hours open, hours closed. I’m with Tom Ham. Tom brings some interesting trends he’s collected from surveying aftermarket professionals.
remarkableresults.biz/cc106
Why Cleanliness Matters [AW 101]
Guest hosts and a shop tour with Henry Rose and Jeff Scruggs, Scruggs Automotive Repair, Buffalo, NY. Find out why cleanliness matters and how to implement it within your business. Plus, get an inside look at their new Annex location across the street.
remarkableresults.biz/aw101
Celebrating Educators [RR 736]
You know I am passionate and committed to education. A very informative discussion to keep you up to date with high school and post-secondary education with these educators who were at VISION KC to keep up with technology.
remarkableresults.biz/e736
Do You Need an Estimator? [THA 271]
Is your service advisor stressed? Do you have a full lot of vehicles to repair but have technicians standing around? I’ve been asking shop owners if an estimator role in the business is an important hire. I got an ear full in this Academy Webinar on how the metrics work and the role and responsibilities to consider hiring an estimator or parts specialist in your growing busy shop. All three shop owners on my panel have this role in their shops. Stick around and learn.
remarkableresults.biz/a271
Are You Ready to Open a Second Location? – Justin Barrett [RR 735]
The leap from 1 location to 2 is never easy. But what if you also add in going to Vision 2022 days before the second location opens? How has Justin Barrett prepared his existing employees, while hiring new ones, for his second location? How did he know it was the right time?
remarkableresults.biz/e735
Are You Knocking on the Doors of your Local Schools? [AW 100]
What better what to celebrate the 100th Episode of Aftermarket Weekly than with my family? We have a school field trip to the Ready Academy in Buffalo, NY where my son Matthew Capriotto is the School Counselor. Get an inside look at placing interns and working with local businesses. Hear from both students and teachers.
remarkableresults.biz/aw100
The New Frontier of Call Conversion Rates – Stan Stokes [RR 734]
The phone call from a customer is always the beginning of the relationship. Are you tracking, measuring and holding your service advisor accountable for every phone call that comes into your business? What is your phone SOP? Do you have a conversion rate for phone opportunities? I’m with Stan Stokes, founder of Iron Fist Consultants, who has created the next level of measurement for service advisors.
remarkableresults.biz/e734
Are You Offering ‘Only’ Synthetic Oil Services? [THA 270]
Questions, what is your customer oil change service like? Have you transitioned to ‘synthetic only’ oil for your customers? How do you stock all grades and weights? The days of $20 oil changes every 3 months is gone. My panel of shop owners discuss why they have synthetic only oil service and how it’s improved their efficiency in the bays and for their customers. If you have not implemented this business strategy learn in this episode why you need to do it.
remarkableresults.biz/a270
A Life Changing Vision 2022 Scholarship – Eric Dallas [RR 733]
Are you ready for an inspiring story that will leave you with goosebumps? I’m with Eric Dallas at Vision 2022, one of the Technicians of Tomorrow scholarship winners, who shares his story about taking a pay cut from a dealership to work for ChangingGears. Their mission is to empower people who are working their way out of poverty by providing affordable transportation. Listen and be inspired and realize the good that scholarship programs are doing to invest in our future.
remarkableresults.biz/e733
So You Want to Be a Shop Owner? Matt Wagg [AW 099]
Guest host and shop tour with Matt Wagg, Accelerated Diagnostics and Automotive, Bennington, NE. How did Matt Wagg go from a dealership technician to a trainer and teacher, to now a business owner? What were his successes and failures along the way?
remarkableresults.biz/aw099
Training Think Tank [RR 732]
What’s better than having 3 trainers sit down with me at Vision 2022 and record their very candid conversation. Be a fly on the wall as we discuss hybrid training, student assessments and breakout teams. My panel shares their experiences and together we push the boundaries of training in our industry.
remarkableresults.biz/e732
Paying Attention to Inflation [THA 269]
We’ve all heard inflation is up 8%, as of this broadcast, but when you walk through the grocery stores and sit at a restaurant, it sure seems like it’s a lot higher … don’t you agree? As prices continue to jump, what are we doing as an industry to adjust? And why are so many shop owners worried to raise their labor rates? My panel includes 2 shop owners and an auto shop bookkeeper with a wide-open discussion about labor rates, parts pricing, and even employee retention in the age of rampant inflation.
remarkableresults.biz/a269
There Can Be Change Without Progress, But No Progress without Change – Chris Cloutier [RR 731]
Did you know you’re 27% smarter when you’re positive? It makes sense, doesn’t it? Having a positive attitude can change everything if you let it. I’m with Chris Cloutier at Vision 2022. We didn’t have an agenda or talking points. He came in, sat down, and in classic Chris fashion, I was on the edge of my seat listening to him. Find your positivity and get smarter.
remarkableresults.biz/e731
Ultimate Toyota Truck Specialty Shop – Duc Nguyen [AW 098]
Guest host and shop tour with Duc Nguyen, Duggy’s Garage, Houston, TX. Duggy’s Garage specializes in Toyota off-road vehicles ranging from Land Cruisers, Tacomas, 4Runners and FJC Crusiers. Duc’s team offers a consultative approach for their customer’s specific needs.
remarkableresults.biz/aw098
6 Components to a Great Compensation Plan – Bob Cooper [RR 730]
How do you incent behavior and retain top talent? Is the tech shortage a blessing in disguise? Did you know money is not the best motivator for employees? Bob Cooper, President of Elite Worldwide, shares 6 key components you should have in your compensation and incentive package for your employees.
remarkableresults.biz/e730
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