Here are the two most recent episodes
The Growth Tax: What Every Shop Owner Must Pay to Move Forward [THA 449]
This episode is all about transformation: how coaching, mindset shifts, and strategic decisions can take a shop from survival mode to real growth. Matt Wagg opens up about his journey from being coached by Bill Haas to becoming a coach himself, and the lessons learned along the way about leadership, profit, and purpose.
Key Takeaways:
Coaching Works: It paid for itself almost immediately and pushed Matt into changes that fueled growth.
Listen for Real: True success starts with listening, not just to reply, but to understand.
Differentiate Everything: Even oil changes can be a premium service when properly communicated.
Profit Fuels Growth: Embrace profitability to invest in tools, reward your team, and scale.
Owner’s Mindset: Step out of the bays and into leadership with a clear job description.
Leadership = Responsibility: Owners carry the weight of their team’s livelihoods—accountability matters.
Teaching to Learn: Coaching others deepened Matt’s own understanding and perspective.
And this is only Part 1! Next time, we’ll dive into systems—because “systems win wars.”
remarkableresults.biz/a449
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
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Recruiting Great Talent with Ryan Clo and Virtual Tour of Dubwerx [AW 077]
Ryan Clo, Dubwerx, Cincinnati OH and see this shop in Cincinatti, OH
We’re going to talk about recruiting after covid. Recruiting is a topic I’m passionate about in general since our people are everything but also the landscape is changing post-covid
remarkableresults.biz/aw077
From Shadowing to Apprentice Graduate – Bridgette Johnson [RR 688]
From Shadowing to Apprentice Graduate [RR 688]
We hear over and over again that high school students happen to stumble upon a shadowing field trip in school and realize the automotive industry has endless career opportunities for them. This happened with Bridgette Johnson, when are we going to start spreading the word to our local schools instead of sitting on the sidelines?
remarkableresults.biz/e688
Hiring Dealership Technicians [THA 247]
Hiring Dealership Technicians [THA 247]
Hiring technicians from dealerships is an untapped talent pool for our industry. Shop owners that interview dealership techs with a job hopper resume will usually get tossed to the side. But maybe those technicians haven’t found their right place to work yet. The challenging environment and culture at dealerships give the independent repair shops the opportunity to show them they will be respected, appreciated, and be included in a family atmosphere with a strong culture. Listen closely to my panel as they discuss their own experiences with hiring technicians from dealerships.
remarkableresults.biz/a247
Jimmy Lea’s Top 7 Proven Marketing Methods [RR 687]
Jimmy Lea’s Top 7 Proven Marketing Methods [RR 687]
The online realm of marketing can be overwhelming by just thinking about it. How do you successfully market your business online? Stop spending money on methods that don’t produce or may even work against you. You need to measure and manage your marketing for the most significant results possible. I’m in the ASTE 2021 studio with Jimmy Lea, Kukui evangelist, to discuss the top 7 methods you can implement in your shop today that are proven to put your shop on top.
remarkableresults.biz/e687
The Power of a Great Supply Partner Relationship [AW 076]
The Power of a Great Supply Partner Relationship [AW 076]
remarkableresults.biz/aw076
Implementing EOS with Barry Barrett: Four Shop Owners Share Their Success [RR 686]
Implementing EOS with Barry Barrett: 4 Shop Owners Share Their Success [RR 686]
The Entrepreneurial Operating System has been highlighted on the podcast with a 7 part series featuring Barry Barrett, a certified EOS Implementor. The EOS system enables owners to get the most out of their business using six key components: Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, and Traction. It’s easy to discuss and learn, but how does it work with real people in different levels of business? In this episode, you’ll hear from 4 shop owners that have implemented EOS in their business and their success stories from it.
remarkableresults.biz/e686
Anxiety Disorders at Work [THA 246]
Anxiety Disorders at Work [THA 246]
Anxiety: we all know it and we all experience it. If you’re tuning into this episode you’re probably hoping to find a quick fix to handle anxiety. My panel does cover best practices when you’re in an anxious state, but they also dive deeper into what causes anxiety in the first place. The majority of the time it is self-induced. It’s time to open your mind and view anxiety from a different perspective.
remarkableresults.biz/a246
We Are Signal Intelligence Specialists – Gary Smith [RR 685]
We Are Signal Intelligence Specialists – Gary Smith [RR 685]
Trainer Gary Smith loves to diagnose tough challenges. He is going to touch, in this episode, on the importance of computer and mechanical data in finding carbon and deposit fouling when diagnosing driveability concerns. He is also going to talk about a new definition of technicians saying that they are “Signal Intelligence Specialists.” A unique approach to a technician’s skill set. We discuss the skills necessary to play in this new field of automotive tradecraft.
remarkableresults.biz/e685
Tina Erickson on Brand Equity and Tour of Her Shop [AW 075]
Tina Erickson on Brand Equity and Tour of Her Shop [AW 075]
Creating Lifetime Customers – Brittany Schindler [RR 684]
Creating Lifetime Customers [RR 684]
Establishing a connection with your customers and being able to keep them coming back is always a challenge for the automotive industry. How do you build loyalty and ensure customers are educated properly? In this episode, Brittany Schindler answers that question with easy-to-follow steps her service advisors implement every day, including a lifetime warranty for customers. Keep listening and brainstorm what you could change in your business.
remarkableresults.biz/e684
Service Advisor Role Play #6 [THA 245]
Service Advisor Role Play #6 [THA 245]
You’re going to love this episode. My panel dives into a role play like we’ve never done before. Chad Jacks and Ethan Smith swap their roles interacting as a service advisor answering a phone call from a customer. They play an average service advisor and then redo the scenario as an exceptional service advisor. Rena Rennebohm offers coaching in between. Answering the phone is often the first interaction you have with a client opportunity. Are you listening to recorded calls? Do your service advisors need an occasional tune-up? This episode will help in all cases.
remarkableresults.biz/a245
Growing Pains When Scaling Your Business [RR 683]
Growing Pains When Scaling Your Business [RR 683]
We all know growing pains happen when expanding your business to more locations. It’s tough, necessary, and normal. But wouldn’t it be nice to skip some of the known challenges? Consider this episode your “How to Scale” road map if you’ve been considering opening more locations. Listen and learn from a shop owner and one of his Directors, as they share some tactics to controlled chaos.
remarkableresults.biz/e683
Are You Going To AAPEX 2021? [CC 098]
Are You Going To AAPEX 2021? [CC 098]
Are you heading to AAPEX 2021 November 2nd-4th? Or are you still on the fence about going? In this episode, you will get a behind-the-scenes overview of AAPEX, what to expect, what’s new, and why you NEED to be attending. You’ll also hear from 4 trainers and what they will be presenting at AAPEX. It’s time to get excited, I know I am. My studio will be set up in Joe’s Garage in Repair Shop HQ; make sure you stop by and say Hi. Sign up at AAPEXSHOW.com
remarkableresults.biz/cc098
Guest Host and Shop Tour with Fred Gestwicki, Jr [AW 074]
Guest host, Fred Gestwicki, Jr. from Fix-It-With Fred in Canton, OH Owner / Master Technician. 25 Years of Automotive Experience. ASE Master Technician, Hyundai and Kia Master Technician, Mitsubishi Master Technician. Customers ask for price because they don’t know what else to ask. remarkableresults.biz/aw074
Why Can’t Every Shop Owner Be Profitable? [RR 682]
Why Can’t Every Shop Owner Be Profitable? [RR 682]
Too many business owners are silently struggling and think they are the only ones. Or maybe they do want to elevate their business to the next level but have been stuck in the day to day…that leads to month to month and then year over year struggle. Before you know it, the only thing progressing forward is time. And the only constant is change. In this episode Scott Wheeler highlights the key foundations needed for a successful automotive business. He also references his book “How to Make Money (& Stay Sane) in the Automotive Service Industry” which reads like a blueprint for your business, full of charts, graphs and formulas.
remarkableresults.biz/e682
Addition by Subtraction: Letting Someone Go [THA 244]
Addition by Subtraction: Letting Somone Go [THA 244]
Are you the type of person that sees potential in others when they don’t see it in themselves? Do you work hard to get them to contribute to the business? Too often business owners hold onto employees longer than they should because they want the employee to succeed. Sometimes we give many chances, however, how many chances should you give? When is it time to make the tough decision to let someone go? Letting go of an employee doesn’t necessarily mean they are a bad person, they just might be in the wrong position, company or industry.
remarkableresults.biz/a244
Amazing Women in Automotive [RR 681]
Amazing Women in Automotive [RR 681]
Did you know only 2% of our automotive industry is female? Staffing shortages has never been more critical than now. Are we missing a huge opportunity to get women involved? And for the 2% that are involved, what are we doing to retain them? Amazing Women in Automotive is the answer. It’s a safe space for women to support women in the industry with weekly round table discussions.
remarkableresults.biz/e681
A Tribute to Bob Greenwood – [Bonus 12]
I never thought I’d ever be doing a tribute like this for a good friend, Bob Greenwood. His passing really hit me as it did for so many others. You can’t help but realize we lost him way too early in his life. His mission wasn’t close to being done.
If you ever heard Bob Greenwood’s passion for this industry you know that he held high hopes for the future success of the independent aftermarket. His passion for making this great industry a profession instead of a trade was one of his biggest talking points (a signature of his) where ever and whenever he had a chance to pontificate.
I reflect on a few of Bob’s accomplishments, some of the thirty-three episodes he contributed to and I welcomed some friends to share their memory of Bob.
Craig Noel on Recruiting Students to the Trade [AW 073]
Guest host, Craig Noel, Sun Automotive, Springfield, OR. 4 Locations speaks on recruiting high school students to our industry. How to engage students and teachers. Also a virtual tour of one of Craig’s locations
Catching Up With Your Mentor [RR 680]
Catching Up With Your Mentor [RR 680]
Mentoring is a special relationship that grows between two individuals and also within themselves personally. With me is Jim Morton and Brandon Steckler: Mentor and Mentee. We all know when you teach you learn, but did you also know the best mentor never responds to a question with an answer? In this episode Jim and Brandon discuss the essence of mentorship. They also agree that going back to the basics is the simplest and often overlooked foundation for any successful diagnostician. I bet you are not surprised!
remarkableresults.biz/e680
The Courage to Make Tough Decisions [THA 243]
The Courage to Make Tough Decisions [THA 243]
Making a difficult, tough decision can be one of the hardest things to face. Ever toil with, when is it the right time? Are you making the right choice? Can you push through it? Well in this episode my panel of courageous women shares their own examples of pulling the trigger on a tough decision. Their stories will inspire you and maybe even give you the push you were looking for.
remarkableresults.biz/a243
Profit Strategies with Natalie Paris [RR 679]
Profit Strategies with Natalie Paris [RR 679]
The financial numbers of any business tell an important story. But how many owners know how to read their financial statements correctly? Do you know your breakeven point for your business? Do you review your cash flow monthly? In this episode, Natalie Paris from Three Rivers Bookkeeping shares the importance of the dynamics of a good bookkeeper, your CPA and your business coach to keep your business on track for success
remarkableresults.biz/e679
Michael Gallini and Shop Tour with Kristi Hudson [AW 072]
Guest host Michael Gallini, Eurauto Shop, Plano, TX and a virtual shop tour with Kristi Hudson, Troy Auto Care, Troy, MI. Weekly episode updates
Scan Tools Part 3 [RR 678]
Scan Tools Part 3 [RR 678]
Same crew, Matt Fanslow, Keith Perkins and Bill Nalu from Part 1 and 2 and in this episode we are hearing about preferred scan tool preferences by platform. We also hammer about the investment the shop needs to make in scan tools for the team and some additional myths. The team speaks to the difference between a scan tool and a diagnostic platform.
remarkableresults.biz/e678
The Power of Transformational Coaching [THA 242]
The Power of Transformational Coaching [THA 242]
Employee reviews: We’ve all been there. You get called into your boss’s office and get graded on your performance over the past year. It can be easy to forget your review once you leave the office. Out of sight, out of mind. Isn’t it time to change that mundane process? In this episode my panel discusses a transformational approach for owners to deepen their relationship with their employees. Let them be a part of your business and see how it can flourish. We are talking Transformational Coaching.
remarkableresults.biz/a242
Bonus: Advancing the Aftermarket – Charging What We Are Worth [Bonus 11]
Advancing the Aftermarket.
Of late there has been a lot of dialogue around my circles about being paid for the value you give and bring to your customer. I recently saw a survey of shops whose sales averaged $750,000 yet their net operating profit was only 2%. That is only a $15,000 average net operating income before tax. This troubling stat begs the question: How do you continue to invest in the business and even provide a living wage for you and your team at that level of profit? remarkableresults.biz/b010
Succession Planning Blueprint – Bryan Stasch [RR 677]
Succession Planning Blueprint [RR 677]
Succession Planning: We can’t talk about it enough. I like doing shows on this topic because we have thousands and thousands of shop owners who can benefit from this wisdom. The average shop owner doesn’t think about preparing for his or her exit until they’re ready to exit, and by that time it is often too late to prepare the business for a successful sale that may garner a top asking price. In this episode, Bryan Stasch, the Vice President of Program and Content Development for the Automotive Training Institute (ATI) defines a clear blueprint for your business. He talks about getting you ready, the shop ready, how you derive a sale price and what does walk away money look like. When should you start to put all this together? NOW, even if you don’t plan to retire for years to come.
remarkableresults.biz/e677
Mitch Schneider and Shop Tour with John Constantin [AW 071]
Guest host, Mitch Schneider, Mitch’s World and “Misfire the Book”
Mitch will speak to the 5 levels of knowledge and concentrates on the 5th; “You Don’t Want to Know What You Don’t Know”
Virtual shop tour with John Constantin, Bison Fleet Specialists, Buffalo, NY
Weekly episode updates
Job Expectations: Boomers vs Millennials [RR 676]
Job Expectations: Boomers vs Millennials [RR 676]
Boomers and millennials could not be more different if they tried. We’ve all heard the stereotype for both generations and miscommunication and frustration often bubble to the surface in any work environment. Instead of criticizing different generations than our own, isn’t it time we pause and start understanding each other? In this episode, Bill Haas is the boomer and Sara Fraser is the millennial. They are also a father-daughter team that works together. Listen to both perspectives and find out how both generations can actually work together harmoniously.
remarkableresults.biz/e676
Q & A with Chris Chesney [THA 241]
Q & A with Chris Chesney [THA 241]
You’re going to love this question and answer format style episode with the newly retired Chris Chesney. My panel takes a deep dive into Chris’s long and successful career. What was his most rewarding experience? Does he have any regrets? What is his forecast on the technician shortage and electric vehicles? And most importantly, is retirement really in the cards for Chris Chesney?
remarkableresults.biz/a241
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