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]
Is your shop’s first impression costing you customers? Did you know the phone is often your closest moment to the sale? Join service advisor training specialists Jen Davis and Doris Barnes from The Transformers Institute as they reveal how to turn inbound calls into a loyal customer relationship.
Watch Full Video Episode
Inside this episode:
The Hidden Cost of Bad Calls: Missed opportunities like quoting a price without context don’t just lose sales, they damage your brand and waste marketing dollars. First impressions are made in a fraction of a second.
Beyond Price Shopping: Most service advisors unintentionally train customers to shop for price by failing to ask questions, build rapport, or show genuine curiosity. Price is often just the conversation starter.
Empathy, Education & Reasoning: Learn the three pillars of phone success that shift calls from transactional to relationship-driven, positioning your shop as the trusted solution.
From First Call to Lifelong Customer: Strategies to move customers past a single visit and build loyalty by marketing to the third visit—a critical milestone for long-term retention.
Hiring the Right People: Why finding “good stock” naturally empathetic, ethical, and willing to learn makes all the difference in creating consistent, 5-star customer experiences.
Don’t let poor phone skills drain your marketing investment. This is a must-listen for shop owners and service advisors ready to sharpen their skills and elevate every interaction from the very first ring.
remarkableresults.biz/a448
And all the rest:
Invest in the Industry's First Rate Content From the Premier Automotive Service Specialist Podcast
Exceeding Customer Expectations With Better Systems and Processes – Jeremy O’Neal and Chris Collins [RR 539]
Jeremy O’Neal President and lead sales trainer for Advisorfix, began his career as a Service Advisor and moved into Service Management at the dealership level for VW, Audi, and Porsche. He consistently placed in the top 3% of Service Advisors across the nation.With a passion for helping others, Jeremy started coaching Service Advisors in 2007. Jeremy also…
Status of the Aftermarket – Journalist Mark Phillips [RR 538]
Mark Phillips is editor and publisher of Aftermarket Intel and has been in the automotive aftermarket for more than 12 years. Previously, he was editor of newspapers in several cities in Ohio and Boston. He is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University. Aftermarket Intel HERE. Key Talking Points: Automotive industry- essential industry during the pandemicLos Angeles…
Insurance Reviews – What if Scenarios [THA 172]
Bambi Crozier, wife and co-owner with Neil Crozier, of Car Clinic in Lowell, AR (Northwest Arkansas), has a passion for the hardworking shop owner. Her vision to Change the Face of Automotive Care motivates and inspires every aspect of her daily operation. She entered the industry in 2012 as an entrepreneur shortly after moving back…
A Supplier’s Strategy Amid Pandemic – Helping the Service Professional with Lee Walker [RR 537]
Lee Walker is the President of Walker Auto Parts in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. In 2009 Lee rejoined our family business as the first of the third generation of Walkers. Harry G. Walker Jr. started the family’s journey in the automotive aftermarket back in 1960 in Raleigh. Three of his four sons joined him in the business in…
Recruiting and Job Search for Industry Technicians and Owners – Elie Massabki [RR 536 ]
Elie Massabki is the founder and CEO of Mechanics & Body Shops Marketplace, a company focused on helping auto repair shops find talent and empowering automotive professionals through permanent job placement, free career advice, resume reviews and an App to find permanent jobs with reputable businesses and side/temporary jobs quickly. Elie is an automotive enthusiast who…
Multi Shop Operations – Acquisition – Selling [THA 171]
Greg Bunch is the owner of Aspen Auto Clinic, a five-location automotive and service business in Colorado. Greg started his passion for cars at 15 when he began rebuilding a 1966 Volkswagen Bug. Greg has moved from a Volkswagen mechanic to ASE Master Technician, to Management, to starting his shop 18 years ago in his…
Dealing With the Loss of a Job or a Business – With Dolah Saleh [RR 535]
Through her advice columns, books, and seminars, Dolah Saleh has sought to help others make choices that honor who they are and what they want to accomplish. Ms. Saleh is an educator, lecturer, and author with more than 20 years of counseling others in making optimal life choices. Ms. Saleh is the author of a few…
Gamification – Changing Behavior with Kent Bullard [RR 534]
Kent Bullard. Find Kent’s other episodes HERE. Key Talking Points: Gamification- changing behavior, designing an experienceHow do you engage people with game theory? Focus on process orientation than goal orientation- not outcome focused, be action focused Customer’s want to come back again The Big E’sEnvironment: Physical triggers for customers and employees- is it distracting them…
Looking Ahead to the New Normal -Part 1 [THA 170]
Kevin Eckler is a native New Englander who moved to New York State’s Hudson Valley with his parents back in the mid-1980’s. Kevin began his automotive career at the age of 14, pushing a broom in a mom and pop shop in Rhode Island, he attended a trade school, graduating at the top of his class and…
Debate: Just Say Yes – I Wish I Could – Darren Adams and Brett Bohlmann [RR 533]
Panel: Darren Adams from Dryfork Diesel and Auto in Carthage, MO Brett Bohlman from HWY 7 Service Center, Newell, IA Talking Points: “Just say yes, I wish I could” Brett lost technician- lower car count and sell more. Technician spend more time on a vehicle, less processing time Top 20% make up 80% of the…
Trainers Speak to Their Craft [RR 532]
G Jerry Truglia is well known for his automotive training through his company ATTS: Automotive Technician Training Services, where he covers topics ranging from hybrid vehicles, electricity, to Heavy Duty Truck repair. G is also a very proud founding member of the non-for profit Technician Service Training group. G Jerry Truglia Previous Episodes HERE. Dave…
The Relationship you Have with Your Accountant – Beyond the Numbers [THA 169]
Hunt Demarest, CPA Paar-Melis. Hunt is Accredited in Business Valuation and a licensed Certified Public Accountant that has been with the firm since 2006. He specializes in business taxes, valuations, and does consult work with our clients all across the country. When he’s not in the office, Hunt enjoys spending time with his family, golfing,…
Bright Light Shines from this Business Coaches Round-Table [RR 531]
Bob Greenwood, AMAM (Accredited Master Automotive Manager) is President and C.E.O. of Automotive Aftermarket E-Learning Centre Ltd. (AAEC). AAEC is a company focused on providing Business Management Resources and Development for the Independent Sector of the aftermarket industry. AAEC content and technology is recognized as part of the curriculum of the Fixed Operations Diploma and the…
Carrie Lynn Rodenberg and Kim Walker on Social Media [RR 530]
Carrie-Lynn Rodenberg, the owner of Turnkey Marketing, founded her boutique marketing firm after moving from New York where she was in charge of the direct response marketing for a 10 BILLION dollar company (Emblem Health). She went on to be the Director of Marketing and won the 2nd place Infusionsoft Ultimate Marketer Of The Year Award. Carrie-Lynn graduated…
Success Stories from the Coaching Front Lines PART 2 [THA 168]
Mike McGroarty has been an auto care professional for over 35 years. He grew up in the family business working for his father. After graduating from trade school in 1982, Mike leased his own Shell auto care center. In 2002 Mike sold his auto care center and purchased land and built his own 6,000…
Derek Kaufman on the Future of Battery Electric Drive Vehicles [RR 529]
For 40 years, Derek Kaufman has worked in the Transportation Industry with positions ranging from VP Marketing and Product Planning for Freightliner Trucks, SR VP of Sales, Marketing and Customer Support for Hino Trucks, President of Diesel Technology Co, a subsidiary of Penske Corporation, VP of Fixed Operations for Smart USA and CEO of Mission…
Technician Round Table – Part 9 OUTSPOKEN on Training – Heipp – Landry – Fanslow [RR 528]
RR 528: OUTSPOKEN on Training
Now Tech Talk 9 with Bob Heipp, Peter Landry and Matt Fanslow. This outspoken trio ponders training in a big way since we recorded this at vision. It was a perfect topic since Vision of the Premier training event. As it is typical with this trio they didn’t hold back and we had some fun.
We cover what it takes to be a trainer, what type of student are you, hands-on, play or research and critical thinking just to name a few.
Find the show notes and talking points at remarkableresults.biz/e528
Success Stories from the Coaching Front-lines [THA 167]
Bill Haas, AAM, is the owner of Haas performance consulting LLC, with 40 years of experience in the automotive service and repair industry. Clients have access to Bill’s solution-based focus, expertise, unique perspectives and in-depth knowledge of the industry. Bill began his career working part-time at a full-service gasoline station in Appleton, Wisconsin. His career…
Do You Understand Your Role? [RR 527]
Philip Christensen started his automotive career in 1997 with the world’s largest independently owned tire company. From there he worked his way through there apprenticeship, and management programs. In 2012 Phil joined BG Automotive which was a 4 person operation at the time. Today he has helped grow it to 3 dentations and 28 team…
Tech Update: AI and The Autonomous Vehicle [RR 526]
Scott Brown is an ASE Master Certified Automobile Technician with over three and a half decades of professional service industry experience. He and his wife own Connie & Dick’s Service Center Inc., a 57-year-old independent shop in Southern California. With a strong focus on engine performance and electronics, Scott began collaborating with other industry professionals, online,…
What Would I Tell My Younger Self [THA 166]
Ron Haugen, Retired, Sold Shop now a Coach Doug Grills, AutoStream Car Care Center, multi-shop owner, Baltimore, MD (Six Locations) Chris Monroe, Monroe Tire and Service, shop owner, Shelby, NC. Chris got on the track to becoming an industry superstar at the early age of 10, as his father started Monroe Tire in 1974. He took over…
Are you a Shop Owner or a Business Owner [RR 525]
Guest Ron Tinner from Sparks Tire and Auto, St. Charles, MO a NAPA CarCare Center Key Talking Points: Best advice you ever received- Get off the counterOnce you start delegating responsibilities you realize what you could’ve been doing better all along Many struggles are self-inflicted Owner of business instead of the owner of the…
What Needs to be in Your Marketing Plan Right Now [RR 524]
Dori Eppstein is the Founder and President of Amazing Women in Automotive and is an Automotive Coach/Consultant for ESi. She grew up in Southern California and started off in the auto repair industry handling the marketing for her brother’s first shop. She learned more about the business challenges auto repair shop owners face through working…
Surviving an Economic Downturn [THA 165]
Ron Ipach, co-founder or Repair Shop Coach, has helped over 5536 auto repair shop owners to get and keep all the top-quality customers they can handle. Marketing auto repair services are all he does. He lives, eats, and breathes it every day. He has seen, heard, and tested practically every kind of marketing there is out…
Automotive Instructors Move to Online Training Amid Pandemic [RR 523 ]
Kevin Holzworth, is currently working as an Assistant Professor of Automotive Technology at Montana State University-Northern in Havre, MT. Kevin started his career at MSU-Northern where he earned his 4-year undergraduate degree in Automotive Technology. Upon graduation, Kevin went to work as a technician at Ressler Motors in Bozeman, MT for 5 years. Throughout his…
Stop Quoting Price Over the Phone – Maylan Newton [FTR 091]
Maylan Newton from ESI – Educational Seminars Institute is a business coach, trainer and industry speaker. Maylan is no stranger to the podcast having paid it forward many times. He is a much sought our speaker at industry events in the US. Find Maylan’s previous episodes HERE. “He is ‘just a car guy’ with lots…
Lift Safety with Rick White [RR 522]
Rick White, President and Lead Coach for 180BIZ, an auto repair shop training and business coaching company. He also owned and managed several successful automotive repair shops. Early in his career, Rick got his arm stuck under a vehicle while working underneath it. He managed to get out safely but it was a wake up…
Final Inspection – Quality Controls & Covid-19 [Bonus 07]
THA 164 Final Inspection – Quality Controls
We are tackling Quality Controls and the Final Inspection. This episode aired live during the Covid-19 Pandemic and will become an important listen not only for the power of a good Quality Control process but how the Coronavirus weaved into this conversation.
In this episode, I’m joined by Chris Cloutier, Golden Rule Auto Care and CEO of Autotext.me and Tom Ham, Auto Centric, Grand Rapids, MI and Automotive Management Network and
Frank Scandura, Frank’s European, Las Vegas.
This team does have strong Final Inspection QC – Quality Control practices. They share why they do it, what they’ve learned, that we are human and make mistakes which is the strongest reason for a good Final QC process and we also spice this conversation with their practices in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
There is no need to take notes. If you want them go to remarkableresults.biz/a164 /// on my website! On the show notes page find my guests bio’s and links to their previous episodes. Also the lists Chris Cloutier offered are also linked there.
Final Inspection – Quality Controls & Covid-19 [THA 164]
THA 164 Final Inspection – Quality Controls
We are tackling Quality Controls and the Final Inspection. This episode aired live during the Covid-19 Pandemic and will become an important listen not only for the power of a good Quality Control process but how the Coronavirus weaved into this conversation.
In this episode I’m joined by Chris Cloutier, Golden Rule Auto Care and CEO of Autotext.me and Tom Ham, Auto Centric, Grand Rapids, MI and Automotive Management Network and
Frank Scandura, Frank’s European, Las Vegas.
This team does have strong Final Inspection QC – Quality Control practices. They share why they do it, what they’ve learned, that we are human and make mistakes which is the strongest reason for a good Final QC process and we also spice this conversation with their practices in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
There is no need to take notes. If you want them go to remarkableresults.biz/a164 /// on my website! On the show notes page find my guests bio’s and links to their previous episodes. Also the lists Chris Cloutier offered are also linked there.
Financial struggles. Gain Control of your Finances [FTR 090]
With me is Maryann Croce from SmallBusinessvantge.com. She and her husband Tony also own Croce Transmission in Norwalk, CT. As a business owner, she can chalk up many a mistake that has turned into wisdom. She has been there and done that and shares 5 key principles to help a startup business person get ahead of the…