Here are the two most recent episodes
From Brain Fog to Better Sleep: Transforming Health for Business Owners [RR 1036]
Mauro Stara from 6packceo.com shares powerful strategies for staying strong, sharp, and energized as a business owner. He breaks down common myths about health and highlights the importance of a personalized approach to well-being. Key areas of focus include the essential roles of sleep, nutrition, and stress management in promoting longevity and a high-quality life.
Mauro offers practical tips for optimizing sleep by aligning with your circadian rhythm, managing light exposure, timing meals strategically, and maintaining proper electrolyte balance. He encourages listeners to treat their health like they would their car, prioritizing regular care and attention to ensure a longer, more energized life.
remarkableresults.biz/e1036
Speak, Stretch, Repeat: The Communication Growth Loop [THA 429]
Recorded at Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo 2025, two attendees of a communications class, led by Chris Cloutier and Craig O’Neill, were chosen as the top speakers during a Toastmasters style mock run-through. Their heartfelt and authentic stories resonated so strongly with the audience that they were invited to share their experiences on the podcast.
What began as a simple role-play exercise turned into a powerful conversation about the role of communication and relationship building in the automotive shop industry. Our guests reflect on the value of active listening, vulnerability, storytelling, and how these traits fuel strong leadership and team culture in repair shops.
This episode is a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful moments are unplanned, and that great communication is at the heart of every successful business.
remarkableresults.biz/a429
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RR 242: Rick White from 180BIZ
Is the Transparency of The Internet Forcing The Service Professional To Change How Business Is Done?
Rick White is President and Lead Coach for 180BIZ, an auto repair shop training and business coaching company. He is an AMi approved trainer, an ASA committee member and an established industry writer for many top magazines.
Rick brings an enlightening view of leadership, communication, the sales process and shares the four responsibilities of a shop owner.
Rick also talks about the transparency of the internet and challenges a new way to do business because of the universal availability of information. He says we must bring insights to our customer because they are in need of our expertise. He also shares his view on where parts gross margins need to go in the age of the transparent internet.
THA 024: Quality Controls – Why it Matters for Retention & Reputation
Why Great Quality Controls Matters for Customer Retention and Shop Reputation.
A top lesson from three aftermarket colleagues who understand the value and need for a great quality control process. They leave no doubt why you need to adopt and improve your quality controls.
Tough love discussion that covers the importance of measuring your QC to help reduce mistakes (we are human we all make them) and how QC brings accountability to your overall processes. Investing in your QC program is as good as getting a five start on-line review. If you don’t you may be wiping up a two-star review.
Most shops do a great job fixing cars. That is not good enough anymore. Many more great take-a-ways that will fill up a yellow pad.
THA 018: ASA Connected CARS Detroit May 2017
What is Your Knowledge Quotient on the Connected Car?
ASA held an important industry event in May 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Is was the ASA Connected CARS program. Presentations from Delphi, ETI, GM, Mahle, and Bosch highlighted the event as the future of ADAS and Autonomous Vehicles (AV) was discussed.
The Academy panel includes event organizer Donny Seyfer, shop owners Peter Rudloff, Craig O’Neill and technician Dave Wagner. Listen to your colleagues perspective on their take-a-ways from Connected CARS Detroit and how they see the opportunities shaping up the future of the aftermarket.
RR 241: Jorge Menchu – AES Wave and Instructor
Are You Learning Up To Your Maximum Potential?
Industry trainer and entrepreneur Jorge Menchu, President of AES Wave is enthusiastic about teaching our industries technicians. He is more passionate on how technicians learn. He says that the basic problem of learning is to understand the mechanics of learning.
Jorge shares his Four Levels of Learning and says if you are in control of your learning process you will learn more. He says everyone knows how to learn. If you are not struggling to learn; then you are in control of the process of learning.
THA 017: What Happens When The Phone Rings
What Happens When The Phone Rings?
Are you prepared with a clear mind and a clear and confident message? A big moment of truth with your customers is that interaction with the phone call.
Set yourself up to make a strong impact with every phone call. Focus, don’t multi-task, and practice your script and prepare to solve your customers’ problem.
RR 240: Marion Miller from Complete Marketing Resources
Have You Ever Wondered If Your Website Is Keeping Pace with The Needs Of Your Customer?
Marion Miller from Complete Marketing Resources is a website expert. Her company has received Top 10 Automotive Website honors in 2015 & 2016. She is keeping pace with changing technologies and especially with what works for consumers.
Among ten top talking points we talk about the power of your home page, the evolution of web-based search (will you be ready for this change), the value of blogging, and the top three ingredients to an award winning website.
THA 023: Social Media – How To Strategies
This Academy Panel says Social Media is the Most Important Marketing Tools at your Disposal.
Carrie-Lynn Rodenberg, Greg Buckley and Ron Haugen discuss their views on the power of social media. They talk about the value of posting, how they do it, the frequency, and where they get content. The panel discusses the long term viability of websites and the growth and power of Facebook and Google into the future.
Greg Buckley shares his five “E’s”: Educate, Engage, Entertain, Entice and Elevate as it relates to Social Media. Ron Haugen shares his inspirations for posts and a sure method to grow your likes.
RR 239: John Burkhauser – Director of Educational Programs – Bolt On Technology
What You Can Learn from Your Dentist on Setting Appointments.
John Burkhauser, the Director of Educational Programs at Bolt-On Technology has a storied career as an automotive technician and as a post-secondary automotive educator. He is finding his career path has set him up for this current job.
John says the service process really hasn’t changed in 30 years. For many shops, it is still a day of putting out fires and trying to keep one’s head above water. He has his opinions on finding techs in post-secondary schools, the importance of best practices, and insights on digital vehicles inspections.
RR 238: Greg Bunch from Aspen Auto Clinic
Is your service adviser getting forty hours of training per year?
Greg Bunch owner of Aspen Auto Clinic a five-store operation in Colorado Spring, CO tells the story on how his first branch came about. Greg tells of his best practices on how to scale for multiple locations. He shares the traits of a shop owner when preparing for expansion.
We talk consolidation, the value of quality service adviser training, what good technicians want from their shop owner, how to prepare for expansion (you need capitol), customer retention and more.
He also talks about his Transformers Mastermind group for multi-shop operators.
THA 016: Lean Processes – Relentlessly Work On Eliminating Waste
A commitment to Lean Process Improvement will yield a better customer experience.
Lean processes minimize technician activity outside of their work bay, creates uniformity in all communication pieces between service writers and technicians, can benefit the shop by hiring alternative staff for cleaning needs throughout the shop.
Lean also help you realize the value in the placement of equipment throughout the shop space and why it makes for a more efficient operation. Be sure to match the correct technician to every job when possible, play to their strengths … and so much more.
THA 015: How to Improve Employee Loyalty
How to Improve Employee Loyalty and create engaged team members.
Listen to Ryan Clo, Dwayne Myers and Jude Larson talk about the power of gratitude, the importance of sharing your vision, creating a powerful work environment, the value of training for personal improvement, pay and bonus programs, mentoring and why you need to share your numbers.
THA 014: Customer Retention Strategies
Do you have a customer avatar, a profile of your ideal customer?
Listen to this great lesson on customer retention and marketing from Gene Morrill, Ron Haugen and Maylan Newton as they bring to the forefront, customer marketing budgets and a yearlong plan, social media, special events, car care clinics and digital service reminder.
Many great ideas to jump start or re-invent your customer retention strategy.
RR 237: Rhonda Hiltbrand – News Works Marketing Group
Does Direct Mail Newsletter Marketing Work?
Join Rhonda Hiltbrand for a frank discussion on direct mail marketing. She sees a place for direct mail and especially newsletter marketing for service professionals.
Learn why direct mail is not dead and how it blends with social media. Rhonda talks marketing ROI, the tactics behind newsletters and why we are fighting clutter every day.
She says a newsletter is a platform to talk to your customer and help you stand out among the 6,000 advertising messages we are bombarded with every day.
RR 236: Bob Cooper – Elite Worldwide
Do You Know Why the Success of your Business is Dependent on Setting Huge Long-Term Goals?
Bob Cooper, President of Elite Worldwide share his five principles of success. He explains why having BIG goals is important to personal and business success. Bob has brought his expertise to the automotive industry as a trainer and a coach. He has also spoken worldwide to many Fortune 500 companies, private banking groups, school districts, the United States Army.
Bob gets into the details on his five principles and offers a special bonus; the CEO’s job description.
THA 013: Expense Control – Best Practices
Expense Control and Other Money Saving Ideas. This Town Hall Academy hits on budgets, expense control being a team effort, expense leakage, delegating certain tasks, When an expense is not an expense and developing relationships in the community among other key cost reduction ideas.
THA 012: What Keeps You Up at Night?
What Keeps You Up At Night? Is a metaphor on what we are concerned with as the world changes at unprecedented speeds.
You need to get out ahead of change and set the vision for your company. Paying attention to every business opportunity and challenge along with technology, business culture and finding and keeping good people helps you sleep well. The occasional 2 AM get up ‘thought’ just may signal an important strategy to pay attention to.
THA 011: Your Website – Tactics To Improve
Your Website – Tactics to improve Traffic and other Tech Talk as discussed by two industry experts, Danny Sanchez from Auto Shop Solutions and Todd Westerlund, CEO of Kukui. Along with shop owners Ryan Clo from Dubwerx in Cincinnati, OH and Doug Grills from Autostream in the Greater Baltimore/Washington, DC area.
Great talk on being mobile, Google Analytics, SEO, review marketing being sure your site converts customers, website design, analytics and call tracking, and working with Google Premier Partners.
THA 010: Car Care Clinics For Women
Car Care Clinics for Women: Why do them and What is the Benefit to the Shop?
Learn from aftermarket professionals that understand the women customer and have held successful women events.
Get the Why, Who, What, When and How to run a successful Women’s event at your professional shop.
RR 235: Tom Piippo from Tri-County Motors
Where does a three time ASE Technician of the Year and shop owner find a new technician?
Tom Piippo a three-time recognized ASE Technician of the Year needed to find a new technician. He decided to grow his own and found a candidate in a most interesting place. Also listen to Tom share his story of remarkable results over the last 39 years operating in a small town of 491 households in northern Michigan.
Tom was recently honored by ASA as their 2017 Alpha award winner for his generous and far-reaching contributions to the automotive service industry.
RR 234: Vic Tarasik – Major Accounts Director at RLO
What is your next calling? What are your plans after you sell your business?
After nearly 30 years of successfully operating Vic’s Precision Automotive, a fourteen-bay automotive repair facility located in The Woodlands, TX, Vic Tarasik sold his beloved shop, however, he remains active in the industry he loves.
In the interview Vic’s shares the typical challenges a passionate technician goes through in learning how to run a good business. Vic goes over five of his ten Life’s Lessons; things he learned along the way that molded him as an entrepreneur. He tells us what he is doing today that continues to bring value to the industry.
RR 233: Brian Weeks from atc AutoCenter
How can a Re-Branding Strategy Create a Total Make-Over for this Family Business and Prepare for Market Growth.
Brian Weeks and his brother Chris from atc AutoCenter in Augusta, GA bought out their Dad in 1999 and worked hard in the family transmission business. Their story is typical until they both realized that their current business model was under stress. They needed to make changes to allow them to grow and meet market demands.
Brian shares the re-branding story, and how he and his brother made the bold moves to work on their business instead of in it.
THA 009: ASE Value Proposition -Consumer -Shop Owner -Technician
Do the consumers, technicians and shop owners appreciate the value ASE brings to the aftermarket? This Academy forum takes on this question.
Join ASE’s Trish Serratore and shop owners Amy Mattinat and Eric Carlson in an important discussion on the value proposition of ASE. We talk consumer education, the importance of messaging from the top down has a big factor if the technicians will keep up their certifications and become a Master Technician. The discussion flows to consumer awareness and the new ASE site geared to consumer knowledge and awareness of ASE.
ASE has been around since 1972. They are the only industry driven credentials in the industry. Getting behind ASE certifications will be a strong differentiator as technology and the skilled workforce
THA 008: Concierge Service – The Next Frontier
Is Your Customer Service Exceptional? Need to Lead in Your Market?
The Academy panel discusses a commitment to customer service that must start from a quality business culture or code of conduct. Learn about certain tactics that will make your shop stand at the top of the list as you show your customer uncompromising differentiation.
THA 006: Managing a Negative On-Line Review
These industry colleagues agree to never ignore and learn from a bad review.
Bad reviews do happen and these are great learning moments for the entire company. Every segment of the company is under scrutiny with a bad review. From business culture, your customer service commitment, your processes, procedures and systems.
It is also important to be sure you are doing business with your ideal customer. Not every customer was meant to do business with you. Create your ‘avatar’ customer and stick to it.
THA 005: Must Attend Training Conferences
Having a strong training culture is an important discussion point in this Town Hall Academy.
There are many choices for aftermarket technical training. Technicians need to schedule a minimum one major event a year. Our panel of experts touch on the need for training policies, budgets and supporting the vendors that make these events affordable. Also discussion points on Vision Hi-Tech Training and Expo and Automechanika.
RR 232: Dennis McCarron – On Sales
Do You Have the Technique to Close More Sales?
If you sell service or tires Dennis McCarron says, “The person who controls the sales process is the listener.” Dennis brings his passion for behavior analysis to this episode that can be titled the ‘Psychology of a Sale’. You will learn a formula to improve your selling technique.
Our customer doesn’t come in wanting to buy something. It is not about your ability to sell but how skilled you are to present the solutions. If you present a product to a customer that solves three of their needs the probability is high to close.
All aftermarket organizations are sales organizations. Dennis brings a great perspective to appreciate the sales technique. This is Dennis’s second appearance on the podcast.
RR 231: Tony Tatich from TMT Complete Auto Service Center
How do you integrate a second-generation millennial into a succession plan?
Tony Tatich from TMT Complete Auto Service Center in Bremen, IN shares his view on the family business and the aftermarket from a millennials point of view.
Hear Tony talk about his Dad, the business, the industry and the future. It is a big business in a very small town.
He’s doing a lot of things right. See how many you agree with.
THA 004: Preparing Your Business For Sale
Preparing Your Business For Sale brings real world experience from a shop owner that just sold his business, one that is starting his succession plan and a business coach and consultant to bring the objective and metrics to this discussion.
Join Gary Plimmer, Ron Haugen and Bob Greenwood for this very frank and game changing Academy forum.
THA 003: Top Qualities of a Service Adviser
The service adviser has an important role in the automotive service industry.
Listen to a discussion with Ron Haugen from Westside Auto Pros in Des Moines Iowa and John Epstein from John’s Automotive Care in San Diego, CA.
Why should advisers understand and monitor their benchmarks, establish goals, and have access to them? They need to be able to connect with a broad range of people and personalities to include the customers, fellow coworkers and vendors. Service advisers also need to be able to stay calm under pressure and handle all the minor details. Many more learning moments presented by your industry colleagues.
THA 002: Resolutions
Resolutions are set at the beginning of the year and broken within weeks. This discussion from your industry peers shows how to create and hold on to your resolutions/goals and make things happen.
Join Barry Barrett Director of Training at RLO, Bill Nalu owner of Interstate Auto care in Madison Heights, MI and Jerry Kubitsky from Summit Transmission of La Mesa, CA
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