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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RR 180: Jorge Menchu from AES Wave and Industry Instructor
How Do We Make Ourselves SMARTER?
Jorge Menchu was hooked at an early age. He grew up in Kansas City, MO. It was his go-cart that brought upon his passion for loving cars and mechanics. This developed into a passion about learning.
His goal is to help young folks to realize their own success and failure by engaging his students to be better learners.
The episode highlights Jorge’s three pathways to learning. These fundamentals can change your ability to learn and understand. They are Self-Awareness, Learning Awareness and Building a Structure of Knowledge.
RR 179: Tristan Realubit from Real Autohaus Automotive
Tristan Realubit, AAM owns Real Autohaus Automotive in Westmont. IL. He has had his share of challenges that for many, would have thrown in the towel years ago. Armed with powerful advice from his mother he continued his quest to be a shop owner even though he didn’t understand the business side of the business.
As luck would have it he found AMI On-Line and then bought a Mitch Schneider book. Those two forces put Tristan on the right path. He has plans to add his second location now that he has retired the debt that mounted as he learned the business.
RR 178: The Digital Sales Process with Jeremy O’Neal and Chris Cloutier
Listen to Chris Cloutier from Autotex.me and Jermey O’Neal from Advisor Fix in a round table discussion on this very subject. They bring to light the many reasons that digital selling is here to stay and it will alter the way business is done into the future.
RR 177: Joe Hanson from Gordie’s Garage
Joe Hanson, second generation family at Gordie’s Garage, Roseville, MI, shares many of his strategies and tactics on the family business. He will implement his first Profit Sharing program for his team in 2017. He tells you how it came to be.
RR 176: Jennifer Maher from TechForce Discussing a Solution to the Technician Shortage
There’s a tech shortage in the transportation industry. It doesn’t matter if you’re talking automotive, trucking, diesel, aftermarket, motorcycle, marine, collision repair…you name it…they’re all struggling to find trained, professional technicians. Meet Jennifer Maher, the CEO/Executive Director of TechForce Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion students to and through their education and…
RR 175: Brian Jesko – Shop owner doesn’t have customers, but friends for life.
Shop owner doesn’t have customers, but friends for life.
Brian Jesko from Trinity Auto Haus in Waco, TX started turning wrenches 25 years ago, and always knew he would own a shop; his dream was realized in 2011. In 2016 he purchased the building he rented.
With a realization that if you want to be successful you need to surround yourself with successful people, Brian believes to stand out in the world of business you must treat every customer as the next most important customer.
RR 174: All Women Panel from Pittsburg State Univ-Seniors in Automotive Technology
All women collegiate panel discusses their passion for automotive technology
Hallee Murphy, Randijo Blackman and Haley Huddleston followed their dream and passion to go to college for automotive technology. They never looked back. With internships under their belt they are looking to careers and grad school.
RR 173: Nick Modesti from Modesti’s Car Care Center
A true family culture ingrained with their customers.
Nick Modesti from Modesti’s Car Care Center in Culver City, CA is second generation nurturer. Nick has carried the tradition of his dad and mom to their team members and customers. Everyone feels the family culture which is never compromised.
Interview covers their goal to maintain 100% satisfaction with our clients, implementation of a DVI program, why having a business coach is one of his best decisions, how he bonuses his team for achieving training goals, and their peace of mind warranty program among others.
RR 172: Giuliano Zuccato, Clay Sculptor – 1964 Mustang
Sculptor Giuliano Zuccato shares his story inside the Ford Design studio as a member of the team that created the 1964 Ford Mustang.
Giuliano Zuccato, one of the original clay sculptors who worked in the Ford Design Studio on the 1964 Mustang, tells an inspiring story of an immigrant who discovered his passion for sculpting as a result of a life threatening illness.
RR 171: Robert Noriega from Autoworks Tampa
Humble beginnings: Started fixing cars in his mother’s garage to pay for college.
Bob Noriega from Autoworks of Tampa, FL has been in business only 7 years but has a winning formula of processes and systems that will allow him to duplicate and grow.
He credits his hard work, personal drive and business coach for setting a strong level of accountability. Bob’s business growth is directly attributed to managing his numbers and his passion on a ‘complete’ customer experience.
RR 170: Jude Larson, JML Real Solutions
How to become a sought-after business, that everyone wants to work for.
Jude Larson the president, owner and lead consultant for JML Real Solutions uses his rich experience and business success as he works with service professionals to re-engineer their businesses.
Jude shares ideas on how to become a legendary or sought-after business where top performers want to work and why company culture is precious and you need to build it and protect it. Jude also asks every client to review their business from a 30,000-foot view to gain a perspective and build the right priorities for their business.
RR 169: Seth Thorson from Eurotech Auto Repair
Euro specialist shop owner is also a BMW trainer and embraces technician networking.
Scott Thorson has specialized in the service of European automobiles since 1999. A BMW Trained technician also owns a nationwide BMW tech Support service (LMV Bavarian) that people all over the world use for BMW technical advice.
A national BMW trainer embraces new technology and understands that there is always someone willing to work harder to take everything away.
RR 168: Bob Heipp – Mobile Diagnostician
Automotive technician finds his move to mobile diagnostician the perfect fit.
Bob Heipp lead tech and Technician Manager for Mobile Auto Solutions, LLC in Chicago evolved throughout his career as learning became his passion and smart career path.
Bob believes his desire to learn is what opened doors to meeting technicians around the world. He considers
RR 167: Eric Svedberg from Automotive Specialists
How efficiency drives sales and profits for this three-bay service professional.
Eric Svedberg started as an Amoco dealer at the age of 22. Now at 45 years old he has much to share as a young man with 23 years of hard knocks experience. He adopted the slogan ‘Dealer Alternative’ from the day he opened.
RR 166: Jim Cathcart from the Cathcart Institute
Did you know that your customer relationships are considered an asset?
International best-selling author, world renowned speaker and president of the Cathcart Institute, Jim Cathcart is a worldwide leader in relationship selling and personal and professional development. He is one of the most award winning professional speakers in the world.
RR 165: Mark Goldsmith from Mark’s Independent Service
Hiring a millennial service writer had a positive influence on this service professional.
In 1988 Mark Goldsmith opened Mark’s Independent Service in Chatsworth, CA. He aspired to be the best owner/technician he could be and constantly pushed himself to further his knowledge and understanding of the automotive industry.
RR 164: Scott Norman – Skills USA & Worldskills USA
Where are the industries top young technician’s going to come from?
Skills USA and Worldskills brings to our industry an opportunity to showcase young talent in a competitive environment. Scott Norman, Chairman of the National Automotive Service Technology (AST) committee for SkillsUSA and the USA Technical Delegate for Worldskills gives you an insider’s overview of these two important competitions.
RR 163: Frank Scandura from Frank’s European
What happens when you put your people and customers first?
Frank Scandura of Frank’s European in Las Vegas Nevada was fortunate to make the transition from technician to service writer to entrepreneur. Many service professionals never find the degree of success that Frank has achieved, without the transition from working in your business to working on it.
RR 162: Rodger Bland, GEARS Magazine Editor
Do you accept a level of underachievement?
Rodger Bland is a lifelong pursuer of his full potential. For the past twenty years he has dedicated a large part of his life’s energy towards the study of success. He’s learned that even the most successful among us, seldom if ever, realize their true full potential in life.
RR 161: John Miller from Freedom Automotive
John Miller says, “It is an ongoing educational experience to work on cars”.
John Miller owner of Freedom Automotive in Stafford, TX is a successful baby boomer shop owner who shows no signs of quitting. Besides the shop he is a weekly radio show and writer and editor for Shop Talk, the Houston ASA monthly.
RR 160: Ray Fisher from ASA Michigan
Executive Director talks about technician & shop licensing, safety inspections and autonomous cars.
ASA Michigan Executive Director, Ray Fisher, is very passionate about serving his members. Leaders like Ray Fisher are strong advocates for the industry, but as he points out, every member of the industry needs to be involved. It is a team effort to help our legislators understand the impact of the rules/laws they are creating and the effect it has on businesses and the motoring public.
RR 159: Jason Malo form Advanced Automotive Performance
Brothers Jason and Luke Malo shopped their business plan and no bank would help them.
Jason Malo (pictured) and his brother Luke started 10 years ago with a loan from their parents. With their experience in management and fixing cars, they created a business plan and took the plunge. This is a story of how they pulled together and made it work. Never easy but steady.
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RR 158: Tom Meyers
NAPA ASE Technician of the year, 2009, in Chicagoland has a career that spans 40 years and still does it all; but loves diagnostics.
In 2009 Tom Meyers was selected as the NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year for the Chicagoland area, a first for a non-owner technician. He is an ASE Master Certified with L1 Certification and works on everything from computer diagnostics and engine performance to engine installations and rebuilding differentials. In the past 40 years he has always focused on repair quality and the latest automotive technology.
RR 157: Jason Hladyniuk from Oxford Tire and Auto Centre
Competitive Advantage: Be the Dealer Alternative
Jason Hladyniuk from Oxford Tire and Auto Centre in Woodstock, Ontario is reflecting on his eighteen years in the industry. He is certain that his investment in tools and training will be critical to stay relevant for servicing his customer’s vehicles in the future.
RR 156: Kathleen Long from Repair Pal
It doesn’t take much for consumers to be disloyal to their repair shop.
Kathleen Long the VP of Customer Success and GM of the Shop Network at RepairPal shares results of their constant surveying of the automotive consumer. This episode is packed with quantifiable and conceptual strategies to improve the service professionals total customer service experience.
This data brings a perspective to what needs to be done by the service professional to accommodate the consumer’s needs and perceptions that will grow their service business.
Episode highlights include warranty, reviews, pricing, the showroom or lobby, bathrooms, loaner cars, quality vs convenience, texting, and a good bedside manner. There is something here for everyone.
RR 155: Social Media Strategy with Greg Buckley & Frank Leutz
How strong is your social media strategy?
Many service professionals wonder how valuable and important a great social media presence is to connect with their customer’s digital DNA.
Learn from early adopters Frank Leutz from Desert Car Care and Greg Buckley from Buckley’s Auto Care. These two service professional entrepreneurs are sharing their strategies and how-to concepts for creating or improving your social media presence.
RR 154: Ray Kunz from ACT
Understand the power and impact of training, exit interviews, employee safe-zones and knowing your numbers.
With more than 38 years of experience as a Technician, Service Advisor, Service Manager, General Manager, Automotive Business Owner and now as one of the Premier Automotive Business Coach & Training specialists, Ray brings a unique skill set to the table. Automotive Coaching and Training (ACT) Group is built around supporting automotive business owners facing struggles in today’s business climate.
RR 153: Doug Callaghan from Vic’s Service Centre
Learn how a total shop transformation in eighteen months earned the 2016 Auto Care Association ACE award.
Doug Callaghan from Vic’s Service Centre in Wainwright, Alberta Canada is the winner of the 2016 Auto Care Association ACE (Automotive Career and Education) award for businesses with under 50 employees. Doug shares his story of transformation, recognized by Auto Care, that earned him this recognition.
RR 152: Scott Norman Automotive Educator
Automotive Technology Bachelor’s Degree program producing our future technicians and entrepreneurs.
Scott Norman is an Associate Professor of Automotive Technology at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS and President of the National Association of Automotive Universities.
RR 151: Gary Keyes from E & M Motors
Gary Keyes is the owner of E & M Motors Auto Service in Stuart, Florida. Started at a service station. (remember them?) Gary started as a tech, right out of high school back in the service station days in Miami. He also worked in a Toyota dealership for 10 years and decided he was smart…
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