Servers, network, VOIP phones, and security, oh my! Recorded live at the 2023 Institute Summit, Jeff Matt and David Boyd discuss phone skills, IT support and identifying inefficiencies and technology risks with your business.

Jeff Matt, Victory Auto Service, 11 Locations, MN and FL.  Jeff’s previous episodes HERE

David Boyd, Inbound INC. 

Show Notes

• VOIP (voice over IP)- recording phone conversations, ‘replay booth,’ specific workspace with a  particular service advisor for incoming and outgoing, and time of phone calls for training purposes.  
• The entire conversation with a customer happens over multiple phone calls.  
• Phone skills- undervalued when it comes to your business’ success.
• Check with your State rules for recorded phone calls.
• IT support- safety net, systems, network, firewalls, servers, cameras.
• Identifying inefficiency and technology risks. 
• Jeff Matt’s security camera caught the burglar at his shop.
• Your local IT person might not have the capabilities to handle what your business needs- talk to fellow shop owners/business owners. Search business management consulting, six sigma, engineering. 
• Disrupter- moving away from cable and DSL providers.  
• Identifying server issues with cables, job satisfaction continues to grow. 
• Video phones- visual face to face conversations. 
• Customized recording and limited access for employees (permissions).
• Technology, network, systems, and software- understand the how and why
• Callinbound.com

Thanks to our Partners, AAPEX and NAPA TRACS.

Set your sights on Las Vegas in 2023. Mark your calendar now … October 31 – Nov 2, 2023, AAPEX – Now more than ever. And don’t miss the next free AAPEX webinar. Register now at AAPEXSHOW.COM

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at NAPATRACS.com

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Key Talking Points

• Thoughts that daughters bring to the table- being an employee, not a ‘favorite,’ earn respect from peers (testing period), don’t be reactionary
• Learning to keep the status quo of the business and community while continuing to make improvements and grow
• Pop By Marketing- popcorn and coupon to local businesses
• Role definition prior to transition
• Transitional period and length- be prepared
• Encouraging respect
• Making the business your own- bringing a different perspective
• Transitioning daughter to be the face of the business- 60% of repairs are purchased by females
• Fluid trust- with customers and between father/daughter team, trusting employees to decide
• Be open to asking questions and have thick skin
• Lauren attended peer group meeting with her father which opened her perspective and realized she wanted to join the industry
• Be a learner. Everything is figure-out-able!

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This episode is brought to you by Shop-Ware Shop Management. It’s time to run your business at its fullest potential with the industry’s leading technology. Shop-Ware Shop Management will increase your efficiency with lightning-fast workflows, help your staff capture more sales every day, and create very happy customers who promote your business. Shops running Shop-Ware have More Time and generate More Profit—join them! Schedule a free live demonstration and find out how 30 minutes can transform your shop at getshopware.com

Are you seeing auto shops in your area get hundreds of 5-star Google reviews and are you feeling left behind because your shop only has a few?

Hey look, Broadly is your answer to getting more online reviews. With more reviews, your business will rank higher in search results — and that means more customers coming into your shop every day.
Broadly helps you automatically request reviews so that your customers can promote your business with just one click. When you immediately ask for a review after service, when the experience is still fresh in their mind, you’re more likely to get a 5-star positive review. Plus, asking for feedback makes your customer feel valued and more connected to your business. Isn’t that what you want a connected customer? See how Broadly can help grow your auto shop.  Visit www.getbroadly.com/chat to learn more.

The Panel

Ashlan Kaplan, General Manager, Cannon Auto Repair, Cannon Falls, MN. Ashlan is Rich’s daughter and has been around the shop since she was a kid. She enjoys continuing to learn all about the automotive business and looks forward to helping it grow and serve our local community for years to come! Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband, two kids: Lincoln and Sophie and two fur babies Simba and Nala. Listen to Ashlan’s previous episodes HERE

Rich Udenberg, Owner, Cannon Auto Repair, Cannon Falls, MN.  Rich Udenberg brings 45 years of experience to the trade and our service personnel has over 45 years of experience in the industry.

Lauren Anderson, Executive Assistant, Victory Auto Service, 9 Locations, MN. Listen to Lauren’s previous episodes HERE

Jeff Matt, Owner, Victory Auto Service, 9 Locations, MN. Jeff founded Victory Auto Service & Glass with a commitment to providing exceptional service to those in need of automotive repair and maintenance. Growing up in Minnesota, Jeff worked as an automotive technician before opening Victory Auto Service & Glass. Jeff had always dreamed of opening a shop where the customer always felt cared for, never felt taken advantage of, and always received the highest quality service at the best price. Victory Auto Service & Glass first opened our doors in 1997 with a small, one-bay shop in Spring Lake Park. We have been growing ever since, thanks to our loyal and supportive customers like you. Listen to Jeff’s previous episodes HERE

The Panel:

Lauren Anderson is an Executive Assistant to her dad at the eight location Victory Auto Service in Minneapolis, MN. In her position, she gets the opportunity to learn all aspects of the business, through her dad’s experience and perspective. Her dad, Jeff Matt (his previous episodes here) gave her the Freedom to speak up on any subject at any time either to make suggestions or to ask questions. Hear Lauren’s previous episodes HERE.

Leigh Anne Best has been the Marketing Director and Customer Experience expert at Mighty Auto Pro for the past 11 years. She is also the Co-Founder of Brakes for Breasts and serves on the Advisory Board of an industry magazine and is on the AAA Approved Auto Repair Advisory Board.

A great feature of Might Auto Pro is a special women’s event that Leigh Anne holds called Women, Wheels & Waffles. These are very popular events. Listen to Leigh Ann’s previous episodes HERE.

Mike Dela Cruz is the National Sales Manager of Broadly.com. A company who is helping businesses in the automotive aftermarket get positive reviews and making them look good online.

Key Talking Points:

• Some Fake Reviews come from:Disgruntled former employees
• Competitor looking to discredit your reputation online (could be an act of desperation)An inherent ethical problem in our business that pulls everyone down (Carm) 
• Many times the name of the reviewer is a pseudonym. It doesn’t look real.
• They are not frequent
• People will look at Google reviews to learn of a businesses reputation
• Fake reviews can upset you because they are not a real depiction of your business
• Potential customers will read them. If you have more four and five-star reviews they can weight on the occasional one or two-star or fake reviews
• You take pride in your hard work building your business, however, you will get the occasional fake review. Suggestions on what to do:Always keep your response professional
• Be sure your headspace is proper
• Don’t defend yourself
• Present the facts. “You are not in my database.”
• Keep the emotion out of your reply
• Don’t make assumptions
• Do the research. Were they a customer
• Keep the response empathetic with an apology
• Provide a productive next step
• Mike suggests saying: ‘Thanks for taking the time to write a review or share your thoughts’. He suggests not to apologize if you didn’t do anything wrong 
• Explain the core issues, but try to make it brief and straightforward.
• Leigh Anne’s number one source of new customers is Google. Google reviews can be critical to your reputation and growth
• People look for patterns in reviews and the responses from the owner
• Great or bad reviews present big opportunitiesYou must respond to everyone
• Show your transparency
• Make the customer a believer in your brand
• It takes some time for a person to write a review. It could take them 12 – 15 minutes. That justified why you need to spend time responding.How fast your send will also support the relationship and bond with the customer
• Don’t let fake reviews bother you. Just dial down your anger and deal with it
• Google will allow you to share posts
• Leigh Anne send a handwritten note to customers who send reviews thanking them for the great reviews
• When you are hiring the candidate will look at your reviews. Managing them and responding helps in your recruiting efforts and reputation.

Resources:

• A special thanks to Lauren Anderson, Leigh Anne Best, and Mike Dela Cruz for their contribution to the aftermarket.
• Link to the ‘BOOKS‘ page highlighting all books discussed in the podcast library HERE. Leaders are readers.
• Listen for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Podchaser, and many more. Mobile Listening APP’s HERE
• Find every podcast episode HERE.
• Every episode segmented by Series HERE.
• Key Word Search HERE.
• Love what we do? Buy Carm a cup of coffee HERE.

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This episode is brought to you by Shop-Ware Shop Management. It’s time to run your business at its fullest potential with the industry’s leading technology. Shop-Ware Shop Management will increase your efficiency with lightning-fast workflows, help your staff capture more sales every day, and create very happy customers who promote your business. Shops running Shop-Ware have More Time and generate More Profit—join them! Schedule a free live demonstration and find out how 30 minutes can transform your shop at getshopware.com

This episode is brought to you buy Shop Marketing Pros. Your guides are Kim and Brian Walker with a rich history as shop owners and industry veterans. When someone searches for a shop, who are they finding? Your competitors? It should be you! The good people over at Shop Marketing Pros know how to drive website traffic and make Google work for you! www.shopmarketingpros.com

The Panel:

Jeff Matt from Victory Auto Service in Minneapolis and St. Petersburg, FLA, was featured in episode 48. Jeff owns six locations with one being in Florida. He has over 40 team members and has grown through acquisition. Jeff opened Victory in 1997 as a one-bay shop and has slow steady growth over the years. His growth offers up a great view of multi-shop ownership. Episodes Jeff Matt is featured in HERE.

Michael Maloney is president of Convenience Auto Service and owns two general repair facilities in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Mike brings a fairly unusual blend of corporate technical expertise and business leadership to his shops. “I spent thirty years working in large companies, but always wanted my own business.” He launched that dream following his retirement from a series of ‘regular jobs.’ His insights into spaces where automotive, consumer electronics and customer service intersect are drawn from real world experience with some of the world’s most successful and innovative companies, including Ford, Nokia, Tyco, GM, Apple, B&W, and Microsoft. His leadership of technology acquisitions, engineering, manufacturing, and purchasing for companies in the consumer electronics, audio and auto spaces gives him a unique perspective relative to other shop owners. Listen to Michael’s Episodes HERE.

Corey Evaldi grew up in Buffalo, NY (Lackawanna). He owns Olmstead Auto Care, Olmstead Falls, OH. His dad had his own auto repair shop before Corey was even born. In 1988, he built the shop that is still in business today. He started to enjoy the electronics and troubleshooting of vehicles really young. During his junior and senior year of high school, He went to Potter Road Career and Technical Center and took the Automotive programs. His senior year had an automotive competition at ECC, local community college.

In 2015 he returned and was overwhelmed with the responsibilities of running a shop. he was a technician, service writer, accountant, clean up person, the fireman that extinguished fires all over. He could not keep doing what he was doing. He produced 40% of the billed hours out of 4 techs. He looked for help. Found a coaching firm that really showed him what a business owner looks like. After implementing the changes, there was extreme push back from the existing crew. After standing firm on most things, change over was inevitable. Listen to Corey’s Episodes HERE.

Joe Hanson owns Gordie’s Garage. Joe has attended Management Success, NAPA training, Lawrence Tech University and most recently he is a member of the RLO 20 Group 13. He has earned his ASE C1: Automobile Service Consultant Certification. Under his father’s leadership, he has seen what it really takes to make a business like this work. Listen to Joe’s Episodes HERE.

Talking Points For Flat Rate

• Jeff Matt: I’ve never met an hourly paid technician or a technician with a high guarantee of pay that is a high producing technician.
• Our limited commodity is time.
• To be an effective leader we need to know that pay is just one part of an employee experience
• You need to keep your shop full
• When they produce you need to be willing to pay them
• Mike’s tech’s hourly rate goes up fast when they hit the breakeven number. He has tiers of hour they need to perform
• Jeff:End of day on a Friday when a battery comes in the door. He says if flat rate the customer, the tech and the shop will all win. An hourly tech may not have an incentive to help the customer in this circumstance
• Mike says the pay plan should take on the personality of the owner and how he leads
• Mike’s SMS shows the team where they stand on their hours so they can see their next bonus tier
• Mike will pay a GS or Tire Tech by the hour
• An example from Mike will offer an hourly bump at 35, 40 and 45 hours
• On a comeback, Mike will pay the tech to make it right.Own up to your mistakes
• A satisfied customer is job security
• Jeff says that the hybrid/hourly plans are a modified flat rateHe wants them simple without profit discussion. That is the owners responsibility
• Need the right staff upfront. Another discussion needed
• Mike says his technician team is family and he needs to generate enough sales action so they get the hours they need
• Jeff has testing levels he sells and it works in his flat-rate systemLV1, LV2 and LV3 of testing he sells
• You need a service advisor not afraid to sell diag time

Talking Points for Hourly

• Joe places ads that specifically state: ‘Are you fed up with flat rate?’
• Joe sees good competitiveness among techs but not when it creates tension
• He likes when everyone works together for a common goal
• Joe like to put a great team together
• Corey started as an hourly tech with an incentive.
• Corey realizes his job is to create work for this teamHe has a tiered system.
• Every shop has a break-even number so he works his tiered system to take that into account
• Joe says the pay plan drives the culture
• Joe tests his team to find compatibility with each other. He knows their tendencies to communicate with each otherHe has a billable hour goal and the team shares the incentive
• His team works together to help each other
• Each shop needs to create a pay plan that works for them
• Consistency is important to Joe’s techs. His program takes the edge away from family finances

Resources:

• A special thanks to Mike Maloney, Joe Hanson, Corey Evaldi, and Jeff Matt for their contribution to the aftermarket.
• Books Page HERE
• Discover the podcast Series HERE.
• Research with Key Words HERE.
• Listen to all Remarkable Results Radio, For The Record and Town Hall Academy episodes.

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This episode is brought to you by Shop-Ware Shop Management. It’s time to run your business at its fullest potential with the industry’s leading technology. Shop-Ware Shop Management will increase your efficiency with lightning-fast workflows, help your staff capture more sales every day, and create very happy customers who promote your business. Shops running Shop-Ware have More Time and generate More Profit—join them! Schedule a free live demonstration and find out how 30 minutes can transform your shop at shop-ware.com

Judy Zimmerman Walter is co-owner with her uncles and the CFO of, this 57-year young service business. Zimmerman’s Automotive, Mechanicsburg, PA is a true blue ‘family enterprise’ with 12 out of a team of 29 team members that are ‘IN THE FAMILY’. Zimmerman’s is a top automotive repair facility along with a quick lube and a used car division.

Among her involvement:  Women’s Board of the Car Care Council, AASP-PA Alliance of Automotive Service Providers, and the Auto Care Association. Listen to Judy’s other episodes HERE.

Jim Paiva is the owner of Elite Auto Repair in RI, which specializes in Euro and Japanese cars. Jim and Carly are also Coached by Cecil. Carly has been around this business since she was born, after graduating from high school and a Community College she decided to go after her passion and that’s automotive and in 10 years she will own the shop and that would be in the direct timeline as Jim retires. Carly is Jim’s right-hand partner in this whole plan.

Jeff Matt from Victory Auto Service in Minneapolis and St. Petersburg, FLA, was featured in episode 48. Jeff owns six locations with one being in Florida. He has over 40 team members and has grown through acquisition. Jeff opened Victory in 1997 as a one-bay shop and has slow steady growth over the years. His growth offers up a great view of multi-shop ownership. Episodes Jeff Matt is featured in HERE.

Key Talking Points:

• Judy Zimmerman  
  • Letting go as a parent- allowing mistakes to happen
  • Observing and helping buying insurance for the company- helping for the next several years
  • Gender issues- turn around and look at yourself, how you present yourself, do you know facts and sure of them, do you present yourself confidently. Sell value in product and yourself
  • Jackie completed Northwood online
  • Jackie implemented “Smash n Bash” event to raise money for the local fire company
  • Have regular hours set for Jackie- accountability

• Jeff Matt
  • Learn as you go- not succession overnight
  • Hear feedback from other staff and observe her decision-making process
  • Being the boss’s child- need to earn respect and pick your battles
  • Lauren travels with Jeff to peer group meetings
  • Relationship with daughter – communication is key
  • Lauren facilitated employee appreciation day for every location
  • Daughter knows her role in company and company knows as well- building respect with each  other
  • Financial stewardship- knows Lauren is managing own personal finances and budgeting, feels confident with her one day taking over the business  

• Jim Paiva
  • 10-year process of succession planning
  • Need continuous guidance no matter how long you’ve been in business
  • Carly attends institute service advisor academy- year-long process, work with numbers and profit margins. Leaning foundation of business first then will take leadership classes later on
  • Carly is the light of business- employees and customers 

Link too episode 401. The daughter’s podcast episodes.
Part 1 of this succession series: HERE.

Resources:

• Thanks to Judy Walter, Jim Paiva and Jeff Matt for their contribution to the aftermarket’s premier podcast.
• Link to the ‘BOOKS‘ page highlighting all books discussed in the podcast library HERE. Leaders are readers.
• Leave me an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one of them.

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NAPA Autotech Training helps your technicians keep their skills sharp and their NAPA Know How up to date. It’s the highest quality technical training that covers almost every vehicle system and every make and model. NAPA Autotech is presented by experienced instructors who are ASE master certified technicians. Even after a class is over, techs can access course information online with ClassPass. So when questions come up later they can get the answers. AutoCare Center owners who have taken advantage of Autotech Training say that well-trained technicians are helping to increase their shop’s repair capability and raise bay productivity. That results in fewer comebacks, more satisfied shop customers, and reduced technician turnover.

Learn more about NAPA AutoCare and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Pictured above, left to right is Jeff Buckley and Jeff Matt at the Podcast studio at AAPEX in November 2017. This is a contrast in social media strategies. Jeff Buckley has his style and methods and Jeff Matt is the polar opposite. Both great companies, both strategies work.

• Jeff Buckley along with this wife Candace Buckley has been providing services to their customers in Midlothian, TX for over 20 years at their service business called ‘My Fathers Shop’. Jeff Buckley believes it is very important to educate the consumer in easy to understand terms. He believes in providing quality repairs using quality parts. Candace supports Jeff with the process that makes his time in the shop productive. He has adopted social media as an important customer engagement tool as well as using Facebook to support local businesses in his town. Episodes that feature Jeff Buckley HERE.
• Jeff Matt from Victory Auto Service in Minneapolis and St. Petersburg, FLA, was featured in episode 48. Jeff owns six locations with one being in Florida. He has over 40 team members and has grown through acquisition. Jeff opened Victory in 1997 as a one-bay shop and has slow steady growth over the years. His growth offers up a great view of multi-shop ownership. Episodes Jeff Matt is featured in HERE.

Talking points:

• The power of social media as a marketing tool.
• Consider engaging with the community you are in as Jeff Buckley does with his town of Midlothian, TX.
• New technology in marketing will help you in educating the consumer.
• Connecting with customers is the power of social media.
• Jeff Matt does not want to be the face of his brand but puts his people out front. There are many ways to put your brand out front if it is not you personally.
• Promote ASE Certifications in social and other people milestones that happen in your business.
• Jeff Buckley will boost posts and spend on Facebook and will use his phone to record a video and do some light editing before he posts.
• Facebook Live is another great option to let your followers know about a unique happening at your shop. Your posts could be a special vehicle, unique repair, celebration, etc.
• Jeff Matt: Video can be a big challenge for many shop owners. Sharing inspirational content that is original is his preferred method. He is always looking for content that people will share. He wants to create interest.
• The barrier to entry is very easy to get started with social media.
• Jeff Matt wants his followers to get to know his team; what makes them tick, what they enjoy and what is going on in their world. He likes to share the personal side of the business.
• What is your passion? Let it show.
• Look out for your networks best interest.
• Jeff Buckley does a lot to educate his customer and followers.
• Jeff Matt drives the personal angle and reflects the culture of his business.
• Jeff Buckley has created a social program for his hometown called ‘Howdy Midlothian’ where he showcases other businesses in the town.
• Jeff Matt has a part-time person who oversees his social media.

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This episode is brought to you by Federal-MogulMotorparts and Garage Gurus. With brands like Moog, Felpro, Wagner Brake, Champion, Sealed Power, FP Diesel and more, they’re the parts techs trust.  For serious technical training and support – online, onsite and on-demand – Garage Gurus is everything you need to know. Find out more at fmmotorparts.com  and fmgaragegurus.com

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Watch the replay below or listen to the audio only podcast when you are traveling, commuting or when you can’t be in front of a screen. The podcast is available on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and of course listen below.

Charity starts at home. Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Initiatives peer discussion.

Here’s what’s in store:

• How Joe, Jeff and Mike’s charitable  efforts provide hope for so many tough situations
• That you must lead with your heart
• That giving, for these entrepreneurs, is what stands out at the end of the day that gives them the most reward
• Compare your efforts, pick up a new idea or start your philanthropic program today.

There is a lot of community support by service professional entrepreneurs in this great industry and I congratulate and commend you for your efforts.  Carm

Guest Bio’s:

Joe Valind

In May 2005 Joe and wife Jessica became the proprietors of the Auto Safety Center in West Bend, Wisconsin. Joe is a 20 year industry veteran that employs 3 technicians has 5 lifts and 9 bays. He specializes in Honda/Acura, Toyota/Lexus but services most makes and models with a focus on tires. Joe Valind is not only an ASE Certified tech but also a certified Service Consultant. Joe’s philanthropy includes support of ‘See Of Hope- crisis pregnancy center’.

Listen to a great interview with Joe on episode 67.

Jeff Matt

Jeff Matt owner and founder of Victory Auto Service & Glass, a family-owned, award-winning auto repair and auto glass business with six locations in Minnesota and Florida. Jeff in business since 1997 in a suburb of Minneapolis has now expanded to six with more than 40 employees.

Jeff knew from the beginning he wanted to use his skills to be a blessing to those in his community by providing free and low-cost repairs to those in need. In 2003, Victory Auto began to partner with Minnesota non-profit Free to Be, Inc.(which was recently re-named Cars For Neighbors) to provide free and discounted auto services to individuals and families suffering from financial hardships in Anoka County. Since then, Victory Auto has donated in kind more than $500,000. Jeff has also donated dozens of cars and thousands of dollars in repairs over the years to individuals in need in his community who were brought to his attention.

In 2011, Jeff received an Eleven Who Care award from local Minnesota TV station KARE 11 for his charitable work with Free to Be. Victory was named a 2014 Top Shop by Motor Age magazine, and they just received the 2015 Minnesota Business Ethics Award.  Catch a very in-depth interview with Jeff Matt in episode 48.

Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson is from Parkway Automotive in Little Rock, Arkansas and been in the industry for 31 years and a business owner for 18. His team includes 6 techs who support eight lifts and 7 bays with a shop foreman two service advisors and an estimator.

Mike is an AMI graduate, an ASE Master Technician. Mike tells all about his great business in episode 52, really worth the listen! This episode is chock full of great take-a-ways including his hiring program called ‘hiring for keeps’. Learn how it made a huge impact on his hiring methods and practice.   Mike works with the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Arkansas. Listen to Mike in his own entrepreneur interview in episode 52.

• Jose Bueso is partner in Dynamic Automotive in the Maryland Washing DC area. Along with partners Dwayne Myers and Lee Foreman they’ve have three locations, been a Motor Age top shop in 2014 is involved with the Auto Care Association, Car Care Professional Network. This partnership team was just recognized with a ‘Head Of The Class’ award from the Auto Care Association Education Committee for companies that continually invest in their employee education and training. Hear Jose and his partners, Dwayne and Lee in episodes 2 – 3 & 4.
• Andy Massoll second-generation owner from Curt’s service in Oak Park, Michigan was featured in episode 29. He and his dad Curt build their 15,000 sq ft dream shop in 2012 and you can hear about all the Green Capabilities of his shop in episode 29. His main location focuses on specialized services such as European, Asian, hybrid and fleet. Andy recently opened his first branch with a partner in a more rural setting. He and his partner Jim were consulting for the business but decided to buy it instead. He is also a member of CCPN and ASA.
• Jeff Matt from Victory Auto Service in Minneapolis and St. Petersburg was featured in episode 48. Jeff owns six locations with one being in Florida. Why would a Minnesotan have a branch in Florida??? (LOL). He has over 40 team members and has grown through acquisition. Jeff opened Victory in 1997 as a one-bay shop and has slow steady growth over the years. His growth offers up a great view of multi-shop ownership.

Meet Jeff Matt owner and founder of Victory Auto Service & Glass, a family-owned, award-winning auto repair and auto glass business with six locations in Minnesota and Florida, is known for its honest, dependable service.

Before opening Victory Auto in 1997, Jeff worked as an automotive technician and dreamed of opening a shop where the customer always felt cared for, never felt taken advantage of, and always received the highest quality service at the best price. Jeff opened the business as a small, one-bay shop in a suburb of Minneapolis and it has now expanded to five metro locations in Minnesota and one location in St. Petersburg, Florida with more than 40 employees.

Jeff knew from the beginning he wanted to use his skills to be a blessing to those in his community by providing free and low-cost repairs to those in need. In 2003, Victory Auto began to partner with Minnesota non-profit Free to Be, Inc.(which was recently re-named Cars For Neighbors) to provide free and discounted auto services to individuals and families suffering from financial hardships in Anoka County. Since then, Victory Auto has donated in kind more than $500,000 to Free to Be. Jeff has also donated dozens of cars and thousands of dollars in repairs over the years to individuals in need in his community who were brought to his attention.

In 2011, Jeff received an Eleven Who Care award from local Minnesota TV station KARE 11 for his charitable work with Free to Be. Victory Auto was also honored with a prestigious Integrity Award in 2010 from the Better Business Bureau. Three of their locations received an Angie’s Super Service Award in 2014 & 2015, they were named a 2014 Top Shop by Motor Age magazine, and they just received the 2015 Minnesota Business Ethics Award. Additionally, Victory Auto has seen an increase in sales of over 40% and has doubled in the last five years from three locations to six.

We cover a lot of ground about being a multi-shop owner, with his 50 plus bays and 20 plus technicians and 13 service advisers. He credits his 20 group and his business coach for having a strong impact on him. He is resolute on his main mission to recruit and develop the right people on the team because it interconnects with his personal drive to create a strong family type culture inside the business as an extension from his teams own home environment.

Victory Auto Service and Glass Web Site