Kirk Richardson is a young and successful entrepreneur. Born into a blue-collar, hard-working family, he was a below-average student in high school and college. At the age of 22, he left school and started his first business. He bought his first three-bay shop at the age of 24. Seven years later he bought his second shop, South Street Auto Care in Rochester, MI.

Richardson really prides himself on his ability to create a family culture within his businesses. The culture is a blend of hard work, accountability, fun, and hi-jinx, which combine to make loyal and dedicated coworkers. Kirk loves business and people in general and will talk for hours about business! Listen to Kirk’s previous episodes HERE.

Key Talking Points:

• A Technician tested positive for Corona Virus and discovered on a Wednesday
• His shop was closed Thursday, Friday and Saturday
• Symptoms can’t taste food or smell (not typical)
• Kirk told everyone he would have been in contact or interacted with him
• He will require a negative test before he comes back to work
• Many of his co-workers were not that concerned with the virus and everyone got a dose of reality
• His shop went to a grinding halt. There were 13 employees involved.
• His first thought was to keep everyone safe
• There was a physiological switch in people that a co-worker got the virus (can’t happen to me)
• One of his first goals was to locate testing centers that could give him a quick turn-around for his team to minimize the days he would be closedHis team went in their own direction which delayed his re-opening
• Find a testing center that can turn results around in 24 – 48 hours if you will ever need it In some cases, it took 4 days to get results
• He had to find a company to sanitize the entire building 
• Customer messaging was also importantEvery customer was understanding 
• Got some test results by Sunday, but not all results were in on Monday, yet he still re-openedSome test results came in Monday 
• The county did call them and ask what he did to remedy the situation
• Kirk is a multi-shop owner. Early on when COVID-19 he created a policy that no-one could work or visit another of his location. He did not want any cross-contamination to minimize exposureHe had a breach in the policy when they transferred loaner cars, and the people from the second shop had to be tested
• One of the techs at the second store refused to get tested. He also said he had Cornona Virus. Be prepared for some of your people who don’t want to be tested and what you will need to do to remedy the situation
• Kirk is using diluted bleach for sanitizing the shop and customer vehicles
• Based on questions and being inquisitive Kirk believes his tech may have gotten COVID-19 from a vehicle he was working on
• As a shop owner Kirk has established rules to protect his people and customers. But he cannot patrol every person every minute of the day.It is important to use this example to remind your people of the important of sanitizing, social distancing and protecting yourself and others
• If it happens to you:Close your business
• Get everyone tested. Know where you are to send your people (predetermined) 
• Sanitize the entire operation (do your research before you have a need)
• Keep your plan to yourself or your manager

Resources:

• Thanks to Kirk Richardson for his contribution to the aftermarket’s premier podcast.
• Link to the ‘BOOKS‘ page highlighting all books discussed in the podcast library HERE. Leaders are readers.
• Love what we do, buy a cup of coffee HERE.

Be socially involved and in touch with the show:

Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email

Listen for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Podchaser and many more. Mobile Listening APP’s HERE

Join the Ecosystem – Subscribe to the INSIDER NEWSLETTER HERE.

Buy Carm a Cup of Coffee 

This episode is brought to you by AAPEX, the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo. AAPEX represents the $740 billion global automotive aftermarket industry and has everything you need to stay ahead of the curve. With 2,500 exhibiting companies, you’ll see the latest products, parts, and technologies for your business. As a result, the event also offers advanced training for shop owners, technicians, warehouse distributors (WDs) and auto parts retailers, as well as networking opportunities to grow your business. AAPEX 2020 will take place Tuesday, Nov. 3 through Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas. Therefore, more than 48,000 targeted buyers are expected to attend, and approximately 162,000 automotive aftermarket professionals. They will be from 135 countries which are projected to be in Las Vegas during AAPEX 2020. For information, visit aapexshow.com

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

Kirk Richardson is a young and successful entrepreneur. Born into a blue-collar, hard-working family, he was a below-average student in high school and college. At the age of 22, he left school and started his first business. He bought his first three-bay shop at the age of 24. Seven years later he bought his second shop, South Street Auto Care in Rochester, MI.

Richardson really prides himself on his ability to create a family culture within his businesses. The culture is a blend of hard work, accountability, fun, and hi-jinx, which combine to make loyal and dedicated coworkers. Kirk loves business and people in general and will talk for hours about business! Listen to Kirk’s previous episodes HERE.

Key Talking Points:

• Striving for greatness and setting bar too high for small 3 bay shop
• Expected employees to have an owner mindset, needed to adjust in order to grow business
• As the owner you need to continue to make moves to stay out of day to day business, components of business is your staff- how do you manage/give incentive/encourage/discipline them based on size of shop
• Leader of business- make sure you are doing what is good for the most amount of people in business, staff entrusts owner to create and maintain a positive work environment
• Adjust insurance packages/life insurance/retirement contribution/IRA to 401K as business grows
• Surround yourself with people that can counteract your weaknesses
• Will you be happier with the existing 800K shop vs 1M shop?

Resources:

• Thanks to Kirk Richardson for his contribution to the aftermarket’s premier podcast.
• 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.

Be socially involved and in touch with the show:

Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email

Join the Ecosystem – Subscribe to the INSIDER NEWSLETTER HERE.

Buy Carm a Cup of Coffee 

Since 1989 TRACS has been the industry’s leading shop management system. And in the last 30 years it’s gotten better and better. Today TRACS Enterprise offers even more of the features AutoCare Center owners want—things like a powerful interactive scheduling calendar, faster and streamlined work flow, plus streamlined parts ordering and purchasing options. And there’s more—Punch-out to Mitchell ProDemand, mobile VIN capture, and multi-shop capabilities. That means you can count on TRACS Enterprise to help drive your success today and well into the future.

Learn more about TRACS Enterprise and the hundreds of other benefits the NAPA family has to offer. Talk with your servicing NAPA store or visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

I want to thank the thousands of listeners who make our purpose meaningful. We do it for you. To the sponsors of the podcasts over the years. THANK YOU.

Guests for the 500th Episode

Amy Mattinat is the owner and manager of Auto Craftsmen in Montpelier, VT. Her shop is an ASE Blue Seal Shop, AAA approved and she is a member of ASA, SBN & WiAC. Along with running her independent repair shop, she is able to combine her three passions: teaching small business owners how to run a successful business, teaching car care and safety to the general public and educating young people about the many career opportunities available in the auto care industry.

Amy was awarded the 2012 Top Female Shop Owner of the Year by the Car Care Council Women’s Board, Honored as a 2014 Professional Woman of the Year by the National Association of Professional Women, Awarded the 2015 U.S. Small Business Administration’s Vermont Women-Owned Business of the Year, Awarded the 2016 AAA Business of the Year in Vermont and served as President of Women in Auto Care 2014 through 2016. Listen to Amy’s previous episodes HERE.

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.

Jerry Kezhaya from The Auto Shop in Plano Texas has been in business since 1981. Plano is a northern suburb of Dallas with a population of 280,000. According to Jerry, it is the top growing county in the US. His 35,000 sq ft shop has 21 lifts with two flats per lift.

Jerry is a business coach and prides himself for getting out of the shop between 80 and 120 days a year to work with clients, attends seminars and enjoys wine. Listen to Jerry’s previous episodes HERE.

Brett Beachler, is Vice President of Beachlers Vehicle Care and Repair, Peoria, IL. Brett has been in the automotive industry for 30+ years and is third generation family. He started in the family business at about age 13 maintaining the business property.

Brett graduated from Bradley University with a bachelor of science in business. He departed the family business to work in the corporate world for four years. His Dad, Terry, asked Brett to re-join the family business. Since that time, Brett has not looked back and has enjoyed almost every minute of his time in the family business. Listen to Brett’s previous episodes HERE.

Kirk Richardson is a young and successful entrepreneur. Born into a blue-collar, hard-working family, he was a below-average student in high school and college. At the age of 22, he left school and started his first business. He bought his first three-bay shop at the age of 24. Seven years later he bought his second shop, South Street Auto Care in Rochester, MI.

Richardson really prides himself on his ability to create a family culture within his businesses. The culture is a blend of hard work, accountability, fun, and hi-jinx, which combine to make loyal and dedicated coworkers. Kirk loves business and people in general and will talk for hours about business! Listen to Kirk’s previous episodes HERE.

Dwayne Myers With Dynamic Automotive, This MSO group was selected top 10 automotive shop in 2014 from Motor Age and has just opened their 4^th shop. Dwayne invests time in the industry with the Auto Care Association and serving on the education committee with CCPN (Car Care Professional Network). Dwayne was recently honored as one of only 17 outstanding individuals that qualified for the prestigious 2017 World Class Technician Award presented by The Auto Care Association and ASE.

Dwayne was on episode 2, 3 and 4 with his partners Jose Bueso and Lee Forman and A Round Table on Technician Training in Episode 59, and on a Supplier Needs Roundtable (118). Listen to episode 222 with Dwyane as we talk about his 2017 World Class Technician honor and more. Listen to Dwyane’s other episodes HERE.

Key Talking points:

What worked well in the last five years:

• Amy MattinatUndercoating. A job given to her tire person and to supplement during the slow times. She uses Corrosion Free Undercoating out of CanadaRe-done every 18 months accounts for retention
• Kirk Richardson100% profit-sharing plan based on the power of the collective team
• One direction, one team  
• He was always wired to be a business person, yet stood at his counter and did everything when he started 15 years ago
• Profit-sharing is the best way to grow technicians
• Judy Zimmerman WalterStarted morning meetings to best understand her team’s needs and to develop and compliment the team
• Jerry KezhayaBeen an absentee owner for sometime
• You have to inspect what we expect
• As owners, we get what we earn
• Dwayne MyersGoal Map ReviewsWhere do our people want to be? Their Goals for the next 3, 4 and 5 years
• This has changed their company more in the last five years than anything they did
• Stop looking at your people leaving and think about how they will stay with you
• Invest in your people while you have them
• Brett BeachlerAdvisor pay system he created
• He measures many KPIs and they get a bonus production
• He is legal for wage and hour by using Mike Davidson’s spreadsheet as a guide. See this episode RR 4466 https://remarkableresults.biz/e466/
• Owners get paid on net profitability so he has a similar plan for his people
• He wants to take more time off but he has to have better systems and procedures
• His program works on a percentage of sales but would like to convert to a gross margin incentive if he can get the right GP from his SMS

What did not work for me and what I learned:

• AmyShe almost sold her business and backed out. She felt her business was going to become a ‘McDonalds’
• She wants a win-win for staff and customers when she does
• She realized she has a five-year window ahead of her
• Kirk RichardsonHe was always a business person but sucked at it early on
• Developing leadership, grooming, and choosing is painfulYou have to be worth following yourself
• It is a perpetual process, it never ends
• Understand that there is always lapses in judgment that you learn from
• Being a leader can be a lonely place
• Most discussions on this episode failure issues were mostly the people of the soft side of our business
• Judy Zimmerman WalterTo lead her team she wants her people to know that:Judy worked in the quick lube and did a lot of light-duty work at the shop
• She assumes that here people know that she has paid her dues. She has been there and done that
• Dwayne MyersEarly in his career, he went into protection mode and he held onto it for too long
• They had not grown in 10 years and he and his partners were holding their team back. It was fear and stubbornness
• He realized that grow was what he needed to survive
• Brett BeachlerHe regrets his priorities as it relates to supporting his wife or the business when she had a life-changing accident
• He put the business ahead of his wife and that was a critical mistake
• Jerry KezhayaDid not fire fast enough
• Did not listen to his gut or intuition
• He got stuck in the buzz that there is no one to hire
• He needs to think of his business like a sports team who is working to get to the Superbowl. Always need to evaluate the talent to take you there

Resources:

• Thanks to Amy Mattinat, Judy Zimmerman Walter, Jerry Kezhaya, Brett Beachler, Kirk Richardson, and Dwyane Myers 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.
• The Queen’s Code by Alison A. Armstrong
• Leave me an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one of them.
• Love what we do, buy a cup of coffee HERE.

Be socially involved and in touch with the show:

Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email

Listen for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Podchaser and many more. Mobile Listening APP’s HERE

Join the Ecosystem – Subscribe to the INSIDER NEWSLETTER HERE.

Buy Carm a Cup of Coffee 

This episode is brought to you by AAPEX, the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo. AAPEX represents the $740 billion global automotive aftermarket industry and has everything you need to stay ahead of the curve. With 2,500 exhibiting companies, you’ll see the latest products, parts, and technologies for your business. As a result, the event also offers advanced training for shop owners, technicians, warehouse distributors (WDs) and auto parts retailers, as well as networking opportunities to grow your business. AAPEX 2020 will take place Tuesday, Nov. 3 through Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas. Therefore, more than 48,000 targeted buyers are expected to attend, and approximately 162,000 automotive aftermarket professionals. They will be from 135 countries which are projected to be in Las Vegas during AAPEX 2020. For information, visit aapexshow.com

Kirk Richardson is a young and successful entrepreneur. Born into a blue-collar, hard-working family, he was a below-average student in high school and college. At the age of 22, he left school and started his first business. He bought his first three-bay shop at the age of 24. Seven years later he bought his second shop, South Street Auto Care in Rochester, MI.

Richardson really prides himself on his ability to create a family culture within his businesses. The culture is a blend of hard work, accountability, fun, and hi-jinx, which combine to make loyal and dedicated coworkers. Kirk loves business and people in general and will talk for hours about business! Listen to Kirk’s previous episodes HERE.

Jim Hayes is originally from North Carolina, but spent time in various places growing up and has lived in the Monterey Bay area for the past 23 years. He grew up playing sports and spending as much time as possible in the outdoors; hunting and camping are among his favorite pastimes. After high school, Jim joined the United States Army where he served with elements of the Intelligence and Special Forces communities.

After completing his goals in the Army, he moved to the Monterey Peninsula where he turned his focus toward becoming a golf professional. As a member of the PGA, Jim held the title of Manager of Instruction for the Pebble Beach Golf Academy, where he taught golf to individuals from around the world. True to form, after achieving what he set out to accomplish in the world of golf, Jim made a transition to the automotive industry where he currently serves as General Manager of Pacific Motor Service.

His background keeps him dedicated to the building and development of the most important asset any company has: its team. With a strong desire to maximize the potential of those around him, Jim has created a leadership and personal development course that is attended on a volunteer basis by 90% of the company’s staff. Jim’s goal for the business is to optimize performance and maximize efficient profitability by using the fundamentals of business finance, strategic planning and by creating a culture built on a foundation of principle-centered leadership. Check out Jim’s other episode HERE!

Dan Taylor has nearly 35 years of executive management, consulting and coaching, business development and entrepreneurial experience.

Mr. Taylor has spent the majority of the last 18 years as a Business Consultant and Coach – Helping business owners and managers evaluate their current situation and future plans. Implementing comprehensive business plans through business diagnostics, education, management review, and strategic analysis all focused on results and sustainability.

Mr. Taylor has worked across a wide spectrum of industries from healthcare, manufacturing, retail services, data collection, sports equipment to educational conferences and recruiting services. One area of concentration has been in the automotive repair industry with hundreds of independent repair stores, specialty shops and automotive dealerships. Most notably he worked for a management company that served 13 states serving this group with shop equipment, management and administrative tools. Additionally, he spent time in fleet services and operations to municipalities, counties, utilities, school districts and larger independent industrial fleets.

Mr. Taylor earned a Baccalaureate in Business Administration and Marketing with a minor in Economics from the University of Northern Colorado. He also holds certifications as a Business Coach, Business Analyst, Six Sigma Green Belt, Human Resources, Time Management and Life Coach.

Dan serves on his neighborhood HOA board and has held multiple board positions with the Porsche Club of America. His passion is road course racing with his Big Mission Motorsports teammates raising funds for the Cancer Foundation, Semper Fi Fund and Salvation Army. He is married and has a son who is a civil engineer and a daughter-in-law who is a teacher. Check out Dan’s other episode HERE!

Key Talking Points:

• The starting point is always going to be defining and understanding your own culture.
  • Company Culture includes:
  • The personality of the company (usually follows the owner of the company (their personality)
  • The environment of the company (examples: clean, organized, care-free, chaos, energy level, etc.)
  • Company Mission Statement – what do we come to work every day to do? The why?
  • Guiding values/principles of the company – respect, integrity, teamwork, communications, learning, etc. – but maybe more important than the word – WHAT does that mean, what does that look like within the organization?
• Interviewing techniques
  • Avoid the mistakes of interviewing
    1. You talk less, they talk more
    2. Set the tone with the candidate, this is a ‘conversation’
• Purpose/Process/Payoff (what’s in it for them)

• The questions to ask during an interview (‘Conversation’)
  Here are some great questions to get things rolling in the conversation, you’ll have additional questions that just come to mind as you go along:
  • If you had a perfect (as close to perfect) environment for work, what would that look like? Communication, Culture, Atmosphere, Types of work, etc. – Drill down on answers, tell me more…. especially if they have worked at a bunch of places, what did you like best, what was a negative about each place?
  • What part of this job do you take the most pride in?
  • How do you like to receive constructive criticism?
  • Describe a situation where you worked with someone you did not like or respect. How did you cope with the relationship?
  • Describe what the terms “integrity” and “ethics” mean to you. Tell me about a time when your integrity or ethics were challenged. What did you do?
  • What are the characteristics exhibited by the best boss you have ever had – or shih that you have had?
  • Describe the leadership style that will bring out the best work and effort from you?
  • What are the positive aspects of your current job and work environment? Or conversely what were the negative aspects of previous work environments that you’d just as soon leave behind?
• Questioning tactics
  • Ask questions that produce anecdotal responses
    • Tell me about a time or experience when…
  • Ask values-based questions as follow up for responses
    • Don’t be afraid to drill down
  • Outlier proclamations
    • Make it very clear that the culture is not typical.
      • We are weirdos; we are different from the others; it is our goal to set ourselves apart from the competition from a cultural perspective.
      • “…we made you a part of this team so you could become more like us, not so we can become more like you.” -Lou Holtz
    • Discuss values
    • Discuss standards
    • Discuss culture
  • Give them every opportunity to disqualify us as an employer and themselves as a viable teammate.
  • Write your initial interview questions around your core values (yes write your own questions). Kirk uses very few questions our interviewees have ever received in the past.
    • If you use canned questions they are prepared for you will get bullshit canned answers that they learned at tech school 15 years ago.
  • Encourage questions at the beginning of the interview.
  • Always ask a question on a question. When an interviewee asks a question answer the question but also ask “why do you ask”.
  • Interviews should look something like what it is going to look like working for your company.
  • Structure the flow of the questions to make the interviewee comfortable. The more comfortable they are the more they will show what they really are.
    • Use personal interest questions to make the interviewee comfortable. If you are talking about their favorite movie, or music they like, or television shows they watch the interviewee can get comfortable and will be willing to open up.
  • The first interview is only cultural fit questions. Do not get into technical questions. I do not want to be dazzled with an interviewee’s skills, I want to be dazzled with “I want to spend 45 hours a week with this person” or “this person actually gives a shit about other humans”.
    • This really drives home the idea that culture matters in your business
  • Tailor your stories to the candidate. If it is a young tech talk about the development of other young techs. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO PUT A TECH IN THE INTERVIEW WITH YOU AND LET THE INTERVIEWEE ASK ALL THE QUESTIONS THEY WANT YOUR STAFF!

Kirk Richardson Interview Questions

Please understand the context of the interview before using this verbatim. These can serve as a guide for a good cultural fit.

1. What do you know about us?
   1. What do you want to know about us?
2. What kind of work schedule do you like?
3. Tell me about a leader/manager you admire? Why? We want someone you personally know.
4. Do you consider yourself to be lucky? Unlucky? Fortunate?
5. Is having an ego good or bad? (Egoless Teamwork)
6. Does your ego get in the way of teamwork?
7. Can you define the word empathy? (People Business)
   1. How does this aid you in doing your job well?
8. Do you have “fun” with people? Example? (People Business)
9. Will you clean the toilet if we needed you to? (Egoless Teamwork)
10. Define integrity? (Right Thing)
    1. When have you failed to show integrity?
11. Have you ever been convicted of a crime? Have you ever committed a crime?
12. Have you ever been on a team? (Egoless Teamwork)
    1. What do you like about being on a team?
    2. What do you dislike about being on a team?
13. What makes you happiest and most effective when working with others?
    1. How do you contribute to that? (Egoless Teamwork)
    2. What pisses you off about working with others?
14. What’s the last book you read?
15. What is the last thing you geeked out on? (Being Great)
    1. Do you ever geek out on things associated with our industry?
16. How hard is it to be a service advisor/tech? (Being Great)
    1. How do you aid the SA/tech in being great at their job?
17. What television/motion picture shows do you watch?
18. What kind of music do you listen to?
19. What is your favorite movie?
20. What are your hobbies?
21. What was your biggest challenge in childhood? (People Business)
22. Tell us about a time you wanted something so badly nothing would stop you? What obstacles did you overcome? (Results)
23. What do you do when you have nothing to do? (Results) We want them to say they are a busy body or fix shit around the shop.
24. How would you rate your work ethic on the 1-5 scale? 1 is I’m a lazy bum, 5 is I’m the hardest worker I have ever been around. (Results) They always say 4 and follow up with “you watch other people work harder than you? You’re ok with that?”
25. How do you encourage your coworkers? (People Business)
26. What role does urgency play in our business? (People Business)
27. How is this interview going?
28. Any questions for us?

Resources:

• A special thanks to Kirk Richardson, Jim Hayes,  and Dan Taylor for their contribution to the aftermarket.
• Books Page HERE
• Leave me an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one of them.

Kirk Richardson is a young and successful entrepreneur. Born into a blue-collar, hard-working family, he was a below average student in high school and college. At the age of 22, he left school and started his first business. He bought his first three bay shop at the age of 24. Seven years later he bought his second shop, South Street Auto Care in Rochester, MI.

Richardson really prides himself on his ability to create a family culture within his businesses. The culture is a blend of hard work, accountability, fun, and hi-jinx, which combine to make loyal and dedicated coworkers. Kirk loves business and people in general and will talk for hours about business! Listen to Kirk’s previous episodes HERE.

Key Talking Points:

• Flat rate incentivizes them to be concerned about #1
  • Responsibilities of life and at home is their #1 concern
  • Their co-workers or the customers do not have an important position in this hierarchy
  • It creates an island and not a co-worker atmosphere.
• He believes flat-rate is flawed.
• A contributing factor in the shortage of technicians in our pay plan and may prohibit some from joining our industry.
• When you need your senior people, who are on flat-rate, to help the young person groom and grow in your business, their tendency to help and not book enough hours for the week prevents mentoring and grooming fail.
• Kirk has 12 people involved in the production side of his business and he shares gross profit instead of paying a flat rate pay program.
  • They have one collective goal.

• A special thanks to Kirk Richardson for sharing his passion – For The Record.
• Books mentioned in the content library HERE
• Leave me an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one of them.
• Email Carm HERE.

Be socially involved and in touch with the show:
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This episode is brought to you by FlexCheck Auto Digital Vehicle Inspection Software.

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Today’s vehicle owners want to receive their vehicles health status electronically, this makes FlexCheck Auto the most transparent way to do sell auto repair. Try it for free for 30 days! Go to FlexCheckAuto.com to learn more.

Download the Remarkable Results Radio listening APP for your smart device:

This episode is brought to you by Jasper Engines & Transmissions. When a car’s engine or transmission fails, it’s not the end of the road. A remanufactured drivetrain product from Jasper Engines & Transmissions will give your car a new lease on life. JASPER has over 2000 Associates, three manufacturing facilities, two distribution centers and 45 branch offices across the country. They’re all working to produce, transport and deliver the perfect product. That’s what they do best… keep customers happy. Visit jasperengines.com

Be socially involved and in touch with the show:
Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email

This episode is brought to you by Jasper Engines & Transmissions. When a car’s engine or transmission fails, it’s not the end of the road. A remanufactured drivetrain product from Jasper Engines & Transmissions will give your car a new lease on life. JASPER has over 2000 Associates, three manufacturing facilities, two distribution centers and 45 branch offices across the country. They’re all working to produce, transport and deliver the perfect product. That’s what they do best… keep customers happy. Visit jasperengines.com

Kirk Richardson is a young and successful entrepreneur. Born into a blue-collar, hard working family, he was a below average student in high school and college. At the age of 22, he left school and started his first business. He bought his first three bay shop at the age of 24. Seven years later he bought his second shop, South Street Auto Care in Rochester, MI. Today, at age 34, Kirk is a remarkably successful business owner.

Richardson really prides himself on his ability to create a family culture within his businesses. The culture is a blend of hard work, accountability, fun, and hi-jinx, which combine to make loyal and dedicated coworkers. Kirk loves business and people in general and will talk for hours about business!

Episode talking points:

• The start of him re-building his business came from strategic planning on his ‘Starbuck Dates’ with his future wife.
• He created a solid foundation with a strong culture, processes, pay plans.
• He holds a core culture review with everyone in the company to modify and strengthen behavior.
• They don’t pay flat rate or hourly. Entire team is paid on a percent of gross margin.
• He shares his pay plan as a % of GP
• There is a work distribution system that gets the maximum value out of every technician.
• Hired a local consultant to kick ideas with but to hold him accountable. That is when he started his strategic plan. Plan is reviewed with managers and leader techs
• Kirk’s team also reviews him and he was told to stop talking to customers.
• Scrolls his culture and strategic plan on a TV in the employee break room.

South Street Auto Care Website

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This episode is brought to you by Federal-Mogul Motorparts 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