The Limitless Leadership Podcast

Ep 158: Stop Managing. Start Multiplying Leaders. | Shawn Gilfillan

In this episode, Shawn Gilfillan, multi-shop owner from New Jersey, joins the podcast live at the Tektonic 2026 conference. Shawn reflects on how personal growth and self-awareness transformed his leadership approach, emphasizing the critical role of mindset in building strong teams. He also shares practical strategies for developing leaders within an organization, including the use of DISC profiles for improved communication and the importance of creating easy, repeatable wins to keep teams motivated. Stop wasting your marketing dollars and connect with Shop Marketing pros at https://www.shopmarketingpros.com.  Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence.  Atlantic Automotive is a faith-based, family-owned coalition that partners with, invests in, and grows exceptional auto repair shops across the U.S. by providing technology, capital, and operational support — whether owners want to scale or transition their legacy. If you're interested in partnering, go to https://atlanticautomotivegroup.com/  [https://atlanticautomotivegroup.com/] and fill out the "Start a Conversation" form. Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Shawn Gilfillan and his passion for people development 01:27 – The turning point: Self-awareness and the power of mindset 03:16 – Leading through failure: Owning mistakes and shifting your approach 08:36 – Creating contagious energy: Leading by example and inspiring your team 12:52 – Leadership breakthrough: Empowering others and celebrating their wins 17:44 – DISC Profiles: Unlocking better communication and team dynamics 20:29 – What is true leadership? Creating leaders stronger than yourself 26:54 – Advice to your younger self (and every leader): Rewriting the stories that hold you back 31:11 – Best mentor advice: Be wanted, not needed—crafting a sustainable business 33:26 – Final reflections: Breaking free from frustration and creating lasting impact   I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results. For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co [https://www.limitlessleadership.co].

Ep 157: Great Culture Doesn't Happen by Accident with Sam Freeman and Amber Wright

Amber Wright is the VP of Business Development at Tekmetric, and Sam Freeman is the Partnership Manager at Promotive. Today, Josh and Bret talk with the ladies about the role of culture in building high-performing teams, the ongoing challenges and importance of recruiting top talent in the automotive industry, and the need for leaders to embrace growth by stepping into discomfort and letting go of control. Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com.  Stop wasting your marketing dollars and connect with Shop Marketing pros at https://www.shopmarketingpros.com.  Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence.  Visit Golden Hour Garage at https://www.goldenhourgarage.com to schedule a discovery call - & Own Your Golden Hour.  Timestamps: 00:10 – Meet Amber Wright & Sam Freeman 02:12 – Growing Teams, Growing Responsibilities: Leadership at Scale 04:08 – Tackling the Hiring Struggle and Never-Ending Fires 07:11 – How Company Culture Drives Success 13:08 – Most Challenging, Most Rewarding Roles: Embracing the Suck 17:43 – Steps of Faith Over Leaps: Leading Through Fear and Uncertainty 22:18 – Setting Expectations and Holding the Line on Team Standards 28:36 – Why Vendor Relationships Matter at Trade Shows 34:09 – Building an Abundant Community in Automotive 38:08 – Where to Find Tekmetric & Promotive   I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results. For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co [https://www.limitlessleadership.co].

Ep 156: Patrick Egan’s Secrets to Leading and Marketing in Auto Repair

In this episode, Patrick Egan, founder of Spark Interactive, shares his journey from leading marketing for major automotive software companies to pioneering digital vehicle inspections (DVI) and storytelling-driven marketing. Patrick emphasizes the power of authenticity in business storytelling, highlighting how real, unscripted stories from owners, teams, and customers build connection and trust. He also discusses the importance of culture and leadership by example, urging shop owners to listen to their teams and showcase what truly sets them apart in a competitive industry. Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co [https://www.limitlessleadership.co/] to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking. Visit https://www.tekmetric.com [https://www.tekmetric.com/] to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence. Stop wasting your marketing dollars and connect with Shop Marketing pros at https://www.shopmarketingpros.com. Atlantic Automotive is a faith-based, family-owned coalition that partners with, invests in, and grows exceptional auto repair shops across the U.S. by providing technology, capital, and operational support — whether owners want to scale or transition their legacy. If you're interested in partnering, go to https://atlanticautomotivegroup.com/  [https://atlanticautomotivegroup.com/] and fill out the "Start a Conversation" form. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Meet Patrick Egan of Spark Interactive 01:29 – The Birth of Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI) 05:57 – Why Most Shops Struggle to Share Their Story 07:49 – What Makes a Story Truly Authentic 11:32 – Beyond the Owner: Highlighting Team & Customers 13:42 – Customer Stories that Build Loyalty 20:05 – Leadership in Action: Leading by Example 26:26 – Standing Out in a Crowded Market 30:06 – Recruiting and Retaining Top Techs through Culture 35:30 – The Best Advice from a Mentor 39:01 – Closing Words: Tell Your Own Story   I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results. For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co [https://www.limitlessleadership.co].

Ep 155: How to Build an Engaged, Award-Winning Team with Jackie Hoegger

In this episode, Josh and Bret are joined by Jackie Hoegger, CEO of Hoegger Communications, for an inspiring conversation on leadership and organizational culture. Bret emphasizes the importance of authentic relationships over transactions, sharing how her team treats clients like family and the difference this approach makes. She dives into the significance of emotional discipline and creating an environment where employees feel valued, heard, and recognized. Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com [https://www.gopromotive.com/]. Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co [https://www.limitlessleadership.co/] to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking. Visit https://www.tekmetric.com [https://www.tekmetric.com/] to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence. Optimize Labor. Unlock Capacity. For less than $5 a day per technician, improve absorption rate, increase ELR, and give your techs the career pathway that keeps them engaged and in the bay. Book a demo today!  https://meetings.hubspot.com/jen-grimes/demo-meeting?utm_campaign=41778739-Limitless+Leadership&utm_source=Limited+Leadership&utm_medium=LL+referral&uuid=57616c84-28ec-48d0-9a44-7b64074e5d8c [https://meetings.hubspot.com/jen-grimes/demo-meeting?utm_campaign=41778739-Limitless+Leadership&utm_source=Limited+Leadership&utm_medium=LL+referral&uuid=57616c84-28ec-48d0-9a44-7b64074e5d8c] Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Jackie Hoegger 01:13 – From Retail to CEO 05:47 – Making Clients Family & Leading with Care 09:17 – The Power of Boundaries and Recharging as a Leader 12:54 – Leadership Defined: Emotional Discipline & Empathy 18:32 – Staff Engagement: Daily Check-Ins, Shoutouts & Recognition 24:20 – Rookie Mindset: How Staying Fresh Energizes Your Team 26:05 – Award-Winning Work & Team Achievements 30:50 – Loving What You Do: The Secret to Avoiding Burnout 33:17 – Hiring Wisely: Lessons in Patience & Team Involvement 35:45 – The Best Advice: Kindness, Ego, and Leadership Legacy 39:40 – The Role of Faith, Fear, and Moving Forward 40:40 – Closing & Invitation to Connect   I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results. For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co [https://www.limitlessleadership.co].

Ep 154: Turn Your Tragedy Into Limitless Leadership with JeanAnn SaintGrace

In this episode, Josh welcomes JeanAnn Saint Grace, coach with Autofix Auto Shop Coaching and host of Shop Talk Her Way. JeanAnn shares her powerful journey through personal tragedy and business ownership, emphasizing the importance of resilience and finding purpose in the face of adversity. The conversation highlights strategies for effective leadership, including authentic recognition of team members and setting healthy boundaries for self-care. Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com. Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence. Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co [https://www.limitlessleadership.co/] to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking. Timestamps: 00:00 Balancing personal life and business 06:39 Starting the family business 07:48 Finding our niche and challenges 13:59 Sharing experiences for success 16:58 Shouting out Jeff Compton 20:10 Identifying and addressing business challenges 23:38 Leadership philosophy and employee engagement 25:17 Building a positivity bank 30:11 Inspiring growth and impact 32:28 Discussing self-care and prioritizing yourself 36:42 Rethinking traditional work hours 41:47 Supporting employees during personal challenges 42:47 Importance of employee recognition 45:59 Understanding shop operations and DVIs   I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results. For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co [https://www.limitlessleadership.co].