Ep 107 - Rich Falco | The ADAS Mistake That Could Cost You Everything

Ep 107 - Rich Falco | The ADAS Mistake That Could Cost You Everything

Keep shop management, payments, marketing (all the things) all in one place with Tekmetric. It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Click HERE [https://auto.tekmetric.com/4iOySkk] Turnkey Marketing has made my life SOOO much simpler, AND they've helped keep the phone ringing. Do you need these two things too? Learn more HERE [https://www.turnkeyautomarketing.com/] When I used the maintenance tool for the fist time with Detect Auto, my mind was blown. My advisors had the same reaction - and then SO MUCH MORE TIME. Learn more about Detect Auto and book a free demo now! [https://www.detectauto.com/] Elite Worldwide's Ignite 2027 is coming up in February and NOW is the time to sign up. It's happening in Vegas February 4-6 and it will be the best 3 days of your shops year when you attend. Learn now HERE [https://eliteworldwide.regfox.com/ignite-by-elite-2027] In this episode, Mike Allen welcomes Rich Falco to talk about the challenges and stories behind running a shop in today’s changing automotive landscape. They focus heavily on why shop owners need to invest in technician training and the difficulties many shops face bridging the gap between what techs want to learn and what the industry demands. A key theme that emerged was the growing impact of ADAS calibrations, the risk of improper repairs, and the increasing need for specialized equipment and procedures. Timestamps: 00:00 Scope Drama: Impressive Diagnostics or Just for the ‘Gram? 01:05 Poker Nights & Shop Camaraderie 02:58 CTI Training Center – Tech Paradise 04:44 Bikers, Miatas & Life After Kids 05:11 Running a Mobile Calibration Business 06:29 Body Shop Calibrations: Bent Brackets & Bad Installs 07:05 Small Shops vs. Chains: Who Cuts Corners? 08:00 Essential Tools for Mobile Programming & Diagnostics 09:11 How Much Does a Well-Equipped Van REALLY Cost? 10:49 Why Shops Should Avoid “Hero” Jobs on Exotic Cars 13:15 Overconfident Techs (And When Ego Bites Back) 14:18 CTI’s Latest: Technician Evaluation & Skills Platform 16:17 Closing the Gap: Tech Training You Want Vs. Need 19:22 Best Training Tools: Online vs. In-Person 21:02 Shop Owners Bringing In-Depth Training to Their Doorstep 23:53 Should You Build Up Domestic Programming Skills? 24:34 Playground for Technicians: Touring the Research Center 25:07 Autel vs. PicoScope Throwdown 26:44 Shops Chasing “Hero Work” vs. Profitable Bread & Butter 28:18 Building Technician Career Paths—Real Tools for Real Growth 30:21 The Real Deal: What Techs Actually Want in Shops 32:42 Shop Owner Secrets: Training, Recruiting & Retention 34:44 Why the Best Techs Invest In Their Own Training 35:37 Networking & Recruiting at Industry Events 37:17 Rookie Shop Owners Who Get It Right (And Bring Cocktails) 41:47 Short-Form Training – The Secret Techs Actually Use 42:39 Why Boring Training Videos Kill Your Shop Culture 44:42 Not Reading the Service Info? Big Mistake 45:09 ADAS Calibrations, Liability, and Lawsuit Risks 47:24 Will Self-Driving Tech Change Everything? 52:45 Should We Fear (or Welcome) Our Robot Car Overlords? 54:05 Endgame: Cards, Cocktails & Hospitality at the Next Expo

Ep 106 - Mike Allen, Bryan Pollock, & Braxton Critcher | The Repair Industry is Like a Bucket of Crabs

Tekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HERE [https://auto.tekmetric.com/4iOySkk] My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERE [https://www.turnkeyautomarketing.com/] Make your techs happier with Detect Auto. They'll stop getting "check noise" or "check vibration" from advisors with the customer concern tool. It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Book a demo HERE [https://www.detectauto.com/] Send your service advisor to hands down the BEST service advisor training in the industry (even other coaching companies agree). It's Elite Worldwide's Masters Program. The next one is happening in Dallas Texas, September 10-12. Learn more HERE [https://eliteworldwide.com/event/masters-service-advisor-training-program-3/] This one was a long time coming. Today, Mike, Bryan and Braxton dig into some of the wildest and most misguided comments from the Confessions of a Shop Owner Facebook page recently. They tackle the notorious “$358k technician” story, breaking down why so many techs can’t do the math—or just don’t want to believe the numbers. You'll have a lot of fun hearing what some people in the industry have to say about some of the hot button issues...or really their lack of understanding. Timstamps: 00:00 Techs in the comment section: “Nobody makes that much!” The $350K technician saga 02:31 Are you watching the podcast, or just the reels? Context, context, context! 05:07 Reggie’s story: Would you leave for a $1/hr raise? Why context gets lost online 07:12 Diagnostic skills, cognitive leaps, and why some techs will never make big money 10:09 Fairfax, VA: High rent, high output, high pay – breaking down the math 11:19 “Crabs in a bucket” and raging over others’ success 13:11 Who are the real 1%ers in the shop world? Defining success in auto repair 15:03 The service advisor breakdown: Where does all the time go? 16:09 Rage-baiting with advisor accountability, tracking every minute in the shop 18:29 Punch cards, bathroom codes, and memories of dealership micromanagement 20:01 How hard is it, really, to do a 10-minute write-up? 21:23 Mediocre service advisor confessions (& Braxton’s epic shade) 22:25 Do your employees secretly listen to your podcast? 23:45 The all-star “A Tech” myth: Can anyone really “do everything”? 25:11 Ego, memory, and those wild open forum stories 26:26 Are you really a unicorn tech, or did you just burn a car down? 28:00 Training vs. tech evolution: Has the industry outpaced technician effort? 29:21 After hours learning: What the top techs are really doing 30:26 Commenters vs. reality: Reading comprehension fails (and laughs) 33:02 “Never lost to a car” – the world’s biggest shop lie 35:01 Toolbox wars and the rolling rig debate: Weight, wheels & wild finance 42:02 Remote diagnostics, shop culture, and the power of process 49:00 Why context is everything: Dealerships, warranty companies & internet assumptions 52:28 If you’re mad at a reel, maybe just listen to the episode (and visit our sponsors)

Ep 105 - Zeb Beard | Your Shop Doesn't Need More Techs

Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE [https://auto.tekmetric.com/4iOySkk] Turnkey Marketing [https://www.turnkeyautomarketing.com/] takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off my plate. And gives it to someone who is. Click HERE [https://www.turnkeyautomarketing.com/] for more. Send your service advisor to hands down the BEST service advisor training in the industry (even other coaching companies agree). It's Elite Worldwide's Masters Program. The next one is happening in Dallas Texas, September 10-12. Learn more HERE [https://eliteworldwide.com/event/masters-service-advisor-training-program-3/] When I used the maintenance tool for the fist time with Detect Auto, my mind was blown. My advisors had the same reaction - and then SO MUCH MORE TIME. Learn more about Detect Auto and book a free demo now! [https://www.detectauto.com/] In this episode, Bryan Pollock sits down for a no-holds-barred conversation on shop ownership, team culture, and social media with Zeb Beard. Zeb shares why he's big on visualizing goals—and how that mindset helped him score a brand-new facility. They dive into why having dedicated roles, like a full-time DVI specialist, can massively boost shop efficiency (and profit). Plus, Bryan and Zeb talk about why they're not afraid to stir the pot with the trolls on social media, and how “playing grab ass” at the shop stalls progress. Timestamps: 00:00 Why “100% production” is for amateurs 01:18 Why techs need to get off Google and show initiative 03:40 The hiring hack: leave info out and see who can problem-solve 06:00 Raising independent kids—now considered “dangerous”?! 08:26 Can’t = Motivation: Zeb's reverse psychology for success 10:02 Visualizing ridiculous goals (and how it landed a new shop) 12:13 Social media, comedy, and the birth of the viral “road report” 14:11 From slow shop to slammed: the power of relatable content 16:11 Why automotive posts attract trolls—and why Brian loves ‘em 19:03 Haters gonna hate, but the right customers love the realness 20:53 Stop showing brake jobs, start showing personality 25:35 Growth mode vs “growing into your skin” after scaling up 27:47 The struggle to find talent in rural America 30:17 Choosing city vs small town for shop location 32:41 Surviving a soft market and approval rate dips 35:05 Organic marketing: how the “road report” really moved the needle 37:00 Tracking the 10-year cycles in auto repair shop business 41:58 Boundary setting: solving the “grumpy shop owner” syndrome 43:53 Introducing William, the DVI wizard: why every shop needs one 48:04 How a DVI specialist and cleanup guy can outpace 3 extra techs 54:15 Unlocking ultimate tech efficiency with multiple bays per tech 59:18 Real math: How more bays explode your bottom line 01:00:47 Firing low producers—why your shop might actually run better

Ep 104 - Jordan Mosely | The Truth About Scaling an Auto Repair Business

Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE [https://auto.tekmetric.com/4iOySkk] If you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE [https://www.turnkeyautomarketing.com/] for more on Turnkey Marketing. Send your service advisor to hands down the BEST service advisor training in the industry (even other coaching companies agree). It's Elite Worldwide's Masters Program. The next one is happening in Dallas Texas, September 10-12. Learn more HERE [https://eliteworldwide.com/event/masters-service-advisor-training-program-3/] When I used the maintenance tool for the fist time with Detect Auto, my mind was blown. My advisors had the same reaction - and then SO MUCH MORE TIME. Learn more about Detect Auto and book a free demo now! [https://www.detectauto.com/] In this episode, Mike Allen sits down with Jordan Mosely to talk about growth, technology, and the realities of running a multi-location business. Jordan shares how sticking to a proven playbook has helped him scale his quick lube and hybrid locations, and explains why obsessing over small cost details—like labor and materials—makes a huge impact on the bottom line. The conversation also dives into the pain (and promise) of current AI and software integrations, when Mike and Jordan both agree that the right technology is important, but execution, adaptation, and focusing on the basics are what truly drive success. Timestamps: 00:00 Covered wagons and old-school shop software 02:14 What really goes down at shop events and happy hours 03:15 Playbooks and the secret to sticking with a process 04:14 The quick lube model vs. full-service auto repair 05:48 Learning from industry “gurus” and finding what works 06:38 Car wash business models and subscription secrets 08:09 Breaking down car wash economics and margins 09:26 Pennies make the profit: expense structure and labor 10:22 Why every phone call counts—and how much fumbled calls really cost 12:04 AI cameras, call reviews, and upgrading shop tech 12:41 Why onboarding new AI tools is painful (but worth it) 14:00 Using Rilla, custom AI, and making tech work for your team 16:28 Are unified shop platforms possible—or is it always 19 subscriptions? 18:42 The challenges of double-entry and why Tekmetric stands out 20:54 Tectonic event review: what a professional trade show looks like 22:24 Fixing cars vs. trying to code your own AI: why you should pick a lane 24:00 Confessions about chaos, change—and the need for therapy 26:14 Dealing with online haters in the auto industry 27:16 Remote and virtual advisors: the future, or a flop? 30:07 The “sales hammer” model and selling from afar 31:49 What happens when you try to run a fully remote shop 32:35 Why execution is everything for new shop models 34:42 20 groups, private equity, and the independent shop owner line 36:44 Why big shop owners show up at trade shows 38:14 Confession time: Subaru oil change disasters and red flags 39:25 High turnover in quick lube—onboarding and training struggles 40:05 Why you need to launch that training, even if it’s not perfect 41:57 What’s next: acquiring more stores, riding the oil price wave, and 1% daily improvement

Ep 103 - Coaching Call #18 | The BIGGEST Mistake Shop Owners Make

Keep shop management, payments, marketing (all the things) all in one place with Tekmetric. It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Click HERE [https://auto.tekmetric.com/4iOySkk] Turnkey Marketing has made my life SOOO much simpler, AND they've helped keep the phone ringing. Do you need these two things too? Learn more HERE [https://www.turnkeyautomarketing.com/] When I used the maintenance tool for the fist time with Detect Auto, my mind was blown. My advisors had the same reaction - and then SO MUCH MORE TIME. Learn more about Detect Auto and book a free demo now! [https://www.detectauto.com/] Elite Worldwide's Ignite 2027 is coming up in February and NOW is the time to sign up. It's happening in Vegas February 4-6 and it will be the best 3 days of your shops year when you attend. Learn now HERE [https://eliteworldwide.regfox.com/ignite-by-elite-2027] In this episode, Mike and Matt talk about how to find and commit to a core operational identity—rather than constantly chasing new ideas or industry trends. True success comes from consistent execution of a strategy you believe in. You will NEVER underestimate the value of training, coaching, and leveraging proven systems like EOS or similar frameworks to help owners and employees gain clarity, stay accountable, and ultimately grow a sustainable, profitable business. Timestamps: 00:00 Shop Owner Myths: $200 an Hour and the Truth about Starting Out 02:19 Celebrating Good Months 04:11 Best Month Yet—Sales Up, Staff Changes & a New Advisor 06:40 Fixing What Was Broken: Process, Accountability & a Data-Driven Turnaround 07:54 ARO Jumps by 20%—Here’s How They Did It 08:27 DVI Process Overhaul: Getting Real Numbers and Customer Buy-In 10:12 Tech Average Quotes—Setting and Hitting Profitable Targets 11:08 Maintenance Sales Struggles & Industry-Wide Challenges 12:23 Next Steps: Boosting Closing Ratios and Ongoing Advisor Training 13:09 Sales Presentation, Confidence & Learning to Overcome Objections 14:34 Regional Training Events: Why Travel Matters & Team Building 15:07 Bridging the Owner-Employee Gap: Training Techs & Advisors for Buy-In 17:20 Why Private Equity Buys Shops—Math, Mindset & Community Impact 20:19 Winning as an Independent: Local Presence, Team Culture, and Staff Retention 21:48 Training Takeaways: Eye-Opening Insights for Non-Owners 23:14 P&L and Labor Rate Workshops—Should Your Team Bring Their Books? 24:32 Shop Pay Plans & Real Labor Cost Realities 26:22 $350,000 Techs: The Truth Behind the Numbers & What’s Possible in Your Market 28:19 Pay, Value, and Raising Rates: What Customers Need to See 30:30 McDonald’s Drive-Thru vs. Customer Perception: Value & Expectations 31:33 Bringing Training In-House: Hosting Courses for Your Shop and Community 34:30 EOS, Traction, Rocket Fuel: Finding a System that Clicks 36:10 Visionary vs. Integrator: Why Every Shop Owner Should Read These Books 38:45 Team Structure, Core Genius, and the Power of Discipline 41:08 Identity Crisis? Finding (and Loving) Your Shop’s Unique Advantage 43:53 Don’t Change the Recipe—Simplicity and Full Commitment Win 46:43 Basketball Offense & Building the Right Team for YOUR System 48:46 Discipline, Focus & How Elite Shop Owners Set Themselves Apart 51:21 Quality Management Systems: Lessons from Manufacturing 52:15 Finding the Right Coach & System—Any Structure Beats None 53:46 Elon Musk Clarity: Vision, Discipline, and Blocking Out the Noise