From Architect to Automotive Innovator: Cora's Journey | S3 E9

From Architect to Automotive Innovator: Cora's Journey | S3 E9

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324815/fan_mail/new] Powered by: ➡️ Red Line Synthetic Oil: redlineoil.com [https://www.redlineoil.com/] ➡️ AMD: autometaldirect.com [https://www.autometaldirect.com/] In this episode, Barry Alt and Katie Abraham welcome Cora Jokinen, owner of Torque Master Industries, to share her unconventional journey from studying architecture to becoming a leader in the automotive aftermarket. Cora discusses her passion for off-roading, her transition into business ownership, and the role community, mentorship, and networking have played in her career. She also shares lessons from navigating the Rebelle Rally, offers her perspective on women in the automotive industry, and explains how strong customer experiences can help brands build lasting connections. The conversation also introduces Cora’s new product line, Oris Adventure Cooking, and explores how sensory experiences can make customer engagement more memorable. Along the way, the group talks about entrepreneurship, resilience, and finding balance through activities outside of work, including pickleball. Key Takeaways: * Cora’s transition from architecture to automotive was fueled by her passion for off-roading. * Joining a local 4x4 club was a major turning point in her journey. * Her first Nissan Xterra sparked her interest in vehicle modifications. * Learning to weld gave Cora the ability to create custom parts for her own builds. * Her husband played a key role in supporting and shaping her automotive path. * Buying Torq-Masters Industries came from real-world experience in the off-road and rock crawling community. * Cora faced a steep learning curve after acquiring the company, especially in business management and operations. * Mentorship, networking, and SBN involvement have been crucial to her growth in the industry. * Customer relationships are built through word-of-mouth, reputation, approachability, and helpful video content. * Cora’s story highlights resilience, community, innovation, and the power of staying open to unexpected opportunities. Guest Bio: I’m an original Rebelle Rally participant, finishing 5th in the first year and earning the Team Spirit Award. In 2021, my team won the crossover class in a Ford Bronco Sport. I’ve also raced King of the Hammers twice in a stock-class Jeep and have a deep love for welding, inspired by my grandfather’s advice to “have a career and a trade.” My career was architecture, and my trade is welding. I’m also a longtime SEMA Businesswomen’s Network member and have served on the SBN Select Committee for the past six years. SBN has been a major part of my life, constantly inspiring and challenging me through its leadership, education, and networking opportunities. My husband and I live in upstate New York, where we run Torq-Masters, a 100% USA-made manufacturing business we acquired in 2014. We travel across the country for shows and events, and I’m excited for the conversation ahead. Guest: Cora Jokinen, Torque Master Industries * https://torqmasters.com [https://torqmasters.com] * https://skottle.com [https://skottle.com] * https://www.facebook.com/TorqMasters [https://www.facebook.com/TorqMasters] * https://www.instagram.com/torqmasters [https://www.instagram.com/torqmasters] * https://www.youtube.com/@TorqMastersIndustries [https://www.youtube.com/@TorqMastersIndustries] Host: Barry Alt, Motorhead Digital * maximizesales@motorheaddigital.com * https://motorheaddigital.com [https://motorheaddigital.com] * https://facebook.com/Motorhead.Digital [https://facebook.com/Motorhead.Digital] * https://instagram.com/motorhead.digital [https://instagram.com/motorhead.digital] * https://linkedin.com/company/motorhead-digital [https://linkedin.com/company/motorhead-digital] Co-Host: Katie Abraham, Falcon Dynamic * https://www.facebook.com/abeskatie [https://www.facebook.com/abeskatie] * https://www.instagram.com/wildkatieabes [https://www.instagram.com/wildkatieabes] * https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-abraham-b4506580 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-abraham-b4506580] Don’t miss an episode from Gearheads n’ Gasoline! * facebook.com/GearheadsNGasoline [https://www.facebook.com/GearheadsNGasoline] * instagram.com/gearheadsngasoline [https://www.instagram.com/gearheadsngasoline] * linkedin.com/company/gearheadsngasoline [https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearheadsngasoline] * youtube.com/@GearheadsNGasoline [https://www.youtube.com/@GearheadsNGasoline] You can reach us at gngoperations@motorheaddigital.com

Racing with Purpose Natalie Waters on Speed, Sponsorships & Standing Up to Bullying | S3 E8

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324815/fan_mail/new] Powered by: ➡️ Red Line Synthetic Oil: redlineoil.com [https://www.redlineoil.com/] ➡️ AMD: autometaldirect.com [https://www.autometaldirect.com/] In this episode of Gearheads n’ Gasoline, Barry Alt and co-host Katie Abraham welcome Natalie Waters from Natalie Waters Racing, a young racer with big goals, a strong social media presence, and a mission that goes far beyond the track. Natalie shares how she got started in racing, what keeps her motivated, and where she hopes to go next in motorsports. The conversation covers the support found inside the racing community, the role marketing plays in securing sponsorships, and why building real value for sponsors is so important for young racers today. She also talks about her anti-bullying foundation, her growing success on social media, and how staying authentic has helped her connect with fans, brands, and her local community. This episode is a great listen for racers, parents of young drivers, motorsports marketers, sponsors, and anyone interested in the business side of racing. Key Takeaways: * Racing started early for Natalie. * The racing community is built on support. * Sponsorships are about more than logos. * Marketing matters in motorsports. * Authenticity wins online. * Local sponsorships can be powerful. * Social media should serve a purpose. * Her anti-bullying foundation adds meaning to her platform. * Balancing racing, work, and life takes discipline. * Advice from experienced racers can shape a young driver’s mindset. Guest Bio: I started racing Quarter Midgets at 6 years old here in Grantsville, UT, and graduated into Focus Midgets at 13 years old. Here, I won two championships and broke two track records before moving up to Modifieds, where I was Rookie of the Year for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series in Idaho. At 19 years old, I moved up into 410 Winged Sprint Cars. I race everything on asphalt. I am graduating with my\ bachelor's degree in marketing and plan to use it to help other drivers promote themselves to sponsors to chase their dreams. Outside of racing, I run my Race to End Bullying foundation, where I travel around with my race car and host school assemblies to teach kids about the importance of being kind. Guest: Natalie Waters, Natalie Waters Racing * nataliewater2004@gmail.com * racetoendbullying.com [https://www.racetoendbullying.com/] * facebook.com/NatalieWatersGKRacing [https://www.facebook.com/NatalieWatersGKRacing] * instagram.com/natattack_racing_1 [https://www.instagram.com/natattack_racing_1] * linkedin.com/in/nataliewaters [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliewaters/] Host: Barry Alt, Motorhead Digital * maximizesales@motorheaddigital.com * motorheaddigital.com [https://motorheaddigital.com/] * facebook.com/Motorhead.Digital [https://facebook.com/Motorhead.Digital] * instagram.com/motorhead.digital [https://instagram.com/motorhead.digital] * linkedin.com/company/motorhead-digital [https://linkedin.com/company/motorhead-digital] Co-Host: Katie Abraham - Falcon Dynamic * facebook.com/abeskatie [https://www.facebook.com/abeskatie] * instagram.com/wildkatieabes [https://www.instagram.com/wildkatieabes] * linkedin.com/in/katherine-abraham-b4506580 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-abraham-b4506580] Don’t miss an episode from Gearheads n’ Gasoline! * facebook.com/GearheadsNGasoline [https://www.facebook.com/GearheadsNGasoline] * instagram.com/gearheadsngasoline [https://www.instagram.com/gearheadsngasoline] * linkedin.com/company/gearheadsngasoline [https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearheadsngasoline] * youtube.com/@GearheadsNGasoline [https://www.youtube.com/@GearheadsNGasoline] You can reach us at gngoperations@motorheaddigital.com

Building Cars, Content, and Community with Scott Spencer from Scott's Rides | S3 E7

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324815/fan_mail/new] Powered by: ➡️ Red Line Synthetic Oil: redlineoil.com [https://www.redlineoil.com/] ➡️ AMD: autometaldirect.com [https://www.autometaldirect.com/] In this episode of Gearheads n’ Gasoline, Barry Alt and Co-Host Jason Chandler from Auto Metal Direct welcome Scott Spencer, a DIY car builder and social media content creator, for a real conversation about car building, content creation, and the community behind the automotive world. Scott shares his journey into DIY car builds, what it is like documenting projects on social media, and why authenticity matters when bringing people along for the ride. From learning through mistakes to reaching out to manufacturers, brands, and other builders, this episode digs into the real side of home-built cars and restoration projects. The guys also talk about building relationships in the industry, balancing personal projects with content creation, and why community support is such a big part of car culture. Whether you are building in your home garage, creating automotive content, running a shop, or just love hearing the stories behind the build, this episode is packed with honest insight and gearhead perspective. Key Takeaways: *  Scott Spencer’s journey into DIY car building *  Documenting builds on social media *  Building relationships with brands and manufacturers *  Learning from mistakes during restoration projects *  The role of community in automotive culture *  Balancing content creation with the actual build *  Advice for aspiring DIY builders Guest Bio: Scott Spencer is a content creator from Alabama. (@scottsrides) His day job as an airline pilot fuels his passion for building high-end hot rods in his home shop. Scott does all the work himself and documents it on social media. He also enjoys doing some aviation and lifestyle content. Scott is currently on his 5th custom build, which is a 1967 Chevelle restomod. Previous builds include a Factor Five Cobra, 1979 Porsche 911, 1967 Camaro, and 1965 Mustang. He enjoys the build process as much as the driving and still enjoys owning all his builds and using them regularly. Scott grew up in Atlanta, Ga, the son of an airline pilot who inspired him to follow in his footsteps. He then attended Auburn University and completed the Professional flight program while concurrently serving in the USAF Air National Guard to help fund his education. While in college, he met his future wife, Kimmy, and they will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary this summer. Scott and Kimmy now reside in Auburn, Al. Guest: Scott Spencer, Scott's Rides * instagram.com/scottsrides [https://www.instagram.com/scottsrides/] * tiktok.com/@scottsrides [https://www.tiktok.com/@scottsrides] Host: Barry Alt, Motorhead Digital * maximizesales@motorheaddigital.com * motorheaddigital.com [https://motorheaddigital.com/] * facebook.com/Motorhead.Digital [https://facebook.com/Motorhead.Digital] * instagram.com/motorhead.digital [https://instagram.com/motorhead.digital] * linkedin.com/company/motorhead-digital [https://linkedin.com/company/motorhead-digital] Guest Co-Host: Jason Chandler, Auto Metal Direct * autometaldirect.com [https://autometaldirect.com] * facebook.com/AutoMetalDirect [https://facebook.com/AutoMetalDirect] * instagram.com/autometaldirect [https://instagram.com/autometaldirect] * linkedin.com/company/autometaldirect [https://linkedin.com/company/autometaldirect] * www.youtube.com/@autometaldirect [https://www.youtube.com/@autometaldirect] Don’t miss an episode from Gearheads n’ Gasoline! * facebook.com/GearheadsNGasoline [https://www.facebook.com/GearheadsNGasoline] * instagram.com/gearheadsngasoline [https://www.instagram.com/gearheadsngasoline] * linkedin.com/company/gearheadsngasoline [https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearheadsngasoline] * youtube.com/@GearheadsNGasoline [https://www.youtube.com/@GearheadsNGasoline] You can reach us at gngoperations@motorheaddigital.com

Building More Than Cars: Hot Rods, Trade Skills, and Shop Life With Karl Schulman | S3 E6

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324815/fan_mail/new] Powered by: ➡️ Red Line Synthetic Oil: redlineoil.com [https://www.redlineoil.com/]➡️ AMD: autometaldirect.com [https://www.autometaldirect.com/] In this episode of Gearheads n’ Gasoline, Barry Alt and Jesse Henke from JH Restorations sit down with Karl Schulman, General Manager of Garret’s Rod Shop, for a conversation about cars, craftsmanship, career pivots, and the way life has a funny way of circling back around. Karl shares how his love for cars and machining started early, thanks to the influence of his stepdad, Garret. What began as building homemade street rod parts on a mill and lathe eventually grew into a lifelong connection to the automotive world. From learning the trade at night school, to landing his first machining job at Creative Tool and Die, to later teaching the very class that helped launch his own career, Karl’s story is rooted in hands-on skill, persistence, and a willingness to follow the next open door. The conversation also dives into Karl’s 18-year career teaching high school students machine trades, helping young people find real career paths in skilled labor, engineering, and the automotive industry. After stepping away from formal education in 2022, Karl joined Garret’s Rod Shop full-time, where he has worked to earn his place, support major build projects, and help guide the shop into its next chapter. This episode is a thoughtful look at the intersection of family, trade education, hot rod culture, and the future of custom automotive craftsmanship. It’s a reminder that the skills, people, and experiences we pick up along the way often come back around when we need them most. Key Takeaways: * Every experience can come full circle * Garret played a major role in Karl’s automotive foundation * Machining became more than a skill * Getting a start in the trades takes persistence * Good relationships matter in business * Teaching became an unexpected but meaningful chapter * Trade education remains critical * Joining the family business came with responsibility * Garret’s Rod Shop is entering a new chapter * The future of custom automotive work depends on skill transfer Guest Bio: Karl Schluman is the General Manager and face of Garret’s Rod Shop, where his lifelong passion for cars, machining, and craftsmanship comes full circle. Introduced to the trade by his stepdad, Garret, Karl built a career spanning machining, auto parts, and 18 years teaching high school machine trades before joining the family shop in 2022. Today, he helps guide Garret’s Rod Shop into its next chapter. Guest: Karl Schulman, Garret's Rod Shop  * garretsrodshop.com [https://garretsrodshop.com/] * facebook.com/garretsrodshop [https://www.facebook.com/garretsrodshop/] * instagram.com/garretsrodshop [https://www.instagram.com/garretsrodshop/] Host: Barry Alt, Motorhead Digital * maximizesales@motorheaddigital.com * motorheaddigital.com [https://motorheaddigital.com/] * facebook.com/Motorhead.Digital [https://facebook.com/Motorhead.Digital] * instagram.com/motorhead.digital [https://instagram.com/motorhead.digital] * linkedin.com/company/motorhead-digital [https://linkedin.com/company/motorhead-digital] Co-Host: Jesse Henke, JH Restorations * jhrestojesse@gmail.com * Website: jhrestorations.ca [https://jhrestorations.ca] * Facebook: facebook.com/jhrestorations [https://www.facebook.com/jhrestorations] * Instagram: instagram.com/jh_restorations [https://www.instagram.com/jh_restorations] Don’t miss an episode from Gearheads n’ Gasoline! * facebook.com/GearheadsNGasoline [https://www.facebook.com/GearheadsNGasoline] * instagram.com/gearheadsngasoline [https://www.instagram.com/gearheadsngasoline] * linkedin.com/company/gearheadsngasoline [https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearheadsngasoline] * youtube.com/@GearheadsNGasoline [https://www.youtube.com/@GearheadsNGasoline] You can reach us at gngoperations@motorheaddigital.com

Imposter Syndrome, Car Builds & SEMA The Real Story with Christina Lardie | S3 E5

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324815/fan_mail/new] Powered by: ➡️ Red Line Synthetic Oil: redlineoil.com [https://www.redlineoil.com/] ➡️ AMD: autometaldirect.com [https://www.autometaldirect.com/] In this episode of the Gearheads n' Gasoline podcast, join Barry and Katie Abraham, guest co-host from Ironman 4X4, as Christina Lardie, from Christina’s Garage: Gearhead in Training, and learn about Christina's automotive journey and influencer Insights. Christina Lardie, a self-proclaimed gearhead in training, shares her inspiring story of learning to work on cars from scratch, building her personal brand, and navigating the automotive industry as a newcomer. This episode dives deep into how passion, perseverance, and authentic relationship-building drive success in this competitive space. Listen to the podcast to hear Christina give advice to women and beginners entering the automotive aftermarket industry, emphasizing confidence, authenticity, and relationship-building. Takeaways: * Christina’s background and how her family’s love for cars influenced her journey * The inception of her YouTube channel, Christina’s Garage, and her fresh perspective as a newbie * How she connected with industry events like SEMA and PRI without prior industry experience * Overcoming imposter syndrome and managing mental health while learning new skills * The importance of authenticity, patience, and showing up consistently Guest Bio: As a lifestyle and automotive content creator, Christina Lardie is learning how to embrace life head-on. Instead of wishing there were more real people to relate to online, Christina chose to embody the change she wanted to see. Whether it’s learning how to build a 1969 Camaro, lifting weights, discussing mental health, or becoming an active member of the community, everything is grounded in authenticity, vulnerability, and integrity. Guest: Christina Lardie, Christina’s Garage: Gearhead in Training * facebook.com/61558031831375 [https://www.facebook.com/61558031831375/] * instagram.com/christinalardie [https://www.instagram.com/christinalardie] * youtube.com/@christinasgarage [https://www.youtube.com/@christinasgarage]  * x.com/christinalardie [https://x.com/christinalardie] Host: Barry Alt, Motorhead Digital * maximizesales@motorheaddigital.com * motorheaddigital.com [https://motorheaddigital.com/] * facebook.com/Motorhead.Digital [https://facebook.com/Motorhead.Digital] * instagram.com/motorhead.digital [https://instagram.com/motorhead.digital] * linkedin.com/company/motorhead-digital [https://linkedin.com/company/motorhead-digital] Guest Co-Host: Katie Abraham, Ironman 4X4 * facebook.com/abeskatie [https://www.facebook.com/abeskatie] * instagram.com/wildkatieabes [https://www.instagram.com/wildkatieabes] * linkedin.com/in/katherine-abraham-b4506580 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-abraham-b4506580] Don’t miss an episode from Gearheads n’ Gasoline! * facebook.com/GearheadsNGasoline [https://www.facebook.com/GearheadsNGasoline] * instagram.com/gearheadsngasoline [https://www.instagram.com/gearheadsngasoline] * linkedin.com/company/gearheadsngasoline [https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearheadsngasoline] * youtube.com/@GearheadsNGasoline [https://www.youtube.com/@GearheadsNGasoline] You can reach us at gngoperations@motorheaddigital.com