The NOLN Podcast

Maintaining Margins, Protecting Profits (with Scott Hempy, Oilstop CEO)

Scott Hempy, CEO of Oilstop Drive-Thru Oil Change and Happy’s Drive-Thru Car Wash, joins the NOLN Podcast to take a closer look at a topic covered in one of his recent columns [https://www.noln.net/shop-life/columnists/article/55373822/hempy-maintain-your-margin-when-costs-rise] for NOLN: how quick lube operators can maintain their margins even as their costs rise. In this conversation, Hempy explains why operators should focus on controllable factors, such as labor efficiency, bay times, and inventory management, and build a culture of cost awareness in their shops. He also offers up best practices for implementing thoughtful prices increases without driving away guests. ***  Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:   * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-noln-podcast/id1493208692]  * iHeart Radio [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-noln-podcast-80189368/]  * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2dNQOivKRx93W84NP0bKHm]

Feature Read: Beyond the Sale: Why Strong Vendor Partnerships Give Quick Lubes a Competitive Edge

Vendors who work with quick lubes have evolved from suppliers and distributors to sage advisors and full-fledged partners. On this note, earlier this year NOLN caught up with representatives from Mighty Auto Parts and Service Champ, who explained why effective vendor partnerships involve understanding the specific needs and challenges of quick lube shops, including inventory, training, and service offerings. This story [https://www.noln.net/shop-life/feature-stories/article/55377878/partners-beyond-parts-and-products] originally appeared on NOLN.net on May 30, 2026. ***  Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:   * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-noln-podcast/id1493208692]  * iHeart Radio [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-noln-podcast-80189368/]  * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2dNQOivKRx93W84NP0bKHm]

Blueprint for Building Better Teams (with Ellie Pentland)

Ellie Pentland, partner at Throttle Muscle, joins the NOLN Podcast to offer insights on how quick lube operators can develop effective employee training and goal-setting initiatives. Pentland, who has spent more than 25 years in the industry, explains the value of clearly defining objectives and creating measurable outcomes, and she also discusses the why operators should focus training on individual roles and consistently checking in with employees to track progress, rather than sitting back and relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. ***  Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:   * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-noln-podcast/id1493208692]  * iHeart Radio [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-noln-podcast-80189368/]  * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2dNQOivKRx93W84NP0bKHm]

Despite Pending Deal, Middle East Conflict’s Impact Will Reverberate

With the United States and Iran reaching a peace agreement that is expected to be signed later this week, RBC Capital Markets analyst Steven Shemesh joins the NOLN Podcast to discuss the ramifications for quick lube operators. In this interview, Shemesh explains why although the reported peace agreement between the United States and Iran is a positive development, operators should expect lingering effects from months of conflict that drove up crude oil prices and created supply chain disruptions. He also breaks down how operators of different sizes have been impacted by recent events, and what industry leaders from all corners can learn from this experience. ***  Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:   * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-noln-podcast/id1493208692]  * iHeart Radio [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-noln-podcast-80189368/]  * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2dNQOivKRx93W84NP0bKHm]

Driving Higher Repair Orders with Preventive Maintenance Services

Increasing average repair orders starts with consistency, communication, and preparation. In this episode of the NOLN Podcast, Matt Shaw, vice president of sales at Mighty Auto Parts, discusses how thorough inspections, faster advisor communication and well-managed inventory programs can help shops identify more service opportunities, improve close rates and create a better customer experience with every vehicle visit.