Confessions of a Shop Owner

Ep 102 - Chris Gayne | If There's a Problem in Your Shop, It's Probably You

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/] For years I thought I could handle the hiring process on my own. But, after far too many bad hires, it was clear I needed help. Promotive came through for me with a rock star hire in just a few days and I couldn't be happier. Swallow your pride and bring in Promotive for that open position you have at your shop today. You can thank me later. Learn more HERE [https://info.gopromotive.com/confessions] In this episode, Chris Gayne shares stories from his transition out of a military career and into shop ownership, including the accidental founding of Dale County Diesel. The conversation dives deep into the difference between running a transactional versus a relational business, emphasizing the value of building real connections with customers and staff. Timestamps: 00:00 – Transactional vs Relational: What Kind of Shop Are You Running? 02:31 – From Military Flight Instructor to Shop Owner: Chris’s Journey 06:43 – Surviving a Helicopter Crash (& What It Teaches You about Mistakes) 14:02 – Leadership in the Shop: Lessons from Army to Auto Bay 19:26 – Why Good Techs Deserve the Right Work—and Right Culture 25:09 – How to Handle the “Unfixable”—Being Honest With Your Customers 32:04 – Flat Rate vs Teamwork: What Actually Works? 37:01 – Confession Time: If There’s a Problem in My Shop, It’s Me 44:44 – Hard Policies, Real People: Why Relational Beats Rigidity 49:55 – When to Tell Customers: “It’s Time to Move On from This Truck” 51:06 – Wrap Up: Honesty, Growth, and Call for Your Confessions

Ep 101 - Matt Curry & Richard Tonetti | The Secret Behind an $40 Million Auto Repair Business

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERE [https://auto.tekmetric.com/46jNwvx] 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. Elite Worldwide has CHANGED my business and life through their one-on-one coaching. Use them like I do HERE [https://eliteworldwide.com/] For years I thought I could handle the hiring process on my own. But, after far too many bad hires, it was clear I needed help. Promotive came through for me with a rock star hire in just a few days and I couldn't be happier. Swallow your pride and bring in Promotive for that open position you have at your shop today. You can thank me later. Learn more HERE [https://info.gopromotive.com/confessions] AI for Shop Owners: Open the Hood of the Future is happening June 12-13 at Carfix in Raleigh, NC. Use AI to your advantage! Register HERE [https://www.simpletix.com/e/ai-for-shop-owners-open-the-hood-of-the-fu-tickets-271295] What does it take to build a high-performing automotive business that continues to grow while maintaining a strong culture? In this episode, Mike Allen sits down with Matt Curry and Richard Tonetti from Craftsman Auto Care to discuss the systems, leadership philosophies, and growth strategies that helped build one of the industry's most respected shop groups. Matt shares lessons learned from growing to 10 locations and $18 million in revenue, including the importance of culture, leadership, sales training, digital inspections, and customer reviews. Timestamps: 00:00 The $1 Raise That Changed Everything 01:14 Are 4-Day Workweeks Actually Hurting Your Business? 03:41 Why “Money Motivated” Isn’t a Dirty Word 06:46 From Tire Changer to VP: Growth Stories from the Shop Floor 07:16 Matt’s Path: 10 Stores, $18 Million, and a Comeback 09:13 The Secret Sauce: Buying Distressed Shops & Turning Them Around 10:36 How to Hit $1,000 Average ROs (and Why Volume Per Bay Matters) 11:02 The Turning Point: Digital Inspections & Sales Training 13:29 Being the Best Shop Cheerleader—Even on Bad Days 14:11 Making the Hard Work Fun (Yes, It’s Possible!) 19:00 Sales Scripts, Objection Handling, and The “One More Thing” Rule 20:05 How to Hire the Perfect Counter Person (It’s Not About Automotive Experience!) 22:49 Culture vs. Corporate: Why Good Techs Never Leave 25:15 Google Review Domination: Building Trust and Cutting Marketing Costs 28:20 Spiffs, Friendly Competition, and Making Reviews a Shop Habit 32:10 Small Gestures, Big Impact: The Stuffed Animal Touch 35:13 Why Internal Competition Works—But Only with the Right Culture 37:46 When Growth Kills Culture (And How to Avoid It) 40:36 Can Independents Still Win? Opportunity in a Corporate, Tech-Heavy Landscape 43:27 The Blueprint: Build Slow, Build Right, Stay Nimble 45:17 Level Up: Giving Back and Training the Next Generation 47:04 Growing Your Own Techs & Locking Down Quarter-Million Dollar Talent

Ep 100 - Andrew Fischer | Why Most Technicians Shouldn't Own a Shop

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. Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE [https://auto.tekmetric.com/4iOySkk] 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/] For years I thought I could handle the hiring process on my own. But, after far too many bad hires, it was clear I needed help. Promotive came through for me with a rock star hire in just a few days and I couldn't be happier. Swallow your pride and bring in Promotive for that open position you have at your shop today. You can thank me later. Learn more HERE [https://info.gopromotive.com/confessions] https://www.detectauto.com/ AI for Shop Owners: Open the Hood of the Future is happening June 12-13 at Carfix in Raleigh, NC. Use AI to your advantage! Register HERE [https://www.simpletix.com/e/ai-for-shop-owners-open-the-hood-of-the-fu-tickets-271295] This episode is Mikeless - just how we like it. HA! Today Bryan rides solo at TOOLS 2026 and talks dynamics between technicians and service advisors Andrew Fischer. They bring up the importance of fundamentals and communication—technicians often overlook basic testing but expect to dive into advanced diagnostics, leading to costly mistakes and frustration. They also talk about ego and misunderstanding: both between team members in the shop and toward customers, highlighting how crucial it is to clearly explain repairs and processes, not just rely on expertise.  Timestamps: 00:00 The real hardest job in the shop: service advisor confessions 03:08 Training struggles, being away from family, and the reality of evening classes 05:02 Why owners MUST vet what you’re paying for in auto training 07:11 Technicians skipping fundamentals—and how it comes back to bite your shop 10:20 Ego, ignorance, and the "alphabet soup" of tech skill levels 13:13 Fast techs vs fixed cars: the hidden cost of comebacks and efficiency 16:19 Communicating diagnostics: where most techs screw up (and how AI helps) 19:06 Why the front counter is pure chaos—and techs can’t handle customers 21:13 Explaining diagnoses in a way anyone can understand (with help from AI) 25:26 The service advisor’s secret: what customers REALLY want to know 28:12 The "zip code" analogy for why testing matters 30:28 Shops that charge for time vs selling fixed vehicles—who really wins? 32:40 Real-life story: four shops, still not fixed (and how a dead battery fooled them all) 34:35 What to do when you just can’t fix the car (real talk and lessons learned) 41:33 The problem with technician forums & why the smartest avoid them 44:28 Why most technicians will never be ready for business ownership 47:46 Full circle: gratitude, getting humbled, and growing as a leader 50:02 What every technician NEEDS to understand before running a shop

Ep 99 - Adam Rath | What Works in One Shop Could Kill Another

Tekmetrics' business model of listening to customers' needs and implementing new systems makes them super shop-friendly. Start using them at your shop today 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/] Elite Worldwide coaching has changed the game for me and my shop. Need a boost? Use Elite like I do. HERE [https://eliteworldwide.com/] For years I thought I could handle the hiring process on my own. But, after far too many bad hires, it was clear I needed help. Promotive came through for me with a rock star hire in just a few days and I couldn't be happier. Swallow your pride and bring in Promotive for that open position you have at your shop today. You can thank me later. Learn more HERE [https://info.gopromotive.com/confessions] AI for Shop Owners: Open the Hood of the Future is happening June 12-13 at Carfix in Raleigh, NC. Use AI to your advantage! Register HERE [https://www.simpletix.com/e/ai-for-shop-owners-open-the-hood-of-the-fu-tickets-271295] In this episode, Mike Allen sits down with Adam Rath, owner of a repair shop in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Adam tackles the challenge of adapting business models to different communities, emphasizing that what works in one area may not work in another. They also explore the importance of process efficiency, particularly in estimate building and digital vehicle inspections. Adam also talks about his role with the ASOG mastermind group, highlighting how peer support and structured programs can help struggling shop owners build a solid foundation. Timestamps: 00:00 Efficient Estimates vs. Wasting Time 01:31 Podcast Tech Upgrades and Recording on the Road 03:03 Behind-the-Scenes: Touring Craftsman Auto Care 04:01 Coaching Models: Origins and Overlaps 06:00 Meet Adam Rath & the Reality of Shop Locations 08:08 Coaching Myths: "That Won’t Work in My Town" 09:00 Different Markets, Different Rules 11:16 The 300% Rule: Double-Edged Sword 12:33 Are You Sticker-Shocking Your Clients? 13:33 Presenting Estimates the Smart Way 14:09 DVI Tools and Estimating Efficiency 15:24 What Do You Show the Customer? 17:10 Single-Issue Selling: Helpful or "Slimy"? 20:01 Show & Sell: The Theater of Auto Sales 22:52 Roleplaying, Sales Practice, and the J Curve 24:55 Tech Tools: Detect Auto, DVI Speed, and Pain Points 28:40 Remote Estimators: Overseas Teams & Lessons Learned 30:41 The Rise and Fall of Remote Estimate Companies 33:05 EOS Explained: Visionaries vs. Integrators 36:36 Taking the Crystallizer Assessment 38:19 Monthly State of the Company at Adam's Shop 41:20 When the Team Wins—Even Without the Manager 43:13 Building Leadership Skills with the Right Tools 44:57 Adam’s Role in the ASOG Mastermind 46:33 The Mastermind Format & Growth 48:36 Curriculum Overhaul: Tightening the Learning Path 50:36 Live Invoice & Call Audits: Growing through Discomfort 53:43 Why We Break Process (and How to Fix It) 55:15 The Future of the Mastermind: Structure & Guest Coaches 57:10 Shop Fix vs. ASOG: The Coaching Disconnect 59:48 Buffet Approach to Coaching: Take What Works 1:01:47 Guest Coaches, Good Info, and Avoiding Sound Bites 1:04:00 Confession Time: When Employees Just Aren’t a Fit 1:06:23 Shop Culture: The Right People Stay, Others Go 1:07:13 EOS Implementers & Next Steps

Ep 98 - Jeff Compton & Tonnika Haynes | Are Viral Reels Ruining the Auto Repair Industry?

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERE [https://auto.tekmetric.com/46jNwvx] 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. Elite Worldwide has CHANGED my business and life through their one-on-one coaching. Use them like I do HERE [https://eliteworldwide.com/] For years I thought I could handle the hiring process on my own. But, after far too many bad hires, it was clear I needed help. Promotive came through for me with a rock star hire in just a few days and I couldn't be happier. Swallow your pride and bring in Promotive for that open position you have at your shop today. You can thank me later. Learn more HERE [https://info.gopromotive.com/confessions] AI for Shop Owners: Open the Hood of the Future is happening June 12-13 at Carfix in Raleigh, NC. Use AI to your advantage! Register HERE [https://www.simpletix.com/e/ai-for-shop-owners-open-the-hood-of-the-fu-tickets-271295] In this episode, the podcasts collide for a behind the scenes conversation about what goes on on social media. Are the viral reels a good thing or a bad thing? Tonnika Haynes from Downshift with Tonnika [https://open.spotify.com/show/2UJkjPlvHTGXmQHSajZvse], Jeff Compton from the Jaded Mechanic [https://open.spotify.com/show/68107VSdqdXzQ49ddSxkVM] and Bryan Pollock from Confessions of a Shop Owner circle up to have this conversation with Braxton Critcher, the producer of each show. They also get real about the importance of doing the actual work behind the scenes, emphasizing that growth in your business (and in life) comes from putting in consistent effort, not just watching highlight reels. Timestamps:  00:00 - The uncomfortable truth about podcast discovery and audience habits 01:16 - What happens when podcasts collide—introductions and chaos 02:23 - Behind the scenes: Group chat antics, tools, and industry jokes 03:57 - Social media, reels, and who’s to blame for viral content 05:01 - The power (and pain) of online comments and negative feedback 06:46 - Why social media works for some shops but isn’t for everyone 07:14 - Going viral: 2.4 million views, angry commenters, and riding the algorithm 09:03 - Building a brand: Negativity, growth strategies, and five-year plans 12:33 - Are most people really “spoon fed”? Podcast challenges explained 14:26 - Shop rates, community service, and fixing Chevy trucks for peanuts 17:04 - The “must be nice” attitude and its effect on success and envy 19:01 - Growing beyond your bubble: Why spicy reels are necessary 22:27 - Can podcasts actually change the industry? Or just a few minds? 35:01 - Choosing your hard: Highlight reels, business reality, and keeping perspective 44:21 - Real talk: Same struggles, different zip codes, focus on YOUR growth 49:34 - Excuses vs. results—moving, changing, and finding a way to win 54:37 - Visualization, success stories, and putting in the extra work 59:38 - “Choosing average”: 9-to-5 mentality and salary realities 1:01:09 - Relationships, distractions, and shop staff drama 1:03:21 - The only goal: One shop at a time, one listener at a time.