Joe’s Business Tips For Shop Owners
Tips from Joe Marconi, co-founder of AutoShopOwner. His tips are shared to help you in your day to day shop operations, sales, customer service, marketing, advertising, and more!
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Latest Posts
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By carmcapriotto · Posted
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, and Today's Class Mike Coley and George Arrants from the ASE Education Foundation address the ongoing technician shortage in the automotive industry. They highlight the importance of education, mentoring, and industry involvement in developing career-ready talent. Coley discusses how ASE certification improves retention and productivity, while Arrants emphasizes the value technicians place on a positive shop culture and proper equipment. The episode urges shop owners to actively support schools, nurture entry-level talent, and create environments that promote long-term career development. Mike Coley and George Arrants, ASE Education Foundation: https://www.aseeducationfoundation.org/ Show Notes: Watch Full Video Episode Technician Shortage Discussion (00:00:00) Always Be Recruiting (00:03:43) Hiring Challenges (00:05:07) Importance of Career Path (00:06:17) Understanding Technician Turnover (00:09:11) Evaluating Technicians (00:14:11) Engaging with Schools (00:15:27) Importance of Brand Recognition (00:16:30) Career Fair Engagement (00:18:41) Understanding Young Workers' Needs (00:22:00) Role of ASE in Education (00:23:42) Aligning Education with Industry Needs (00:26:54) Impact of Accreditation (00:29:03) Elevating Student Expectations (00:33:17) Industry Accountability (00:34:14) Success Stories in Education (00:36:24) Turnover and Technician Shortage (00:38:12) Benefits of ASE Certification (00:38:25) Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Connect with the Podcast: -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976 -Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters -Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto -Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ -Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ -Follow on X: https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/ -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/ Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/ Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/ Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio -
I have a client looking to sell their Auto Body Shop in Monteagle TN called Lakeside Collision. He is asking $1,500,000 and the property did a little over $1,200,000 last year. Profitable business with lots of equipment and inventory, newer paint booth and includes 2 lots and 2 buildings with 8 bay doors. Also have another client looking for an Auto Body business to purchase in Davidson County (Nashville) TN. Looking for a shop with the business and the real estate. -
Hey Joe, Regarding selling a repair shop: My buddy owns a very successful hardwood flooring business, and like you, he's focused on helping contractors work on their business, not just in it. He created 4 powerful business manuals—including a detailed employee handbook and office systems—to help contractors run their shops more efficiently and professionally. Each manual comes with easy-to-use, fill-in-the-blank templates so you can quickly customize them for your shop without starting from scratch. One contractor who bought the manuals said: > “How can you sell a business if it doesn’t come with a playbook on how to run it?” He also said the employee manual alone was worth the entire price. Bonus: when potential hires see the employee manual, they immediately realize they're applying to a well-run, professional operation—which means you attract high-quality people, not just the average ones. Let me know if you want me to connect you guys—he’s got something really valuable here. -
By carmcapriotto · Posted
Thanks to our partners, NAPA TRACS and Promotive Did you know that NAPA TRACS has onsite training plus six days a week support? It all starts when a local representative meets with you to learn about your business and how you run it. After all, it's your shop, so it's your choice. Let us prove to you that Tracs is the single best shop management system in the business. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at NAPATRACS.com Thanks to our partner, Promotive It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit www.gopromotive.com. Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com Email Hunt: [email protected] Text Paar Melis @ 301-307-5413 Download a Copy of My Books Here: Wrenches to Write-Offs Your Perfect Shop The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto https://remarkableresults.biz/ Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/ Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/ Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio -
By Changing The Industry · Posted
Bonus Episode - The Impact of Returns, Inventory, & Technology on Auto Parts Pricing with WorldPac -
By carmcapriotto · Posted
In this episode, we’re diving into the powerful concept of creating a shared vision and how a lack of clarity could be holding your shop back from real growth. I’ll walk you through what I learned in a deep dive after my own leadership team challenged me to cast a vision that reaches every level of our company. We’ll talk about how to get out of the “small thinking” trap, how to define your goals with laser precision, and why your employees need to see, feel, and believe in the same future you do. Plus, I’ll share real tools, like how to craft your vision statement, how to communicate it across your team, and how to create a business where everyone’s pulling in the same direction. If you want to stop playing small and start building something truly great, this episode is for you. Thank you to our friends at RepairPal for providing you this episode. RepairPal will help you grow your auto business and you can learn more at RepairPal.com/shops. Declined repairs don’t have to be lost revenue. AppFueled’s call center schedules follow-up calls and equips your team with everything they need to close the deal. Get started now at appfueled.com Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc) EOS One Vivid Vision: A Remarkable Tool For Aligning Your Business Around a Shared Vision of the Future - Cameron Herold The Vision Driven Leader - Michael Hyatt Stop Delaying Your Dreams: Time to Take Action Show Notes with Timestamps Introduction and Sponsors (00:00:01) Overview of the podcast and thanks to sponsors RepairPal and App Fuel. Creating a Shared Vision (00:00:10) Brian discusses the importance of establishing a shared vision for the company. Leadership Team Meetings (00:01:13) Details about offsite leadership meetings and the exercise called "the one thing." Feedback and Growth (00:02:08) Brian reflects on receiving feedback from his leadership team and its impact on personal growth. Shifting Mindset on Growth (00:03:07) Brian shares his fears about growth and how he overcame them to embrace larger ambitions. Disney's Service Model (00:04:17) Comparison of Disney's customer service model to his company's approach to client service. Processes and Procedures (00:05:26) Discussion on the importance of processes in maintaining service quality while growing. Inbound Marketing Strategy (00:07:25) Brian explains the effectiveness of inbound marketing in attracting clients. Outbound Sales Shift (00:09:26) Introduction of outbound sales strategies and the team's initial reactions to the change. Creating a Shared Vision Deep Dive (00:10:34) Brian's focus on developing a shared vision after receiving feedback from his leadership team. Researching Shared Vision (00:11:42) Challenges in finding resources on creating a shared vision and discovering related literature. Book Recommendations (00:12:42) Brian reviews two books on vision creation and his thoughts on their content. Simplicity of Creating Vision (00:13:34) Brian concludes that creating a shared vision is simpler than expected, emphasizing clarity. Vision, Mission, and Values Explained (00:14:45) Brian differentiates between vision, mission, and values with a practical example. Big Dreams and Ambitions (00:15:45) Brian discusses the importance of dreaming big and outlines a fictional company's ambitious goals. Vision, Mission, and Values (00:16:48) He explains the significance of having a clear vision, mission, and values for a successful organization. Sponsor Message: RepairPal (00:17:48) Introduction to RepairPal and its services that help auto repair shops attract tech-savvy customers. Sponsor Message: App Fuel (00:18:48) Overview of App Fuel's customer loyalty app designed for auto service shops to enhance customer retention. Core Values and Their Importance (00:19:57) Brian shares his realization of the value of core values in decision-making and company culture. Litmus Testing New Hires (00:20:59) He describes how to evaluate potential hires against the company's vision, mission, and values. Understanding What You Want (00:21:55) Brian emphasizes the importance of defining personal and business desires beyond just financial goals. Creating a Clear Vision (00:23:51) Discussion on the necessity of a detailed, clear vision for a business to guide its direction. Proximity to Your Dreams (00:26:56) Encouragement to immerse oneself in environments that inspire and reflect personal dreams and aspirations. Crafting Your Vision (00:28:50) Brian advises on the process of creating a vision, emphasizing the need for time and space away from routine. The Importance of a Clear Direction (00:29:46) He compares running a business without a clear vision to aimlessly shooting an arrow, highlighting the risks involved. Creating a Target (00:30:41) Discusses the importance of having a detailed vision as a target for business goals. Vision Details (00:31:37) Explains the components of a business vision, including specifics about services and operational metrics. Dream Big (00:34:25) Encourages thinking big without worrying about how to achieve those goals initially. Historical Example: JFK (00:35:32) Uses JFK's moon landing vision as an example of effective goal-setting and inspiring leadership. Sharing the Vision (00:37:33) Stresses the need to communicate the vision clearly to the entire team for buy-in. Selling Down the Ladder (00:38:27) Describes the process of sharing the vision, starting with leadership and moving downwards. Feedback and Buy-In (00:39:19) Highlights the importance of receiving feedback and fostering genuine buy-in from team members. Repetition of Vision (00:40:12) Discusses the necessity of repeatedly communicating the vision to ensure team alignment. Crafting the Vision (00:42:20) Brian reflects on his personal goal to create a detailed vision for his organization. Importance of Shared Vision (00:43:34) Concludes with the significance of a shared vision for team alignment and achieving business goals. How To Get In Touch Join The Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind Group on Facebook Meet The Pros Follow SMP on Facebook Follow SMP on Instagram Get The Ultimate Guide to Auto Repair Shop Marketing Book Email Us Podcast Questions or Topics Thanks to our Partners, RepairPal at https://repairpal.com/shops. Quality Car Repair. Fair Price Guarantee. App Fueled at appfueled.com. “Are you ready to convert clients to members? AppFueled™ specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for auto repair businesses. Build your first app like a pro.” Aftermarket Radio Network Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio -
By carmcapriotto · Posted
Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training Key Points & Takeaways: The Problem: A 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee (collision repair) came in with blind spot warning and parking aid malfunction lights on. No functionality in either system post-repair. Initial Diagnosis: Verified the concern (instrument cluster lit up with warnings). Used an aftermarket scan tool (Snap-on Ultra) and found: ADAS control module had multiple DTCs for open/short circuits on all radar sensors. Parking aid module had similar codes for ultrasonic sensors. Vehicle was hit in the passenger rear, leading to replacement of the bumper, harness, and rear hatch. Suspected Causes: Blown fuse (common culprit for multiple system failures). Crushed/damaged wiring harness (common after collisions). Module failure due to impact. Testing & Findings: Checked power and ground at the ADAS module—all good. Inspected wiring harness for damage (no visible issues). Critical Clue: Wire colors didn’t match the schematic. Initially dismissed as a common schematic error. Later realized the entire harness was installed backward (left/right sides flipped). The Fix: Flipped the harness and radar modules to their correct positions. All codes cleared except two for the blind spot radars—turned out they were also swapped. After correction, all systems worked perfectly. Lessons Learned: Don’t get stuck in a diagnostic rabbit hole. Good techs pivot when clues don’t add up. Man-made problems can be the trickiest. Always verify previous work (especially after collisions). Wire color discrepancies matter. Even if schematics are often wrong, they can reveal bigger issues. "Slow down to speed up." Rushing leads to wasted time; methodical checks save hours. Final Thoughts: Awareness is key. Catch yourself when fixating on one theory. Experience can work against you. Stay open to new clues, even if they conflict with past patterns. Contact Information Email Matt: [email protected] Diagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel Subscribe & Review: Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/ Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/ Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/ Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio -
By carmcapriotto · Posted
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care, NAPA TRACS and Automotive Management Network Recorded at the Institute Summit, Mike Simard dives into the challenges of recruiting and developing talent, especially in a unique setting like Alaska. He shares his innovative strategy of acquiring lube centers as entry points for new team members and highlights the critical role of strong company culture and leadership. Mike also emphasizes the importance of building the right team, balancing the visionary and integrator roles, and the need to continuously adapt in the ever-evolving automotive industry. Mike Simard, Simard Automotive, Alaska Show Notes Watch Full Video Episode The Institute of Automotive Business Excellence: https://www.wearetheinstitute.com/ Mike Simard's Background (00:00:00) Acquisition of Lube Centers (00:02:10) Energy and Problem-Solving (00:02:43) Vision for Training Talent (00:03:41) Geographic Logistics (00:05:12) Talent Development and Apprenticeship (00:05:41) Industry Comparison (00:06:32) Recruitment Challenges (00:09:04) Relocation and Recruitment Process (00:12:31) Motivation for Policy Writing (00:16:03) Understanding Unique Selling Points (00:18:05) Building a Strong Team (00:19:20) Learning from Coaches (00:21:52) Delegating Responsibilities (00:22:30) Building Company Culture (00:25:47) Understanding the 'Why' (00:27:09) Finding the Right People (00:28:34) Balancing Inner Voices (00:30:04) Breaking Barriers in the Industry (00:30:35) Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care, NAPA TRACS and Automotive Management Network Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Get ready to grow your business with the Automotive Management Network: Find on the Web at http://AftermarketManagementNetwork.com for information that can help you move your business ahead and for the free and informative http://LaborRateTracker.com Connect with the Podcast: -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters -Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976 -Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto -Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ -Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ -Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/ -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/ Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/ Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/ Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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