I’m More Than Just A Mechanic [RR 919]

carmcapriotto · January 16, 2024

Can a break-up be the catalyst for an entrepreneurial leap? Find out during Shawn Gilfillan's 20 questions in 30 minutes episode! Shawn also discusses the importance of a strong business culture, mentorship, and the joy of hobbies like aviation. Shawn shares strategies for managing gross margins and the significance of client experience. Shawn Gilfillan, Automotive Magic, Kenvil and Lake Hopatcong, NJ. Shawn’s previous episodes HERE Show Notes

Automotive Magic (00:00:17) Shawn Gilfillan discusses the founding of Automotive Magic on April Fool's Day in 2003.
Life Calibration (00:00:41) Shawn talks about his work with Chris Lawson and the high-performance team coaching program at Life Calibration. Life Calibration: From Burnout to Balance [THA 348]: https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/a348/
Mentorship and Self-Development (00:04:54) Shawn discusses the impact of mentors and self-development in his journey as a shop owner.
Hobbies (00:06:10) Shawn talks about his hobbies, including aviation.
Motivation and Business Culture (00:07:46) Shawn shares his motivation for getting up in the morning and discusses how he creates opportunities for others to thrive and elevates their performance.
Advice and Fear (00:11:49) Shawn shares advice on overcoming fear and empowering employees as an owner/CEO.
Book Recommendation (00:13:13) Shawn recommends "Hero on a Mission" by Donald Miller and discusses its impact on his perspective as a business owner.
Building Business Culture (00:14:50) Shawn discusses the challenges and importance of building a strong business culture from the top down.
Culture and Team Dynamics (00:15:40) Discussion on creating a positive work culture and building a cohesive team.
Leadership and Vision (00:16:29) The importance of establishing a vision and values from the start, and involving the team in maintaining the culture.
Client Experience and Relationship Building (00:19:36) Strategies for understanding and meeting client needs, and building strong client relationships.
Adaptability and Change (00:20:47) The significance of embracing change and adapting to business challenges.
Leadership Crisis and Team Support (00:21:00) Dealing with unexpected managerial crises and the importance of team support.
Personal Development and Skills (00:23:14) The desire for new skills and personal development, such as learning magic tricks.
Business Management and Gross Margin (00:24:14) Strategies for managing gross margin and keeping front-end operations efficient.
Car Count and Scheduling (00:25:35) Strategies for managing car count, scheduling, and maintaining workflow in the shop.
Future Reservations and Client Commitment (00:27:21) The importance of setting future reservations and ensuring client commitment to scheduled appointments.
Leadership Communication (00:29:17) Encouraging a shift in language and communication to emphasize the importance of future reservations.
Hiring and Relationships (00:30:12) Discussion on hiring and relationships in the workplace, including the impact of personal relationships on work performance.
Dream Car (00:31:37) Shawn's dream car and the enjoyment he derives from it.
Opening a New Shop (00:32:11) The three important needs for opening a new shop: location, good people, and effective marketing.
Marketing Strategy (00:32:33) The success of giving away the first hundred oil changes for free as a marketing strategy.
Firing a Customer (00:33:52) A recent incident of firing a customer due to their attitude and behavior at the shop.