Keep shop management, payments, marketing (all the things) all in one place with Tekmetric. It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Click HERE

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

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!

Send your service advisor to hands down the BEST service advisor training in the industry (even other coaching companies agree). It's Elite Worldwide's Masters Program. The next one is happening in Dallas Texas, September 10-12. Learn more HERE

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

In this episode, Mike and Matt talk about how to find and commit to a core operational identity—rather than constantly chasing new ideas or industry trends. True success comes from consistent execution of a strategy you believe in. You will NEVER underestimate the value of training, coaching, and leveraging proven systems like EOS or similar frameworks to help owners and employees gain clarity, stay accountable, and ultimately grow a sustainable, profitable business.

Timestamps:
00:00 Shop Owner Myths: $200 an Hour and the Truth about Starting Out
02:19 Celebrating Good Months
04:11 Best Month Yet—Sales Up, Staff Changes & a New Advisor
06:40 Fixing What Was Broken: Process, Accountability & a Data-Driven Turnaround
07:54 ARO Jumps by 20%—Here’s How They Did It
08:27 DVI Process Overhaul: Getting Real Numbers and Customer Buy-In
10:12 Tech Average Quotes—Setting and Hitting Profitable Targets
11:08 Maintenance Sales Struggles & Industry-Wide Challenges
12:23 Next Steps: Boosting Closing Ratios and Ongoing Advisor Training
13:09 Sales Presentation, Confidence & Learning to Overcome Objections
14:34 Regional Training Events: Why Travel Matters & Team Building
15:07 Bridging the Owner-Employee Gap: Training Techs & Advisors for Buy-In
17:20 Why Private Equity Buys Shops—Math, Mindset & Community Impact
20:19 Winning as an Independent: Local Presence, Team Culture, and Staff Retention
21:48 Training Takeaways: Eye-Opening Insights for Non-Owners
23:14 P&L and Labor Rate Workshops—Should Your Team Bring Their Books?
24:32 Shop Pay Plans & Real Labor Cost Realities
26:22 $350,000 Techs: The Truth Behind the Numbers & What’s Possible in Your Market
28:19 Pay, Value, and Raising Rates: What Customers Need to See
30:30 McDonald’s Drive-Thru vs. Customer Perception: Value & Expectations
31:33 Bringing Training In-House: Hosting Courses for Your Shop and Community
34:30 EOS, Traction, Rocket Fuel: Finding a System that Clicks
36:10 Visionary vs. Integrator: Why Every Shop Owner Should Read These Books
38:45 Team Structure, Core Genius, and the Power of Discipline
41:08 Identity Crisis? Finding (and Loving) Your Shop’s Unique Advantage
43:53 Don’t Change the Recipe—Simplicity and Full Commitment Win
46:43 Basketball Offense & Building the Right Team for YOUR System
48:46 Discipline, Focus & How Elite Shop Owners Set Themselves Apart
51:21 Quality Management Systems: Lessons from Manufacturing
52:15 Finding the Right Coach & System—Any Structure Beats None
53:46 Elon Musk Clarity: Vision, Discipline, and Blocking Out the Noise

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

My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERE

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

Send your service advisor to hands down the BEST service advisor training in the industry (even other coaching companies agree). It's Elite Worldwide's Masters Program. The next one is happening in Dallas Texas, September 10-12. Learn more HERE

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

Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE

Turnkey Marketing takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off my plate. And gives it to someone who is. Click HERE for more.

Send your service advisor to hands down the BEST service advisor training in the industry (even other coaching companies agree). It's Elite Worldwide's Masters Program. The next one is happening in Dallas Texas, September 10-12. Learn more HERE

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!

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