Ratchet+wrench Radio

In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Greg Skolnik, industry coach and owner of Motor Works auto repair in Rockville, Md., speaks to the importance of setting up a retirement account for employees. Skolnik dives into the competitive advantage it offers the company and why he sees it as an essential business practice moving forward. 

In this special promotion from BOLT ON TECHNOLOGY, John Burkhauser surveys the contemporary training landscape and provides insight as to why you should train everyone on your staff (even if they leave).  John ‘JB’ Burkhauser is an Auto Repair Specialist with over 35 years of experience, from A-Level and ASE Certified Master Technician, Shop Foreman, Advisor and Shop Manager, to Automotive Trade School Instructor and Technical Writer. He currently serves as the Director of Education at BOLT ON TECHNOLOGY, where he coaches independent and franchise repair facilities on how to grow their business through best practices and everyday technology, resulting in increased car count, repair order revenue, and customer trust. JB is also a highly sought after industry thought leader who has been published in both the US and Europe.

In a world that can be filled with rejection, how can you break past the internal gatekeepers that can block your path to potentially powerful business partnerships? From email introductions to cold call policies and the power of spearheading your own media production, Frank Leutz, owner of Desert Car Care in Chandler, Ariz., has a few strong ideas. 

From the latest round of PPP to employee retention credits, Eric Joern, a James Hamlin & Co. accountant with a focus on the automotive industry talks through the latest legislative updates shop owners should keep top of mind as they prepare their 2020 tax filing.

Some months are bound to be busier than others, but a slow period doesn't have to be a total loss.  Rather than ride out a historically slow time of the year, Shop Fix Academy founder Aaron Stokes explains why now is the time to grow the business by fine-tuning your operations in preparation for busier days ahead. 

Jeff Baker, owner of Local Wrench in Belfair, Wash., shares how his local auto repair shop has extended a helping hand during the COVID-19 pandemic. From hosting field trips for the local youth to running fun social media contests, Baker has kept his community top of mind. Baker shares his story and how he hopes it can influence others to do the same. 

From the Biden administration's plans for a zero-emissions federal fleet to General Motors' move to sell only zero-emission vehicles by 2035, the future is looking electric. But what could a future filled with EVs mean for the general repair industry? In the latest episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Frank Leutz, owner of Desert Car Care in Chandler, Ariz., discusses what the transition could include and some of the changes shop owners should keep on their radar as they plan for the future. 

Nearly a year after COVID-19 first began making headlines, the virus continues to impact the way most small businesses operate. With more customer interaction happening online than ever before, the pandemic has also left its mark on the way customers write and search through online reviews.  But what exactly has shifted in the digital review landscape and why? Brett Steele, director of auto services for Podium, breaks down the trends business owners should keep on their radar.

After a year filled with ups and downs, it may be hard to find the energy to kickstart those goals and plans for the new year ahead.  For Aaron Stokes, founder of Shop Fix Academy, finding fresh motivation is all about surrounding yourself with the people, resources and environments that inspire you.  Stokes talks tips in spotting the factors that may be draining your motivation, tapping networks that will offer fresh perspectives, the resources that can fill you with new energy and the reason for finding and leaning into the unique combination that works best for you in today's episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio. 

This week's episode is part two of our conversation with Dynamic Automotive CEO Dwayne Myers. If you missed part one, don't worry, we recap the highlights, but you can also listen to it at ratchetandwrench.com/podcasts. This episode picks up after the financial crisis of 2007 and Dynamic's issues with their new larger bank. Learn how partners Dwayne, Lee and Jose picked up the pieces, fought back and ultimately pulled themselves out of debt, going on to create a world-class, industry-leading shop operation.

Year-end planning. It may not be fun but it is a critical process to master when it comes to a shop's ultimate success. From setting net pay to renegotiating your shop's lease to understanding the ROI of your shop's marketing efforts, monthly podcast guest Frank Leutz, owner of Desert Car Care in Chandler, Ariz., breaks down how to manage the weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual planning steps shop owners can take to stay on top of year-end planning and keep up with it all year long. 

If you've met Dwayne Myers or his partners at Dynamic Automotive, Lee and Jose, you know they're salt-of-the-earth people. Gracious, kind, funny, not to mention the owners of a killer operation. But that hasn't precluded them from tough times. In fact, in 2007 and 2008, they went through a period that nearly destroyed them. It was a period so destructure it moved past burnout into nearly a midlife crisis. In part one of this story, Dwayne breaks down the beginning of the issue that continued to steamroll, and how growing too quickly played into the problem.

According to Greg Bunch, running five stores is easier than running one. It's a phrase he wholeheartedly believes and also lives, but that doesn't mean it's been easy to reach that point. Growth can be painful, financially, of course, but also emotionally. Throughout his time owning Aspen Auto Clinic, Greg has experienced it all, and through his work with Transformer's Institute, he's helped countless shops through their own struggles. Greg breaks down how he's been able to push past his own burnout to grow, eventually creating the job he's always dreamed of.

It's not easy to get back on the horse, as the saying goes. The same applies to business ownership. After years of ups and downs, how do you find not only the motivation, but also the enthusiasm, to keep moving forward? That's what we talked to Autobahn Automotive owner and Ratchet+Wrench online columnist Dave McClung about recently. He shares how he lost enthusiasm for the shop, and how he found his way back, to incredible success.

One of the most difficult aspects of dealing with burnout is that it's not always easy to spot—sometimes until it's too late. Urb's Garage owner Ryan Hillebrand has experienced his fair share of burnout throughout the ups and downs of managing his Kentucky shop. However, in recent years, he's made a concerted effort to learn the warning signs and come up with easy, repeatable processes to stave off potential burnout. He's here today to explain those processes and share how to figure out exactly what works for you.

Feeling unmotivated, exhausted and overwhelmed? Us, too. That's why this month, Ratchet+Wrench Radio will focus on the topic of burnout, talking to industry insiders about their experiences with it and how to overcome that feeling of exhaustion. Up first is Aaron Stokes, Ratchet+Wrench columnist and AutoFix owner. In this episode, you'll learn about how Aaron's ups and downs in the industry led to some pretty serious burnout, and how to stop those intense experiences from holding you back and achieving your potential. To view the video component of this interview, head to ratchetandwrench.com/facebook.

Hear from Ledge CEO Alex Woodie, a CPA by trade who specializes in working with auto-related businesses to help them get their finances in order.

Monthly columnist Aaron Stokes talks pushing past the urge freeze up or to perfect your plans you hit a fork in the road and how to keep your business moving forward as challenges arise. 

Thinking of promoting your business with discounts and coupons? Take Frank Leutz's advice from personal experience: don't. In this episode, Leutz and co-host Susie Sockets discuss when discount coupons go completely wrong and how they could negatively impact your business.

Want to elevate your marketing message but don't know where to start? Philipp Lomboy has got you covered. In this edition of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, staff writer Abby Patterson sat down with Lomboy, founder of Marami Marketing Group, on what you first need to address in your digital marketing tactics.