Ratchet+wrench Radio

How many of you have an employee that’s always late? How about always on his or her phone? Monthly guest Aaron Stokes shares how to have those tough conversations with your employees.

This week, we gives updates on government funding for small businesses during the coronavirus and share how a few OEMs have been impacted. 

What drives consumers to come to your shop? Monthly guest Frank Leutz and co-host Susie Wong of Desert Car Care of Chandler discuss the psychology of what motivates customers, using an example from their own shop. 

What drives consumers to come to your shop? Monthly guest Frank Leutz and co-host Susie Wong of Desert Car Care of Chandler discuss the psychology of what motivates customers, using an example from their own shop. 

In this week's news round-up, we discuss the growing concerns of the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Ford and Honda's 30-day social media cleanse, and how auto sales are predicted to make a rebound.

  Kendall Warnock grew up in a village called Rosalie, Neb., with a population of 90 people. After graduating from Northeast Community College, Warnock decided to take a leap of faith and move to Lincoln, Neb., to start his own shop. During that time, he ran into many obstacles, but he never gave up on his dream.  Warnock now runs a successful operation, A1 Automotive, which recently won the Best of Lincoln 2020 in the auto business category, and also serves as a firefighter in his community. Warnock shares how he overcame his fears of living in a bigger city, the shame of having to use food stamps, and became the success he is today.

In this week's news round-up, we touch on the Moving Forward Act and the most commonly delayed maintenance.   

Did you know there have been 20 updates—yes, 20—to the Paycheck Protection Program since it's release mid-March? That's all according to Brad Mewes, Principal at Supplement Advisory, an automotive advisory firm, who has been helping business owners across the country on the confusing and crazy process these past couple of months. Listen to Mewes sit down with staff writer Abby Patterson as they hash out all of the new details on the PPP, Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), and other loans you might not even know about. Wanting to still apply last minute? Here are some go-to resources: MBE Capital Partners BlueVine Capital Inc. And for those of you looking for further help, reach out to Brad Mewes at brad.mewes@supp-co.com.

This week, updates on the EIDL and the Right to Repair.

This week, the industry mourns the passing of three trailblazers and looks at traffic trends as states begin to open up. 

From almost filing bankruptcy to speaking to thousands, Aaron Stokes has become an inspiration to those in the industry. Here's how he found his voice. 

Last week, there was movement made to address issues small business owners have been running into in regard to government funding.  If you are a minority business still in need of PPP funding, please click here. 

Frank Leutz is back and he discusses influencer marketing and hot to use it to tap into an existing community of engaged followers. 

This week, we take a look at what's new as far as funding for small business during the coronavirus and OSHA's new requirements for the coronavirus.  For more information, click here.    Email associate editor Tess Collins at TCollins@10missions.com for more information and to let us know what type of news you'd like to hear more of. 

Columnist Joe Marconi, owner of Osceola Garage, which is located in New York, one of the hardest hit areas of the pandemic, had to make many difficult decisions in order to keep his shop afloat. In this podcast, he shares what the past few months have looked like for him. 

A Facebook survey reveals what the future holds for many small businesses and a trend between ARO and the stay-at-home orders is revealed. 

Whether or not you support his views on the coronavirus or not, monthly guest Aaron Stokes has a point: fear is contagious. As a leader, it's up to you to set the tone for your customers and employees. 

As stay-at-home orders begin to lift, the automotive repair industry shows signs of returning to somewhat normalcy.  What's it looking like where you are? Email associate editor Tess Collins at TCollins@10missions.com to let us know. 

Face masks have become a wardrobe staple. In order to put customers at ease and keep employees safe, wearing them is essential during the pandemic. Associate editor Tess Collins speaks with NxTSTOP CEO Brendan Kennedy about why auto repair shop owners need to invest in this protection and how they can turn it into an additional profit center. NxTSTOP is an apparel company that has shifted its focus to making masks during the pandemic.      Visit https://thenxtstop.com/ to order. For bulk orders, visit https://thenxtstop.com/pages/bulk-orders.  

Anyone else tired of talking about COVID-19? So are we. In this month's From the Editors, Bryce and Anna stop talking about the problems this pandemic has presented, and instead talk about the opportunity. Regardless of how this has impacted you or what you think of it, the only real option is to find solutions and the best path forward. Bad situations show people's true colors, and this can be a real launching pad for your business. Either way, we’re moving forward with a different landscape and you can choose to have it be a burden or you can use it as an opportunity for change and evolution.