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The Voices, Ideas, and Insights That are Shaping the Future of the Automotive Aftermarket - Reside Here
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5 DEC 2025 · Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty https://youtu.be/Q-dDBk6pdck Shop owners, are you feeling burned out or stuck in the grind? This episode is for you. Shop owners Jimmy Alauria and Dave Kusa dive into how to pause, reflect, and reignite your passion for the business you built. Key takeaways:
- Think Bigger:Grow your business beyond what you can manage alone—empower your team and expand your vision.
- Evolve as a Leader:Stop being just a manager—step into the CEO role and watch your business thrive.
- Culture Matters:Set the tone, share your dream, and build a positive environment your team can rally around.
- Delegate & Recharge:Offload the hats you wear, hire strategically, and take time off to see the big picture.
- Balance Family & Business:Set boundaries to protect both your shop and your relationships.
The truth? Falling in love with your business again starts with falling in love with your ability to lead it. Jimmy Alauria, https://www.3aautorepair.com/, Phoenix, AZ. Jimmy’s previous episodes https://remarkableresults.biz/?s=ALAURIA Dave Kusa, https://www.autotrenddiagnostics.com/ in Campbell, CA. Listen to Dave’s other episodes https://remarkableresults.biz/?s=%22Dave+Kusa%22 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/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/...
2 DEC 2025 · Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS https://youtu.be/-HgV-986jg8 Recorded Live at ASTA 2025, Ryan Ragan, Executive Director of ASTA, discusses the explosive growth of the event, Ragan’s long-term vision, the wildly creative opening-night party, and the industry-wide push to elevate professional language in the automotive field. Episode Highlights
- Record-Breaking Growth:
ASTA 2025 moved to a larger venue and saw a 34–35% increase in registrations, reaching four-digit attendance. Ragan restructured the expo for better vendor ROI, including a shop-owner-only show-floor window on opening night. His biggest hurdle wasn’t logistics—it was convincing people that such a massive upgrade was even possible on a tight timeline. The payoff came when an attendee told him the show felt like the “SEMA of the East.”
- “Out of This World” Theme:
ASTA’s first themed expo featured an alien-inspired opening night with a mechanical bull, giant dartboard, sumo matches (announced by Carm), and 10-ft champagne-serving aliens.
- Education & Professionalism:
Ragan stressed the importance of ongoing training in an era where cars are “rolling computers.”
A major topic: shifting industry language—embracing titles likemechanical specialistto elevate professionalism and attract new talent.
Ragan hopes every attendee left with three things:
- New knowledge to solve future shop challenges
- A fun memory to brighten tough days
- A new connection they can call for advice
https://astausa.org/pages/asta-expo Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS 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 athttp://napatracs.com/ Connect with the Podcast: - Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ - Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://rrtm.toastmastersclubs.org/directions.html - Join Our Private Facebook Community:
28 NOV 2025 · Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty https://youtu.be/rel2xEvqrTs Craig Noel, Nicole Bennecoff, and Brad Updegraff share actionable strategies for reducing turnover and creating workplaces where employees genuinely want to stay. Their discussion focuses on hiring for culture, adapting to generational expectations around flexibility, and investing personally in the people who make the business run. Turnover Prevention Starts in the Interview Preventing turnover begins long before a new hire steps into the shop. The panel emphasized hiring for culture above all—seeking candidates who align with the organization’s values and want to contribute to its long-term success. Key hiring insights:
- Culture Fit Over Experience:Skills can be taught; mindset cannot.
- Process Buy-In:Especially with experienced technicians, owners must clearly communicate that systems are established and expected to be followed. A growth mindset is crucial.
- Onboarding & Accountability:Culture discussions start on day one. Many shops rely on a 30–60 day check-in period and a 90-day probation window to evaluate behavior, process adoption, and overall fit.
Retention Is Personal Retention isn’t one-size-fits-all. Owners must prioritize people and culture over production, recognizing that different employees are motivated by different things. Personalized retention strategies:
- Emotional & Financial Support:Small gestures—like a quick text of appreciation or helping a young technician with a bill—can make a big difference.
- Flexibility & Work-Life Balance:Today’s workforce highly values family and personal time. Supporting employees during life moments becomes part of the shop’s culture.
- The Collective Mindset:Including employees in the shop’s vision builds loyalty. Asking why they stay—or what might cause them to leave—helps uncover individual needs.
Meaningful recognition practices:
- Use the Language of Careers:Refer to the industry as a career, not just a job or trade.
- Badges of Honor:Display certifications, achievements, and bios where customers can see them,...
25 NOV 2025 · Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS https://youtu.be/8IoBbXO9afI Recorded Live at ASTA 2025, Dutch Silverstein delivers a powerful reframing of how the automotive industry can approach customer interaction—shifting from high-pressure sales tactics to a relationship-first model built on the idea that “People hate to be sold, yet they love to buy. Advocates, Not Salespeople
Dutch’s relationship-based shop model stands in stark contrast to transactional sales environments.
- No Salespeople:Dutch does not employ “salesmen,” he employs “advocates.”
- Role of an Advocate:Advocates collaborate with customers to understand what they want for their vehicle and their long-term plans, then help design solutions that support those goals.
- Eliminating Pressure:The shop enforces a strict “no pressure, ever” philosophy. There are no commissions, no sales quotas, no whiteboards, no competitive bonuses—removing any incentive that could create a conflict of interest.
The episode also dives into several controversial but important topics:
- The need to revisittechnician licensing, with Dutch arguing current standards are “window dressing.”
- Theflat-rate paradox, especially when contrasted with the younger generation’s desire for work-life balance rather than solely financial incentive.
- Determining anoptimal labor ratein a way that supports sustainability and talent retention.
The Takeaway
The conversation reinforces that effective sales—better yet, advocacy—are rooted in trust. When customers feel supported rather than sold to, they embrace their decisions with confidence. This shift from selling to serving creates a healthier, more sustainable customer experience and business model. https://astausa.org/pages/asta-expo Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS 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 athttp://napatracs.com/ Connect with the Podcast: - Follow on Facebook:
21 NOV 2025 · Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty https://youtu.be/t6U4VrZ14ZA It’s time to dig into real-world strategies for managing debt and strengthening the financial foundation of your auto repair business.
- Shiju Thomas,https://www.hotchkissauto.com/
- Dustin Brown,https://www.brownsautoexperts.com/
- Hunt Demarest, CPA,https://paarmelis.com/
The first big takeaway: Cash is king.
Our panel emphasizes the power of maintaining healthy cash reserves—ideally three to six months of operating expenses—to safeguard your shop against unexpected disruptions. If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that cash on hand can be the difference between surviving and scrambling. Another core theme is recognizing the difference between good debt and “bad debt.” Good debt includes real estate and other collateral-backed loans that appreciate, add stability, and support long-term growth. Bad debt includes high-interest burdens like merchant cash advances or short-term credit card loans—products that drain cash flow fast and offer zero assets in return. The panel also addresses a common pain point: “Why doesn’t my bank balance match my profit?”
The answer lies in understanding the cash flow statement—specifically, that principal payments don’t appear on the P&L, even though they hit your bank account hard. Their guidance: pay off high-interest debt first, but don’t erase debt so aggressively that you end up “debt-free but cash-poor.” Cash matters just as much as debt reduction. Bottom line: Be intentional with your money. Understand your numbers. And approach debt reduction as a strategy, not a sprint. Additional Resources: - How to Grow Your Shop Without Losing Control [RR 1046]: https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e1046/ - https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ 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/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at
18 NOV 2025 · Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS https://youtu.be/b6HCU9FHw7I Recorded Live at ASTA 2025, keynote speaker Jim Knight dives into leadership and organizational culture through his signature “edutainment” style—a high-energy blend of music, education, and hospitality. Knight is a professional speaker, writer, and former Head of Training and Development for over two decades at Hard Rock International, which he calls one of the "greatest cultures in the history of culture." Jim stresses that the most important responsibility of any leader is hiring the right person. Too often, leaders get distracted by product, pricing, or aesthetics, while the true differentiator is the human element. He recommends evaluating candidates through the Three C’s:
- Competence – Can they do the job?
- Character – Are they kind, respectful, and easy to work with?
- Culture Fit – Do their values align with the organization?
Leaders who fail to make employees feel seen, heard, and appreciated, he warns, will continue to struggle with turnover. Jim Knight, a renowned keynote speaker, author, and training and development expert, teaches organizations of all sizes how to attain their own “rock star” status. https://www.knightspeaker.com/https://astausa.org/pages/asta-expo Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS 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 athttp://napatracs.com/ Connect with the Podcast: - Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ - Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://rrtm.toastmastersclubs.org/directions.html - 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
14 NOV 2025 · Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty https://youtu.be/_R-X2eM-wLg The automotive industry faces a growing crisis: as veteran trainers and educators retire, there’s no clear path for the next generation to replace them. Creating quality training is time-intensive — often taking months to develop just one class — and the personal sacrifices required have deterred many from stepping up. This episode explores the urgent need to evolve automotive education, from rethinking long-form classes to developing shorter, high-impact sessions that better fit today’s learning styles. At the heart of the conversation is a proposed solution: an industry “Trainer Boot Camp” designed to teach aspiring educators not only technical knowledge but also the art of presentation — structure, flow, delivery, and audience engagement. Another proposed solution is the creation of a Train the Trainers Scholarship to fund legacy educators like John Thornton and Scot Manna to design and lead this new initiative. Modeled after the WWE’s NXT Performance Center, the idea is to proactively cultivate new education “superstars” rather than waiting for them to appear on their own. This is more than a conversation about teaching — it’s a call to action to preserve and reinvent the future of automotive education before the knowledge gap becomes irreversible. Recorded Live at ASTA 2025 https://astausa.org/pages/asta-expo Matt Fanslow, https://www.riverside-automotive.com/, Red Wing, MN, https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/ Tanner Brandt, https://www.autodiagclinic.com/ 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/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast: - Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ - Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club:
11 NOV 2025 · Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS https://youtu.be/5G2c0BEGQd0 In this fireside conversation, Joe Hanson of Gordie’s Auto and Tire shares how a clear purpose—“Helping people do life”—guides every part of the business. This mission shapes both the customer experience and the culture within the shop, ensuring the team feels supported, valued, and equipped to build meaningful careers. Joe walks through the realities of growing the business, from navigating permits and environmental requirements to expanding fleet services and managing tire sales intentionally. Issues such as leadership team dynamics, marketing, and phone call audits are management problems—they are never permanently "fixed," but instead require continuous coaching and management. He also emphasizes the importance of communication, setting clear expectations, and educating customers about the complexity of modern testing and ADAS calibration—not just “plugging in a scanner.” Joe remains committed to the work for as long as it’s meaningful—and rooted in helping people, not just chasing revenue. Joe Hanson, https://www.gordies.com/, Roseville, MI. Listen to Joe’s previous episodes https://remarkableresults.biz/?s=%22hanson%22. Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS 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 athttp://napatracs.com/ Connect with the Podcast: - Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ - Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://rrtm.toastmastersclubs.org/directions.html - 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:
7 NOV 2025 · Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty https://youtu.be/fCvwy1IJI8g David Boyes, CEO of Today’s Class, and Lola Schmidt, Schmidt Auto Care, explore how short, personalized, and gamified training is transforming team development in the automotive industry. The discussion centers on how Today’s Class delivers 3–5 minute, mobile-friendly training sessions that fit seamlessly into daily shop routines, often completed right after morning huddles. This consistent “daily drip” of learning minimizes workflow disruption while fostering a culture of continuous growth. Gamification drives engagement through points, badges, and friendly competition, sparking team conversations and collaboration. Shops like Schmidt Auto Care have seen measurable improvements in technical knowledge, such as increased proficiency in brake systems, wheel alignment, and HVAC performance. Lola shares how her team’s enthusiasm for competition has built deeper learning habits, while David explains how the platform’s data-driven insights help shop leaders identify knowledge gaps, coach effectively, and make smarter business decisions from equipment investments to targeted, hands-on training. The takeaway: Small, consistent, and data-informed training can create powerful results, driving engagement, improving technical skills, and strengthening both team and business performance. David Boyes, President of https://www.todaysclass.com/ David’s previous episodes https://remarkableresults.biz/?s=boyes Lauralee Schmidt, https://www.schmidtautocare.com/, Springboro, OH 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/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
- The Automotive Repair Podcast Network:https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
- Follow on Facebook:
4 NOV 2025 · Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS https://youtu.be/9i7NWpdmDOc Stress is inevitable, but how we respond to it can make or break our leadership. In this episode, Dr. David Weiman, psychologist at Weiman Consulting, dives into the science of stress and practical strategies for managing it, especially in the fast paced world of automotive repair. What You’ll Learn:
- The fight or flight response and why modern stress feels just as intense as physical danger.
- The three types of stress: Normal, Training (Eustress), and Excessive, and how recognizing them can improve decision-making.
- Simple, powerful tools for recovery: micro breaks, diaphragmatic breathing, and mindful routines.
- How stress affects leadership, team dynamics, and strategic thinking—and what to do about it.
- Practical tips to avoid burnout, maintain energy, and enhance focus.
Dr. Weiman emphasizes that the key isn’t eliminating stress, it’s managing it effectively so you can think clearly, lead confidently, and take action. Dr. David Weiman is the president of https://www.weimanconsulting.com/about-us/, a leadership consulting firm in Philadelphia PA. Listen to David’s previous episodes https://remarkableresults.biz/?s=David+Weiman Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS 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 athttp://napatracs.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
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The Voices, Ideas, and Insights That are Shaping the Future of the Automotive Aftermarket - Reside Here
Information
| Author | Carm Capriotto |
| Organization | Carm Capriotto |
| Categories | Automotive , Management , Marketing |
| Website | remarkableresults.biz |
| carm@remarkableresults.biz |
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