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PODCAST

Garage Grit Podcast

Welcome to the Garage Grit Podcast, hosted by Brad Hurlock from AA Shop Marketing. Join us as we tackle common stress points in the auto repair shop space, uniting owners for insightful conversations. Our mission is to guide your shop towards success. Tune in, be part of the conversation, and propel your business forward. Explore strategies, insights, and camaraderie needed to thrive in the competitive auto repair industry. Welcome to Garage Grit, where we shift your business into high gear, one

business management

All Episodes

01:28:06

“Three Coaches Laughed When I Opened My Detail Shop”...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/10/14

When three coaches and twenty business owners told him not to open a detail shop, Kyle Davis proved them wrong. This episode dives into how Davis turned doubt into determination, growing his Virginia Beach shop beyond expectations and building a business that now fuels two thriving ventures.After years in the Navy and bouncing between shops, Kyle discovered his passion for leadership through hard lessons in culture, management, and faith. His journey from technician to multi-shop owner started with

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01:39:03

“How I Bought Out My Dad and Rebuilt the Shop” — Erik...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/10/09

What happens when the family business stops evolving—and you have to be the one to save it? In this episode of GGP, Erik Scheidt of Norwood Auto Service in Chicago, IL, shares how he bought out his father, overhauled operations, and turned a struggling legacy shop into a modern, data-driven business. His story is a blueprint for shop owners who want to build sustainable growth while reducing the daily pressure of running the shop.Erik didn’t grow up planning to run an auto repair shop. He learned

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01:12:00

“Everything before 1998 is ‘classic.’ After that,...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/10/07

Mercedes specialist Tyson Fisher breaks down how a 42-year family shop in Gainesville, FL thrives by niching hard, running in-house systems, and obsessing over quality and retention. Shop owners will hear practical ways to tighten invoicing, plan tools/training, and win profitable fleet and Sprinter work.Guests:Tyson Fisher — Star Import Service — Gainesville, FLWhat you’ll learn (shop-owner takeaways):Niche deep: Mercedes & Sprinter focus winsClassic vs. modern: how Tyson splits workflowWhy

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01:14:26

“We fix what actually needs to be done” — Alan &...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/09/30

A family-run collision & mechanical shop shares a trust-first playbook: transparent inspections, pushing back on insurers, and SOPs that keep quality high and customers loyal. Real tactics you can use tomorrow—without upselling games.Guests:Alan Austin — Austin Spencer Collision — Henrietta, NYShanley Austin — Austin Spencer Collision — Henrietta, NYWhat you’ll learn (shop-owner takeaways):Build trust by fixing only what’s essentialHow to advocate for customers vs insurersHandling total-loss

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01:05:36

“Dual pricing isn’t the same as surcharging” — Rob...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/09/27

Credit card fees are eating into shop profits, but how you pass them on makes all the difference. In this episode, Rob Davis and David Nacion explain the rules, risks, and real-world options for surcharging, dual pricing, and cash discounting in auto repair shops.Guests:Rob Davis — CardConnect / Fiserv — Philadelphia, PADavid Nacion — CardConnect / Fiserv — Philadelphia, PAWhat you’ll learn (shop-owner takeaways):Difference between surcharging and dual pricingWhy dual pricing covers debit cards

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01:03:11

Dual Pricing • Shop Fees • Customer Trust — Cannata,...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/09/23

Credit card fees are eating into shop profits, but how you handle them can make or break customer trust. In this panel, three operators compare dual pricing, bundling fees, and simply raising rates. They dig into state-by-state rules, POS limitations, and where transparency matters most. You’ll hear what actually triggers pushback and what keeps customers happy.Lou Cannata explains why he’s tracking card costs to the penny before changing policy. His shop averages roughly $15.26 per card transaction

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01:02:06

“Customers don’t trust shops—they trust people” — Max...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/09/16

Fourth-generation owner Max Blatt of Blatt Tire and Automotive shares how he took over the family shop in Center City Philadelphia, modernized operations, and is plotting new ventures like mobile tire service—all while balancing customer trust, employee loyalty, and his dad’s legacy.Guests:Max Blatt — Blatt Tire and Automotive — Philadelphia, PAWhat you’ll learn (shop-owner takeaways):Balancing tires vs. repair revenue streamsWhy speed + inventory win in the cityMobile tire service business model

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01:25:31

“DVI is the best thing since front pockets” — Mike...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/09/09

From service stations with gas pumps to today’s DVIs, Mike Scaglione of Kempsville Auto Care Center shares 45 years of lessons on running a shop, leading in Virginia, and why he believes inspections and charging what you’re worth matter more than ever.Guests:Mike Scaglione — Kempsville Auto Care Center — Virginia Beach, VAWhat you’ll learn (shop-owner takeaways):How service stations evolved into modern shopsWhy DVIs boost sales and protect your shopState inspections: burden or business

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00:46:37

“Dealership alternative? Not without loaners.” —...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/09/04

Loaner cars aren’t a “nice-to-have”—they’re a sales tool that closes RO’s, reduces chaos at the counter, and lets independents compete with dealerships. Laura Tierney from Shop Loaner breaks down how to do it safely and profitably.Guests:Laura Tierney — Shop LoanerWhat you’ll learn (shop-owner takeaways):Why loaners close higher-dollar repair ordersHow to structure a separate rental LLCInsurance basics and driver-first liabilityWhat your legal agreement must includeWhen to lease vs. repurpose lot

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01:13:04

“Growth Without Systems Will Break Your Shop” |...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/09/02

How do you scale a six-bay shop without burning out your team—or your customers? Elite Automotive Center’s co-owners share how they’re growing the right way: fill capacity first, lock in systems, and win with relationships (not transactions).Guests:Philip Korbel & Brian Teberg — Co-owners, Elite Automotive Center — Fargo, North DakotaWhat you’ll learn (shop-owner takeaways):Why an owner shortage (culture/leadership) beats a “tech shortage” narrativeCar-count math: 260–280/month now, ~360 before

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01:08:47

#032 Building Legacy: Succession Planning for Auto...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/08/26

In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock of AA Shop Marketing is joined by Mike from Grinnell Firestone, Steve Finzel of Finzels Master Tech, and Kelly and Lee Weatherby from Mesa, Arizona to discuss succession planning for automotive repair shops. The panel shares insights into transitioning business ownership, dealing with unexpected changes, and the importance of written procedures and systems. They delve into the challenges and strategies around training, customer service,

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01:13:26

“The 3 Jobs of a Shop Owner” – Kevin Bird of JM Auto...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/08/19

"The Three Jobs of a Shop Owner Are Marketing, Hiring, and Training" – Kevin Bird of JM Auto Service | Trust, Team Culture & CoachingKevin Bird of JM Auto Service in Eveleth, Minnesota, breaks down the three jobs every shop owner must master—marketing, hiring, and training—while sharing how he built customer trust, shaped team culture, and embraced coaching to grow his shop.I’m Brad Hurlock, host of the Garage Grit Podcast and founder of AA Shop Marketing. In this Origin & Impact

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01:26:42

From Queens Streets to Shop Success: How Bill Vallely...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/08/12

Join Brad Hurlock on the Garage Grit Podcast for an inspiring Origin & Impact episode with Bill Vallely, owner of Tru-Fix AutoWorks in New York. Bill shares his 25-year journey from a mechanic’s son in Queens to opening Tru-Fix AutoWorks on January 9, 2025, driven by a “truth always” philosophy. Learn how he transformed his collision-focused shop into a full-service auto repair hub, boosting revenue through cross-selling strategies like 10% off oil changes for collision customers and building

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01:13:18

The Dual Dynamics of Managing Collision and...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/07/31

In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock from AA Shop Marketing sits down with guest shop owners Gina and Shaley to discuss the intricacies of successfully managing auto repair and collision services under one roof. The conversation delves into a variety of topics including the benefits, challenges, and market advantages of having both services available at a single location. Gina and her dad Greg share their experience with running Metric Motors, a dual-service shop for

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01:20:49

Tire Tech to AUTO EMPIRE: Bahaa Elabbasi’s...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/07/29

Join Brad Hurlock on the Garage Grit Podcast as he dives into the wild journey of Bahaa Elabbasi, owner of Crown Auto Repair and Collision in Sugarland, Texas. From a high school tire tech to building a multi-shop empire, a 25-truck towing company, and three used car dealerships, Bahaa spills the tea on how he turned a failing shop into a cash machine, dodged Groupon disasters, and never let failure stop him. Want to know how to scale YOUR auto shop? This Origin & Impact episode is packed with

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00:58:25

“From Janitor to Owner” - Jeremy Bucy SHARES His...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/07/22

Join host Brad Hurlock on the Garage Grit Podcast for an engaging Origin & Impact episode (#027) featuring Jeremy Bucy, owner of Alan Cox Premier Auto Care in Marietta, Georgia. In this episode, Jeremy shares his journey from sweeping floors to owning a shop specializing in Asian makes, with a unique side division for vintage car restorations. Discover how Jeremy navigates the challenges of a competitive market, builds trust with customers, and differentiates his shop through personal service

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01:33:17

#026 Origin & Impact: Paul Marquardt of Clintonville...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/07/15

Join host Brad Hurlock on the Garage Grit Podcast for an insightful Origin & Impact episode (#026) featuring Paul Marquardt, owner of Clintonville Automotive Repair in Columbus, Ohio. In this episode, Paul shares his journey from technician to shop owner, offering practical insights into building trust with customers, empowering employees, and running a high-value auto repair business. Learn how Paul transformed a 50-year-old shop into a modern, customer-focused operation while maintaining a

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00:51:09

#025 Origin & Impact: Renan Souza of BR Auto Repair...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/07/08

From humble beginnings to a thriving Roswell shop, Renan Souza shares how grit, quality, and family values turned BR Auto Repair and Collision into a standout in a crowded market.This episode of the Garage Grit Podcast is part of our Origin & Impact series—real stories from shop owners who built their business from the ground up.Brad Hurlock sits down with Renan Souza of BR Auto Repair and Collision to dig into Renan’s origin story, the challenges he faced starting out with just $13K, and the

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00:37:11

#024 Origin & Impact: David Light of Lighthouse...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/07/01

Join host Brad Hurlock for another Origin & Impact episode of the Garage Grit Podcast! This week, we sit down with David Light of Lighthouse Automotive, located on the iconic Outer Banks of North Carolina.David shares how he and his wife built their auto repair business from the ground up—literally starting with a backyard, a tree, and a metal shed. Hear how they grew to two locations, how they weathered a changing industry, and what it takes to build relationships that last decades.In this

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01:06:33

#023 Balancing the Wrenches: Achieving Work-Life...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/06/24

In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock of AA Shop Marketing discusses the challenges of work-life balance in the auto repair industry with guests David Light from Lighthouse Automotive, Paul from Clintonville Auto Repair, and Kevin from Fox River Tire and Auto. The conversation covers various aspects of managing work-life balance, such as delegating responsibilities, the importance of using technology and automation, and the value of having a coach. The guests share personal

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62 results

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