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PODCAST

Maximum Octane

Maximum Octane is the high-performance podcast for automotive shop owners ready to accelerate their leadership, culture, and profitability. Hosted by industry veterans Kim Hickey and Jason Patel from Automotive Training Institute (ATI), each episode takes you under the hood of the nation"s most successful auto repair shops to uncover the tools, tactics, and mindset shifts fueling next-level results.This season, Maximum Octane brings raw, real conversations from ATI SuperConference 2025 in

business self-improvement

All Episodes

32:16

Small Town Big Growth: Insights from Robbie Windham...

Maximum Octane ·

2024/07/09

Do you feel it is time to expand your auto shop and don't know where to start?In today's episode, Robbie Windham from Windham Body Shop joins us to share the blueprint of his auto shop's growth and expansion strategy. Robbie's shop is in New Albany, Mississippi, a small town of about 10,000 people; they recently doubled its size, hired internal customers for their office, parts, blueprints, and paint, got new technicians, and even added an ADAS area.Throughout this episode, you'll hear about

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32:22

How Convenient Is Your Auto Shop? The Human Business...

Maximum Octane ·

2024/06/25

Sometimes, we forget we are in people's business, not the car business. Cars are what bring people to us. - Geoff BermanIn today's episode, Geoff Berman joins us to discuss auto shop repairs' convenience in customer experience and dealing with those moments when the backstage and the front stage intersect.Throughout this episode, you'll hear Kim and Geoff's thoughts on the importance of focusing on the small things that make external customers return to your auto repair shop. They also discuss why

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35:21

Transparency, Accountability, and Clear Communication...

Maximum Octane ·

2024/06/11

What is the best way to create a culture that positively impacts your auto repair shop?In this episode, Jason Patel, Geoff Berman, and ATI's Collision Division Vice President, Keith Manich, learn from Fred Gestwicki Jr. from Fix It With Fred about the multiple benefits of clear communication and transparency when building an exciting and growth-promoting culture. Fix It With Fred is an AutoTechIQ Certified shop, and a cutting-edge technology-equipped auto shop in Canton, Ohio, that has been

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38:05

The Importance of Strategic Planning in the Face of...

Maximum Octane ·

2024/05/28

Can we be ready for the unexpected? Of course not; its main characteristic is arriving without previous notice. Still, there are things we can have in place to reduce the impact of unforeseen events: it's called strategic planning.In today's episode, you'll hear about the challenges John Blanton and his son Jackson went through, from John starting his business in his garage to opening a second location, all while dealing with Jackson's health issues and, by the end of this episode, I bet you'll want

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39:30

Is AI Here To Fix the Automotive Industry? An...

Maximum Octane ·

2024/05/14

Do you feel your auto repair shop is ready to embrace AI?In this episode, we are joined by industry experts Dan Garlock, Mike Bennett, and Ricky Jordan Jr., who provide a glimpse into the automotive industry's future after the disruptive arrival of AI. Whether we see this "Google on steroids" as a powerful tool, an efficient assistant, or the little push humanity needed to lose its soul, AI is here to stay, and it seems the best way to deal with it is by learning how to do it.Throughout this

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41:57

Cracking the Recruitment Code: A Deep Dive into...

Maximum Octane ·

2024/04/30

How effective are your strategies to attract and retain A-Techs and higher-end sales professionals?In this episode, Dan Garlock, President of Silverlake Auto & Tire Centers, and Ricky Jordan Jr., President of Fifth Gear Automotive, join us to share their approaches to attracting and retaining talent in the ever-evolving automotive industry market.Throughout this episode, Dan and Ricky share their experiences shifting from passive to active hiring approaches, fostering a culture of

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46:45

Give 'Em the Pickle! Building an Outstanding Auto...

Maximum Octane ·

2024/04/16

What kind of auto repair shop do you wish to build? One with excellent customer service, one that is comfortable and visually pleasing, or one with incredible installations for your internal customers?Kori and Troy: Yes.In today's episode, a power couple joins Kim, Jason Patel, and Geoff Berman at ATI's Annual Super Conference, the owners of Graham Auto Repair, Kori and Troy Vaninetti. They started at Kori's stepdad's auto shop when they were teenagers, and after cleaning toilets, picking up

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36:22

Turning A Passion for Cars into A Profitable Auto...

Maximum Octane ·

2024/04/02

If you were parachuted into the middle of the automotive industry, would you know where to start to build a profitable auto repair shop?Today's guests, Terry and Travis Griffith, weren't precisely parachuted into the automotive industry since their love for cars runs in their family. Yet they were "merely" car enthusiasts when they bought Ocala Auto Repair and turned it into one of Florida's most successful family-owned and operated auto repair shops.In today's episode, they share their experiences

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39:43

How To Make Your Auto Shop Start Like the Lions and...

Maximum Octane ·

2024/02/13

Marshall Goldsmith said it first and best, "what got you here won't get you there." This premise works virtually in every aspect of life, yet in business and sports, it is remarkably accurate. Competitors (and rivals) constantly look for weaknesses in our game to exploit, take advantage of, and outperform us. Even when we are winning, we must take a moment to reflect on what can be improved.So, what can we learn from the 49ers' comeback against the Lions last week?Today, on another NFL-related

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32:16

How To Recruit A Swifities' Army for Your Auto Repair...

Maximum Octane ·

2024/01/30

Regardless of how often you watch football or how much of a Taylor Swift fan you are, as a business owner, you should (or at least we recommend) look closely at the power a faithful following is capable of. It took only rumors of her participating in the Super Bowl's halftime show to break the internet and transform virtually everything touched by that expansive wave into gold.How likely is it we create an army of followers as loyal as the swifties for our auto shop? Let's find out.In today's

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44:10

Throwback To Ep# 5 | Mixing Business and Family the...

Maximum Octane ·

2023/12/12

Is it possible to run a successful auto repair shop with your spouse, keep it stable and solid for three decades, work on your personal growth, and transition from business owner to CEO? The Weatherbys are living proof that it's possible and are here to tell you how they pulled that out.This week, we revisit my conversation with Kelli and Lee Weatherby, owners of Accurate Automotive. Together, they created a fantastic crew that became part of their family, have been serving the greater Phoenix and

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31:24

Throwback To Ep# 72 | Is Your Auto Repair Shop...

Maximum Octane ·

2023/11/28

How much does your auto repair shop charge for an accurate diagnosis made by an A Tech in 15 minutes? How much for the same diagnosis, made in 4 hours by your best B Tech?This week, we revisit my conversation with Brian Hunnicutt about the doubt that shows up quite often in every auto repair shop owner's mind: how to set rates that make justice to the value they provide. Brian shares his perspective as an Executive Coach and Certified Profit First Professional on why most auto shop owners rarely

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31:49

Throwback To Ep# 60 | The B-side of Holidays with...

Maximum Octane ·

2023/11/14

Right after losing a loved one or while dealing with addiction, family reunions tend to be pretty hard. Especially Christmas and New Year's Eve, which are synonyms for peaceful times, filled with hope, good wishes, and quality family time.This week, we revisit my challenging yet necessary conversation with Mike Warren about the B-side of holidays, the challenges some people must go through, how being surrounded by nothing but smiles makes them feel, and what we, who aren't mourning or dealing with

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37:07

Throwback To Ep# 61 | A Miracle From God with Lee...

Maximum Octane ·

2023/10/31

This week, we revisit my moving conversation with Lee Anderson, Service Manager at Integrity Auto Care in South Beloit, Illinois. Lee and his wife, Brittany, went from hell to heaven and everything in between before manifesting the arrival of their son, Asher.Throughout our conversation, Lee shared the highs and lows of his and his wife's struggle with infertility and the exhausting process of "speed dating" birth mommas to find the perfect match and fulfill the adoption requirements. Lee also

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31:49

Throwback To Ep# 55 | Everything You Need To Know...

Maximum Octane ·

2023/10/03

How familiar are you with your personal auto policy?This week, we revisit the second part of my conversation with Richard Sharman, in which he shared everything you must know about your auto policy. Richard is an Executive Coach at ATI with over 40 years of experience in the auto collision industry and insurance claims professions.Throughout our conversation, you'll hear Richard's thoughts on State limits and coverage exclusions, how to avoid getting caught off guard when accidents hit, and what

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35:06

Rev Up Your Marketing Efforts and Make Your...

Maximum Octane ·

2023/09/19

Isn't it frustrating to know you are better than your competitors, yet you see them getting all the work? The only thing you must do to change that is to get your marketing efforts right.This week, I'm joined by Kim and Brian Walker, Owners of Shop Marketing Pros and Hosts of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, to discuss auto repair marketing, the importance of creating and presenting unique content, and why every auto shop owner should understand how marketing works. As former auto repair shop

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37:22

You Can Become an A-Tech and Repair Your Own Mind...

Maximum Octane ·

2023/09/05

Although talking about the pandemic in 2023 might sound like ancient times for some, many others are still struggling with the stress and anxiety of that epoch, and the worst part is that they aren't aware of it.In today's episode, I'm joined by the wonderful Cally Rempis to talk about entrepreneurship, stress release, anxiety and trauma relief, and the best methods to lower your cortisol levels. Cally is an Integrative Health Coach and Certified Hypnotherapist who, after consulting a hypnotherapist

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35:28

How to Choose the Perfect Software for Your Auto Shop...

Maximum Octane ·

2023/08/22

Plugging technology into your auto repair shop can improve your productivity and efficiency, reduce costs, and make your internal and external customers' lives easier IF you choose the right software.This week, I'm joined by Kirk Mize and Jesse Meddaugh to discuss the advantages and the proper use of tech in auto repair shops. Kirk is the Director of Sales at Shop Boss, the premier shop management software for independent automobile repair shops and national repair brands. Jesse is a Founding

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34:55

How To Maximize Your Auto Repair Shop's Social Media...

Maximum Octane ·

2023/08/08

"When your socials look like everyone else's, like a brochure or billboard, it's not doing you justice or a good service."In this episode, I'm joined by Corey Perlman, Keynote Speaker, Executive Consultant, Social Media and Digital Marketing Expert, Best-selling Author, and Owner of Impact Social Media. Corey got into social media way "before it was cool," teaching technology workshops at General Motors and other car dealerships. With time, he decided to spread his knowledge to other industries and

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39:35

Why Aiming for Profit Will Help You Put People First...

Maximum Octane ·

2023/07/25

Business owners who openly discuss their desire to be profitable are usually misjudged. Some people think aiming for profit means being greedy or putting money and goods before people when it is the opposite: only profitable auto repair shops can put people first. Profit allows you to pay your debts, be philanthropic, and elevate your and your internal customers' lifestyle.This week, I'm thrilled to welcome Ron Sharyan, aka Obi-Ron Kenobi, back to the show. Ron is the Co-founder and Managing

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128 results

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