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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

01:24:01

"If it needs to be done, it's going to be done" —...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/12/18

"If it needs to be done, it's going to be done" — Kory Rozema | GGP #060

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01:45:26

"You'll have no choice but to be successful" — Tom...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/12/16

Fleet work, pickup and delivery, loaner cars, DVIs, and ADAS aren’t just operations choices—they’re marketing decisions that shape how customers see your shop, how often they return, and who they refer. In this Origin & Impact episode, AAPEX 2025 Shop Owner of the Year Tom Palermo of Preferred Automotive Specialists in Philadelphia, PA breaks down how convenience and communication built a brand fleets and retail customers fight to stay with. Tom shares how he grew up in his dad’s three-bay

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01:35:33

"We're trying to build a shop culture" — Kevin...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/12/11

Customers don’t come back just because you fixed the car—they come back because of how you treat them, how you show up in the community, and how your shop feels when they walk through the door. In this Origin & Impact episode, Kevin Reichelt from Steller’s Garage in Shelton, CT unpacks how people-first decisions—flowers at the counter, favorite nurse giveaways, and smarter time off—end up driving reputation, reviews, and word-of-mouth more than any coupon ever could.Kevin shares how he went from

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01:07:16

“Women Love Seeing Another Woman at the Counter” —...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/12/09

When customers don’t trust shops, they don’t trust your marketing either. In this episode, we look at how F & L Tire and Service built a female-friendly, family-first brand experience that keeps customers coming back—even when the township puts a hard cap on physical growth. You’ll hear how intentional communication, paid inspections, and a clear value story turn everyday visits into long-term loyalty.Frank and Kristy Sponaugle are a third-generation tire family running a seven-bay shop just

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01:25:01

“It’s Not A Race To The Bottom” — Jeremy McQueen |...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/12/04

Is your shop competing on price or value? Many shop owners struggle with customers who nitpick invoices and price-shop parts, driving margins down. To combat this, Jeremy McQueen implemented a "Bid Shop" model—offering a single price for the total job rather than an itemized breakdown. This marketing and sales strategy shifts the customer conversation from the cost of a water pump to the value of the warranty, expertise, and convenience provided.Jeremy’s journey began working alongside his father in

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01:11:28

“People Want to Support Local—Not Big Brands” —...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/12/02

Customers today make decisions based on trust—who communicates clearly, who feels local, and who treats them with honesty. In this episode, we break down how a shop can outperform franchises simply by showing up as the neighbor customers want to support.Renton Garrett of Gold River Automotive in Gold River, CA shares the origin of his family-run shop, why leaving the franchise model unlocked their brand identity, and how they built a culture that customers immediately recognize and respond to.He

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01:24:51

Auto Shop Insights: Documenting Processes for Success...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/11/25

In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock and a panel of auto shop owners discuss the importance of documenting processes to ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability in running their businesses. The conversation covers several key areas including the advantages of using explicit phone scripts, the benefits of regular staff meetings, and the concept of leveraging AI tools such as ChatGPT for drafting procedures and improving customer interactions. Panelists Julio Dard,

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01:41:11

“If You Google Us for Mini, We’re #1 — and Top 3 for...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/11/20

Google visibility isn’t luck — it’s strategy. In this episode, you’ll hear how Bayer Motor Works dominates search rankings in a competitive metro market and how their European niche allows them to pull customers from 30–50 miles away. This conversation breaks down how SEO, reputation, and smart targeting turn a specialty shop into a destination shop.Sean Beardsley brings a dealer-level perspective on marketing allocation, brand positioning, and customer communication. He explains why he stopped

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01:00:07

"Marketing Helps Us Keep in Touch With Our People" —...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/11/18

Growing a shop starts with staying connected to the people who already trust you. In this Origin & Impact episode, Steve Finzel explains how communication, CRM systems, advisor training, and a consistent customer experience became the backbone of his growth. His story gives shop owners a clear roadmap for turning better communication into real marketing momentum.Steve began his career as a technician, eventually taking over a struggling two-bay shop and rebuilding it from the ground up. The

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01:29:05

“Your Front Desk Is the Face of Your Shop” — Josiah...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/11/13

When Josiah Martin bought Limitless Auto in rural Pennsylvania at age 25, he inherited more than a business — he inherited a legacy. Five years later, his transformation from technician to business leader shows how the right systems, training, and mindset can turn a local garage into a trusted community brand.Raised in a Mennonite family, Josiah didn’t follow a generational path into auto repair. He built his experience from rebuilding starters to running a full-service shop during the uncertainty

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01:52:01

“From EPA Fines to $7M Growth—How CDT Automotive...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/11/11

Thomas Andrews of CDT Automotive turned a four-year EPA battle into a story of resilience and reinvention. What began as a high-performance diesel shop evolved into a people-first repair business generating over $7 million a year. His journey from legal turmoil to leadership shows how to rebuild a business on purpose, community, and integrity.Starting as two best friends modifying trucks, Thomas and his partner Mike Liles transformed their hobby into a performance powerhouse. But an unexpected

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01:21:23

“Stop Doing Everything—Lead Your Team Like Pros” —...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/11/06

Second-generation owner Lou Cannata shares how saying no to distractions (towing, gas, used cars) unlocked the time to build people, processes, and profit. This episode leans into the shop-owner reality: you can’t grow sustainably if you’re still doing everything yourself.Lou’s origin story starts in a three-bay gas station and evolves into a 27–28k sq-ft operation with service and collision under one roof. His early years were hands-on in every profit center—until a mentor’s hard question shifted

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01:21:08

“Stop Working in It—Start Building It” — Tim Schaefer...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/11/04

Tim Schaefer grew up in his family’s shop, Dale’s Service Center, in Davenport, Iowa—starting as a tire kid before becoming owner. After years of doing it all himself, he hit a wall and realized that true growth meant stepping out of the day-to-day and building a business that could run without him.His story begins with a second-generation shop transition that could’ve easily gone sideways. Taking over from his father meant navigating family expectations, evolving technology, and the pressure of

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01:09:29

“Speed Up by Slowing Down: Announce the DVI” — Alex...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/10/30

A third-generation tire shop turns the corner by adding mechanical service—and learns the hard way that customer experience, workflow, and messaging must evolve together. In this episode, we dig into how clear communication and simple process changes lifted ARO while keeping trust high.Alex grew up in his family’s shop (founded in 1969), took over in 2021, and inherited a high-volume tire operation with extreme seasonality. Moving from “tires only” to a fuller service model forced new habits:

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01:09:33

“Stop Turning Wrenches—Build a Bench and Lead” —...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/10/28

Roger Kaufman went from dealership team lead to shop owner, learning how to step out of the bay and run the business. In this episode, he breaks down how he stabilized car count, rebuilt a fractured team, and created a hiring “bench” so staffing never blindsides him again.Starting from a three-lift unit in 2009, Roger grew Kaufman’s Auto Repair to 7 lifts plus an alignment rack, processing ~40–45 cars a week. He invested in office space and systems so he could shift from technician to owner—while

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01:13:35

“You don’t need every customer—value your time” —...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/10/23

Mobile can be your growth lever when bays are capped. In this Origin & Impact, Scott Blair shows how 2U Tire and Wheel built a concierge model that wins fleet work, protects margins, and feeds the shop with higher-trust customers.Scott started in operations—not as a line tech—and co-founded a Phoenix/Mesa mobile unit with an aviation-mechanic partner. The first van launched around Barrett-Jackson, and the team learned fast: fleets first, then retail. That playbook now spans Arizona and

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01:23:39

#044 Shadows of Bureaucracy: When Expansion Meets...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/10/21

In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock and a panel of auto shop owners share powerful stories about the hurdles they face dealing with local municipalities and regulations. Greg discusses his shocking battle with local authorities over improvements to his property, leading to felony charges for cutting down dangerous trees. Tom and Corey provide insights from their own experiences, highlighting the importance of community relations and strategic planning when expanding auto

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01:56:11

“Raise Your Hours Per Ticket, Not Your Bays” —...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/10/16

Kathleen Callahan built Xpertech Auto Repair from four bays to six over 21 years—but not by chasing volume. In this episode of the Origin & Impact series, she reveals how prioritizing quality over quantity transformed her profitability, culture, and sustainability.When she became sole owner in 2009, Kathleen learned operations on the fly. With coaching, process development, and team alignment, she evolved from a hands-on leader into a strategic architect of her business.The real challenge hit

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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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