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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

01:28:37

“People Think You’re Qualified—Until They See You...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2026/02/10

Perception decides whether customers trust your shop before they ever meet you. In this Origin & Impact episode, Drew Camp breaks down how mismatched expectations—between what people claim and what they deliver—shape reputation, confidence, and long-term growth.Drew shares his path growing up inside a family-run operation in Midland, Texas, and how early exposure shaped how customers viewed competence, credibility, and professionalism in an oilfield-driven market.The real challenge wasn’t

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01:13:29

“Customers trusted us before our marketing existed” —...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2026/02/05

In this Origin & Impact episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, Jennifer Hazeltine of American Import Auto, Inc. talks about how being visible, personable, and present in the community built customer trust long before any formal marketing strategy existed. She explains why showing up — at local events, in neighborhood groups, and online — matters far more than clicks, ads, or banners.Jennifer came into the auto repair world from a retail background and quickly realized that building relationships

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01:27:20

“Consistency beats panic marketing every time” — Tim...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2026/02/03

Most shop owners don’t have a marketing problem — they have a consistency problem. When car count drops, spending spikes. When things get busy, marketing disappears. In this Vendor Insights episode, Tim Shaffer explains why this cycle quietly kills growth and how shops can break it.Vendor ContextTim works with independent auto repair shops nationwide, helping owners align marketing, front counter communication, and capacity. He repeatedly sees shops investing in visibility without systems in place

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01:19:36

“Customers trust clarity in how we communicate” —...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2026/01/29

In this episode of Garage Grit Podcast – Origin & Impact, the founders of Performance Automotive Repair reveal how communication, culture, and clarity built customer trust and shop visibility in a rural market. From hiring challenges to refined messaging systems, you’ll hear how they shifted perception to grow and retain customers.Brandan and Kelsey Lancaster founded Performance Automotive Repair in Bayfield, Colorado, after years of technical experience and one defining decision to quit a job that

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01:42:59

Creative Marketing Strategies for Auto Shops

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2026/01/27

Crafting a Marketing Budget for Auto Repair Shops: Insights from The Garage Grit PodcastIn this episode of The Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock from AA Shop Marketing is joined by three auto repair shop owners: Joe from Gettysburg, PA, Drew from Midland, TX, and Kevin from Shelton, CT. They delve into various marketing strategies tailored for auto repair shops, discussing practical ideas, innovative approaches, and real-world examples. Topics include leveraging community engagement, creative

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01:16:52

"I like it to be a comfortable place that they can...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2026/01/22

Most shops do not lose customers because of the repair. They lose them because the experience feels unclear, impersonal, or salesy. In this Origin & Impact episode, Kelly Michel breaks down how trust is built through what customers see, hear, and feel the moment they walk in.Kelly opened Kelly's Auto Repair & Service Inc. in Dunnellon, Florida after years of hands on experience, and learned early that visibility is not just ads or reviews. It is the environment, the conversations, and the way the

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01:25:36

"I Look For The Person First, The Resume Second."...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2026/01/20

If your shop is doing the work but still feels stuck, this episode hits the real problem: customers do not buy repairs, they buy trust. Matt Bozarth breaks down what changed when he took over Advanced Auto Care and started treating visibility, communication, and team alignment like revenue drivers.Matt did not grow up as a master tech owner. He came from the parts side, watched hundreds of shops up close, then bought Advanced Auto Care in Bloomington, Indiana and began upgrading the shop’s customer

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01:04:37

"If You Want Trust, You Have to Ask Better Questions"...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2026/01/15

Most shops do not lose trust in the bay. They lose it at the counter. In this Origin & Impact episode, Julio De Brigard explains how customer perception, communication quality, and front desk discipline directly shape outcomes, trust, and long term growth.Julio’s story starts outside the U.S., landing in Florida and stepping behind the front counter of a shop he had never worked in before. Early on, the biggest challenge was not fixing cars. It was how customers experienced the shop, how

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01:12:45

“It’s About Speed, Quality, and Being Known” — Tad...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2026/01/13

Trust is built long before the invoice is printed. In this episode, Tad Benda explains why customer perception, communication, and consistency are the real marketing advantage for independent shops competing against chains.Tad shares his origin story, moving from the restaurant industry into ownership at Tinley Tee Tire Company in Deming, New Mexico. Early on, the shop was known locally but operated like a traditional mom and pop, with systems and visibility that limited how customers experienced

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01:26:07

“You Can’t Market Trust If The Front Desk Breaks It”...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2026/01/08

Most shops think marketing starts online. Jarrod Michalak explains why it actually starts at the front counter. In this episode, we break down how customer communication, trust, and consistency determine whether your marketing dollars turn into real car count or wasted clicks.Jarrod grew up in his family’s shop and eventually took over the business, expanding to a second location in Pennsylvania. As the company grew, he learned that visibility alone was not enough. Customers needed clarity,

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00:54:08

"The majority of your people still call your phone" –...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2026/01/06

Most shops spend real money to get found online, then lose the sale on the first phone call. In this Vendor Insights episode, Rena Rennebohm breaks down how the front counter either converts your marketing or quietly cancels it.Rena is the CEO of Empowered Advisor, a service advisor coaching and training company. She shares how weekly, call based coaching reveals the exact gaps between what your marketing promises and what customers actually hear.The core problem is misalignment. Customers reference

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00:58:53

"I want them to come find us." - Dale Donovan | GGP #062

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/12/30

Dale Donovan shares how shop owners can improve visibility and trust by marketing the real experience of their shop, not just the services they sell. From recruiting to retention, this episode connects culture, customer experience, and positioning in a way that drives growth.Dale grew a family operation into multiple locations by borrowing proven ideas, building local relationships, and staying focused on what customers and future employees actually see. The throughline is simple: make the shop

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01:41:37

Innovations and Challenges: The Evolving Role of...

Garage Grit Podcast ·

2025/12/24

Front of Shop Strategies and Improving Customer Experience | Garage Grit PodcastIn this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, we dive into the essential dynamics of the front of shop and how it impacts the overall performance of an auto repair business. Kathleen Callahan from Expert Tech Auto Repair and Phillip Corbel from Fargo, ND, share their insights on common challenges faced in hiring efficient CSRs and service advisors, training methodologies, and best practices for ensuring a seamless customer

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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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73 results

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