Ratchet+Wrench Radio
The official podcast of Ratchet+Wrench, providing strategies and inspiration for auto care success.
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Episodes
Tuesday May 09, 2023
Tuesday May 09, 2023
In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Mark Allen of OEM1Stop talks about how his organization's website can help shops get OEM-specific repair information in minutes. He discusses: How long OEM1Stop has been in service Which OEM-specific repair information shops have access to on the platform What technicians can expect when using the interface How often the information is updated by OEMs What the learning curve for using the website and how to best use it How OEM1Stop can help techs with advanced repairs on newer vehicles How to access the information What the fee for service structure is for OEM1Stop
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Tuesday May 02, 2023
In this episode, Jesse Sammons of Thoroughbred Motors in Ramona, California, talks about the lessons he's learned in his first two years of shop ownership. Jesse opened his auto repair shop—45 minutes from downtown San Diego—during the height of the pandemic in 2020. Today, he reflects on his career as a technician and the takeaways he got from working at other shops that have helped him succeed in his own. Jesse discusses: Opening a shop during COVID His start in the auto care industry Working to build a shop that was different from the other shops he had worked at before The things he thought would be easy but have proved to be challenging Making the mental switch from technician to shop owner How he's creating a nurturing work environment for his team His philosophy on customer service and his approach to marketing How he will lead his shop through the rapid changes happening in California
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
In this episode, Tonnika Haynes of Brown's Automotive in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, discusses boundaries and expectations. Every shop needs to have a protocol on how to help customers who don't fully understand what shops can and cannot do within reason. Tonnika discusses: Being a second-generation shop owner How she decided to get into the industry and taking over her father's shop How she manages customer expectations How she handles difficult customers Helping customers understand the difference between the dealership service model and how independent shops work How to set personal boundaries How overwork put her in the hospital and why shop owners need to take time off Why she loves shop ownership
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
In this episode of Ratchet+Wench Radio, my guest is R+W columnist Joe Marconi. Joe owned his shop Osceola Garage for 41 years before retiring in 2022. Today, he talks about the things that keep shop owners up at night and other situations shop owners face. We discuss: The 'What if's" that cause anxiety in shop owners The responsibility of providing gainful employment and benefits to your team How to confront your negative thinking How to delegate and break perfectionism The importance of creating the right systems and processes for success How one-on-one meetings create confidence in a shop owner's vision Why shop owners need to be visible and transparent with their team How goal setting helps team buy-in Why having a plan for emerging tech and sharing it with the team matters even if you're not going to execute it in the near future How to always remember what you're grateful for and why you do what you do
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
In the second installment of this two-part series, Jimmy Lea, product evangelist at Kikui, is back to show shop owners more about developing and growing trust online through Google. This week, Lea talks about: What the sweet spot is for Google Reviews. How to optimize the replies you add to customer reviews to help others better find your shop. How many positive reviews does it take to grow your star rating? Whether Facebook Reviews have more weight than Google Reviews. The importance of having a consistent listing across the entire web. How much weight Google places on customer reviews in its algorithm? An email hack email to get a review and schedule the next service appointment at the same time.
Tuesday Apr 04, 2023
Tuesday Apr 04, 2023
In this episode, Jimmy Lea, product evangelist at Kikui, kicks off this two-part series on how shop owners can develop trust online through Google. This week, Lea talks about: Why shop owners need to pay attention to Google Reviews Why obsessing over 5-star ratings isn't the right strategy with Google Why shop owners must engage with customer reviews and why Google loves this How to report consumer abuse (false reviews)aimed at tanking your reviews What is review gating and why it's a bad practice for your shop How to properly solicit customer reviews How to get optimized Google reviews to attract the right customers
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
In this episode, Ratchet+Wrench Radio welcomes Tyler Peartree and Jim Nawrocki of Silver Lake Tire and Auto Centers. They discuss how Silver Lake successfully implemented ADAS services and what shop owners need to know about cost, benefits, liability and space requirements.
Tuesday Mar 21, 2023
Tuesday Mar 21, 2023
In this episode, the last in our 2023 Best Workplaces podcast series, our guest is Curt Rock, owner and founder of Curt's Auto Repair in Phoenix, Arizona. He talks about his shop, how he developed his people-focused inverted pyramid leadership style, his hiring process, how he takes care of his technicians and what serving multiple generations of families means to him.
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
In this episode, the first in our 2023 Best Workplaces podcast series, Will Dunford, chief operating officer at SimplyTRUE Auto Group, talks about the shop, its culture, what makes it an anomaly in the auto care industry and the value of nurturing people (and their families).
Tuesday Mar 07, 2023
Tuesday Mar 07, 2023
In this episode, Rissy Sutherland, CEO and president of Drive Automotive Services, an Atlanta-based corporate office that runs repair shops for all major vehicle brands across six states and under a handful of operating banners, talks shop with host Chris Jones. Rissy talks about her childhood in her father's auto repair shop, going to tech school as a female, the triumphs and challenges of being a woman in auto care, how she built her business and more.