Ratchet+Wrench Radio
The official podcast of Ratchet+Wrench, providing strategies and inspiration for auto care success.
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Episodes
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.
Monday Feb 27, 2023
Monday Feb 27, 2023
In this episode, Cathy Heying, founder of The Lift Garage in Minneapolis, Minnesota, visits Ratchet+Wrench Radio to talk about the inner workings of nonprofit auto repair shops. Heying, who was once a social worker, made a career change at 38 in order to help more people in real time. Here's what we discussed: Her time as a social worker When she became an auto technician The founding of The Lift Garage How the nonprofit operates How she helps customers understand car care How her techs are compensated Partnering with outside independent auto repair shops to service her customers The challenges of her work that differ from what other shop owners face.
Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
In this episode, Jeff Beck, owner of Beck's Garage in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, joins Chris Jones to talk about how he got started in automotive, the creation of his shop, his affinity for Route 66-style Americana antique decor, show he trains his team and his love for repairing classic cars.
Tuesday Feb 14, 2023
Tuesday Feb 14, 2023
In this episode, Jesse Jackson, owner of Mango Automotive, talks about her drive to make her brand of auto repair shops a national name. She shares how she got into the auto care industry, getting into her first shop, how she skillfully acquires new shops, her onboarding process and the timeline for full national coverage.
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
In this episode, Suresh Krishna, CEO of Northern Tool+Equipment stops by Ratchet+Wrench Radio to discuss his company's latest role in helping high school automotive programs. Through Tools for the Trades, students get to use professional-grade tools found in auto repair shops to learn about the industry and work on vehicles. Suresh also discusses Northern Tool+Equipment's partner in the program, NASCAR legend Richard Petty and how he got involved with the program.