Ratchet+Wrench Radio

How to Recession-Proof Your Shop (with Brad Fink)

In this episode, Brad Fink of Christian Brothers Automotive talks about how shops can weather a potential recession. He shares his experiences as a shop owner and as a leader within the franchise on how he's approached economic tightening through conservative business practices while continuing to give to customers and the community.

How to Approach Electrification (with Chris Salvo)

In this episode, Chris Salvo of Electrified Garage talks about how shops should ready themselves for electrification. He shares insights from his career working with Tesla and offers ways shop owners can start getting their technicians up to speed on understanding EV parts and maintenance.

What Techs Want in a Shop (w/ Jimmy Alauria)

This week, we talked to Jimmy Alauria, president and shop owner of 3A Automotive Service and co-founder and CEO of Victory Teambuilding Group. He discusses the findings of a survey he created that polled technicians about what they really want from an auto repair shop. 

Write Ads That Make Technicians Respond (with Chris Lawson)

In this episode, Chris Lawson of Technician Find, an agency that helps independent auto repair shops find qualified technicians through digital ad campaigns, joins us to talk about his company. We discuss why shops need to change their hiring narrative, ways to write effective job ads, and how Technician Find's clients have made the service work for their shops.  

How Honest Wrenches Built a Winning Culture (with Travis Troy)

In this episode, Travis Troy of Honest Wrenches in Des Moines, Iowa, talks about why he and business partner Josh Mullins hold culture within their shop in high esteem. He opens up about his methods, such as family outings, team outings and even cooking for his team members, why culture matters internally and externally, and how to lead the way as a shop owner. Lastly, he dives into another facet of Honest Wrench's culture, customer service, and why attention to detail helps his service advisors treat customers with exceptional care. 

Talking Shop with Tim Suggs & Rachel Grewell of Turbo Tim’s Anything Automotive

In this episode, we talk to Tim Suggs and Rachel Grewell of Turbo Tim's Anything Automotive in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We talk about how Tim got started in automotive, his love for cats, big shops, and his community. We also discuss how Rachel decorated the shop, some of its eclectic and fun touches, how they train the front and back of the house, their shop culture, and more.   

What’s Your Mission? (w/ Chris Cloutier)

In this episode, Chris Cloutier of Golden Rule Auto Care and autotext.me visits Ratchet+Wrench Radio to discuss personal mission statements. Many shop owners have a detailed and comprehensive vision for the health and growth of their shop, but how many also apply this to their personal lives where all of that drive stems? Chris breaks down his four pillars for developing a personal mission statement and tells how you can use a personal mission statement to be your external governing compass in all of your decisions making personally and professionally. 

Can APAC ATI Solve the Auto Technician Shortage? (w/ Chris Knuth)

In this episode, Chris Knuth of APAC ATI stops by the show to talk about how his nonprofit auto technician training program can help shops across the country with labor shortages. He shares the background of the organization, how it finds technicians to train, and how auto repair shops can work with him.

How to Build Your Apprenticeship Program (w/ Mitch Moncur)

In this episode, Mitch Moncur of Denny's Auto in Riverton, Utah, talks about how he finds, trains, and develops high school-age apprentices to be shop-ready by their graduation date.

AAPEX Bonus: Lauren Beaulieu of Advance Professional

In this episode. Ratchet+Wrench Editor Chris Jones catches up with Lauren Beaulieu, VP of Advance Professional, Worldpac, Carquest, and Autopart International. They are to revisit a story from the June 2022 issue of Ratchet+Wrench on TechNet Impressions and talk about what's new with the program.