Ratchet+Wrench Radio

Making Sense of Marketing

Editorial Director Anna Zeck chats with Ryan Hillenbrand, owner of Urb's Garage and Shop Fix Academy coach, about how to maximize your shop's marketing during Q4. Zeck and Hillenbrand discuss how to make sense of all your options to make sure you're getting the bang for your buck. 

Finding Your Balance

How much time is too much time to spend on your business? Editorial Director Anna Zeck chats with Brian Sump, owner of Urban Autocare and Avalon Motorsports, about finding a successful balance that will led to the best business results. Recorded at the 2021 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference, Zeck and Sump also touch on some of the highlights of Sump's keynote speech. 

SPONSORED: The Why and How of Social Media

Shana Steigerwalt, president and founder of Modern Driven Media, discusses tips and tricks for taking on social media as a shop owner. This podcast is sponsored by BOLT ON TECHNOLOGY. To learn more, visit boltontechnology.com.

Develop a Plan for the Future

For many repair shops, business is booming. But it won't forever. Shop Fix Academy Founder Aaron Stokes explains why now is a perfect time to plan for the future, so when the downturn comes, you're ready. 

Podcast: All-Star Award Runner Up Jeffrey Roy

Jeffrey Roy, owner of Primary Care Auto Repair and 2021 Ratchet+Wrench All-Star Award Runner Up, joins the show to discuss his operation, the lessons he learned from nearly closing his business and what he's doing now to ensure that doesn't happen to others. 

Podcast: All-Star Award Runner Up Lucas Underwood

Last week, Ratchet+Wrench All-Star award winner Matt Lachowitzer joined to show to discuss his journey. This week we are talking with one of our runner ups, Lucas Underwood of L&N Performance Auto Repair. Underwood has a really interesting story and is becoming a rising voice in the industry helping shops across the country grow in the process. We chat about that and plenty more about his journey. 

Ratchet+Wrench All-Star Award Winner Matt Lachowitzer

Matt Lachowitzer, owner of Matt's Automotive Service Center and winner of the Ratchet+Wrench All Star Awards, joins associate editor Megan Gosch to discuss his operation and what has made him successful.  If you haven't already, check out the full feature on Lachowitzer here.

What Makes a Bad Customer Experience?

Understanding what makes a good customer experience is as much about learning what to do as it is learning what not to do.  Editorial Director Anna Zeck chats with Jimmy Alauria, owner and president of 3A Automotive in Phoenix, Ariz., about her past experience with repair shops, giving a unique perspective about what an actual customer is looking for. What went well? What didn't? And why did she choose to leave her shop for somewhere else?

How to Deliver Bad Customer News

Unfortunately bad news is an inherent element of the auto repair experience for most customers. But how exactly do you break bad news without overwhelming your customers or tanking the customer experience? Customer service expert, speaker and author Jeff Toister explains how to be the bearer of bad news without sacrificing customer relationships. 

How to Tap the MSO Mindset

The transition from single store to multi-shop operator requires plenty of strategy and shop owners who plan ahead can still find themselves blindsided as their expansion gets underway.   So, how exactly can you begin preparing for that growth well in advance? Shop Fix Academy founder Aaron Stokes shares his own journey and key lessons learned as he grew his business, the staffing strategies that typically catch shop owners off guard, and the mindset shop owners will need to tap in order to set their growing operations up for success.