Ratchet+Wrench Radio

The Changing Landscape of Online Reviews

Nearly a year after COVID-19 first began making headlines, the virus continues to impact the way most small businesses operate. With more customer interaction happening online than ever before, the pandemic has also left its mark on the way customers write and search through online reviews.  But what exactly has shifted in the digital review landscape and why? Brett Steele, director of auto services for Podium, breaks down the trends business owners should keep on their radar.

The Power of Keeping Good Company

After a year filled with ups and downs, it may be hard to find the energy to kickstart those goals and plans for the new year ahead.  For Aaron Stokes, founder of Shop Fix Academy, finding fresh motivation is all about surrounding yourself with the people, resources and environments that inspire you.  Stokes talks tips in spotting the factors that may be draining your motivation, tapping networks that will offer fresh perspectives, the resources that can fill you with new energy and the reason for finding and leaning into the unique combination that works best for you in today's episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio. 

How to Move Forward from Tough Times

This week's episode is part two of our conversation with Dynamic Automotive CEO Dwayne Myers. If you missed part one, don't worry, we recap the highlights, but you can also listen to it at ratchetandwrench.com/podcasts. This episode picks up after the financial crisis of 2007 and Dynamic's issues with their new larger bank. Learn how partners Dwayne, Lee and Jose picked up the pieces, fought back and ultimately pulled themselves out of debt, going on to create a world-class, industry-leading shop operation.

How to Tackle Year-end Planning—And Stick With It

Year-end planning. It may not be fun but it is a critical process to master when it comes to a shop's ultimate success. From setting net pay to renegotiating your shop's lease to understanding the ROI of your shop's marketing efforts, monthly podcast guest Frank Leutz, owner of Desert Car Care in Chandler, Ariz., breaks down how to manage the weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual planning steps shop owners can take to stay on top of year-end planning and keep up with it all year long. 

Rebounding from Near-Disaster

If you've met Dwayne Myers or his partners at Dynamic Automotive, Lee and Jose, you know they're salt-of-the-earth people. Gracious, kind, funny, not to mention the owners of a killer operation. But that hasn't precluded them from tough times. In fact, in 2007 and 2008, they went through a period that nearly destroyed them. It was a period so destructure it moved past burnout into nearly a midlife crisis. In part one of this story, Dwayne breaks down the beginning of the issue that continued to steamroll, and how growing too quickly played into the problem.

Can You Handle Growth?

According to Greg Bunch, running five stores is easier than running one. It's a phrase he wholeheartedly believes and also lives, but that doesn't mean it's been easy to reach that point. Growth can be painful, financially, of course, but also emotionally. Throughout his time owning Aspen Auto Clinic, Greg has experienced it all, and through his work with Transformer's Institute, he's helped countless shops through their own struggles. Greg breaks down how he's been able to push past his own burnout to grow, eventually creating the job he's always dreamed of.

Fall Back in Love with Your Business

It's not easy to get back on the horse, as the saying goes. The same applies to business ownership. After years of ups and downs, how do you find not only the motivation, but also the enthusiasm, to keep moving forward? That's what we talked to Autobahn Automotive owner and Ratchet+Wrench online columnist Dave McClung about recently. He shares how he lost enthusiasm for the shop, and how he found his way back, to incredible success.

How to Recognize—and Stop—Burnout

One of the most difficult aspects of dealing with burnout is that it's not always easy to spot—sometimes until it's too late. Urb's Garage owner Ryan Hillebrand has experienced his fair share of burnout throughout the ups and downs of managing his Kentucky shop. However, in recent years, he's made a concerted effort to learn the warning signs and come up with easy, repeatable processes to stave off potential burnout. He's here today to explain those processes and share how to figure out exactly what works for you.

Why Burnout is Holding You Back

Feeling unmotivated, exhausted and overwhelmed? Us, too. That's why this month, Ratchet+Wrench Radio will focus on the topic of burnout, talking to industry insiders about their experiences with it and how to overcome that feeling of exhaustion. Up first is Aaron Stokes, Ratchet+Wrench columnist and AutoFix owner. In this episode, you'll learn about how Aaron's ups and downs in the industry led to some pretty serious burnout, and how to stop those intense experiences from holding you back and achieving your potential. To view the video component of this interview, head to ratchetandwrench.com/facebook.

Tips for Managing Shop Finances and Forecasting

Hear from Ledge CEO Alex Woodie, a CPA by trade who specializes in working with auto-related businesses to help them get their finances in order.