Ratchet+Wrench Radio

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.

Lead: Overcome Analysis Paralysis

Monthly columnist Aaron Stokes talks pushing past the urge freeze up or to perfect your plans you hit a fork in the road and how to keep your business moving forward as challenges arise. 

How Discount Coupons May Destroy Your Business

Thinking of promoting your business with discounts and coupons? Take Frank Leutz's advice from personal experience: don't. In this episode, Leutz and co-host Susie Sockets discuss when discount coupons go completely wrong and how they could negatively impact your business.

The 3 Ms of Marketing

Want to elevate your marketing message but don't know where to start? Philipp Lomboy has got you covered. In this edition of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, staff writer Abby Patterson sat down with Lomboy, founder of Marami Marketing Group, on what you first need to address in your digital marketing tactics.

Lead: Budgeting Time for ROI

In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, monthly guest Aaron Stokes talks setting boundaries and easy markers of misspent time to help identify how to budget your time for maximum ROI.