Ratchet+Wrench Radio

Grow: Running a Family Business

Rissy Sutherland talks to Michael Brewster, president of Gil's Garage Inc., about the challenges and opportunities of his thriving family auto shop. 

Innovate: Stubbornness to Persevere

Stephen Reinarts, Dean of Automotive Programs at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota, discusses the challenges and opportunities of educating and hiring young employees in the body shop industry as well as the current technician shortage. 

Disrupt: Preparing Entry-Level Employees for Success

Charlie Robertson, president of the Collision Career Institute, explains what shop operators can do to set their entry-level employees up to be assets at their facility. 

Innovate: Creating an Off-Site Office

Creating an off-site location can bring about change throughout the shop, the separation creates independence among staff members. The location can serve as a separate meeting hub for the shop, and it provides owners with space away from the business. Gary Pontious Jr. of Toledo Auto Care discusses how his business recently took the leap into establishing a separate office location and how it's brought positive change to the establishment.

How I Did it: Staying Healthy as a Shop Owner

Today, Ryan Clo is the owner of three shops in the Cincinnati area and is regarded as one of the best operators in the country. But seven years ago, Clo readily admits that his business was running him—to the detriment of his health and his relationships. Since then, he's undergone a personal transformation that challenged his beliefs about business ownership, as well as his physical and mental health. In this week's podcast, Clo digs deeper into his journey, as well as provides easy health and wellness tips that every shop owner could—and should—implement.

Lead: Hitting Your Shop’s Goals

For Aaron Stokes' monthly contribution to Ratchet+Wrench Radio, he discusses the ways in which shops can hit the goals they set for themselves. By following his steps, you can develop a better understanding of what your goal is as well as how you can get there.

Innovate: Understanding Your Closing Ratio

Closing ratio can be broken down by many factors, including dollar amount, type (diagnostic, transmission, etc.), new customer, etc. Here's a system for better tracking closing ratio and knowing where you can improve your sales. Barry Barrett, director of RLO Training, shares his approach.

Grow: Get the Most Out of Your Online Marketing

This month, industry superstar Rissy Sutherland talks to Kukui CEO Todd Westerlund and Buckley Auto Care owner Greg Buckley about the best practices when it comes to online marketing and reviews, as well as provides simple takeaways to get the most out of your online marketing.

Lead: Find the Perfect Manager for Your Shop

For Aaron Stokes' monthly contribution to Ratchet+Wrench Radio, he discusses everything to consider when selecting your right-hand man, whether that be promoting someone within the company or hiring from the outside. By following his steps, you can find the perfect manager that will facilitate your vision as leader of the shop.

How I Did It: Judi Haglin

Implementation, and simply getting things done, has been the theme of Judi Haglin's success as an owner, consultant and ambassador for the industry. Here's how Haglin, the 2018 Ratchet+Wrench All-Star Award winner in the Executive category, built her operation alongside her husband, Dana.