Ratchet+Wrench Radio

Pre-sell. Be a promoter. And never, ever stop advertising. This week on Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Aaron Stokes tells it like it is. 

Jeff Matt is the owner of Victory Auto Service & Glass, a six-shop operation in Minnesota (five) and Florida(one). Today, Matt shares his experience working at a shop where customer service was nonexistent, and how he leveraged that experience into a successful multi-shop business (and the old-school media he uses to keep it going). 

Rolland Trowbridge is the owner/operator of Trinity Sails & Repair in Nome, Alaska, the only shop for hundreds of miles. Perched on the western coast of Alaska at the edge of the Arctic Sea, Trowbridge faces some unique shop challenges in the frozen north. Hear the conclusion of his story in part 2 of 2 this week. 

Rolland Trowbridge is the owner/operator of Trinity Sails & Repair in Nome, Alaska, the only shop for hundreds of miles. Perched on the western coast of Alaska at the edge of the Arctic Sea, Trowbridge faces some unique shop challenges in the frozen north. Hear his story in part 1 of 2 this week. 

Robert Ohlman's shop was struggling. He found a mentor, however, and things started to change—he listened, learned, and turned his process around. Now Tony's Brake & Alignment is thriving. Hear his story today on Ratchet+Wrench Radio. 

"Don't wait 'til the end of the month!" This is great advice for just about anyone. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, shop owner and R+W columnist Aaron Stokes describes the challenges and opportunities when month-end rolls around and your numbers aren't where you want them to be. Football fans will appreciate his AFC title match comparison to running a shop, and bonus: Stokes shares his Super Bowl prediction.

Matthew Roayaee, owner of Auto Check Elite in Katy, Texas, boosts company morale by providing breakfast, lunch, and focusing on traditions around his business. 

Brian Bowersock is the owner and operator of West Automotive Group, a three-store California operation located in San Diego county with shops in Escondido, El Cajon, and Kerney Mesa. Ask the Auto Man, which airs on San Diego Channel 6. Bowersock's show focuses on a different automotive topic every week, ranging from how often drivers should service automatic transmissions to what it means when a vehicle’s check engine light comes on and everything in between. The goal of Ask the Auto Man is to educate drivers on the many topics related to the automotive industry and keep them up-to-date on the latest industry news. Listen to Brian discuss his experience with the radio show and how he channels his passions, hobbies, and goals into his shop for himself and every WAG employee.   

Aaron Stokes discusses his 2019 goals: the whiteboard vision, the shop floor implementation, and how he motivates his staff to get there. 

Leon Anderson, owner of Integrity Auto Care in South Beliot, Ill., opened his business in order to provide an answer for those who lost jobs at a local dealership. Today, he's in the process of opening his second location, and talks with Ratchet+Wrench on the lessons he learned from his first year in business.