Advertise on podcast: Confessions of a Shop Owner

If you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE for more on Turnkey Marketing. Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE There are a lot of moving parts in a repair shop, opening the door to missing things. Don't let that happen to you. Learn more about Detect Auto Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE Bryce Evans is the founder and editor-in-chief of Auto Service Leader. Today, Bryce and Mike talk about the future of automotive media, the role of independent journalism, and how Auto Service Leader's innovative magazine is reshaping the information gap for shop owners. Their model puts content ahead of advertising, giving readers practical information they can actually use. They also cover the current state of journalism, the challenges of maintaining editorial integrity in today’s click-driven media landscape, and what independent shop owners can do to navigate an industry rapidly changing due to private equity and consolidation. See Auto Service Leader's work HERE Timestamps: 00:00 Can True Investigative Journalism Survive Today’s Media Landscape?01:05 Auto Service Leader’s Magazine Model – No Ads, Just Content03:27 Building a Consistent Brand & Publication Experience05:00 How Shops & Partners Get Featured in Auto Service Leader06:19 Bryce Evans’ B2B Publishing Background & Ratchet Wrench Insights08:46 Filling the Information Gap: What Shop Owners Really Need09:53 Auto Service Leader’s Searchable Resource Hub Explained11:09 What’s Next for Auto Service Leader in 2026?13:12 Bryce Evans’ Journey: Journalism, Moving Into Automotive17:09 Lessons from Newsrooms & What Changed His Career Path20:58 Why Community and Peer Groups Matter for Shop Owners22:15 Is Print Media Dead? Newspapers vs New Media23:27 “Everyone’s Got a Podcast” – Modern Media Challenges25:17 Media’s Role in Political Division & Clickbait26:19 Absolutism and the Importance of Nuance in the Auto Industry29:44 The Art of Interviewing: Insights for Great Journalism33:25 Dealing With Agenda-Driven Coverage as a Business Owner36:57 Is Print Here to Stay? Why High-End Magazines Matter38:09 Navigating Hot Button Topics: Relational vs. Transactional Selling41:32 How Auto Service Leader Handles Problematic Sources42:32 Private Equity & Consolidation’s Impact on the Automotive Industry

Tekmetrics' business model of listening to customers' needs and implementing new systems makes them super shop-friendly. Start using them at your shop today HERE Turnkey Marketing has made my life SOOO much simpler, AND they've helped keep the phone ringing. Do you need these two things too? Learn more HERE Elite Worldwide coaching has changed the game for me and my shop. Need a boost? Use Elite like I do HERE Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE In this episode, Mike Allen and Bryan Pollock talk with Mr. Subaru. Mr. Subaru talks through his experiences navigating drama in the automotive influencer space and addresses accusations of clickbait content. He shares some colorful stories from his time as a Snap-on dealer, including the challenges of repossessing toolboxes from delinquent customers. Finally, Mr. Subaru discusses his upcoming plans to build a new shop on his property and the future direction of his YouTube content.Timestamps: 00:00 - Are you a Clickbait Creator? Mr. Subaru on Online Drama00:19 - The Truth About Tool Content—Is It Clickbait?01:08 - Rock Hill & South Carolina’s Automotive Scene03:03 - Content Creator Drama & Automotive Industry Comparison07:09 - Shop Builds: Mr. Subaru Gets Bank Approval for His New Shop08:51 - How It All Started: Mr. Subaru’s First YouTube Videos10:59 - The COVID Boost: Explosive Growth on YouTube12:12 - Monetization Woes: TikTok, Facebook, & Instagram13:33 - The Snap-On Dealer Experience—Sales, Credit, & Repos17:15 - Wild Repo Stories: Guns, Knives, & Toolbox Sting Operations21:30 - The Biggest Toolbox Sale Ever26:03 - Market Insights: Charlotte Money, Shop Opportunities, & Area Growth29:12 - Podcasting & Automotive Media Scene in Carolina29:37 - Drama vs. Good for the Industry: Podcast Growth Strategies33:08 - Rage-Bait vs. Thoughtful Content: Finding Balance35:55 - Instant Opinions & The Problem with Social Media Hate37:00 - Shop Anonymity & Weirdos—Dealing with the Downside of Fame39:16 - Diagnosing for the Diagnostically Challenged: Mobile Work Stories45:27 - B-Techs, A-Techs, and Weaponized Incompetence Rant47:22 - Diagnostic Training on YouTube: Scanner Danner & Self-Learning48:53 - What’s Next for Mr. Subaru? Shop Builds & New Content51:19 - DIY vs. Shop Content: Who Does It Serve Best?54:02 - Upcoming Events: Visions, Asta, Farm Show, and More56:08 - Favorite Training Classes & Shop Stories57:37 - Sumos, Hurricanes, and Confessions—Podcast Outtakes

My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERE Tekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HERE I was SHOCKED when I saw the things I was missing the first time I used Detect Auto. Simple things, but easy to miss. Detect Auto helped clean that up for me, and they can for you, too. Use them HERE Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE In this episode, Mike Allen and Matt Lofton break down 2025's financial results from the shop, and talk about what went wrong and what went right. Matt encourages Mike to work towards pre-booking appointments to drive repeat business, and Mike states his goals for boosting net profit in 2026. Timestamps: 00:00 Matt thinks Mike should only focus on the shop?01:15 Confessions intro03:02 Recapping the year: top-line numbers, gross profit, and performance metrics05:07 Gross profit calculation, labor rates, and tech efficiency09:35 Ad spend breakdown—what’s working, what’s wasted11:15 Setting ambitious but achievable 2026 profit targets13:43 Staffing, productivity by the billable hour, and role expectations16:03 Navigating seasonal slowdowns and weather curveballs21:21 Drilling into process—team consistency and customer experience26:16 Tech inspections, quality DVIs, and closing rate improvements33:04 The #1 process change to add 10% net profit34:16 How (and WHY) to start pre-booking appointments for consistent car count39:00 Pre-booking accountability & reminder hacks that actually work41:51 Retention challenges with new customers & recapture campaign ideas45:14 Why “state inspection only” tickets kill profitability48:48 The key takeaways—retention, consistency, and focusing on fundamentals

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE Turnkey Marketing takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off my plate. And gives it to someone who is. Click HERE for more. Elite Worldwide has CHANGED my business and life through their one-on-one coaching. Use them like I do HERE Jared Haleck is the new Chief Product Officer at Tekmetric, and today he talks with Mike about the rapid innovation happening in automotive shop management technology. Jared shares his perspective on how AI tools can streamline service advisor-customer interactions, making it easier to gather, document, and translate repair information for technicians. The conversation also explores the future potential of AI in automating repair estimates and improving digital vehicle inspections—emphasizing that the biggest barrier to integrating these tools is just shop owners’ creativity. Timestamps:00:00 – Will Tekmetric take over the world??00:21 – Confessions of a Shop Owner Presented by Tekmetric01:13 – Speed Vegas recap: Racing exotics, leaderboard drama, and surprises05:15 – Jared Haleck’s background & first impressions of Tekmetric08:43 – What does a Chief Product Officer actually do? (And, yes, nerds are involved)10:39 – The AI revolution: Early adopters, ChatGPT, and what every shop should know13:04 – Practical AI: Intake conversations, tech translation, and smarter service writing16:25 – Summarization, speech-to-text, and eliminating “translation loss”20:03 – Why voice (and phone) is key to the next auto shop breakthrough25:33 – Wish list: AI-powered digital vehicle inspections & visual documentation32:30 – Word choices, loss aversion, and writing the story customers need34:44 – The real trick: Getting creative with AI prompts and trying new ideas36:12 – Gemini, Claude, or GPT: Which AI platform works best?39:54 – Where can shop owners get the most bang-for-their-buck with AI today?41:25 – Fast hacks: Using iPhone Notes for instant transcriptions42:29 – What’s next? The roadmap to automated estimate building44:32 – Why Tekmetric is leading the innovation race (and how to join)

If you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE for more on Turnkey Marketing. Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE There are a lot of moving parts in a repair shop, opening the door to missing things. Don't let that happen to you. Learn more about Detect Auto Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE Jimmy Purdy is the host of The Gearbox Podcast and owns Shift'n Gears Auto Repair in Paso Robles, California. Today, he and Mike Allen talk about how Jimmy nearly doubled his business in 2025 using the sometimes unpopular AutoShop Answers method. The conversation also covers the challenges of balancing profitability with company culture and how shop owners often struggle to find the one “silver bullet,” when success is really about picking up the right gold nuggets along the way. Timestamps: 00:00 The golden rule: fully inform the customer before doing any repairs01:08 Trade show tricks: why veteran vendors bring two pairs of shoes02:08 Shoe disasters, hiking stories, and quick-thinking hacks03:28 Shop growth: Doubling sales, why net profit isn’t the whole picture04:41 Breaking revenue ceilings: Big changes and new sales processes05:37 Shiny object syndrome and tracking the right KPIs06:21 Learning to filter industry advice and run the shop your way07:36 Sales process overhaul: From tech mindset to customer experience08:53 What great client experience actually means—beyond the inspection10:10 Shop coaching, sales training, and implementing what works for YOU12:25 Adapting big shop advice for smaller or rural markets13:55 Customizing processes, balancing growth and team happiness15:11 Efficiency breakthroughs: Improving inspections and workflow17:37 Overcoming DVI inconsistency and getting buy-in from your team21:50 Estimating strategies: Why quoting everything isn’t always best25:22 Lessons in sales: The “kitchen sink” rule and sales fatigue29:13 Team training, scripting, and crushing phone intake times34:43 Bringing team to trade shows for real buy-in (and to avoid “Black Monday”)39:11 Evolving customer expectations and modernizing shop experiences44:39 The myth of the universal “right way” to run a shop51:06 Seven-day work weeks, shop culture, and the truth about tech retention54:13 Letting your team find their own wins—even new gloves count56:06 Shop life, family life, and defining your own success as an owner57:17 Where to find more: Jimmy’s Gearbox podcast & how you can get involved

Tekmetrics' business model of listening to customers' needs and implementing new systems makes them super shop-friendly. Start using them at your shop today HERE Turnkey Marketing has made my life SOOO much simpler, AND they've helped keep the phone ringing. Do you need these two things too? Learn more HERE Elite Worldwide coaching has changed the game for me and my shop. Need a boost? Use Elite like I do HERE Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE Rick White is the founder of 180Biz, and he hates people who do free diag. So.....this is awkward now...Today, Mike learns more about Rick and his coaching philosophies only then to stir the pot and bring up everything he opposes Rick on. What do you think? Is free diag a smart marketing move, or a decision only idiots make? Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome Rick White to the Show - Now Let's Fight!06:10 – Why Men Struggle with Feelings (and How That Shapes Shop Leadership)10:00 – Building a Coaching Empire: Rick White’s Approach to Scaling and Staying Grounded17:45 – How to Interview a Coach (and Why Some Clients Get Fired)24:12 – One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Franchise Model vs. Tailored Shop Coaching29:40 – Private Equity in the Auto Industry: Boon or Bust?35:18 – Passing the Shop to the Next Generation: Equity Equivalence & Creative Solutions41:55 – “You Do You”: Why There Are Many Ways to Run a Successful Shop45:03 – The Real Cost of Free Diag: Metrics, Marketing, and Moneyball Tactics57:10 – Coaching Confessions: Ego, Impact, and the Danger of Explosive Growth1:07:50 – Final Thoughts: What Matters Most for Shop Owners Right Now

My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERE Tekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HERE I was SHOCKED when I saw the things I was missing the first time I used Detect Auto. Simple things, but easy to miss. Detect Auto helped clean that up for me, and they can for you, too. Use them HERE Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE In this episode, Mike Allen, Bryan Pollock, and Braxton Critcher look back on a year of "Confessions of a Shop Owner". They play back the top moments on the podcast in 2025, and each give their most embarrassing confession thus far. Oh, what a year it has been, and oh, what a year 2026 is setting up to be. Remember, this is the last episode that Mike is current ASTA President...this is about to get good...Finally.  Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: The Year of "Edit That Out" (But Did We?) 01:12 – Amateur Podcast Setups & Tech Fails 03:12 – 65+ Episodes Later: What Did We Even Do?! 04:30 – Are We the Best Automotive Podcast in the Galaxy? 05:10 – Going Viral: Social Media Buzz & Darren’s Big Weekend 08:07 – Most Memorable Guest: Darren Barney Shares a Vulnerable Story 12:16 – The "16-Foot Trailer" Incident with Zeb Beard  17:00 – When Guest Rage Turns the Podcast Upside Down – David Roman Goes OFF! 22:00 – Saturday Shop: Do Employees Actually Want to Work Weekends? 24:36 – The Great Staffing Challenge & "Short Term Gain, Long Term Pain" 27:47 – Our Most Embarrassing Tech Confessions & Social Media Mishaps 32:43 – Confession Time: When Braxton Lost All the Podcast Files 33:43 – Misspelling Sponsor Names… and the Tattoo Bet is On! 35:01 – Who’s REALLY The Fastest Driver in the Crew? 39:09 – The All-Time Most Embarrassing Shop Owner Confession 43:20 – The Viral Aftermath & Listener Group Chat Chaos 48:30 – Hospitality Suite Stories: Couch Shopping & More Debauchery 50:00 – The Greatest Hot Mic Moment That Will Never Air 52:37 – Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Confessions in 2026? 54:24 – Favorite Moments & Listener Shout-Outs 56:06 – Parting Thoughts & Why We Love This Podcast

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE Turnkey Marketing takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off my plate. And gives it to someone who is. Click HERE for more. Elite Worldwide has CHANGED my business and life through their one-on-one coaching. Use them like I do HERE In this special Christmas Coaching Call, Mike Allen and Matt Lofton talk about goal setting for the New Year. They did into the details of how to properly project technician hour capacity and slow and busy seasons. They also discuss the importance of a strategic marketing budget, saying that marketing should generate opportunity—not just sales—and how matching tactics to team strengths is crucial for success. Timestamps: 00:00 Farmer Analogy for Shop Owners: Understanding Harvest Seasons00:20 Why Bad October & August Can Sink Your Year01:00 Navigating Health Insurance Options for Your Team03:05 Payroll Mistakes = Free Health Insurance?!04:20 Christmas Episode Intro & Why Shop Goal Setting Matters05:19 Goal Setting Philosophy: The “Elite Pro Service” Approach06:53 Grounding Goals in Math, Not Hope07:54 Calculating Real Shop Capacity with Tech Hours09:01 Factoring Satellite Locations into Your Planning10:02 Breaking Down Staff Roles & Realistic Productivity13:01 Training & Growing Technician Skillsets15:00 Risks & Rewards of Upskilling Your GS18:24 Effective Labor Rate & Parts-to-Labor Ratio Explained20:15 The Monthly Capacity Game & Avoiding Average Traps26:36 Why August & October Are Your Make-or-Break Months28:02 Adapting Your Monthly Goals to Holidays & Vacation29:02 Getting Your Team Singing from the Same Goal Sheet30:00 Coaching Your Team: The Basketball Analogy32:09 Communicating Daily Goals for Technicians & Advisors36:59 Tracking Approvals, Car Count, and Setting Realistic Targets40:29 Translating Manager Math into Daily Team Wins42:38 Setting Your Marketing Budget (3-5% or Up to 10%?)44:08 Google Ads vs. Direct Mail: What Works for New Shops?47:30 The Myth of Bad Customers—Fixing the Real Problems54:21 Community Events, Brand Building, and Consistency55:36 Wrapping Up: Getting Linked Up With Elite & Your Shop’s Growth55:37 Christmas Family Fun Gone Wrong! Elf on the Shelf Stories

If you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE for more on Turnkey Marketing. Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE There are a lot of moving parts in a repair shop, opening the door to missing things. Don't let that happen to you. Learn more about Detect Auto Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE Aniz Lavji owns a shop in Canada, and met Mike Allen at ASTA 2025. It was in Raleigh where Aniz thought his life was in danger because of Mike and his ESO Miata. They relive that story on today's episode. Turns out, Aniz might be turning into an ESO himself. The guys also talk tires, and why many shops miss opportunities by not doing tires right.  Timestamps: 00:00 – Tire Hustles & Leveraging Trades: How Aniz Lavji turned tires into rare Lego sets05:34 – Earning the "evil shop owner badge" – disposing tires, creative deals, and industry banter07:16 – Embarrassing moments: Shop meetings gone awry and podcast stories spilled to the family11:35 – Why tire storage is big business in Canada (and how Aniz Lavji manages hundreds of sets)16:31 – Shop equipment talk: Hunter vs. Coats vs. Corgi, and keeping employees happy with cool machines25:31 – Family business backstory: Dial Attire, Waterloo, and how Aniz Lavji gets mom & dad on vacation31:09 – Big conferences, industry networking, and why ASTA Expo matters41:12 – ADHD, podcast behind-the-scenes, and dealing with "wasted time"53:03 – Used tires vs. new tires: How the tire business evolved56:01 – Offshore tire brands, hilarious mascots, and challenges selling "Triangle" tires1:02:38 – Why Teslas flood Aniz Lavji's shop — EV referrals, repairs, and donut diplomacy1:07:15 – Saturday madness: Shop emergencies, wild tire stories, and customer demands1:13:32 – Building relationships with vendors and parts suppliers1:22:01 – Wrapping up with the worst American cars ever made and naming mishaps

Tekmetrics' business model of listening to customers' needs and implementing new systems makes them super shop-friendly. Start using them at your shop today HERE Turnkey Marketing has made my life SOOO much simpler, AND they've helped keep the phone ringing. Do you need these two things too? Learn more HERE Elite Worldwide coaching has changed the game for me and my shop. Need a boost? Use Elite like I do HERE Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE Uwe Kleinschmidt is the Founder of AutoTech IQ, and today shares stories of growing up in East Germany. He also brings up how service advisors need to utilize AI to improve their technical expertise and lean into their people skills. He and Mike also talk about the importance of customer education, and Uwe explains how empowering customers with clear information leads to higher approval rates and better shop retention. Timestamps: 00:00 Uwe Helped Bring Down the Berlin Wall?  04:14 Mike Doesn't Listen to Podcasts Anymore 08:01 Reality Behind the Facade 11:55 Dual Citizenship Made Easier 16:35 "AI Dependency Dumbs Down Skills" 20:06 DVI's Potential in Customer Education 24:39 "Educating on Filter Cleanliness" 25:42 "Empowering Autonomous Decision-Making" 31:06 "Improved Workflow for Service Shop" 35:20 "We Are the Problem" 36:01 Building Trust with New Customers 42:01 Empowering Motorists Boosts Approvals 43:35 "Text-Only Customer Communication" 49:24 "Inspection Process Explanation"

My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERE Tekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HERE I was SHOCKED when I saw the things I was missing the first time I used Detect Auto. Simple things, but easy to miss. Detect Auto helped clean that up for me, and they can for you, too. Use them HERE Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE In this episode, Mike learns that fish hung on a wall are just plastic. He, John Firm, Michael Guenther, and Jeff Compton also get into some ESO talk, free Diag, and if free oil changes are ruining this industry. They also share firsthand experiences managing small-town customer relationships, including the challenges of offering credit and dealing with overdue invoices. Timestamps: 00:00 Mounted Fish Aren't Real?? 09:51 Rising Star in Auto Industry 14:46 "Efficiency Concerns with Machine" 17:28 "Free Car Diagnostics Explained" 22:42 "The Cost of Your Dream Car" 28:44 "Oil Change Pricing Dilemma" 32:02 "Fish of a Thousand Casts" 42:31 "Local Store Credit System" 47:44 Customer Loss After Payment Struggle 50:06 "Bronx Tale $10 Lesson" 55:37 Fishing Etiquette at Docks

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE Turnkey Marketing takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off my plate. And gives it to someone who is. Click HERE for more. Elite Worldwide has CHANGED my business and life through their one-on-one coaching. Use them like I do HERE In this episode, Mike Allen confesses to Matt Lofton that he thinks his customers aren't finding the value in using his repair shop. Matt says that value is defined by what customers are actually willing to pay for, reminding listeners that shop processes only matter if clients perceive them as worthwhile. They also talk about employee retention, noting how turnover can set a business back and why keeping the right team in place should be a top priority. Timestamps: 00:00 Mike's Vegas Wardrobe Malfunction 10:36 "Retention and Sustained Growth Focus" 13:29 Client Service & Repair Strategy 19:19 Team Process and Standards Updates 23:07 "Pricing Concerns and Reputation" 33:35 Labor Rate Adjustment Explained 34:56 Employee Feedback Reflects Trust 43:39 Front Counter Compensation Debate 47:50 "Defining Value Beyond Features" 52:05 "Handling Customer Objections Effectively" 59:06 "Discussing Brake Replacement Concerns" 01:01:59 Pricing Strategy and Break-Even Analysis

If you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE for more on Turnkey Marketing. Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE There are a lot of moving parts in a repair shop, opening the door to missing things. Don't let that happen to you. Learn more about Detect Auto Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE Chris Enright owns Enright Automotive in Alexandria, Ohio and has one of the biggest industry followings on social media. Jeff Compton from the Jaded Mechanic also sits in for Bryan Pollock. Today, they get into the importance of communication among techs, advisors, and owners to avoid costly mistakes and improve efficiency. Chris brings up how techs shouldn't have to pay for their own tools and gives advice on how to by affordable tools, especially for techs just starting out.  Timestamps: 00:00 French Drivers vs Retired People from Florida 06:24 Navigating SEMA and AAPEX 15:33 "Industry Issues Stem from Communication" 19:41 "Know Your Rights as Technician" 24:43 "Tool Industry Perspectives Divide" 28:22 Technician-Owned Tools Debate 32:43 OEM Tools and Tool Truck 36:59 "First Encounter with Electric Tools" 46:29 Labor vs Parts in Modern Cars 51:10 "It's Not an Issue Until Issues" 55:08 Money Motivation vs Quality Talent 01:01:43 "Success by Getting Outself's Way" 01:04:36 "Challenges Keeping Up with Cars" 01:12:13 Brake Job: Rotors and Pads Together 01:14:59 "Defending Ethical Repair Practices"

Tekmetrics' business model of listening to customers' needs and implementing new systems makes them super shop-friendly. Start using them at your shop today HERE Turnkey Marketing has made my life SOOO much simpler, AND they've helped keep the phone ringing. Do you need these two things too? Learn more HERE Elite Worldwide coaching has changed the game for me and my shop. Need a boost? Use Elite like I do HERE Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE Darrin Barney is the CEO of Elite Worldwide, Mike's Coaching Company of choice. Last time he was on, he cried. So, guess what he did this time? Yep. He cried. What brought on the tears was how proud he is when he sees one of his kids overcome adversity. Like when his daughter proved the doctors wrong when she was born. They also discuss the evolution of Elite’s coaching programs, highlighting the new 180 program designed to support shop owners at every stage. Timestamps: 00:00 Darrin Barney is Back! 06:22 "Drive-Thru Wallet Struggle" 09:09 "Defining Childhood Moment" 10:39 "Million Dollar Baby Struggles" 13:45 Cultivating Grit in Privileged Kids 16:42 "Life Lessons From India" 21:24 "Weekend Rush and Crash Tale" 25:38 "Racing Isle of Man Before Death" 26:18 "Racing Memories and Reflections" 30:32 Business Development Training Programs 35:39 Racing Addiction Never Ends 39:02 From Employee to Business Owner 40:43 "Watching Results Through Reviews" 44:18 "Networking for Fresh Perspectives" 47:54 Evolution of Pro Service 50:11 Unexpected Opportunity: Tire Shop Dilemma 54:12 Elite's Impact on Legacy

My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERE Tekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HERE I was SHOCKED when I saw the things I was missing the first time I used Detect Auto. Simple things, but easy to miss. Detect Auto helped clean that up for me, and they can for you, too. Use them HERE Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston coming up in 2026 HERE Meet the future leadership of the Automotive Service and Tire Alliance: Mbie Dowd and Tonnika Haynes. Mbie tells the story of how she got to where she is today, and why she has a passion for selling tires. Tonnika talks about her recent struggle of to letting go of micromanagement in her shop, and boy oh boy, did Mike have a confession to share. Wow. Just wow. Timestamps: 00:00 "Mike Has a Confessions" 05:48 "Life Driven by Cars" 06:47 "Journey Into Automotive Success" 10:27 Thoughtful Words, Powerful Impact 13:34 "Confessions of the Bougie Spouse" 17:57 "Trusting the Process" 20:55 "Tire Opportunities and Insights" 24:31 Collaborative Leadership in Tire Pros 27:07 "Setting Expectations Upfront" 33:07 "Running, Spiders, and Skinny Pants" 35:08 Sticky Trap Confession for Mike 39:49 "Battery Acid Mishap" 41:58 Locked Out and Climbing Gates