Ratchet+Wrench Radio

In this episode, Mike Bennett takes us on a deep dive into the auto repair industry's remarkable 2025 journey—from the challenging spring months when consumer confidence plummeted to the record-breaking summer that has shops back on track for projected growth. This episode explores the economic forces shaping the industry, from tariff impacts to electricity cost surges, and reveals the strategies successful shops are using to build stronger customer relationships while navigating financial uncertainty. Mike shares valuable insights on how the aging vehicle fleet is creating massive opportunities, with nearly 250 million vehicles over four years old representing the industry's primary market. The conversation covers innovative financing solutions, supply chain strategies, and the critical importance of adapting presentation techniques to serve customers across different economic segments.

 In this Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference teaser episode, Kinja Dixon reveals how his doctor's orders and a moment of vanity sparked a transformation that led to international sales awards, early retirement at 34, and becoming a sought-after speaker who's inspired thousands worldwide. Dixon discusses his Four Pillar system (Purpose, Health, Emotions, Knowledge) and why change is happening whether we choose it or not.

In this episode, Mike Jones, president and master trainer at Discover Leadership Training, returns with Chris Messer, executive vice president of the transportation group at Endeavor Business Media, to discuss what it takes to be a person who follows up and follows through in a business setting. 

In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Glenn Piccolo, managing partner at Adams Automotive in Houston, Texas, breaks down the customer service framework behind Adams Automotive's seven-day service model. It's a philosophy they refer to as "auto hospitality." It takes concepts that make retail successful and implements them into the shop's workflow for greater customer satisfaction and retention.

In this episode, a sneak preview of his lunchtime keynote for the 2025 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference, Rob Pietrowski, VP Research at IMR/Endeavor Business Intelligence, reveals shocking inflation data that's reshaping the automotive aftermarket: vehicle costs are up 57% since 2019, annual maintenance and repair spending has jumped 50%, and the ripple effects are hitting every level of the industry, based on 500 consumer surveys monthly and another 500 to 1,000 for custom research projects. Pietrowski's data also shows shop owners' priorities have shifted dramatically from focusing on new technology and EV training to fundamental survival tactics like keeping prices down and traffic flowing. He discusses how rising costs are being passed through the supply chain, the changing perceptions of trade careers as four-year college costs skyrocket, and why shops must adapt to constant rapid change spanning everything from COVID protocols to new administrative policies and tariffs.

For anyone who has ever uttered the words, "failure isn't an option," Mike Jones, president and master trainer at Discover Leadership Training, has a message you should consider. Jones talks about leadership and failure in this special episode of Aftermarket All-Access. He's joined by Chris Messer, executive vice president of the transportation group at Endeavor Business Media—Ratchet+Wrench's parent company. Jones helps leaders reframe failure and change their approach.

In this episode, Dave Johnson, president and CEO of Automotive Service Excellence, discusses the recent ASE Instructor Training Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, in July and the valuable benefits ASE certification provides to automotive instructors, including industry-wide credibility, access to cutting-edge curriculum resources, and professional development opportunities.  Johnson also addresses how ASE is proactively evolving to keep pace with rapidly changing automotive technology and outlines ASE's commitment to future-proofing its certification programs through strategic partnerships, ensuring technicians remain equipped to handle next-generation automotive innovations while maintaining ASE's reputation as the industry's gold standard.

When something's off in your shop—profit's down, productivity's lagging, or margins are shrinking—it's easy to blame the numbers. But what if the real problem isn't the numbers themselves… but how we interpret them? Today on Ratchet+Wrench Radio, we're joined by Hunt Demarest, a partner at Paar Melis & Associates, leading financial expert in the auto repair industry, and host of the Business by the Numbers podcast. Hunt works closely with shop owners to dig into the data behind the decisions. Today, he's here to challenge some assumptions and walk us through the common traps shop owners fall into when reading their financials.

Charlie Zlatkos, owner of Pleasant Care Car, immigrated to the U.S. at 17. He talks about growing his vocabulary from four English words to opening and running a multi-million-dollar a year shop. Zlatkos also talks about being mentored by Todd Hyes of Auto Shop Answers and how his perspective on entrepreneurship was changed.  Lastly, he tells the story of a 13-year-old boy on a bicycle who stopped by his shop, and how that encounter changed both of their lives.

In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Group Editorial Director Chris Jones discusses a situation that every shop owner needs to understand—how to handle a customer fallout before it goes viral. Synergy Auto Care in Wilson, North Carolina, made national headlines on June 19 after a Black customer walked out over employees' dismissive comments about Juneteenth. We're going to break down exactly what happened and give you five concrete lessons that could save your shop from a similar crisis. Because in today's connected world, one bad moment can undo years of reputation building.

In this episode, Lisa Foshee, senior vice president of Government Affairs and General Counsel at Auto Care Association, breaks down the right to repair battle affecting independent auto repair shops. As automakers fight to restrict access to diagnostic data, independent auto repair shops and their customers face an existential threat. Foshee covers Massachusetts' leading legislation, Maine's efforts, federal bill status, and the legislative process. She explains the economic stakes and provides practical advocacy steps for shop owners and their customers.

Join us on Ratchet+Wrench Radio as Mike Jones from Discover Leadership Training shares powerful insights on elevating your leadership game. In this episode, Mike explores the critical distinctions between leadership and management, reveals how discipline fuels personal and professional growth, explains why traditional motivation falls short and what drives lasting change, and identifies common communication pitfalls that derail leaders, plus proven strategies to overcome them.   This episode originally aired on Aftermarket All-Access.

We're living through uncertain and changing times. In this episode, Josh Parnell of Limitless Leadership talks about how to lead without wavering.

In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, sponsored by Bosch, Shawn Dupuie, Senior Director of Sales and Operations, joins Ivan Rioja-Scott, editor-in-chief, to dig into what modern shop success really looks like. The pair discusses culture, KPIs, technician retention, pay plans, emerging tech and more. You'll hear why continued education matters, how to spot red flags early and where to find reliable info to stay ahead. Whether you're solving current problems or trying to prevent future ones, this conversation offers real, firsthand insights to help your shop level up and stay there. 

In this episode, Steve Dawson, Washington D.C. regional manager for Hunter Engineering, talks about what auto repair shop owners and technicians need to do to be ADAS-ready. He discusses preparation and infrastructure, necessary training and skills, liability and legal implications of calibration, and how to educate customers on the necessity and importance of calibration. 

In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Margaret Light, licensed marriage and family therapist of Equilibrium Therapy Services P.L.L.C. talks about the impact of mental health on decision-making in business. She also has tips for owners and managers who are too optimistic or too pessimistic, and discusses how to bounce back mentally from a bad decision.

In this episode of Rachet+Wrench Radio, sponsored by SHOP-WARE, Editor-in-Chief Ivan Rioja-Scott sits down with Cavan Robinson, VP of Vehlo, to talk about how SHOP-WARE can help improve your shop's efficiency and bottom-line results. By using a streamlined cloud-based platform, you can significantly improve customer service while ensuring your shop runs seamlessly, boosting car counts, average repair orders and technician efficiency. 

In this episode of Rachet+Wrench Radio, sponsored by AMAROK, Editor-in-Chief Ivan Rioja-Scott sits down with AMAROK Enterprise Development Manager Jackson Skey to talk about how improving your repair shop's security can be a turnkey solution that can give your customers peace of mind that their vehicle is being cared for. The right security solution can even save time and reduce vehicle damage because it may reduce or eliminate the need to move vehicles inside the facility each night.   Join us as we uncover how easily a system can be installed to get your shop on the road to higher security and productivity. To learn more about AMAROK, click here!  

In this episode, Jesse Jackson, owner of Mango Automotive, talks about things you can do to help the sale of your shop. She discusses factors that can get your shop a higher valuation and her road to expanding from scratch to 7 shops.

In this episode we chat with Dutch Silverstein, a 26-year veteran of the auto repair industry. Dutch shares with us his thoughts about running a successful shop, why the franchise business model can decrease quality, and how to succeed in the auto repair business. 

In this episode, Carm Capriotto, founder of Remarkable Results Radio, talks about his declaration, “The Rise of the Mechanical and Technical Specialist.” He discussed why the automotive aftermarket could benefit from a new vernacular that standardizes roles within the shop and instills pride in the workforce.

In this episode Andrew Marcotte, VP of American Pride Automotive, shares how he has transformed and implemented a culture of growth, service, and excellence throughout American Pride's five stores. We discuss key takeaways about attracting the right talent, retaining employee satisfaction, and how to grow the business through organic methods.

In this episode Fernando Miranda, VP of Transformers Insitute, shares the highlights of his 20-plus year career in the industry. We talk about how he works with the shops that he coaches, and the keys to reaching the next level of growth and efficiency.  

In this episode, Sunil Patel, CEO and founder of Tekmetric, explains what the merger between the two SMS platforms can do for shops of all sizes. 

In this episode, Dylan Williamson, COO of Redline Business Advisors, talks about how you should structure your business, what do with year-end taxes, and what a financial advisor can bring to you in different steps of your business growth.

In this episode, Alison Jones, SVP of Global Circular Economy for Stellantis, talks about Sustainera, the division for remanufactured parts supply, and how this can help your bottom line while becoming more sustainable. 

In this episode, recorded LIVE at AAPEX 2024 in Las Vegas, we sit down with R+W columnist, industry leader, former Women in AutoCare Woman of the Year recipient, and owner of Xpertech Auto Repair in Englewood, FL, Kathleen Callahan.  We discuss being new in the business, talking on a coach, understanding KPIs, financial metrics and a lot more. 

In this episode, Ivan Rioja-Scott, Editor-in-Chief for Ratchet+Wrench, sits down with Ben Johnson, vice president, general automotive repair markets, for Repairify, about the evolving landscape of vehicle diagnostics and repairs. The discussion centers around the increasing complexity of modern vehicles and the unique challenges that automotive repair shops face today. As vehicles become more technologically advanced, the need for accurate diagnostics has never been greater. Join us as we uncover the importance of embracing new technologies and the vital role that asTech plays in equipping repair shops for the challenges ahead.

In this episode, David Askwith, Managing Director of Autostream Car Care, talks about shop's rapid and successful expansion.  He also talks about implementing systems, the right way to communicate, and choosing the right approach to re-branding. 

Brian Moak has taken Heart Certified Autocare, a three-store Chicagoland brand, from $7 million to 14$ million by making change within himself. Learn about his path for financial, personal and all-around growth. 

In this episode, Matt Wagg of Accelerated Diagnostic & Automotive in Bennington, Nebraska, talks about his automotive journey from the son of a shop owner to opening a shop during COVID and hitting the million-dollar mark three years after putting the keys into the door. He discusses business plans, the importance of investing in self-education, why you need coaching, and the need for shop owners to have a clear direction.  Matt taught at the Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference in September and is an educator and shop coach who is passionate about learning and developing others.

In this episode, Uwe Kleinshcmidt and Frank Scandura of AutoTech IQ talk about how they help auto repair shops increase profitability by transforming the way shops use digital vehicle inspections to enhance communication and transparency which leads to fewer deferred jobs.

In this episode, Margaret Light, MA, LMFT, MN LMFT of Equilibrium Therapy Services P.L.L.C. discusses the unique stressors shop owners face and how they can impact mental health. She talks about the stress and burnout continuum and how unmanaged stress and burnout can develop into formal mental health concerns for shop owners. She concludes by sharing tips to help shop owners understand the impact of stress on themselves and their work and when to seek professional help to overcome chronic stress.

In this episode, Ryan Burton of Leads Near Me talks about the contents of his new book “High Gear: Marketing Strategies for Auto Repair Shops”, what you can learn about shop marketing, and his conference of the same name High Gear Auto Repair Marketing Conference, which will take place from November 14-16, 2024, in Atlanta.