Maximum Octane

How much does your auto repair shop charge for an accurate diagnosis made by an A Tech in 15 minutes? How much for the same diagnosis, made in 4 hours by your best B Tech?This week, we revisit my conversation with Brian Hunnicutt about the doubt that shows up quite often in every auto repair shop owner's mind: how to set rates that make justice to the value they provide. Brian shares his perspective as an Executive Coach and Certified Profit First Professional on why most auto shop owners rarely charge diagnostics properly, why they have the weird feeling of ripping their clients off when charging what they should, and how the automotive industry as a whole should deal with this issue. Additionally, Brian explains how to tell apart clients who want their cars fixed from those who want to spend the minimum possible, shares three questions he came up with to keep the front counter and the technicians in alignment, and much more. In This Episode, You Will Learn:The A Tech, the prima donna of every auto repair shop (2:10)Why do some clients get the wrong idea of how much auto repair professionals' time is worth? (8:40)It's 2023, and the automotive industry still struggles to charge diagnostic time properly (12:40)Three questions to align the front counter and technicians in your auto repair shop (18:00)Connect with Brian:LinkedInLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com

Right after losing a loved one or while dealing with addiction, family reunions tend to be pretty hard. Especially Christmas and New Year's Eve, which are synonyms for peaceful times, filled with hope, good wishes, and quality family time.This week, we revisit my challenging yet necessary conversation with Mike Warren about the B-side of holidays, the challenges some people must go through, how being surrounded by nothing but smiles makes them feel, and what we, who aren't mourning or dealing with serious issues, can do to help them. Mike is an Executive Coach at ATI and an active member of the Christian recovery group Celebrate Recovery. He brings our attention to what Christmas and New Year's Eve represent to those dealing with addictions, the loss of a loved one, or even those just trying to avoid unhealthy foods.Additionally, he shares some tips for practicing acceptance, serving others, and much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why holidays are tough for many people (5:00)How to deal with family members that trigger us (9:30)Participating in every discussion is optional. Be mindful of your mental health (13:30)Why practicing gratitude is life-changing (21:40)Why we should stop glamourizing alcohol (26:20)Resources:Celebrate Recovery websiteConnect with Mike:LinkedInLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com

This week, we revisit my moving conversation with Lee Anderson, Service Manager at Integrity Auto Care in South Beloit, Illinois. Lee and his wife, Brittany, went from hell to heaven and everything in between before manifesting the arrival of their son, Asher. Throughout our conversation, Lee shared the highs and lows of his and his wife's struggle with infertility and the exhausting process of "speed dating" birth mommas to find the perfect match and fulfill the adoption requirements. Lee also explained the difference between closed and open adoptions, the risks parents might face when adopting without the support of any institution, and more. In This Episode, You Will Learn:About Lee and Brittany's background story (4:20)The excruciating process of "speed dating" birth mommas (8:10)Lee and Brittany's miracle from God (11:20)Where to start once you decide to adopt a child (17:20)Lee shares tips and advice for couples considering adoption (29:00)Resources:Integrity Auto CareConnect with Lee:LinkedInLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com

How familiar are you with your personal auto policy? This week, we revisit the second part of my conversation with Richard Sharman, in which he shared everything you must know about your auto policy. Richard is an Executive Coach at ATI with over 40 years of experience in the auto collision industry and insurance claims professions.Throughout our conversation, you'll hear Richard's thoughts on State limits and coverage exclusions, how to avoid getting caught off guard when accidents hit, and what happens with medical bills if you get into an accident while driving an uninsured passenger. You'll also hear about deductibles, exclusions, and what you should know before handing your car keys to an internal customer to "get something for you real quick."Buckle up and get your reading glasses because today, we dive right into the small prints of your personal auto policy. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Do States have coverage limits? (3:40)What happens when someone gets hurt in your vehicle (6:30)What are comprehensive and collision limits? (8:40)Does carrying the minimum protect you from being sued for larger amounts? (14:50)A quick auto policy breakdown (21:00)Some details of exclusions under liability to others (24:00)Let's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com

Isn't it frustrating to know you are better than your competitors, yet you see them getting all the work? The only thing you must do to change that is to get your marketing efforts right. This week, I'm joined by Kim and Brian Walker, Owners of Shop Marketing Pros and Hosts of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, to discuss auto repair marketing, the importance of creating and presenting unique content, and why every auto shop owner should understand how marketing works. As former auto repair shop owners, Kim and Brian know the importance of increasing auto shops' online visibility and using that exposure to grow their client base. Throughout our conversation, you'll hear Kim and Brian's journey into auto shop marketing and how they "had to figure marketing out" themselves. You'll also hear why they invest a lot of their time in knowing their clients, why they believe having a customer success manager is crucial, why understanding marketing reports is as vital as receiving them, and much more. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Kim and Brian's backstory (3:10)Why did Kim and Brian decide to leave their auto shop and start a marketing business (7:00)As a business owner, you must become a people and money manager (12:10)What message do you send when your marketing content isn't unique (16:20)Know your audience and create content accordingly (23:10)Why every auto repair shop owner should learn about marketing (29:50)Connect with Kim and Brian:WebsiteThe Auto Repair Marketing PodcastKim's LinkedInBrian's LinkedInLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com

Although talking about the pandemic in 2023 might sound like ancient times for some, many others are still struggling with the stress and anxiety of that epoch, and the worst part is that they aren't aware of it. In today's episode, I'm joined by the wonderful Cally Rempis to talk about entrepreneurship, stress release, anxiety and trauma relief, and the best methods to lower your cortisol levels. Cally is an Integrative Health Coach and Certified Hypnotherapist who, after consulting a hypnotherapist to figure out what was stopping her from feeling fulfilled, decided to become one, change her life, and help others change theirs. Throughout our conversation, you'll hear about Cally's introspective journey that led to all kinds of changes in her life: her looks, her thoughts, her career, and the way she sees the world. Cally also shares effective and ridiculously simple ways to lower your cortisol levels, tips and advice to leave stress in a drawer before going to work, how to incorporate meditation into your life, and more. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Cally's first encounter with a hypnotherapist. The beginning of a new life (4:40)We all are molded by our experiences (7:30)Some people weren't made to work from home (13:10)How focusing on what you want tricks your brain (18:10)How to get rid of stress in a couple of minutes (24:20)Why hiring an outsider to look at the inside might be all you need (30:50)Connect with Cally:WebsiteInstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebookLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com

Plugging technology into your auto repair shop can improve your productivity and efficiency, reduce costs, and make your internal and external customers' lives easier IF you choose the right software. This week, I'm joined by Kirk Mize and Jesse Meddaugh to discuss the advantages and the proper use of tech in auto repair shops. Kirk is the Director of Sales at Shop Boss, the premier shop management software for independent automobile repair shops and national repair brands. Jesse is a Founding Partner at 360 Payment Solutions, a payment processor designed to add value to its partners and shorten their sales cycles. Throughout our conversation, you'll learn why specificity beats broader approaches in business every day of the week, the difference between focusing on offering the lowest price or the best customer experience, and how to choose the right software for your auto shop. We also discuss the importance of picking software that supports your business model and growth goals, why having SOPs and systems in place is so crucial, and much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Jack of all trades, master of none (4:10)Why you shouldn't dabble here and there and create weak branches (6:30)How to pick the right software for your auto repair shop (10:40)The importance of having SOPs and systems in place (14:10)Do everything you do in your business improves the process? (20:20)Stay in touch with your suppliers (24:20)Exploring your software tools can improve your auto shop's productivity (29:30)Connect with Kirk:LinkedInShop Boss' websiteConnect with Jesse:LinkedIn360 Payments' websiteLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com

"When your socials look like everyone else's, like a brochure or billboard, it's not doing you justice or a good service."In this episode, I'm joined by Corey Perlman, Keynote Speaker, Executive Consultant, Social Media and Digital Marketing Expert, Best-selling Author, and Owner of Impact Social Media. Corey got into social media way "before it was cool," teaching technology workshops at General Motors and other car dealerships. With time, he decided to spread his knowledge to other industries and wrote a book, "eBoot Camp: Proven Internet Marketing Techniques to Grow Your Business." The book ranked #1 on Amazon almost immediately, he turned into a Keynote Speaker, and not too much later, Impact Social Media was born. Throughout our conversation, Corey talks about his journey in digital marketing and social media advertising, the dos and don'ts of social media for auto repair shops, and shares his thoughts on the best ways to reply to negative feedback online or negative reviews. We also discuss what content works better for auto repair shops, how to create engaging content, what to look for when hiring a social media professional, and more. In This Episode, You Will Learn:About Corey's journey into social media advertising and digital marketing (3:00)How digital marketing impacted the car dealership industry (5:10)What an auto repair shop owner should look for in a social media expert (10:30)What kind of content works better for auto repair shops (13:00)Corey talks about social media's unproductive habits for auto shop owners (18:50)How to respond to negative feedback online and negative reviews (24:00)Connect with Corey:Social Media Impact websiteLinkedInGet Corey's books!Let's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com

Business owners who openly discuss their desire to be profitable are usually misjudged. Some people think aiming for profit means being greedy or putting money and goods before people when it is the opposite: only profitable auto repair shops can put people first. Profit allows you to pay your debts, be philanthropic, and elevate your and your internal customers' lifestyle. This week, I'm thrilled to welcome Ron Sharyan, aka Obi-Ron Kenobi, back to the show. Ron is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Profit First Professionals, an international network of accountants, bookkeepers, and financial experts on a mission to help companies increase their earnings through the Profit First method. We had a wholesome conversation about profit. Ron explains why he sees profit as a retention tool, an instrument that allows one to give back, and a legacy-building mechanism. He debunks the myths around profit, shares his thoughts on seeking profit to fulfill a business purpose, goes through the difference between seeking profit and living above one's means, and so much more. In This Episode, You Will Learn:What it means to be proud to be profitable (3:00)Who are those who don't "want" to be profitable (8:40)Profit is a retention tool (10:30)The most expensive popcorn in the world and Ron's bragging rights (18:10)How everyone spends their money is no one's business (24:10)Profit first = people first (31:00)Connect with Ron:Profit First University websiteLinkedInTwitterLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com