A significant shift in the automotive repair industry is underway with the rebranding of the Car Care Professionals Network to Vehicle Service Experts (VSE). Host Carm Capriotto speaks with Tara Topol, the new president of VSE, and Missy Stevens, community engagement manager, about the strategic changes aimed at elevating the aftermarket. They discuss the importance of providing resources for shop owners, including best practices and data insights, to help navigate evolving technologies like EVs and ADAS. The episode also touches on the critical need for shop owners to engage in advocacy efforts, particularly regarding right to repair legislation.
Thanks to our Partners, Shop Dog Marketing, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew LoyaltyWatch Full Video Episode
Recorded live at AAPEX 2025, this episode features Tara Topel, the new president of Vehicle Service Experts (VSE), and Missy Stephens, Community Engagement Manager for the Auto Care Association.
The discussion highlights the rebranding of the Auto Care Association’s Car Care Professionals Network (CCPN) to VSE, reflecting the broader industry that includes heavy-duty vehicles.
Key initiatives include:
Resource Hub:An online center covering topics from shop coaching to ADAS best practices.
Industry Relevance:Translating Auto Care market data into actionable insights for shop planning.
Best Practices:The VSE council, currently 10–12 members, aims to grow to 15–20, compiling guidance on apprenticeships, ADAS, and more.
The episode also covers the Right to Repair movement. The association needs real-world examples where shops lacked access to data or support, to counter Congress's claims. Shop owners can submit stories via a QR code on the Auto Care website and are encouraged to share their experiences by hosting legislators.
Get involved, share your experiences, and take an active role in shaping the policies that affect your shop and the entire industry.
https://www.autocare.org/networking-and-development/communities/car-care-professionals-networkhttps://www.repairact.com/Thanks to our Partner, Shop Dog Marketing
Shop Dog Marketing at Shop Dog Marketing.com. "Want to see your auto repair shop thrive? Let Shop Dog Marketing be your guide. Our customer-first approach, combined with AI-driven creative content, ensures top rankings.
Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS
NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class
Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI
Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty
You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the...
"So that's the big news. Auto care rebranded CCPN to VSE vehicle service experts. What prompted the change, Missy?"
'Vehicle service experts' are people who know a lot about fixing and taking care of different kinds of vehicles, including trucks and cars. They have special training to help keep vehicles running well.
'Vehicle service experts' refers to professionals who specialize in the maintenance and repair of various types of vehicles, not limited to just cars. This term emphasizes the expertise and knowledge required to service a wide range of vehicles, including heavy-duty trucks and commercial vehicles.
"However, CCPN did stand for car care professionals network. Right."
CCPN is an abbreviation for Car Care Professionals Network, a group that used to focus mainly on car care experts. They changed their name to include all kinds of vehicles, not just cars.
CCPN stands for Car Care Professionals Network, which was a group focused on professionals in the automotive care industry. The rebranding to 'vehicle service experts' reflects a broader scope that includes all types of vehicles, not just cars.
"A lot of shops don't realize that. EVs, ADAS, growing and changing technology."
EVs stand for electric vehicles, which are cars that run on electricity instead of gas. They're known for being better for the environment because they produce fewer emissions.
EVs, or electric vehicles, are cars that are powered entirely or partially by electricity instead of traditional gasoline or diesel fuel. They are becoming increasingly popular due to their environmental benefits and advancements in battery technology.
ADAS means Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. These are features in cars that help drivers by making driving safer, like warning you if you're drifting out of your lane or helping you park automatically.
ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, which are technologies designed to enhance vehicle safety and facilitate driving. These systems can include features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.
"...to speak to an executive or a leader at MOOG, for example, Wagner break any one of the great companies that you've used their products on."
Wagner makes parts for your car's brakes, which are crucial for stopping safely. They are a well-respected name in the automotive parts industry.
Wagner is a brand known for manufacturing brake components, including brake pads and rotors. They are recognized for their commitment to quality and innovation in braking technology.
"...to speak to an executive or a leader at MOOG, for example, Wagner break any one of the great companies that you've used their products on."
MOOG makes parts for cars that help with steering and suspension, which are important for how your car handles and rides. They are a trusted brand in the automotive industry.
MOOG is a well-known manufacturer of automotive parts, particularly suspension and steering components. They are recognized for their high-quality products that are often used in both aftermarket and original equipment applications.
"...dy else. When people say I'm in the room with the senator of my state or the representative of my district...."
The Opel Senator is a comfortable and stylish car that was made in Germany between 1987 and 1993. It was built to be a nice car for people who wanted something a bit fancier than regular cars, making it a topic of interest for those who enjoy classic vehicles.
The Opel Senator is a mid-size luxury car produced by the German automaker Opel from 1987 to 1993. It was designed to compete with other executive cars of its time, offering a blend of comfort, performance, and advanced features. The Senator is often discussed for its role in the evolution of European luxury sedans and its significance in Opel's lineup during the late 20th century.
Select text to request an explanation
This is the Automotive Repair Podcast Network.
We have this big, gorgeous, beautiful, three, I've never seen Plexiglass this big, some amazing stuff. But thanks to Dan Vance, you know, Dan says that just like ice cream or car count, can sweeten your revenue.
Shopdog Marketing's free guide shows how AI can bring in more repair orders every day, transform your business, now download our guide and get started at shopdogmarketing.com. And also, thank you so much to Napa Tracks, today's class, Kakui, and Pit Crew loyalty.
Hey, for over 30 years, Napa Tracks has made selecting the right-shop management system easy by offering the best, most comprehensive SMS in the industry.
We'll prove to you that Tracks is the single best shop management system in the business, find Napa Tracks on the web at NAPATRACS.com.
Hey, how well does your team know their stuff? Test their automotive skills with the today's class basic, advanced, or service advisor quizzes.
It's a quick, effective way to spot gaps and grow stronger teams. Take the quizzes now at today's class.com forward slash TC Quiz.
Shop owners stop juggling multiple marketing tools. Kakui's integrated platform. They deliver four times better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking.
Get industry-leading customer support with Kakui. That's k-u-k-u-i.com. You're probably tired of chasing new customers who never return.
We understand Pit Crew loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue on the web at Pit Crew loyalty.com.
Hey, let me introduce to you my panel. Oof, another town, all Academy. This is cool. You're going to love this episode because there's this major shift going on inside of the auto care organization.
And I'm going to bring on the new president of what's called the VSE, the vehicle service experts group. And that would be Tara Topol. Hi, Tara. Hi, Khan.
Topol's towing and repair Lake Mills, Wisconsin. Yes. Wisconsin have a football team up there. Not this year, but normally we do. Just checking. Okay, go bills.
Oh, you mean Packers. I thought you met her college team.
Female shop owner of the year, 2021. Congrats. Thank you. That was here at Apex. Am I right? Yes. Yeah.
The business has been in since 1948. Yes. Great, great business. Just look up. Topol auto.com. Yeah. Topol. It's gorgeous business. Beautiful. It's just top tier professional. Good for you. Good for you.
Any other awards that I should know about like every couple of years, you drop them.
I mean, woman at the wheel. And we did get an auto care association education award last year. Nice. So yes.
Missy Stevens is here, community engagement manager of the auto care association. And you have the responsibility for this group.
I do have the pleasure of having the responsibility for this. That's a great answer. It's her favorite group. It is. Don't tell anybody else.
So that's the big news. Auto care rebranded CCPN to VSE vehicle service experts. What prompted the change, Missy?
It was a lot of things. So CCPN. So Carm, if I told you, hey, I am an engagement manager for CCPN. What would you say?
Well, I'm an acronym guy. So I would say Carm Capriotto. Yeah. Positive networking.
Yes. And that would be certainly CCPN. However, CCPN did stand for car care professionals network. Right.
So two things. Car care professionals network. We are well more than cars, right?
Our industry is inclusive of all vehicles, including heavy duty. So we really wanted the name of this group to indicate that.
And we really just want to call this group exactly what they are. They are vehicle service experts.
That was kind of the unanimous name that the group came up with. Were you part of the name change? Yes.
Yes. Actually, it was a great brainstorming session. And then into the decision making process. So yes.
Are you replacing Duane? Well, I could never replace Duane. That's the right answer.
I'm going to try to step into his spot.
So let me just give the kudos to Duane. We were at his table this morning for the keynote of Wayne Gretzky.
Were you there both of you? No. So cool. Were you there, Missy? So cool.
Missy, I have to tell you it was the best I've ever seen an interview go on stage.
I found things out about Wayne Gretzky. There's always a behind the scene story of people's lives.
But he told it so, so well. I have to tell you we've seen a lot of great keynotes here over the years.
But I think they talked it. He was very humble and I loved that he spent a lot of his time talking about the people that impacted him.
He didn't spend his whole time talking about how great he was. He spent his time talking about all the people that helped him and made him great.
I know. It's phenomenal. There were two things I think family that made him what he is today and love.
He loved the game and loved the people he played with.
And I have to tell you the greatest takeaway from his story. Please to our listener.
This is a great episode. But we're going to tell you these stories because it's so fresh in our mind from just a few hours ago.
When he told this story about he had to not get kicked out of school.
Do you remember that idea? And so his dad told him that when he's 18, you're on your own.
But when you're under 18, it's us. We're going to pick at the decisions you live under our rule.
And so he went to his teacher a couple of his teachers and he says, listen, you've got to do me a big favor.
You can't flunk me until January, whatever is 18th birthday.
This was like in December. And they went to him and they said, he's like 17.
And he says, what's the problem? Why can't you pass? Why can't you come to school?
He says, I'm playing for Edmonton. I'm playing hockey for Edmonton. Nobody knew he's playing professional hockey.
And he's still in high school. He wasn't doing the work to get him to pass.
And so wild story. It's amazing how so many of our professionals in our industry.
And I'm sure you have in all of these people in our world.
I mean, I was thinking today, I got to start writing down some of my stories.
And I got it one day asked Tracy to interview me. So dad.
It would be super interesting. I'm sure.
But everybody has those stories to tell in over all the years, 10 years we've been doing this.
I keep thinking that we've told a lot of great stories from people.
But when you hear something like that from a guy like Wayne Gretzky, well, he's 60 home for 64 now.
Imagine that.
Too many great stories. Thanks for taking me down that memory lane.
So vehicle service experts replace car care professional network.
As we have seen auto care association really blossoming and thinking the future and making a lot of great changes.
Did you sit down with the strategic plan and say, where are we going with this great group?
And how could we grow it? Tara, you kind of have a lot of responsibilities taking over the help of this.
Yes, there's a big transition. I would definitely say it is evolving from what it was into what it needs to be to elevate the aftermarket.
Missy, especially did a great job at coming up with a five year strategic plan.
We did all talk about that.
And it is very doable as a shop owner, I look at it and say, why can't we do that in like a month?
But there's a lot more that goes into it as I'm figuring out.
So to be able to take it to the next level and make it what it needs to be.
And we still need to figure out what shop owners need and want and be that for them as the association.
What excites you about this? Can you share anything that you're ready to start doing?
It's extremely exciting that we're providing a hub.
What we're calling a hub, which will be online resource for shop owners for many of the pertinent topics that are important to us.
Struggles that we have within our business and ways to find out to solve for that.
So everything from figuring out shop coach to just ADAS best practices.
I think one of the things that I love the most about it is that I'm really trying hard to figure out how to make auto care pertinent to shop owners.
So I've learned that over the years that I've been in it, but like what does marketing communications?
Like what does that group within auto care? How can that help me or market intelligence there collecting all kinds of data.
And it's data for the parts, you know, manufacturers and distribution centers at the same time they can equate that out into how can that help me as a shop owner.
So I can look at miles driven per month and see that my business is going to suffer in February because I can see that miles driven goes way down from January to February and then I can plan accordingly.
You are in a great place to teach a very large segment of our industry.
What being a service professional is all about every time I have a chance to correct someone who calls us installers.
I say, come here, stand in front of me, get at attention. We don't do windows, we don't do drugs, right?
We don't install stuff. That's what they thought many years ago, but it's a mindset that they just can't get out from under or you're the box killer or whatever it is.
I so badly want to get in front of these groups and channel it off to you that lets together.
Let me come up with my platform and my years in the industry and maybe together we can get in front of people and I say,
there's a whole new appreciation that you have to have for this ultimate.
I think we're at the top of the pyramid, not the bottom.
You guys and how you look at leadership, but yes, it's true.
No, very good answer.
Yeah, very good answer.
Yeah, I always say we get paid for what we know.
That's right.
A lot of shops don't realize that.
EVs, ADAS, growing and changing technology.
I know you see it all the time to see an everything that you're doing from auto care.
I can't even imagine what your strategy sessions are in life.
You got any plans for that?
What are we going to do in VSE to bring a lot of that to our members?
I think that what is the coolest thing about this group is the council is made up of the top tier shop owners, right?
These aren't just any shop owners, they truly are vehicle service experts.
And the most beautiful thing about all of them is they love this industry.
They want to bring everybody else with them.
They want to bring and lift the industry up and lift other shop owners up.
So taking these very successful shop owners and writing, let's go back to Dwayne, right?
Dwayne is done a phenomenal job with apprenticeship.
So let's write a best practice around apprenticeship.
And then let's give resources around that.
So that's kind of our mindset is for every topic, one of our vehicle service exports or our team of them will write a best practice.
And then provide you the resources that you as a shop owner would need pulling it all in one place.
By the way, that's brilliant.
I mean, I really love the idea.
Think of the talent in the room to your point.
And what each can contribute to bring that hub full of information, best practices, processes,
which you know if you don't have them, you're dead in the water.
And I've always said that process is good systems win wars.
And it could be the war against yourself or the war against the competition or the war to gain new client.
Because you do everything right or at least you're constantly improving your right.
Because things can always be right forever.
They will break down like changes like happens.
I think it's a brilliant idea to get your best people to contribute.
The whole entire council is working right now collectively on.
I mean, we've got best practices, you know, Tara mentioned eight us best practice apprenticeship.
Everything from if I'm a shop owner, what podcast should I be listening to to understand the industry?
If I'm a shop owner, should I be considering a shop coach?
What does that look like?
And then again, providing those resources, even attending apex.
If I'm a shop owner, why should I attend apex?
And what should I do when I'm there?
How do I make the most of apex?
So I mean, we really want to touch on everything.
I've always said, if you earn your living in the service automotive industry, apex is for you.
It's true story.
I know there's a ton of fabulous reaching the shows up there.
Top tier stuff.
This is the place in my opinion that everybody who's anybody would be on this floor above us.
So if you really had to learn about a new product to speak to an executive or a leader at MOOG,
for example, Wagner break any one of the great companies that you've used their products on.
And you know, the scary part of learning something brand new each and every day.
If you come to apex and you don't shame on you, that means you were in a casino.
That's true.
That's a good point.
That's the wrong thing.
Been in a pussy.
Do you gamble?
No.
I own a business.
That's what you know.
That's such a fabulous answer.
I love that answer.
I do not.
I do not gamble.
No.
Not at the machines.
No.
Not at the machines.
I think in being in Washington DC with leadership, you know, with auto care association was another great example of what does right to repair mean to me as a shop owner.
As a shop owner.
I can hear about it.
But what does it really mean?
We have a lot of the manufacturers that represent us there.
We have a lot of the distribution centers and everything that impacts them as much as it does us.
But even more so.
And I think there's a lot of traps that don't understand.
And that's why it's really hard to get them there to tell their stories and to, as you said earlier, telling stories is where it's all about.
So if I have a vehicle that I can't take care of and that I can't get the support that I need through NHTSA.
And I have to send it to the dealership.
That's a big deal.
And I think a lot of people don't recognize that it's going to be more and more difficult.
Not only maybe did not get the information, but to be competitive to do that.
The late Bob Greenwood said, you know, we are not our own competitors as independence.
We all have to work together.
And I think that that's a really important thing.
The other independence in my town or not my competition.
And as we go forward, my aid ask can help them.
And their key programming can help me.
So you know that, but they don't correct.
And I forgot Bob was a coach in years.
Oh, yes.
Oh, my God.
It was how it's all coming back to me.
Oh, wow.
I love Bob.
He was such a.
He ended up becoming a great, great friend.
He's still with me every day.
Yeah.
You know, it was Bob who started the automotive repair podcast network.
It was Bob who we chatted my glimmer of an idea to build this here was started with Bob.
And then Chris Cotton came on to replace the coach.
And he is my coach else.
No.
Oh, my God.
Stop it.
This is just too cool.
Hey, let's face it.
Your shop management system is the single most important tool in your shop period.
Napa Tracks has made selecting the right shop management system easy by offering the industry's best most comprehensive SMS.
Now, it all starts when a local representative meets with you to learn about your business and how you need to run it.
After all, it's your shop.
So it's your choice.
And having local representation is a huge plus customizing tracks to your business, whether you're a one person shop or a large multi-bay or multi-location company.
A representative consults with you to help optimize your shop's workflow efficiency and profitability.
Tracks always has the flexibility to do business how you need to do it, which means it can also grow as your business grows.
And unlike the other guys will be there for you after installation with the best training and support in the business.
Yes, a learning management system tailored to each role in your company.
Simply put, Tracks was designed and built for shop owners just like you.
Visit us on the web that Napa Tracks, that's NAPATRACES.com
Hey, Carm here suggesting you discover a smarter way to train your entire automotive team.
Experience powerful bite-sized training sessions accessible from any device in just five minutes daily.
It's perfect for technicians, advisors, and managers alike.
Today's class prepares your shop for sustained success by reinforcing crucial knowledge.
Plus add a competitive edge with our leaderboard to make learning fun and rewarding for everyone.
For effective training that delivers, turn to today's class.com.
Shop owners, we know you are overwhelmed with a flood of missed calls, empty bays, and disconnected marketing tools.
Kakuwi has spent over a decade building one integrated platform for auto repair shops.
One login, one dashboard, and mobile first websites that convert four times industry average.
Smart, innovative CRM with automated follow-up, 24-7 online booking, and real-time ROI tracking.
With 900 plus years of combined team experience, we fuel the growth of 2,200 plus shops and have influenced $3 billion in revenue.
Stop working harder, start working smarter, get industry-leading customer support, and book a demo with Kakuwi, that's k-u-k-u-i.com.
You know, most shop owners feel trapped spending on ads while half their first-time customers never come back.
It's frustrating. It's exhausting, and it's not your fault.
The industry average is 54% and one and done.
We understand how discouraging that can be.
Well, Pit Crew Loyalty changes the story.
Our clients cut that rate by up to 38%, raising lifetime value by more than 50%.
Loyalty members visit nearly three times more often, creating predictable revenue without extra ad spend.
Pit Crew Loyalty were customers stay and shops thrive.
On the web at Pit Crew Loyalty.com.
Commercial, we have just launched our own app.
You've got all of your pair of podcasts network.com.
You can get it on Google, it's on Apple, we got QR codes everywhere.
We've got a how-to video playing on our sites, and we're going to be...
Again, we just launched it last like Thursday, Friday.
We're here at Apex, so we're going to make a lot more noise coming up.
But as far as the podcast you should listen to if you're a shop owner...
Oh, my God, look at all of that!
It's all there.
So yeah, we're excited about that.
We're going to put all these great shows in one place with no algorithms, throwing stuff at you,
and you can build your own listening apps and all that big stuff and share it.
Oh, my God, this is great, and you'd start sharing episodes with people and building playlists.
So you brought up right to repair.
I mean, God, this is the association, the other care association.
This is your baby.
We've got to get this baby born somehow to get this thing done.
I'm sure vehicle service experts is going to make some noise about that.
Yes.
And CCPN probably already had to their membership.
Are you going to make more noise?
We're getting close.
Is Senate and...
We're getting better.
Yeah.
Obviously, could probably talk a little bit more about where is that right now?
I feel like it changes every time I go into it to see where it's at.
You mentioned something, Jean Carmier talked about the industry events,
you know, the smaller, you know, regional industry events.
And as a part of this evolution with vehicle service experts,
I have tried to put myself where shop owners are.
So for the last two to three years, I've ran the vision circuit, the ASDE, the STX.
I take my right to repair booth.
It blows my mind when I ask the question,
are you familiar with right to repair?
No.
I would say 60% of the shops, but it gets better now that I've done this for two or three years.
Now they come up and say, oh, hey, I remember you, you and I talked last year.
But the importance of every single independent repair shop right now,
getting involved is unexplainable.
We need the examples.
We are fighting the fight.
We're doing all of the things.
But the minute we leave a meeting on Congress,
the always are right behind us.
And so the latest is, you know, well, the truth is, is there's a memorandum of understanding.
And nobody's complained, so we don't feel like there's a problem.
We need those examples.
We need those examples of, hey, I have the factory tool.
I have the factory software.
I still had to send it back to the dealership.
Those are what is going to push us across the finish line because, again, these constituents,
they're hearing two different things, right?
They're hearing our side, which we're saying we're not getting the data
and they're coming right back in behind us and saying they have everything they need.
So we really need the help of independent repair shops more than ever.
It reminds me of politics.
It is so weird.
And the worst way.
Yes.
It's weird because it's bipartisan, but it is very political.
Yeah.
And between manufacturers and especially independent.
Who do I believe?
Who do I believe?
Right.
Right.
Right.
I will to nod to what Missy just said.
There is a QR code on the AutoCare website for shops to be able to report those.
And you don't have to be a member in order to contribute to that.
So if anybody is listening and they have situations, it would be great to get out and report those.
It's not take long as the association made it very quick and easy for us as shops to report that.
I love what you just said.
The QR code for reporting.
But there's probably also a QR code for signing a petition.
Now I've done this multiple times over the years.
I've interviewed Bill and Paul.
We've done shows on right to repair.
We're not reading.
We're not finding and taking.
We'd rather mindlessly scroll looking for a recipe on how to make barbecue popcorn at midnight
while I'm watching an old movie.
I'm sorry.
I'm going crazy.
Then read something about our industry that could potentially affect us in big ways.
I'll let Missy and Tara worry about that.
Yeah.
And it proves that your booth is there and you're asking people all about right to repair.
Are you trying to get them to sign up right there when you're at these.
Yeah.
So we've done last year.
The focus was really getting the letters to Congress to get the support.
And then again, that focus is now shifted to we really need the examples.
The letters are so great.
Certainly not saying don't send the letters.
But what we feel like is most critical right now are those very specific examples.
I know this is an in-depth right to repair.
I get that.
But maybe we need to title this, you know, a sub title that we're talking about right to repair here.
Because there's just not enough of us getting behind it.
That's super impactful.
You know, Tara talked about legislative summit, which is by far my favorite thing that I get
to do as an employee of the Auto Care Association.
But the most impactful meetings that we had in September was the meetings where there was a shop owner in the room.
Yeah.
They tell that story better than anybody else.
When people say I'm in the room with the senator of my state or the representative of my district.
And they're talking to us like normal people.
They're sharing our passion for why this right to repair is so important.
They walk away.
And they're like chatty cafes for a week because they were there.
We're at the Capitol.
And they made a bold move for the sake of our industry.
And so I want to thank all of them for what they did.
But we probably should have had another hunter.
For sure.
I have a colleague who's on the Alliance Advisory Council with me.
And he flew in just specifically to meet and then left.
Well, they need to be more of that as much as possible.
You have to go to them.
And I talked to this a lot to shop owners.
Invite your congressperson to your shop.
Yeah.
Invite your senator.
I mean, talk about going to Capitol Hill and telling that story.
What tells that story more when the OEs are saying that we're not trained enough that we don't have the correct equipment.
And they come into these shops and see that is just absolutely not the case.
I want to hear some stories.
Can you help me?
I'd love to do an interview with a shop owner that brought in a senator
or a congressperson into their shop and what happened.
I want to hear that.
It's a story to be told.
Do you know of anybody that could come on?
Absolutely.
All right.
Yeah.
Let's work on that.
Yeah.
I think we should do that before the next congress.
And the auto care will help you.
We will give you all the resources.
If it's all possible, we will be there with you.
It is not.
And I think that that's what any shop owner that's done that will tell you.
It's a really good positive experience.
It's not hard.
People know people who know people that can get into that senator
and or that congressman.
Who knows if it takes you three or four months to pull something like this off,
but you do.
What Missy just said to you is this will help you.
Yes.
And so, okay.
I heard it on Commerce Podcast.
Who do I contact?
Give them a name.
Call me.
Missy Missy Stevens.
Absolutely.
I will point you in the exact direction you need to go.
Is it Missy Dot Stevens?
It is.
Missy Dot Stevens.
Missy Dot Stevens.
The P H STEP.
Yes.
An auto care dot or see.
There you go.
We're making a difference.
Bring it back to the hub.
I would say that those are the things that we will be highlighting on the hub is how you can do that.
Something that we have in our waiting area is a poster that helps educate our clients and the motorists out there.
And we meet more of those people as well.
So all of those ideas and thoughts.
And you know, we kind of consider that again, a best practice.
How can we put it on our repair orders.
hear orders, how do we get it out to the people that are coming to us each and every day
to trust to us to take care of their vehicles for them and we have to be able to be here for them
for many years to come. I love the word hub by the way. We're calling it our resource hub.
Can I call this my listening hub? Yes, you can have that. We will share hub with you.
You don't own it? No, we don't. No, I'm not patented at all. Nice check it. No.
I know. So VSE, Vehicle Service Experts, replaced CCPN inside of AutoCare.
Tara Topel is the new president. Is Dwayne going to just hang on as past president thing?
Yes. Is there anybody that I know who's on your board, who's officers with you?
Several. So we actually just replaced myself as vice chair with Shari Feasant.
No, I think I know her chair. Yeah, Bernard Tancy. And Jerry.
Yes, yes, you keep going missing. Yes, Tom Sheer.
Wow, I know more. I told you we picked the best of the best. It wasn't my coincidence.
We've interviewed them. They're amazing. Every single one that you mentioned has been in the studio
today. Yes, these are the leaders of our industry that again want to get back that want to
lift the industry up and bring everybody with them. Damn.
Yeah, we should also mention like who wants to be involved in this because our council
applications are open right now. Right. We are looking for more amazing leaders.
Do you have to apply? Yes. Okay, I get that part and I really do it for membership. Where do
they go for that? We have, it's still the CCPN website because we're working on our rebranding
right now. But I would also say point right back to me. I will send you the link.
Missy Dodd Stevens with a pH at autocare.org. Yes.
And say, hey, I want to join ESC. Yep. So our council, we would like to see this council grow
into a council of about 15 to 20. We're probably around 10 to 12 right now.
We're talking about council on members. Yes. So in the current state, there is only a council.
We don't have individual members. That will be coming. That is a part of our five-year strategy.
What's the goal? How many members do you probably need to have a core on a couple hundred or more?
Yeah, more. And the other great thing is when we get to that point that okay,
we've got community members now. We want to pull shops closer to the autocare. In the autocare
association wants to ensure that we are closely connected to the shop owners, right? So everything
that we do, everything that our members do, all goes back to the independent repair shops.
So we want to make sure that we're very closely connected and that we have the voice of the shop
at all times. It's a must. It's a must. It's a capital M-U-S-T to connect for autocare to have
this level of commitment to rebrand CCPN to and again, I didn't have a problem with CCPN,
but I just like VSE a lot because of this expert. I really, it's a lot. Anything that we can do
the podcast, the network that I have, I'm thrilled to do that. Maybe we need to catch up at least
a couple of times a year and do something to find out what's going on. I love the fact I really do
that the autocare association who's doing so much work in Washington to hover over this industry
which is this technology continues to fly off the shelves. Everybody who's a politician has an
idea. I can control this. I can fix this. I got to keep my ear to the ground and I love the fact
that autocare is linked in that way. Now a lot of other associations have lobbyists everywhere.
I get that. I respect that and it's important. Anyway, I'm not going to get off on my deep end right
now. This is not a deep end of the pool episode. So thank you so much for being here. Guys,
congratulations to Tara Topel who has become the new president of Vehicle Service Experts
and Missy Stevens. You do a lot of work there. I do. You do a lot of work. I love.
Oh, that's even better. Yeah, I'm an industry that I've been in this entire life. Did I
see a video on you explaining that? Where did I see that? Where did I see about your background?
I'm not sure. Yeah, I've done a couple. Yeah, I know that's what it was. It was a ratchet and
wrench pod kit. Oh, okay. Yeah. You were going through your lineage. Yeah. Yeah. Wow.
When you get a text from Missy on a Friday evening about how stoked she is about the future
of Vehicle Service Experts and ideas that she has for shop owners, you don't always think she
is a shop owner, honestly. So you know she's on fire about all of it. You know, that's great.
You got to go for dinner more often. Yeah. Absolutely. On a Friday night. I don't know if she was
all for dinner. She would have just been home. And honestly, I was enjoying a lovely fall
evening and I was drinking a glass of wine and I had this idea and I was like, I've got to text
Tara right now. I text her and Dwayne both because I'm like, I need to throw this out to the universe.
You know what? Those, you probably remember the exact texts. Yeah. Because you did it at the moment
it felt right. Yeah. That's important. It's huge. Yeah. I have a little note taker and I'll write it
down because I know if I don't or don't text it or don't write it down, it just became the
fleeting thought. I email myself all the time. I'll think of something. I don't get my phone out
and so that the next morning when I'm checking my email, it's like the first thing in my box.
I'm like, that's right. All right. We're going to wrap this thing up, but I have a really burning
question. Okay. What kind of wine do you like? Cab. Oh my god. You and I have to cuddle up to
a bottle. I know. Like, why have we never shared a glass of wine or a bottle of wine?
I might have one in my hotel room a few minutes. Bring it down.
You're watching. Bring it down. You're watching this fear. Yeah.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, out of my room. Well, I think this fear. I'm sorry. That is too
funny. We're going to have room to drink a wine watching this fear. It was great night by the way.
Good for you. This has been great. Thank you so much for being here. And congratulations.
Thank you for having us. Thanks for having us.
Thanks for being on board to listen and learn from the premier automotive repair business podcast
remarkable results radio. Get your episodic education on the ARPN listing app at automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com.
Also enjoy the podcast on our Carm Capriotto YouTube channel.
Carm is all for advancing the professional automotive service industry. Until next time.
Request an explanation for:
1 cars
1 cars featured
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark.
Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.