DO IT FOR A LIVING
Todd Earsley & Kevin Dubois interview the big players in motorsports and pr
Last episode 4 months agoDO IT FOR A LIVING is a podcast where YOU, the performance racing industry enthusiast and shop owner can hear from the best minds in the performance racing industry talking about business and tech. We discuss new products and services and the best resources used by the big dogs. You can listen on your way to work or in the shop. With new episodes coming out every Monday, you'll find interesting topics and valuable information you can use to build your performance business. Now take this information and use it to build the next record-breaking car or innovative product.
Are you the creator? Get your badge · Claim this podcast
Episodes (186)
029: Autonerdz founder Tom Roberts is a tech guy who's assembled a top-notch team with top-notch service
Everyone has had an experience where they say “if I was the boss, I would do things differently!” Tom Roberts spent most of his career working for someone else and in the process he gained a lot of experience. Most importantly he’s learned how to work with other people so the whole group can thrive! Tom started Autonerdz so he could supply oscilloscopes to automotive repair shops, but he took it one step further; he created a useful forum for users to interact, and ask each other questions and share experiences. Now Tom and his team at Autonerdz sell and support Picoscope oscilloscopes to the whole world and I thought everyone should know about this resource! Enjoy!
028: Cobb Tuning's founder Trey Cobb built an industry leading brand, and he's here to offer his advice
If you’re into Subaru, GTR, BMW, or Mazdaspeed then no doubt you know all about Cobb Tuning. Or so you think! Did you know that Cobb Tuning’s first shop was a single bay in his father’s tire shop? In this episode Trey and I discuss the lesson’s learned over the years and we talk about making tough decisions. Trey says you need to create a plan for your business to force yourself to think things through. We talk about creating plans and how to hold people accountable. Trey says to FOCUS on your strengths, don’t try to be everything to everyone. And in this conversation, we put that into context for the shop owners out there.
027: Kyle Loftis from 1320 Video really is living his dream!
Kyle offers up his experience in social media marketing, building a brand, and how he built his audience. It’s important to note that 1320 Video has millions of Facebook fans, and they didn’t build that overnight. It grew organically over more than 10 years! Kyle is a true grinder, and he loves what he does and that’s what we’re all after, right? If you’re trying to build your audience, just recognize that it’s a long game but it can be shortened using the information in this episode.
026: David Hsu (Part 2) from Group A Engineering, Skunk2, Kraftwerks, and Grams Performance calls it how he sees it
Part 2 of 2: The remainder of the interview is David talking about the performance industry and shining a light into some of the dark corners. It’s a killer episode because we took the time to dive deep into a lot of different topics from patents to inventory turns. If you’re into the Honda drag racing scene, don’t miss this episode. This interview is packed with details about current companies and their role in the industry today.
025: David Hsu (Part 1) from Group A Engineering, Skunk2, Kraftwerks, and Grams Performance talks business!
THIS IS PART 1 of 2: This episode is about business, and how David built and is continuing to build his businesses. David Hsu is an unapologetic capitalist who believes in free market forces which basically state that if your product or service is less-valuable than a competitor then the market will deal with you. In this first part (of two) we discuss how to bring a product to market, design patents, EBITDA, the four F’s of raising money, and David offers two things you must understand if you’re building a business.
024: Andre Simon and Ben Silcock from HP Academy offer a unique approach to EFI Tuning
All the way from New Zealand! Andre Simon and Ben Silcock are partners in HP Academy, a company that offers web-based EFI tuning instruction. They’ve created a unique approach that breaks each class into modules so the user can quickly reference back to just the topic they want. This approach is basically topic on demand which makes it very usable. In this episode we discuss drag racing, tuning, knock monitoring devices, and these two offer some great resources that they’ve found valuable.
023: Dave Arce from Arce Racing Engines offers his experience selling quality services when customers are price driven
Dave Arce is one of the nicest and most honest guys that I’ve had the pleasure of talking with. In this episode I had the chance to talk with Dave about his upbringing, and how he started his career in engine building. Dave shares a deeply personal story that affected his life and his business, and his story has a positive ending! Dave and I talk about carburetors (what!?) and the future of fuel injection in circle-track racing. And don’t worry, we also geek out about cylinder head finish and engine machining!
022: Chris Carey from Modern Automotive Performance has three unique differences
Modern Automotive Performance is a unique performance parts distributor that focuses on Mitsubishi EVO, DSM, Subaru, and Ford Ecoboost Mustang (among others). With 38 employees, the operation is relatively large. Chris tells the story of how he started with car stereo, and then graduated to performance work. His business was largely focused on custom performance tuning and has since cut that business segment to focus on the company’s strengths; engine building and parts retailing. We discussed three things that make his business unique and about their competitive advantage. This episode has really great insight into how to hire and keep employees, and what you can do to expand your knowledge base. A big “thank you” to Chris for sharing his insights!
021: Scott McIver from Kaizen Tuning is creating new customers with a killer strategy
Scott McIver owns Kaizen Tuning, (Kaizen, what a killer name right!?) in Boxborough, Mass. He specializes in GTR and EVO X and services a full list of other cars as well. We talked about what it looked like for Scott to create and grow Kaizen Tuning and how he went from the family business into the performance tuning business. Scott is fired up about one particular strategy that’s creating great returns. Be sure to listen all the way to the end where Scott tells about the strategy he’s using to create new customers.
020: Nate Silveri and Jason Slater from TPG Tuning partnered up and opened up shop
Originally from different shops, Nate and Jason came together to create TPG tuning. A service shop specializing in Subaru, Mitsubishi and now certain BMW platforms. Their story is one of dedication and hard work, and not one of planning! From a rough start in the early days to a smoother operation now, Jason and Nate are in it for the long haul and they’re here to tell the story of how it all started and to offer advice that they’ve picked up along the way.
019: Steve Nichols from Dyno Dynamics USA offers advice to help you avoid mistakes
Steve Nichols is a stand-up guy from Lexington, Kentucky. He’s been involved with Dyno Dynamics since the early 2000’s and he’s got a hell of a story to tell. He originally worked for Toyota but when the exchange rate was in his favor, he saw and opportunity and jumped on it. Now, nearly a decade and a half later, Steve talks about his successes and failures and what he’s learned over the years.
018: Matt Wright from Haltech Engine Management gives killer insight into the performance business
Matt Wright is an Aussie with 12 years in the biz. He works as the brand manager for Haltech Engine Management Systems and moonlights as an instructor for EFI University. Matt has spent his career working with Haltech, starting in an entry-level position and now he oversees certain technical aspects for the company. He’s worked his way up from the bottom to his current position and he’s got great insight and advice to offer us. He’s an intelligent guy with some killer insight into the performance business. I learned a lot and I think you will too. Enjoy.
Episode 017: Chris Delgado and Dave Donnals from D3 Performance Engineering in Houston, Texas
If you’re looking to open a performance shop then you need to listen to this episode! Dave Donnals and Chris Delgado speak from experience. Dave runs the business and works on CAD modeling. Chris handles tuning and product development around the engine management side of things. They’ve both been in the game for over a decade and learned from experience. Their company D3 Performance Engineering was launched with a solid plan in place and they’re here to share their experience and offer some really valuable advice! Reid’s take away: The advice in this episode is solid, so please take it to heart! A word of caution for aspiring business-owners; Chris Delgado has a solid understanding of engine tuning and a great network of fellow tuners that he can call friends. One reason that D3 is having success is because of this. It takes more than just passion and work-ethic to succeed in the performance world. You must also have a solid understanding of your topic.
Episode 016: Todd Lewis from Mainline Dyno expands on his journey from mechanic to business-owner
Todd Lewis came from a family of tradesmen in Australia. After 10 years of schooling, he followed the family path and got an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic. Because of his family’s machining background and his willingness to work hard, Todd moved up the ladder quickly. He gained experience as a mechanic before applying for a job at the company that he’s now the owner of.
Episode 015: Jordan Watson from National Speed is building a scalable, systematized speed shop!
The performance industry is largely driven by people with little to no business experience. This is especially true at the shop level. That makes the barrier to entry very small, as most shop owners don’t have a business plan and have very few systems in place. Usually the shop owner IS the system! Jordan Watson has a different approach. Jordan spent the first part of his career gaining an understanding of the performance street car community, and now he’s working to create a systems-based approach to his performance services business. His goal is to create a company-wide system that allows for a consistent experience every time you step foot in his shop. This way the company can scale and open multiple stores in different cities and states. He uses Home Depot for an analogy by saying that every Home Depot is largely the same across the country, so you know what to expect when you go there whether you’re in Washington State or Texas. What if you could expect the same from a speed shop? Impossible? Time will tell!
Episode 014: Scott Kuhner from Emtron Australia talks about the struggle of working with outside engineers
Scott Kuhner has created Emtron Australia, an ECU manufacturer that focuses on creative engine control functions and close dealer relationships. Having owned multiple businesses over the years Scott discusses in detail some of the hurdles he’s faced in his businesses. Specific hurdles include dealing with outside engineering consulting firms, and as Scott calls it “the money machine” just keeps on rolling when developing new products. He explains how “scope creep” affects the process, and don’t worry we talk about engine control tech too!
Episode 013: Jason Siebels from Pro EFI talks about the business of engine management
Jason Siebels has been a gearhead his whole life and he started his company Pro EFI in the late ‘90’s. Then in 2000 Jason began working at AEM, developing their plug-and-play line of engine management systems. After a falling out, Jason dove head first into making a quality engine controller that functioned the way he thought it should. Now Pro EFI has plug-and-play systems for a handful of applications including the C6 Corvette, and ZL1 Camaro among others. What makes Pro EFI stand out is their fault management and their ability to drive the factory instrumentation via CAN BUS. Jason discusses the hurdles in taking his business to the next level and what it took to get him where he is today.
Episode 012: Martin Musial from AMS Performance tells the story of AMS and Alpha Performance
Martin Musial is the President of AMS and Alpha Performance Products. His company builds hard parts and complete platform installations for Nissan GTR and European vehicles such as BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche among others. But did you know that he started by designing camshafts for a Merkur x4ti? Martin tells his entrepreneurial story from disassembling his family’s thermostat as a kid, to designing camshafts the hard way. Martin shares what makes him tick and his philosophy on life and the performance business.
Episode 011: Ever built your own ECU? Andy Wyatt from Adaptronic did when he was 19.
Andy Wyatt is an Australian mechatronics engineer and the founder of Adaptronic. Andy was determined for this episode to be 100% technical but I managed to talk business and we brought some great topics to life. Andy talked about all the things that didn’t work for his business including magazine advertising, and hiring a business coach. He’s identified that what does work is to partner with specialty shops who have established networks, and then build a brand by supporting those shops.
Episode 010: Robert Young from Forced Performance discusses keeping customers happy and billet turbos!
In the 90’s Robert Young fell in love with the power potential of the Mitsubishi 4G63 and started creating Frankenstein turbos. Because of his engineering background and resources at work, Robert began tinkering with hybrid turbo designs and starting getting noticed. From a tight-knit group in Texas, Robert designs competitive turbochargers for Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche and more. He’s even worked directly with the OEM’s, which he says is his proudest moment. Robert focused on his niche and slayed it! What’s keeping YOU from doing the same?
Episode 009: Jay Meagher from Real Street Performance talks pricing, tuning and competition
Jay Meagher created an online performance retailer by working elbow-to-elbow with his team. He took a $17,000 line of credit and jumped in head-first with no option but to succeed. Through years of struggle and heartache Jay never quit. He persevered and assembled a team to innovate in the online performance retail space. From working through stress related chest pains, to making the decision to give up his comfortable life and become an entrepreneur Jay tells the story of what it takes to create and maintain a modern high-performance retail business.
Episode 008: Shane Tecklenburg is the EFI Calibrator behind the first ever 5-second import
Shane Tecklenburg talks about nitro-methane powered lawn-mowers, and using modern ECU’s to save lives! From the age of 14 Shane has been involved in engine calibration, and he says that to be successful in the performance industry you simply need to treat your customers like you want to be treated. He credits his success to two things: his obsession with engine controls and treating his clients fairly. Listen to this episode from one of the most successful modern drag-racing tuners and ask yourself, what am I doing differently?
Episode 007: Todd Berk from Push, Inc. talks about integrating hardware and software for his new motorsports product
Todd Berk from Push, Inc. is a mechatronics engineer who is using his passion for design to create a gauge for measuring acceleration and G-forces and talk to other Smart Gauges via Bluetooth. His product, the Smart Gauge is designed to measure acceleration and multiple angle G-forces and through the use of Push, Inc.’s software they intend to add the ability to share race and acceleration results directly to social media platforms like Facebook. The fit and finish is very high quality, and the best part? He’s designed the entire thing from circuit board to aesthetics himself! From a CAD model to actual hardware, Todd Berk and his team of engineers all work on this project on the side. This product could make it big, but will it? What do you think about it? Find out more at DOITFORALIVING.net
Episode 006: Joel Levy from RaceSpec talks motorsport wiring, and surviving Hurricane Irene
Joel Levy is the artist behind Race Spec LLC and he builds some of the most impressive wiring harnesses in the performance industry. But Joel went through some serious struggles to get to where he is today. In 2011 Joel lost everything in Hurricane Irene but he didn’t let that stop him. He formed a partnership with Chris Harris and Xenocron, and Joel is back on his feet with more focus than ever. He’s refined his skill and he’s making a name for himself, he’s here to tell his story and offer up some new resources.
Episode 005: Chris Harris from Xenocron.com tells his entrepreneurial story
Chris Harris owns Xenocron.com, a company offering online retail, wholesale and dyno tuning services out of Hillburn, NY. He built momentum for himself being a contributing member of PGMFI.org and “chipping” ECU’s for next to nothing. Soon everyone was asking for his services. He’s grown his hobby into a business that supplies customers all over the world.