Ratchet+Wrench Radio

Ratchet+Wrench Radio

Ratchet+Wrench

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Ratchet+Wrench Radio offers four tracks each month that explore the industry's biggest trends, most pressing topics, and the leadership and business management tips and strategies you need to thrive.

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Episodes (481)

Grow: Getting Outside Help

The goal for owners Eric and Allison Smith of Cannon's Automotive Service? Keep getting better and better when it comes to leadership, marketing, and overall processes. And after taking over Allison's father's business, they joined Elite Pro Service to get an extra helping hand in the mix. On top of that, they utilized an old idea from Allison's father that has proved to be a big success. They even got on their local radio station to promote their cause [15:45-18:15]. Hear all about their growth over the past couple of years and how those on the outside and hard work helped get them to where they are now.

Jul 27, 2020 22 min

Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories

In this week's roundup, we provide an update on SEMA , the Right to Repair and more. 

Jul 20, 2020 2 min

Lead: Have the Tough Conversation

How many of you have an employee that’s always late? How about always on his or her phone? Monthly guest Aaron Stokes shares how to have those tough conversations with your employees.

Jul 17, 2020 13 min

Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories

This week, we gives updates on government funding for small businesses during the coronavirus and share how a few OEMs have been impacted. 

Jul 14, 2020 2 min

Innovate: Consumer Psychology

What drives consumers to come to your shop? Monthly guest Frank Leutz and co-host Susie Wong of Desert Car Care of Chandler discuss the psychology of what motivates customers, using an example from their own shop. 

Jul 11, 2020 34 min

Innovate: Consumer Psychology

What drives consumers to come to your shop? Monthly guest Frank Leutz and co-host Susie Wong of Desert Car Care of Chandler discuss the psychology of what motivates customers, using an example from their own shop. 

Jul 10, 2020 34 min

Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories

In this week's news round-up, we discuss the growing concerns of the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Ford and Honda's 30-day social media cleanse, and how auto sales are predicted to make a rebound.

Jul 07, 2020 3 min

How I Did It: Overcame My Fears

  Kendall Warnock grew up in a village called Rosalie, Neb., with a population of 90 people. After graduating from Northeast Community College, Warnock decided to take a leap of faith and move to Lincoln, Neb., to start his own shop. During that time, he ran into many obstacles, but he never gave up on his dream.  Warnock now runs a successful operation, A1 Automotive, which recently won the Best of Lincoln 2020 in the auto business category, and also serves as a firefighter in his community. Warnock shares how he overcame his fears of living in a bigger city, the shame of having to use food stamps, and became the success he is today.

Jul 03, 2020 10 min

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In this week's news round-up, we touch on the Moving Forward Act and the most commonly delayed maintenance.   

Jun 30, 2020 2 min

Grow: Breaking Down Coronavirus Loans

Did you know there have been 20 updates—yes, 20—to the Paycheck Protection Program since it's release mid-March? That's all according to Brad Mewes, Principal at Supplement Advisory, an automotive advisory firm, who has been helping business owners across the country on the confusing and crazy process these past couple of months. Listen to Mewes sit down with staff writer Abby Patterson as they hash out all of the new details on the PPP, Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), and other loans you might not even know about. Wanting to still apply last minute? Here are some go-to resources: MBE Capital Partners BlueVine Capital Inc. And for those of you looking for further help, reach out to Brad Mewes at [email protected].

Jun 30, 2020 41 min

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This week, updates on the EIDL and the Right to Repair.

Jun 22, 2020 2 min

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This week, the industry mourns the passing of three trailblazers and looks at traffic trends as states begin to open up. 

Jun 15, 2020 2 min

Lead: Becoming a Voice for the Industry

From almost filing bankruptcy to speaking to thousands, Aaron Stokes has become an inspiration to those in the industry. Here's how he found his voice. 

Jun 12, 2020 11 min

Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories

Last week, there was movement made to address issues small business owners have been running into in regard to government funding.  If you are a minority business still in need of PPP funding, please click here. 

Jun 08, 2020 2 min

Innovate: Influencer Marketing

Frank Leutz is back and he discusses influencer marketing and hot to use it to tap into an existing community of engaged followers. 

Jun 05, 2020 40 min

Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories

This week, we take a look at what's new as far as funding for small business during the coronavirus and OSHA's new requirements for the coronavirus.  For more information, click here.    Email associate editor Tess Collins at [email protected] for more information and to let us know what type of news you'd like to hear more of. 

Jun 02, 2020 2 min

How I Did It: Kept My Business Alive

Columnist Joe Marconi, owner of Osceola Garage, which is located in New York, one of the hardest hit areas of the pandemic, had to make many difficult decisions in order to keep his shop afloat. In this podcast, he shares what the past few months have looked like for him. 

May 29, 2020 11 min

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A Facebook survey reveals what the future holds for many small businesses and a trend between ARO and the stay-at-home orders is revealed. 

May 25, 2020 1 min

Lead: Fear Is Contagious

Whether or not you support his views on the coronavirus or not, monthly guest Aaron Stokes has a point: fear is contagious. As a leader, it's up to you to set the tone for your customers and employees. 

May 22, 2020 15 min

Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories

As stay-at-home orders begin to lift, the automotive repair industry shows signs of returning to somewhat normalcy.  What's it looking like where you are? Email associate editor Tess Collins at [email protected] to let us know. 

May 19, 2020 1 min

Grow: An Additional Profit Center

Face masks have become a wardrobe staple. In order to put customers at ease and keep employees safe, wearing them is essential during the pandemic. Associate editor Tess Collins speaks with NxTSTOP CEO Brendan Kennedy about why auto repair shop owners need to invest in this protection and how they can turn it into an additional profit center. NxTSTOP is an apparel company that has shifted its focus to making masks during the pandemic.      Visit https://thenxtstop.com/ to order. For bulk orders, visit https://thenxtstop.com/pages/bulk-orders.  

May 15, 2020 17 min

From The Editors: The Mindset Every Leader Needs to Adopt

Anyone else tired of talking about COVID-19? So are we. In this month's From the Editors, Bryce and Anna stop talking about the problems this pandemic has presented, and instead talk about the opportunity. Regardless of how this has impacted you or what you think of it, the only real option is to find solutions and the best path forward. Bad situations show people's true colors, and this can be a real launching pad for your business. Either way, we’re moving forward with a different landscape and you can choose to have it be a burden or you can use it as an opportunity for change and evolution. 

May 13, 2020 29 min

Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories

This week, Ratchet+Wrench shares signs things may be returning to normal and an update on government funding. 

May 11, 2020 1 min

Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories

This week, we look at what the SBA is doing to ensure small businesses get their PPP money, a possible "Cash For Clunkers" reappearance and what Google and Apple are doing to fight the pandemic.  To reach out to congress about the Cash for Clunkers, click here. It’s the beginning of a new month. How is your business doing? Are things returning to normal? Getting worse? Let us know. Email me at [email protected]   

May 04, 2020 2 min

Innovate: Marking During a Crisis

Rissy Sutherland, one of the foremost experts in shop operations, president of SRS+Co, former shop owner and Ratchet+Wrench columnist, leads a panel discussion on marketing during the coronavirus on what shop owners should be doing now moving into the summer months.

Apr 30, 2020 49 min