Ratchet+Wrench Radio
Ratchet+Wrench
Updated 3 days agoRatchet+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.
Are you the creator? Claim this podcast
Episodes (473)
2023 RWMC Speaker Series | Meet Lucas Underwood
Lucas Underwood is the owner of L&N Performance Auto Repair in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. In this series focused on getting to know some of the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference speakers, Lucas is going to talk about what he does, what his session topic is about and why you should attend, what excites him about the industry today, and his biggest accomplishments and greatest lessons in business. He also talks about starting his shop and leaving the right legacy. If you're still not registered for the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference, visit rwconference.com and use promo code ChrisJones to get $100 off your registration. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
2023 RWMC Speaker Series | Meet Darrin Barney
Darrin Barney is the co-founder of Barney Brothers Offroad and Repair and the CEO of Elite Worldwide. In this series focused on getting to know some of the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference speakers, Darrin is going to talk about what he does, what his session topic is about and why you should attend, what excites him about the industry today, and his biggest accomplishments and greatest lessons in business. He's also going to tell you a fun story on leading by example. If you're still not registered for the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference, visit rwconference.com and use promo code ChrisJones to get $100 off your registration. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
2023 RWMC Speaker Series | Meet Phil Carpenter
Phil Carpenter is the COO of Urban Auto Care and Avalon Motorsports in Denver, Colorado. In this series focused on getting to know some of the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference speakers, Phil is going to talk about what he does, what his session topics are about and why you should attend, what excites him about the industry today, and his biggest accomplishments and greatest lessons in business. If you're still not registered for the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference, visit rwconference.com and use promo code ChrisJones to get $100 off your registration. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
Giving a Voice to Everyone in the Industry | Tara Topel
In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Tara Topel of Topel's Service Center tackles the tough topics of diversity, equity, inclusion and representation. We look at it from the lenses of gender, ethnicity and ability (those with handicaps mentally and physically) and discuss how to encourage education and involvement so that shop owners and their personnel can be mindful of every customer and of one another. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
2023 RWMC Speaker Series | Meet Lauralee Schmidt
Lauralee Schmidt is the VP of marketing and operations of Schmidt Auto Care in Springboro, Ohio. In this series focused on getting to know some of the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference speakers, Lauralee is going to talk about what she does, what her session topic is about and why you should attend, what excites her about the industry today, and her biggest accomplishments and greatest lessons in business. If you're still not registered for the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference, visit rwconference.com and use promo code ChrisJones to get $100 off your registration.
How I Lead to Get The Best From My Team | J.J Mont
In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, J.J. Mont of J.J.'s Auto Service in Waldorf, Maryland, stops by to talk leadership. J.J. is known around his shop for his emotionally intelligent and empathetic servant leadership that aims to get people in the right positions to maximize their potential. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
2023 RWMC Speaker Series | Meet Chris Knuth
Chris Knuth owns Star Motors European Service and founded APAC ATI, both in San Juan Capistrano, California. In this series focused on getting to know some of the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference speakers, Chris is going to talk about what he does, what his session topic is about and why you should attend, what excites him about the industry today, and his biggest accomplishments and greatest lessons in his years in business. If you're still not registered for the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference, visit rwconference.com and use promo code ChrisJones to get $100 off your registration. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
Placing Excellent Above Satisfaction | Anthony Bodine
In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, our guest is Anthony Bodine of Protech Automotive Services in Johnston, Rhode Island. Today, Anthony discusses why he's a stickler for the details when it comes to the aesthetics of his shop, how he manages the Protech brand, the care his techs give vehicles and how customers perceive his shop. He also talks about all of the ways he strives for excellence in making his shop a premium place for his customers to do business. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
Is Your Bottom Line an Afterthought? | Murray Voth
Most small businesses, such as auto repair shops, focus on customers and sales. Once all the bills are paid and the team members are compensated, there's not enough profit left to build the business—unless you start from the bottom and work backward to discover your real income goal. Today's guest is Murray Voth of RPM Training. Murray is going to teach shop owners how to do the math that creates a bigger net profit for the shop. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
Growing Your Business with Data-Driven Marketing Techniques: Sponsored Podcast
In this episode of Ratchet + Wrench Radio, sponsored by Cinch, Justin Rae, Founder & CEO of Cinch, sits down with Matt Hudson, Content Director for Ratchet + Wrench, to talk about some of the ways shops can sharpen their marketing strategies through the improved use of data. Go here to learn more about Cinch and schedule a demo for a free $50 Amazon gift card.
Securing Your Shop’s Data | Sunil Patel
In this episode, Sunil Patel of Tekmetric discusses cybersecurity as it pertains to auto repair shops, the difference in security between on-site and cloud storage, how to secure your shop's data to prevent breaches and unexpected data loss and how Tekmetric is approaching cybersecurity. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
Optimizing Your Website for Success | Tony Mercury
In this episode, Tony Mercury, VP of Revenue at Autoshop Solutions, stops in to talk all things website. We look at how shop owners should approach building and using a website to convert customers, as well as the type of imagery, content and messaging you need to get customers to choose you. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
Are EV Tires a Viable Profit Center? | Tim Eisenmann
In this episode, Tim Eisenman, CEO of Torqata, talks about EV tires and whether or not shop owners can and should capitalize on servicing tires as an entry point to capturing EV customers. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
How I Created My Shop’s Brand Story and Vision | Rob Choisser
In this episode, Rob Choisser of Choisser Automotive Services in Davidsonville, Maryland, talks about how he got into the industry and the four trademarks upon which he built his shop's culture. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
How I Became a Million-Dollar Service Advisor | Chelsea McDonald
In this episode, Chelsea McDonald of Certified Transmission in Bellevue, Nebraska, shares her journey into the auto care industry and how she committed to becoming the best service advisor in her shop. She also offers actionable tips for service advisors looking to get that winning edge. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
The Interesting History of Kenwood Tire & Auto | Spencer Carruthers
In this episode, Spencer Carruthers, owner of Kenwood Tire & Auto in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, tells the story of this historic shop that was once a one-room school and a public library. He also shares insights he's learned about how auto repair shops can capitalize on EV tires as a service. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
How Branded Merchandise Helps Our Shop | Susan McGrath
In this episode, Susan McGrath of Girlington Garage in South Burlington, Vermont, talks about how she and shop owner Demeny Pollitt began using branded merchandise. McGrath tells how they choose what to invest in, what customers like, what fell flat, and how it has helped the shop become known in the community. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
Why I Hired a Coach (and Why You Should, Too) | Kevin Oswald
In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Kevin Oswald, owner of Oswald Service and Repair in Idaho Falls, Idaho, talks about his decision to hire a coach and the difference it made for his shop. He also opens up about changing coaches and why for some owners, a different perspective can add to their growth and success.
Can Shopgenie Change How Shops Do Business? | Kieran O’Brien
In this episode, Kieran O'Brien, co-founder of new CRM Shopgenie, talks about how the pitfalls of auto repair shops and their ability to follow up with online customers. We also discuss how the CRM can help shop owners rake in Gen Z and mobile-first customers with its online scheduling and automation capabilities. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
Why We Started Four-Day Workweeks | Erin Vaughan, Kinetic Auto Service
This week on Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Erin Vaughan, owner of Kinetic Auto Service in Regina, Saskatchewan, stops by to talk about why her shop instituted a four-day workweek and how. Earlier this spring, Vaughan made the decision and she discusses how she arrived at it, and also discusses: How the shop's days and weeks are structured Consulting the team and how they've responded to the change What she's learned about workflow management in a four-day week Whether KPI has been affected and how productivity has changed Training her clients and eliminating waiters completely Short weeks as a means to attract new talent How owners looking to try a four-day workweek can get started
Why I Invested in an EV Charger | Matt Lofton
In this episode, Matt Lofton, owner of Strut Daddy's Complete Car Care, discusses one step he's taken toward electrification. Lofton added an EV charger inside his Roxboro, North Carolina, shop and talked about: His decision to do so despite being in a rural Why he decided to purchase an EV charger Which type of EV charger he chose and why How he uses the charger within his shop's workflow What shop owners need to know about their shops before making the decision to buy one This episode is sponsored by Ford Motorcraft.
Developing Rock Star Service Advisors | Jeremy O’Neal
In this episode, Jeremy O'Neal, owner of Freedom Auto Repair and president of Advisor Fix, discusses a service advisor's role in the shop and how the best advisors perform. He discusses: His definition of a service advisor How and why he started Advisor Fix The characteristics and qualifications of a solid service advisor What owners should look for in a service advisor How advisors can grow through training Why shop owners should invest in front-of-house training
How I Get More Customers Using Digital Marketing | Andrew Knudsen with Dan Vance
In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Andrew Knudsen, vice president of Coventry Motors in Huntington Station, New York, and Dan Vance founder of digital marketing agency Advanced Local talk about digital advertising. Knudsen and Vance were featured in the January 2023 issue Case Study “How I Invested in Digital Marketing.” The two talk at length about how they met, why Knudsen hired Vance and what shops can learn from their partnership as client and service provider. You’ll learn the following: • How Andrew handled his shop’s digital marketing before outsourcing to Dan • When they pair began working together and why Andrew felt he needed help • Dan’s process for analyzing a customer’s digital marketing needs • Common pitfalls that plague auto shop websites • What strategies Dan used to help Andrew grow his business online • Why retargeting keywords helped Dan get Andrew the right type of customers • The difference between programmer and Google ads • The benefits of outsourcing digital marketing • Digital marketing versus word of mouth • How digital agencies shop show owners ROI
How I Built and Operate Hailey Auto Clinic | Alex Dunn
In this episode, Alex Dunn from Hailey Auto Clinic in Hailey, Idaho, stops in to talk shop. You may remember Alex's shop from the December 2022 issue of Ratchet+Wrench. Today, Alex discusses why he chose to custom-build his shop, how he worked with his architect, some of the features he chose and how Hailey runs its day-to-day operations.
How Shops Can Easily Access OEM Repair Information | Mark Allen, OEM1Stop
In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Mark Allen of OEM1Stop talks about how his organization's website can help shops get OEM-specific repair information in minutes. He discusses: How long OEM1Stop has been in service Which OEM-specific repair information shops have access to on the platform What technicians can expect when using the interface How often the information is updated by OEMs What the learning curve for using the website and how to best use it How OEM1Stop can help techs with advanced repairs on newer vehicles How to access the information What the fee for service structure is for OEM1Stop