Get registered for the ASTA Expo 2025 at the Raleigh Convention Center: https://geni.us/ASTA2025

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2025

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Make sure you mention: CTISUMMER to get FREE data migration!

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into one sleek, digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Dan Thieken and Mason Weeks to discuss the challenges and triumphs of running an independent automotive shop. Mason shares his journey of starting, closing, and reviving his shop, highlighting the pitfalls of expanding too quickly and the importance of learning financial fundamentals. The group explores actionable strategies, such as raising prices, implementing inspection processes, and leveraging the 300% rule, to maximize profitability and shop efficiency.

00:00 Unscheduled Meetings Discussion

08:39 Failed Landing Flare Technique

12:57 Mike's Bland Humor

21:29 "Young Entrepreneur Leases Local Shop"

22:52 Regrets of Expanding Too Soon

27:09 Generosity's Financial Consequences

36:23 "Follow 300% Inspection Rule"

42:37 Car Repair: Safety and Responsibility

45:24 Boutique Auto Service Pricing Strategy

52:47 Importance of Providing Repair Estimates

54:26 Mechanic's Duty to Ensure Safety

01:01:02 Smart Investment in Custom Package

01:04:53 Bought Scanner for Versatility

01:11:18 Faulty Charger Sparks Gas Hazard

Get registered for the ASTA Expo 2025 at the Raleigh Convention Center: https://geni.us/ASTA2025

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2025

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Make sure you mention: CTISUMMER to get FREE data migration!

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into one sleek, digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Chuck Olsen and Josh McFarlin from AirPro to address recent controversy and questions circulating online about AirPro’s Augie calibration tool. Chuck and Josh set the record straight by diving into the rigorous testing process behind Augie, emphasizing the company’s commitment to safety and proper calibration. They also discuss the challenges of evolving technology in the automotive industry, the importance of continuous learning, and the need for constructive industry conversations—rather than social media drama—when evaluating new tools and processes.

00:00 Lifelong Automotive Career Journey

06:54 Evolving Career in Automotive Diagnostics

11:21 "Career Exploration to Ford Mastery"

19:07 Air Pro Discussion and Controversy

22:38 "Innovating System Calibration Process"

32:33 Technician's Misunderstood ADAS Calibration

37:41 Q&A: Clarifying Tool Capabilities

39:46 ADAS Calibration Task Force Insights

46:16 Ford's Collision Repair Staffing Imbalance

52:22 Calibration Challenges in the Automotive Industry

57:36 Recall Confusion with High-End Car

01:05:21 Technician Liability and Calibration Risks

01:11:08 Windshield Replacement Without Recalibration

01:13:35 Glass Installation and Calibration Issues

Get registered for the ASTA Expo 2025 at the Raleigh Convention Center: https://geni.us/ASTA2025

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2025

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Make sure you mention: CTISUMMER to get FREE data migration!

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into one sleek, digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Uwe Kleinschmidt, formerly of Autovitals and now with Autotech IQ. Uwe shares lessons from his upbringing in East Germany and his journey to becoming a technology leader in the automotive industry. The conversation explores the challenges and importance of a strong shop culture and process, the need to empower customers through transparent digital vehicle inspections (DVI), and the evolving role of AI in improving shop communication and operational consistency.

00:00 Visit to David's Tense Shop

10:01 California Gas Price Concerns

14:06 Community College Enrollment Surge

19:37 "Value of First-Gen Immigrant Workers"

23:43 Chancellor Cole's Election Strategy

30:57 Engineer Relocates to Boost US Sales

36:48 "Choosing Shopware for Consistency"

40:29 "Adopting Carolyn's Shop Success Model"

45:25 Customer-Driven Sales Approach

48:49 Guided Customer Research Prompts

58:59 "Handle Unknown Text Links"

01:00:21 "Client Portal Development Needed"

01:05:53 The Curse of Knowledge in Retail