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!

If you're ready to make a real change in your shop's success, join Shop Marketing Pros' Plan With the Pros workshop this October to connect with them and other shop owners. You'll leave with your entire year for 2026 planned out.

Click here to register: https://geni.us/PlanWithThePros

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 Nicholas Lerubino, second-generation technician and lead tech at Mark’s Auto Service in Gillette, New Jersey. Nicholas shares how caring deeply about customers and the industry brought both fulfillment and stress, detailing the emotional toll of serving skeptical clients and navigating challenging shop cultures. The conversation examines the importance of achieving a work-life balance in the automotive industry, the realities of technician burnout, and the significance of having a supportive network within the field.

00:00 "Incriminated and Betrayed Heist"

06:03 "Eric's Vital Support"

07:25 Discovering Mario Rojas's Impact

10:40 "Brief Courtesy Call Notification"

15:26 Warranty Work Isn't Profitable

17:15 "Leaving Due to Shop Culture"

21:20 "Handling Employee Write-Up Concerns"

24:08 "Gravy Work vs. Practical Skills"

27:04 Failure to Follow Procedure

28:59 Throttle Body Diagnosed in Minutes

32:10 Fuel Leak and Code Issues

37:06 "Balancing Business and Personal Life"

40:06 "Expectations for Young Men's Work"

42:58 "Prioritize Work Over Leisure"

45:28 "Finalizing Paperwork Concerns"

50:57 "Process Obsession's Daily Impact"

54:04 Nearly Fatal Garage Door Incident

55:08 Avoiding Dangerous Road Stretch

58:20 Identical Specs Uncovered

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!

If you're ready to make a real change in your shop's success, join Shop Marketing Pros' Plan With the Pros workshop this October to connect with them and other shop owners. You'll leave with your entire year for 2026 planned out.

Click here to register: https://geni.us/PlanWithThePros

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 Bob Leonard from Mobility Works. Bob shares his unique path from studying music to a long career in modifying mobility vehicles, detailing what drew him to working with adaptive equipment for individuals with physical disabilities. The conversation also explores the challenges and rewards in automotive education and training, from Bob’s passion for sharing knowledge to his observations on why the industry sometimes "eats its young."

00:00 Avoid Overcommitting Tasks

07:57 Hiring Red Flag: Unused Parts

12:27 "Understanding Disabilities Naturally"

22:00 "Rejecting Traditional Education Path"

25:39 "Bad Boss Experience at Gas Station"

28:46 Passion for Teaching vs. Gatekeeping

38:24 "Maximizing Young Workers' Potential"

41:39 Automotive Technology Evolution

49:05 Car Repair: Unclogging Sunroof Drains

51:43 Dealer Visit After Service Warning

59:08 "Use 'Q' Hardware to Prevent Squeaks"

01:04:32 Intricate 3D Wood Flooring Designs

01:07:30 "Spending Choices: Cars vs. Dining"

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!

If you're ready to make a real change in your shop's success, join Shop Marketing Pros' Plan With the Pros workshop this October to connect with them and other shop owners. You'll leave with your entire year for 2026 planned out.

Click here to register: https://geni.us/PlanWithThePros

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 Jesse Sammons and Todd Compton for an honest discussion on the challenges of running an automotive repair shop. Todd shares his experience of a dramatic drop in car count and revenue after switching marketing companies and tightening the types of jobs his shop accepted. The group explores the unintended consequences of restricting work too much, the importance of regularly reviewing shop processes and phone interactions, and the ongoing struggle to balance technician autonomy with effective leadership.

00:00 "Distant Busy Ties"

04:52 Google Ads Issue and Solution

07:41 Narrowing Service Scope Over Time

10:57 "Post-Trip Staff Meeting Insights"

16:11 Balance Between Growth and Rest

17:28 "Admitting Mistakes, Fixing Them"

23:48 Relentless Commitment to Research

27:24 Teaching Complexity: Duplication Challenge

29:27 Letting Go to Empower Growth

32:12 Mechanic Dedication Scale

36:52 Efficient Learning for Complex Systems

37:52 Intermittent Electrical Fault Challenges

41:38 Shifting Focus to Client Experience

46:55 Technician-Owner Relationship Dynamics

48:03 Unhelpful Car Inspection Practices

52:32 Technician Motivation and Performance Dilemma

54:39 Accountability Over Authority

58:13 Embracing Empathy Today