Mitch Brady partnered with PartsEdge to refine his company’s parts inventory. He uncovered and resolved issues with broad phase-in/phase-out criteria by customizing categorization for each part. This optimized stock, improved team clarity, and fine-tuned parts management.Together,

Kaylee and Mitch dive into how using PartsEdge not only enhanced inventory efficiency at Ressler Toyota but also uncovered hidden challenges and gave Mitch the tools to be creative with inventory management. Hear about actionable strategies for reducing obsolescence, tailoring phase-in and phase-out criteria, and leveraging data to make smarter decisions—all while maintaining a perfectly balanced inventory.

If you’re a parts manager looking for practical insights and real-world success stories, you won’t want to miss Mitch’s honest take on the impact of PartsEdge and the value of having a true partner in your corner. Let’s get into it!

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This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Our strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com

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Takeaways

1. Customize inventory processes

2. Actionable reporting matters

3. Collaboration fuels creativity

   
   

Chapters

00:00 Optimizing Inventory with PartsEdge

05:07 Optimized Phase In/Out Strategy

06:50 Customized Parts Source Management

10:13 Managing Obsolescence in Inventory Returns

13:22 Custom Reports on Obsolete Parts

16:30 Effective Collaboration in Service Management

Connect

Kaylee Felio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl

Website: https://www.partsedge.com

Tim Hayden is the CEO of Brain+Trust and Chief of Business Strategy at The Next Practice, with over 20 years of experience building strategic solutions for brands through media, data, and mobility. Through these ventures, he helps organizations create competitive advantages and build lasting trust with their audiences.

Today, Tim Hayden reveals how automotive dealerships are sitting on a goldmine of untapped dark data that could revolutionize their operations and customer experience. Through practical examples and industry insights, he demonstrates how this hidden information can be transformed into actionable strategies for growth and efficiency.

Building on this foundation, Tim explores the game-changing potential of AI in strengthening customer relationships and discusses how dealerships can modernize their operations for the future. He offers a compelling vision for how automotive retail can evolve by embracing these technological advances while maintaining the human touch that drives sales and customer loyalty.

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This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Their strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com.

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Takeaways

Unlock hidden dealership data for actionable insights.

Use AI to deepen meaningful customer connections.

Modernize operations while preserving human relationships.

Quote

“The real power isn't just in collecting data.” -Tim Hayden​​

Connect:

Tim Hayden

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/saddleup

Website: www.braintrust.partners

Kaylee Felio

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl
Website: www.partsedge.com

Courtney Paschal is the Client Success Manager at Ellison Automotive Strategies and a seasoned automotive professional who began her career at Street Toyota in 2013. A passionate leader in both the automotive industry and her Amarillo community, Courtney is a Top 40 Under 40 honoree in Automotive News and actively serves with No Boundaries International. She’s also a proud dog mom to Cash, Tipper, and Penny.

Brad Paschal is the Market President at Dynatron Software and President of Brad Paschal Consulting. Starting his career in sales at Street Volkswagen, he worked his way up to e-Commerce Director before moving into consulting. Brad has spent the last 8+ years solving complex challenges across both variable ops/sales and fixed ops sides of the automotive business.

In today’s episode, they discuss the challenges and rewards of sharing both a home and career in auto retail, the importance of charity and giving back, and the unique dynamics of running dealership ops with a partner. Listeners get an inside look at vendor management best practices, the vital role of service and parts departments, and why gratitude and perspective matter for long-term success.

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This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Their strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com

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Takeaways

1. Work-life balance boundaries matter

2. Recognize & empower parts/service teams

3. Gratitude & community givebacks

   
   

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Work-Life with Three Dogs

03:51 Mindset Anchors for Productivity

06:20 "Building Community Through Dealership Events"

11:20 "Highlighting Courtney's Career Achievements"

14:23 Lead Quality and Quota Concerns

16:52 "Sales vs. Service: Industry Divide"

19:49 Building Relationships with Service Teams

24:20 "Effective Communication in Relationships"

27:21 "Building Customized Workflows with AI"

31:58 Secret Floor Renovation Plans

35:41 Empowering Through Financial Growth

36:27 Passion for Problem-Solving in Dealerships

40:29 Walking Away from Success

43:52 "Helping Anytime, Anywhere"

Quote

“If you focus on helping people, all other stuff comes.” – Brad Paschal

“Survey your dealership and include everyone in the conversation—parts and service especially.” – Courtney Paschal

Connect

Courtney Paschal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-paschal-39bb5a23/

Brad Paschal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bpaschal/

Kaylee Felio

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl⁠

Website: ⁠https://www.partsedge.com⁠

Chuck Hartle is the President and co-founder of PartsEdge, with over 42 years of experience in the automotive industry. Starting as a parts delivery driver, he rose to Fixed Operations Director and has since led over 300 seminars, including workshops for the National Auto Dealers Association. Chuck’s deep industry knowledge helps PartsEdge tackle key dealership challenges. Outside of work, he’s a dedicated family man, marathon runner, and loyal Seattle Seahawks fan.

Chuck breaks down the real challenges dealerships face with source management, why most DMS vendors fall short in education and default settings, and how properly leveraging sources can drive smarter parts inventory control, more accurate accounting, and easier pricing strategies.

Kaylee and Chuck also unpack the origin story of PartsEdge—why the platform was built, what it aims to fix, and how it takes the heavy lifting and guesswork out of inventory management.

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This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Their strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com.

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Takeaways

1. Don’t fear more sources

2. Education is power

3. Manage Your Inventory, Don’t Work Around It

   
   

Chapters

00:00 "Source Management & Pricing Strategies"

05:43 Parts Management Requires Organization

06:31 "Tire Source Management Challenges"

10:30 Optimizing Inventory Management

14:37 Intentional, Structured Development Yields Success

18:09 Managing Aging Special Orders

19:56 Techeon's Inventory Misunderstandings

23:34 Embrace Improvement Through Education

Quote

"Accessories, you know, nobody matrixes accessories. If you do, you don't sell them."

"The biggest failure for most parts managers and their fear of adding a new source to their system is it's just not as easy as, oh, I want to copy this to this. And you know, it takes some work.”

Connect

Chuck Hartle

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-hartle-1923ab14

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chuck.hartle.39/

Kaylee Felio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl

Website: https://www.partsedge.com

Kaylee Felio

Website: https://www.partsedge.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/partsedge

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl

Phone Number: (800) 825-7562

Email: info@partsedge.com

It all started with one small change. He thought his DMS setup was fine—until he tweaked a phase-in criteria and suddenly realized how much he was missing.

This week on the PartsEdge Podcast, we sat down with Zach Don, a Toyota parts manager who took that moment of chaos and turned it into a better system. He shares what broke, how he fixed it, and why he’s now running a smarter, more controlled department.

Zach also talks about bringing in team members with different backgrounds, the value of having a “co-pilot” on the reporting side, and how these changes are not only improving efficiency but making his conversations with upper management more impactful.

Together, they explore how data-driven decision-making and personalized support have helped shift inventory from inactive to active, and freed up valuable time to focus on growing the business.

Tune in for practical insights, relatable moments, and actionable tips for anyone looking to up their game in fixed ops and parts management!

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This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Our strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com

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Takeaways

1. Don’t fear change—embrace tools.

2. Actionable reporting is critical.

3. Diverse experience builds better managers.

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

01:41 - Expanding Inventory Breadth

03:21 - Keeping Up with Inventory Adjustments

05:01 - Shifting Strategies into Action

06:43 - Easy Tools That Simplify the Process

08:24 - Transition to Service Advisor Role

10:04 - Ideal Personality for the Parts Counter

11:55 - Managing Multiple Roles and Maintenance

13:43 - Key Considerations for Parts Managers

15:34 - Simplifying Complex Reports

17:14 - Embracing the Learning Curve

19:04 - Kaylee Reflects on the Experience

20:54 - Team Collaboration and Inventory Analysis

22:43 - Final Thoughts and Summary

Kaylee Felio

Website: https://www.partsedge.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/partsedge

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl

Phone Number: (800) 825-7562

Email: info@partsedge.com

In this episode, Kaylee talks with Alex Hines, VP of North America at Eccentric, about one of the biggest missed opportunities in automotive: accessories. With only 5% of a $50B market flowing through franchise dealers, Alex shares how Eccentric is helping stores win back sales using 3D visualization, early intent capture, and smarter upsell tools.

They dive into:

• Why accessories don’t get sold

• How tech is removing friction from the process

• The impact on parts inventory and dealer profitability

From lead to post-sale, Alex lays out a bold vision for bridging the gap between consumer desire and dealership execution.

🔗 Learn more about Eccentric: weareeccentric.com

Why Parts Managers & Fixed Ops Directors Rely on Partnership, Not Just Reports

In this episode of the PartsEdge Podcast, Kaylee Felio sits down with Tim Kreitel (Parts Manager) and Ryan Else (Fixed Ops Director) to explore the long-term impact PartsEdge has made on their dealership operations. From simplifying sourcing to saving time on reporting, they share how PartsEdge enables them to focus on what matters most—coaching teams, supporting techs, and running a more profitable parts department.

Tim recalls walking into his role years ago and having no idea what PartsEdge did—until he realized it was quietly running the backend systems that allowed him to stay out front, leading on the counter. For Ryan, the power lies in the speed of execution: accurate reports, smarter sourcing, and monthly consulting that helps avoid obsolescence before it costs the store.

Less Time in the Office, More Time on the Counter

PartsEdge gives working managers like Tim time back—freeing them from DMS setup, data entry, and building reports from scratch. That means more energy spent coaching counter staff, staying in touch with inventory cycles, and solving customer problems in real time.

Ryan emphasizes how much value comes from monthly reconciliation meetings and having a trusted support partner during DMS transitions. In his words: “I’d rather have Tim helping customers than spending two hours trying to chase a report.”

Smart Sourcing, Real ROI

One standout benefit? The intelligent sourcing strategy PartsEdge manages. While 4 sources might feel easier to manage manually, PartsEdge’s system of 100+ sources means parts flow through their lifecycle in a way that avoids overstock, obsolescence, and wasted working capital.

As Tim explains, “Your system filters out parts that look like they’re moving—but really aren’t.” That means fewer scrapped parts, faster turn, and smarter stocking decisions based on actual trends—not gut feeling.

SponsorsThis show is powered by PartsEdge — Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Their strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. Learn more at 🔗 www.partsedge.com

Takeaways

• Working managers need tools that save time and eliminate busywork
• Smart sourcing reduces scrap and improves inventory turn
• Monthly consulting helps fixed ops leaders stay ahead of obsolescence
• Responsive support turns PartsEdge into a true operations partner

Quote

“I’d rather have him helping customers than stuck in an office building spreadsheets.” — Ryan Else, Fixed Ops Director

Connect

Kaylee Felio
🔗 LinkedIn
🌐 www.partsedge.com

Podcasting, Personal Brands & EV Storytelling

In this energetic and transparent conversation, Kaylee Felio sits down with Elena Ciccotelli, the Founder of EVs for Everyone, a brand that brings the human element to the fast-evolving world of electric vehicles. Elena shares the origin story of her show, built not from a strategic blueprint—but from a creative itch that corporate life couldn’t scratch.

(01:00) Podcast Origins - Elena's journey from corporate life to creating EVs for Everyone

(13:23) Personal Branding Power - Building your unique voice and audience

(40:53) Entrepreneurial Courage - Overcoming fears and developing personal growth through content

(43:25) AI and Content Creation - Innovative strategies for podcast development and consistency

After years in auto and tech—including an early stint at Lyft and partnerships with Rivian—Elena saw a gap in the market: an EV podcast that told people stories, not just tech specs. So she built it. And now, she’s taking her content on the road—covering conferences, interviewing big names, and growing a profitable brand from the ground up.

The Realities Behind a Successful Podcast

This episode peels back the curtain on what it really takes to make a podcast thrive:

• The early days of podcasting with “janky gear and a dream”
• How consistency (not celebrity) drives momentum
• Monetization myths—and how Elena turned exposure into revenue
• The “biz dev hack” of using podcasts to start real conversations
• 
  

Elena also discusses the business therapy that comes with building a brand around your voice. She’s refreshingly honest about burnout, mistakes (like forgetting to hit record during a high-stakes EV interview), and the personal growth required to stick with it.

Corporate vs. Personal Podcasting — A Spicy Take

Elena and Kaylee dive into the debate so many creators face: Who owns the show? Elena doesn’t hold back. She urges companies to let their hosts build personal brands, or risk ending up with “another background podcast with a mic and a car.” It’s a sharp reminder that people don’t follow brands—they follow humans.

Kaylee shares her own crossroads between The Parts Girl and Trailblazer Path, navigating brand clarity while honoring the audience she's built. Together, they validate something many podcast creators feel: it’s okay to do both.

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Sponsors This show is powered by PartsEdge — Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Their strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. Optimize your parts management at 🔗 ⁠www.partsedge.com⁠

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Takeaways

• Podcast success starts with consistency, not gear.
• Corporate podcasts need a human face and personal brand.
• Monetization requires confidence in your value—and the courage to charge for it.
• Build your podcast around real connection, not corporate talking points.

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Quote

“You only get to be a public figure by trailblazing your own path.” — Elena Ciccotelli

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Connect

Elena Ciccotelli🔗 LinkedIn🎧 EVs for Everyone Podcast

Kaylee Felio🔗 LinkedIn🌐 www.partsedge.com