Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled

A bland building that blended in… turned bold brand that brought in business. That’s the real story behind this episode featuring Kelly McCart from McCart’s Auto Center. If you’ve ever wondered whether the look and feel of your shop actually matters, you’ll want to hear how a full-on rebrand, from paint to logo to online presence, transformed Kelly’s shop from invisible to impossible to miss.

We talk about why aesthetics are marketing, how design can literally drive in new clients, and what it means when someone walks in just to say, “Wow, this looks amazing.” Kelly breaks down the “why” and “how” behind his shop’s renovation, how he pulled it off with DIY design (yes, scissors and Elmer’s glue were involved), and why rethinking your image might be the smartest move you make this year.

He’ll also share how this shift doubled his staff, improved the quality of clients, and continues to make his business stand out, both to customers and future employees.

This episode isn’t just about fresh paint. It’s about positioning. It’s about pride. And it’s about the kind of shop that people recognize, remember, and respect.

Listen now and get inspired to rethink how your shop shows up.

Show Notes with Timestamps

• Introduction and Sponsor Acknowledgment (00:00:00) Brian introduces the podcast, guest Kelly McCart, and thanks sponsors.
• Background: The Nondescript Shop (00:01:09) Discussion of McCarty’s Auto Center blending in and being overlooked by passersby.
• Realization and Decision to Renovate (00:02:23) Kelly describes the moment she decided a change was needed and the process leading up to it.
• Design Process and Early Attempts (00:03:02) Kelly explains her design journey, including failed ideas and the involvement of her graphic artist nephew.
• Logo Creation and Selection (00:06:11) The story behind the new logo, its design process, and how it was chosen.
• Impact of the Makeover on Visibility (00:07:51) How the new look made the shop stand out and attracted attention from the community.
• Business Impact and Clientele Changes (00:08:16) The effect of the renovation on customer buzz, quality of clients, and local recognition.
• Interior Renovation and Staff Growth (00:09:31) Details about the interior revamp and the subsequent doubling of staff.
• Name Change and Brand Consolidation (00:12:21) Merging two business names, legal steps, and unifying the brand and online presence.
• Timing: Remodel and the Onset of COVID-19 (00:14:31) The remodel’s completion just before the pandemic and initial concerns about the timing.
• Business Resilience During COVID-19 (00:15:27) How the shop thrived during the pandemic despite initial fears.
• Comprehensive Rebrand: Lessons and Surprises (00:17:35) Kelly reflects on the thoroughness of the rebrand and whether anything unexpected arose.
• Results and Return on Investment (00:18:35) Immediate positive results from the rebrand and personal satisfaction.
• Staff Response and Branded Merchandise (00:19:10) Staff enthusiasm for the new brand, uniforms, and promotional items.
• Recruitment and Professional Image (00:19:54) How the makeover improved recruitment and elevated the shop’s professionalism.
• Advice and Reflections on the Process (00:20:29) Kelly’s advice for others considering a similar project and what she might have done differently.
• Cost Recovery Timeline (00:21:22) Estimated time to recoup renovation costs: 6 to 8 months.
• Industry Image and...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled

Kim Walker’s flying solo on this one, and she’s got a fire-in-her-belly message for every shop owner still sleeping on email marketing. This isn’t your typical “email tips” episode, it’s a storytelling breakdown of one jaw-dropping, beautifully built email from Mission Mercantile that had Kim hooked, clicking, and even podcasting about it.

She breaks down what made this email a masterclass in branding: from a killer subject line (“Not Cheap… But Worth Every Penny”) to irresistible storytelling, handcrafted visuals, call-to-actions in all the right places, and brand language that oozes trust and legacy.

If you’ve let your email marketing fall to the wayside, this episode is your wake-up call. Kim lays out why email isn’t dead, it’s just being underused. She challenges shop owners to rethink the way they write emails, stay top-of-mind with customers, and deliver real value (not just deals).

Don’t miss this breakdown. You’ll walk away inspired to write emails your customers actually want to open.

Show Notes with Timestamps

• Introduction and Sponsor Shoutouts (00:00:10) Kim introduces herself, mentions Brian's absence, and gives sponsor shoutouts.
• Email Marketing Comeback & Shop Plans (00:01:19) Kim discusses the resurgence of email marketing in auto repair shops' plans for 2026.
• Discovery of Mission Mercantile (00:02:21) Kim shares how she found Mission Mercantile while searching for a high-quality leather backpack.
• Purchase Experience & Customer Service (00:05:34) Kim describes her purchase, a product issue, and Mission Mercantile’s excellent customer service.
• The Impactful Email Arrives (00:06:44) Kim details receiving the November 6th email, its subject line, and her immediate reaction.
• Email Storytelling & Visuals (00:07:56) Kim analyzes the email’s storytelling, visuals, and how it addresses customer needs.
• Call to Action & Product Details (00:10:05) Kim explains the email’s calls to action, product quality descriptions, and lifetime guarantee.
• Brand Voice & Mythical Customer Care (00:11:29) Kim highlights the brand’s unique voice, “mythical customer care,” and how it resonates with her.
• Sponsor Messages (00:12:35) Sponsor messages for Shop Boss and App Fueled are presented.
• Testimonials & Social Proof (00:14:36) Kim discusses the use of customer testimonials and how they reinforce the email’s message.
• Black Friday Teaser & List Segmentation (00:16:08) Kim describes the email’s Black Friday promotion and how it segments the audience.
• Differentiators & American Made Focus (00:17:19) Kim notes the email’s emphasis on differentiators, including being American made and customer care.
• Personal Impact & Email Retention (00:18:33) Kim shares how the email influenced her to stay subscribed and even consider future purchases.
• Advice for Shop Owners on Email Marketing (00:19:41) Kim gives actionable advice to shop owners about effective email marketing strategies.
• Closing Thoughts & Contact Info (00:21:58) Kim wraps up, offers to share the email, invites topic suggestions, and promotes the Facebook group.
• Outro and Network Promotion (00:23:09) Kim and the network promote other shows and the podcast app, closing the episode.

How To Get In Touch

Join The Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind Group on Facebook

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled

There’s a lot you can ignore in marketing, but legal compliance isn’t one of them. Especially when a quiet policy change in California nearly stripped shops of their ability to track marketing ROI overnight. This episode dives into the legalities of call recording, AI evaluations, tracking numbers, and the kind of red tape that can blindside your business if you’re not paying attention. Brian Walker sat down with David Boyd from Inbound at AAPEX to talk through what’s happening, what’s coming, and how to protect your shop without sacrificing performance. If you’ve ever used call tracking, AI analysis, or just assumed “someone else is handling that,” you need to hear this.

Listen in and make sure you’re not one policy update away from a lawsuit.

Show Notes with Timestamps

• Introduction and Conference Setting (00:00:10) Brian introduces the guest, David Lloyd, and discusses the conference atmosphere at AAPEX.
• California BAR Regulation on Phone Numbers (00:02:01) Discussion of California’s Bureau of Auto Repair rule on using only registered phone numbers in advertising.
• Implications and Confusion Around Enforcement (00:04:30) Exploring the impact of the regulation, confusion among advertisers, and lack of clear communication from BAR.
• Staying Informed and Advocacy (00:06:16) Importance of involvement in advocacy groups and staying updated on regulatory changes, especially state-by-state.
• AI and Legal Uncertainty in Call Evaluation (00:08:18) Rapid AI development, legal gray areas, and the use of AI to evaluate recorded calls.
• Call Recording Laws and Best Practices (00:09:19) Explanation of two-party consent laws, best practices for call recording, and new privacy concerns with AI evaluation.
• One-Party Consent States and Third-Party Evaluation (00:11:37) Uncertainty about notification requirements in one-party consent states when AI or third parties evaluate calls.
• Employee Notification and Documentation (00:15:46) Advising shop owners to inform employees about call recording and document consent in employee handbooks.
• AI, Data Privacy, and Business Risks (00:16:54) Concerns about AI handling personal data, privacy risks, and the need for responsible AI use in business.
• Personalization and AI Data Collection (00:19:47) How AI personalizes responses, collects user data, and the potential for identity exposure.
• Establishing an AI Use Policy (00:21:07) Recommendation for businesses to create and enforce an AI use policy signed by all employees.
• Vendor Relationships and Regulatory Awareness (00:22:43) Encouragement to maintain open communication with vendors and stay aware of legal and regulatory changes.
• Podcast Network App Promotion and Closing (00:23:44) Promotion of the Automotive Repair Podcast Network app and closing remarks.

How To Get In Touch

Join The Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind Group on Facebook

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