Tekmetrics' business model of listening to customers' needs and implementing new systems makes them super shop-friendly. Start using them at your shop today HERE

Turnkey Marketing has made my life SOOO much simpler, AND they've helped keep the phone ringing. Do you need these two things too? Learn more HERE

Elite Worldwide coaching has changed the game for me and my shop. Need a boost? Use Elite like I do. HERE

This one was fun - put three popular podcasts in a room for an hour, and you never know what will happen...THIS WAS NO EXCEPTION Today, Lucas Underwood, Mike Allen, and Tonnika Haynes open up about the real challenges of shop ownership, podcasting, and share some crazy stories along the way.They dive deep into the difficulties of managing growth and the importance of setting boundaries—especially when it comes to family businesses and succession planning.

Timestamps:
00:00 Lucas and Mike Make it Awkward
01:42 The infamous Benji story and awkward work gaffes
02:46 How Tonnika went from outsider to industry board member
04:31 Reflecting on diversity, intimidation, and leadership in the industry
06:36 Board politics, cleaning up after the "old guard," and learning the ropes
08:01 Confessions about podcasting: growth, ego boosts, and business neglect
09:37 On loving people (to a fault), hiring headaches, and why feelings can't run a business
12:10 Tough lessons learned: leadership critiques gone wrong
14:05 Reeling back commitments to avoid burnout and family drama
16:45 Discussions about business hours, staff, and shifting industry cultures
19:03 Why every shop is different and one-size-fits-all advice doesn't work
20:13 Coaching, cult-followings, and why shop owners get fiercely loyal
22:44 The weight of influence: why podcasters and coaches impact real lives
24:31 When business coaching turns into a fraternity (and how to break free)
26:20 The coaching gold rush: who's really helping, who's just cashing in
28:33 Podcast production goes legit—systems, processes, SOPs
34:25 Therapy time: handshake deals, business agreements, and life after podcasts
36:32 Family business confessions—succession nightmares, buyout basics, and trust-but-verify
50:43 Lessons learned the hard way—and why you’ll survive
51:33 Practical advice: documentation, buy-outs, and avoiding family business disasters

My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERE

Tekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HERE

Make your techs happier with Detect Auto. They'll stop getting "check noise" or "check vibration" from advisors with the customer concern tool. It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Book a demo HERE

Jay Huh is the owner Carmedix in Durham, NC. Today, he tells Mike how he figured out how to run a shop the hard way. After years of struggling, he has built an efficient, highly profitable shop that gives him total freedom. They also talk about ShopFix and what the coaching company is doing after the loss of Aaron Stokes.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Jay's confession on not making enough money
02:17 – Why sharing mistakes online changed everything
04:40 – Living on $1,000 net per shop and barely making it
06:07 – Consolidating down, shop tours, and landing in the “anchor” spot
08:19 – Do we really need so many shop owner groups? Breaking down the division
09:35 – Shop culture, coaching, and why too many owners are still broke
10:45 – Shop Fix vs. other coaching: It’s about heart, not just numbers
13:07 – Haters, jealousy, and why everyone thinks their way is best
14:43 – Growing the right way—efficiency before expansion and protecting family time
15:16 – Let’s talk cruises! Why Speaker A rides MSC and the yacht club life
16:46 – Degenerate gambling confessions: Blackjack, craps, and cruise ship casinos
18:01 – Owning a beach house: Boats, depreciation, and gathering your crew
20:00 – The exit plan: Cashing out vs. the freedom of autopilot shops
21:10 – The guardrails: How Speaker A uses daily numbers, not vibes
23:00 – Forget top-line revenue, focus on real margin
25:17 – Shop meetings, keeping techs and advisors rowing together
26:01 – Why the multi-store “dog” life isn’t for everyone
26:30 – The danger of scaling without the cash to back it up
27:59 – Shop size vs. profit: Luke Walker’s $1M store reality check
29:05 – The secret: Hire high skill, pay well, and net more
31:12 – Money loves speed: Adapting shop processes for today’s customers
32:13 – Show & sell: Finding the urgent fix, but always telling the whole story
35:20 – Ethics, shortcuts, and hiring for integrity
36:05 – Losing Aaron: Leadership, legacy, and moving Shop Fix forward
39:14 – What’s next? Shop Fix’s plan and why the mission’s stronger than ever

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERE

Turnkey Marketing takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off my plate. And gives it to someone who is. Click HERE for more.

Elite Worldwide has CHANGED my business and life through their one-on-one coaching. Use them like I do HERE

Seth Thorson and Keith Perkins own shops and are both on the NASTF board. Today, they talk about AI and how shop owners can leverage Chat GPTs and Chrome extensions to streamline operations and keep their customer data protected. Keith weighs in on the future of technician roles, pointing out that while robotics and AI may eventually change the landscape, hands-on skills and adaptability will be critical for years to come.

Timestamps:
00:00 Techs replaced by AI?

06:25 AI and data ownership

09:41 Learning the GTP foundation

10:18 Teaching effective coding practices

13:15 Teaching basic and premium features

17:19 Using AI to access online data

20:20 Circuit City vs. Best Buy insights

25:37 Son considering trade school program

31:28 Starting with the basics

35:48 Putting in extra effort

37:22 Learning through hard work

42:59 Michael Brody-Waite's leadership approach

43:38 Seth's class for shop owners

49:18 Concerns about AI and human thinking

51:12 NAPA's augmented reality training

53:32 Balancing textbook learning and hands-on

56:37 Mike's 90-day check-in

If you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE for more on Turnkey Marketing.

Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE

When I used the maintenance tool for the fist time with Detect Auto, my mind was blown. My advisors had the same reaction - and then SO MUCH MORE TIME. Learn more about Detect Auto and book a free demo now!

Hunt Demarest is a CPA with Paar, Melis, and Associates. Today, he joins Mike to talk shop financials, tax credits, and private equity. Hunt breaks down why consistent improvement—just 3% better each quarter—is more sustainable than chasing explosive growth. He offers a candid warning about risky investments, sharing his own hard lesson with a too-good-to-be-true real estate scheme. Finally, Hunt dives into the rise of private equity buying up repair shops, explaining how that's driving up valuations and changing the market for owners looking to sell.

Timestamps:
00:00 Incremental improvement beats unrealistic growth—why 3% better every quarter wins
01:10 Teaching personal finance at Vision 2026 (and why accountants don’t read your Social Security statements)
02:07 The truth about R&D tax credits and audit nightmares
03:44 What you must ask before taking any credit—defending yourself at audit time
05:03 Hunt’s background: how he got into auto repair accounting
08:08 Will AI replace your bookkeeper or CPA? Real talk, not hype
10:32 Why shop owners need to understand financial statements & what current ratio means for your cash
12:18 Managing AR, cash flow, and the case for paying vendors weekly
14:43 Shop profitability: 8 months out of 12 is the norm, not the exception
15:43 Trends: The scale and extremes of shop margins have changed MASSIVELY
17:21 Labor rates at $386/hr and what actually drives profit
18:54 The 20% net profit “gold standard”—and who really gets there
19:34 Why comparing owner compensation plus net income tells the real story
21:26 What’s the average net profit for shops? (Spoiler: it’s better than you think)
22:15 Beware public “industry average” surveys—actual profits vs. reported tax returns
23:01 Why working with an industry-specialized CPA beats a generic accountant every time
24:14 The inner circle: who should be on your financial “advisory board”
25:00 The most common (and WRONG) beliefs about shop accounting
29:53 Hunt’s biggest personal mistake: the $25k investment gone wrong (and what to learn from it)
32:10 Private equity: what’s happening, who’s buying, and what it means for YOUR exit
36:10 Should you sell now? How PE offers stack up vs. passing to family
37:06 Why PE doesn’t care about your P&L—sometimes it’s all about your customer count
38:02 Final thoughts, lessons learned, and why even the pros get it wrong sometimes

Tekmetrics' business model of listening to customers' needs and implementing new systems makes them super shop-friendly. Start using them at your shop today HERE

Turnkey Marketing has made my life SOOO much simpler, AND they've helped keep the phone ringing. Do you need these two things too? Learn more HERE

Elite Worldwide coaching has changed the game for me and my shop. Need a boost? Use Elite like I do. HERE

In this episode, Mike Allen and Matt Lofton go deep on the realities of starting a business partnership. Mike Allen shares lessons learned from his own experiences establishing partnerships, emphasizing the importance of clear agreements and communication. Matt Lofton draws from his experience with both successful and failed partnerships, highlighting the dangers of handshake deals and the need for thorough “what-if” planning.

Timestamps:
00:00 "Spring Break, Partnerships, Feedback"

03:17 "Partnerships: Risks and Considerations"

08:27 "Clear Terms Before Partnerships"

11:39 "Dissolved Partnership and Planning"

15:49 "Partnerships and Business Assets"

19:43 Private Equity Incentives Explained

21:55 "Effectiveness of Profit-Based Incentives"

26:23 "Financial Deep Dive Workshops"

29:27 "Key Points in Partnership Agreements"

31:14 "What-If Scenarios and Alignment"

38:38 "Managing Business Equity Dynamics"

41:50 "Front-End Business Agreement Setup"

45:03 "Revisit Business Agreements Regularly"

47:35 "Partnership Structure and Agreements"

52:26 "High-Value Networking & Insights"

53:38 "Best Shop Owners Seek Growth"

My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERE

Tekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HERE

Make your techs happier with Detect Auto. They'll stop getting "check noise" or "check vibration" from advisors with the customer concern tool. It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Book a demo HERE

Travis May and Mike Martin are shop owners who coach with Elite Worldwide. Matt Lofton, as many of you know, is the Director of Coaching for Elite (and my personal coach/therapist). Today, we all talk about how having coaches through Elite have literally changed our lives and helped us in ways we may never be able to truly explain.

Timestamps:
00:00 Falling in love with your own success: Absentee ownership pitfalls
01:08 Meet the guests: Legacies, buyouts, and shop owner backgrounds
05:21 The journey to Elite: Why top shop owners chose coaching
06:30 Humbling lessons—how the Elite Master Service Advisor program changes everything
10:09 Accountability, habit-building, and real growth with ongoing coaching
12:17 2025 Recap: Big wins, tough months, and lessons learned
14:31 The owner’s struggle: Profit discipline & staying out of “the cookie jar”
16:02 Finally closing the building deal: How perseverance pays off
17:19 Navigating post-pandemic reality: The “sugar rush” is over
18:46 Big goals for 2026: Celebrating wins—and moving forward
20:40 The power of taking action: Why implementation beats excuses
23:45 Personal growth, team impact, and communicating with your staff
24:32 Best event takeaways: Coffee Bean Analogy & daily goal setting
28:15 Why community events and peer networks make all the difference
33:11 Biggest struggles today: Generational gaps & trusting your process
38:55 Parting wisdom: If you don’t have a coach, get one!

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERE

Turnkey Marketing takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off my plate. And gives it to someone who is. Click HERE for more.

Elite Worldwide has CHANGED my business and life through their one-on-one coaching. Use them like I do HERE

Ash Kaplan is first and formost a friend of the show. Secondly, she's the founder of Golden Hour Garage. Today, Mike learns all about Ash and the new adventure of buisness owernship she's on. Ash Kaplan shares her vision for Golden Hour Garage, focusing on optimizing efficiency for shops through remote estimate building, warranty processing, and innovative advisor training. The conversation also highlights the importance of building meaningful customer relationships, as well as the value of attending industry events like the ASTA Expo for personal and professional growth.

Learn more about Golden Hour Garage HERE

Timestamps:
00:00 "Ignite 2026 Wrap-Up Reflection"

05:28 "Golden Hour Garage Vision"

09:25 Intentional Onboarding and Quality Control

12:14 "Warranty Costs vs Estimate Service"

14:21 "Streamlined Warranty Estimate Solutions"

17:58 "Empowering Shops Through Connections"

21:23 "Optimizing Processes for Transparency"

25:46 "Adapting for Growth in Business"

27:27 Struggling to Sustain Employee Growth

30:18 Do You Use a Bidet?

35:51 "Free Beer Disappointment"

38:18 Customized Pricing Approach Explained

41:48 "Life-Changing ASTA Experience"

42:42 "Red String Connections"

48:06 Maximize Networking at Trade Shows

49:28 "Breaking Isolation in the Industry"

54:24 "AI Phone Systems Discussion"

If you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE for more on Turnkey Marketing.

Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE

When I used the maintenance tool for the fist time with Detect Auto, my mind was blown. My advisors had the same reaction - and then SO MUCH MORE TIME. Learn more about Detect Auto and book a free demo now!

Joe Marconi and Sabrina Wilkerson are with the best coaching company in the world: Elite Worldwide. Today, they and Mike talk about how to build a strong, service-oriented shop culture. Sabrina shares how the Elite Masters program aims for long-term behavioral change with advisors, blending bootcamp-style training with months of accountability. Joe explains how Fly with the Eagles evolved to help not just shop owners but managers, advisors, and lead techs master the business side of operations.

Timestamps:
00:00 "Elite's Culture and Purpose"

04:32 "Fly with the Eagles Commitment"

07:53 Advisor Training with Long-Term Impact

10:22 Evolving Shop Owner Training Workshop

14:17 "Client Auto Repair Struggles"

17:41 Customer Experience Over Details

21:08 Creating Welcoming Customer Experiences

22:51 "Touchpoint Process Optimization"

27:21 "Record Year, Growing Partnerships"

32:22 "Topshop 180: Foundational Support Program"

35:20 Inspired Writing Journey

37:12 Trust the Process

42:53 "Smart Room Change Request"