30 Years of Auto Repair Management Advice In 30 Mins | EP14 | Shop Fix Academy Podcast

30 Years of Auto Repair Management Advice In 30 Mins | EP14 | Shop Fix Academy Podcast

Author: Shop Fix Academy September 14, 2026 Duration: 29:33

People don’t quit companies, they quit bosses. And in this episode of the Shop Fix Academy Podcast, Guy and Berg break down just how much your manager can make, or break, your auto repair shop. After more than 30 years in the automotive industry, one pattern has become impossible to ignore: when car count is steady, ARO is steady, and a shop still can’t move the needle, the problem is often sitting in the manager’s seat. The good news? Management can be fixed. Today, we are digging into 25+ battle-tested lessons for shop owners on how to build, support, and hold a great manager accountable. From where your manager should physically sit in the shop, to daily meeting cadence, how to correct employees, how to find meaningful coaching moments throughout the day, and why your manager needs to understand the P&L, we cover the entire owner-manager relationship. This is THE operating playbook for building a manager who can actually run your shop.


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The right room can change what you believe is possible for your shop. Check out Shop Fix Academy’s upcoming events and get in the room with owners and teams committed to getting better.

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Knowing what needs to change is one thing. Having the coaching, systems, and accountability to change it is another. Join Shop Fix LITE and start taking back control of your shop.

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Behind every thriving auto shop, dealership, or industry supplier, there's a story of how it got there. Success Leaves Clues: An Automotive Industry Podcast digs into those stories, moving past the myth of the solitary genius to explore how real growth happens through shared knowledge. Each conversation pulls back the curtain on the day-to-day realities and pivotal decisions that shape careers and businesses. You’ll hear from shop owners navigating expansion, technicians mastering their craft, service advisors building client trust, and the investors and vendors whose support keeps the entire ecosystem running. The dialogue gets into the specifics-the operational tweaks, the leadership challenges, the customer service philosophies-that actually move the needle. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a practical look at the automotive trade, built on the premise that the most valuable insights often come from someone who has already walked the path you're on. Tune in for honest, detailed conversations that feel more like a mentorship session than a broadcast, all focused on the tangible clues that lead to lasting results in this demanding field.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Shop Fix Academy Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The Pain of Family Business - Learning to Succeed with Aaron Miller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:08
In this episode, Aaron Miller discusses his business with his brother and the challenges they’ve faced along the way. Through many ups and downs, they’ve navigated a difficult path learning how to work together. Between…
From Broken and Broke to Having a Bigger Purpose with Owen Buchanan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:57
In this episode Owen Buchanan sits down with us in between sessions at the Shop Fix Pro Conference. Owen spent 10 years grinding it out only to be met with a decision, close the doors or put away your ego and get help. O…
Family Fallout to Fantastic Success - Paul LeBlanc's Turnaround Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:02
In this episode, Paul LeBlanc (however you pronounce it) shares his path—from jumping into the family business during a difficult time, to navigating a painful fallout with his brother, to ultimately finding his way to a…
Million-Month Garage Story with Luke Walker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:56
In this episode, we interview Luke Walker, who runs one of the largest—if not the largest—independent auto repair shops in the United States. This single location brought in over $1,000,000 in just one month. Luke’s stor…
Do discounts cheapen shops?! Let's talk marketing with Aaron and Jay [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:31
Aaron and Jay dive into the topic of Marketing and how discounts are viewed both negatively and positively. Aaron shares his strategies about marketing and discounts. He digs into how strategy turns into data and data dr…
From Garage to Growth: Eric Walker's Message to All Techs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:01
Eric Walker of Walker Automotive holds multiple degrees, certifications, and an impressive career history. He’s also a trainer for Automotive Training Group and TechFix. A true technical powerhouse, in this episode we un…
Not Letting Your Past Define You with Samantha Wright [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:04
In this episode, Samantha Wright shares how she became co-owner of Wright Auto Group, a multi-shop business founded on three key pillars: Aim for Happy Customers, Aim for Happy Workers, and Aim for Sustainable Business P…
The Power of One More: Life-Changing Insights with Ed Mylett [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:16
In this episode we have the honor to speak with Ed Mylett right after his keynote presentation at Shop Hackers Conference 2025. Ed is a globally recognized entrepreneur, performance coach, and speaker. He got his start i…
The Big Balance. How to be time rich with Jesse Itzler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:56
Jesse is an out-of-the-box kind of guy. I'm most cases he didn't even start with a box! In this episode, Jesse, who is an acclaimed author, co-founder of the world's largest private jet company, and award-winning musicia…
You want to be the BEST? Tommy Mello tells us how! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:39
Tommy is BACK! Our first time with Tommy was after he was a keynote at the Shop Hackers Conference in 2024. This time Tommy joins us for an hour packed episode sharing how he grew his garage door service company into a m…