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
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In this podcast episode, Pete Tavernier shares his fascinating journey from starting a car repair shop in his garage while working at Car Quest, to establishing a successful auto repair business with multiple locations.…
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