From Bartering Repairs for Pepsi to 3 Million in Sales with John Lonas

From Bartering Repairs for Pepsi to 3 Million in Sales with John Lonas

Author: SLCAutoPodcast October 21, 2022 Duration: 40:36

If you're a tech with a dream to open your own shop or an owner who is not seeing the success you dreamed of, then this episode is made especially for you. Today's guest, John Lonas of Autoworks Service and Repair in Prescott Valley, AZ, has one of the most genuine love for cars of anyone I've met. Sure he has his favorites, but John loves the freedom they create. He transformed this love into a successful career as a tech and then ventured into ownership. He struggled greatly in the beginning, even losing his first shop. On his second shop, many years in, he still found himself chained to the shop, just barely getting by and rarely able to cash his paychecks. At one point, his accountant called his shop the "Titanic." OUCH! John decided this had to change, so he started making critical decisions that dramatically changed his life. In this episode, John will explain what worked for him, who helped him do it, and what life is like now. This episode is truly inspiring. 


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: 100

Success Leaves Clues: An Automotive Industry Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Jack Getz's Automotive Business Multi-Million Transformation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:40
In this podcast episode, Jack shares his remarkable story going from a nomadic upbringing to building a successful automotive business. Initially dabbling in real estate appraisal, Jack found his true calling in the auto…
Are you Resulting?: Tough Days and Tough Decisions with Aaron and Jay [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:53
In this episode, Aaron and Jay get vulnerable and cover everything from including a malaria diagnosis after a trip to Africa, to the pressures of balancing tough work decisions. They delve into topics such as the importa…
Leadership, Legacy, and the Unyielding Spirit with Mike Brewster [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:33
In this episode, Aaron and Jay sit down with Mike Brewster, a distinguished second-generation shop owner from Burnt Hills, New York. Mike shares insights from his extensive experience of over 50 years in the auto repair…