My Shop Was $1M In Debt: How I Got Out Of It | EP9 | Shop Fix Academy Podcast

My Shop Was $1M In Debt: How I Got Out Of It | EP9 | Shop Fix Academy Podcast

Author: Shop Fix Academy August 10, 2026 Duration: 34:42

$1 million in debt, a full parking lot, and no idea where the money was going.

In this episode, Ryan Hillenbrand sits down with Guy Roberts and Michael Rosenberger to break down how he clawed out of 7-figures of debt without shutting the doors.

Ryan shares the hard lessons that forced him to stop running on gut instinct and start facing his numbers every single day. They get into why cash in the bank doesn't mean you're profitable, how growth can make a shop in debt even more dangerous, and why copying every other shop in town keeps you stuck and broke.

Learn the secrets of productivity, labor, parts, inspections, payroll, and the daily habits that move a shop from drowning in debt to producing real profit.


Get the structure, coaching, and accountability to take control of your numbers with Shop Fix LITE

https://shopfixacademy.com/shop-fix-lite?utm_source=sfapodcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=join-lite&utm_content=cta-textlink


Explore free guides, training replays, and practical resources to help you build a more profitable shop.

https://shopfixacademy.com/replays-and-guides?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=sfa-podcast&utm_content=cta


Explore Shop Fix Academy Events led by operators who have overcome the same financial, leadership, and operational challenges you're facing now.

https://shopfixacademy.com/upcoming-events?utm_source=sfa-podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=sfa-events-2026&utm_content=cta-textlink


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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