Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Utilize the fastest and easiest way to look up and order parts and tires with PartsTech absolutely free.
Click here to get started: https://geni.us/PartsTech

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

In this episode, Arun Coumar joins Lucas Underwood and David Roman to discuss the challenges and rewards of multi-shop ownership. Arun highlights the critical role of shop culture and management in shop performance, emphasizing how the right team can make or break operations. The conversation also dives into the evolving automotive industry landscape, touching on consolidation trends and the necessity for adaptability in both business structure and mindset.

00:00 Implementing an alternative work week schedule

10:26 Considering leaving a job

13:46 Realizing success isn't easy

19:57 Logging mileage for efficiency

26:01 Focus on local expansion first

29:37 Considering sole ownership vs. growth

33:54 Finding purpose after life challenges

42:44 Creating and defining meaning

45:40 Talking about single life challenges

53:06 Choosing your life's challenges

58:51 Challenges in the parts distribution industry

01:00:58 Discussing future market changes

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Utilize the fastest and easiest way to look up and order parts and tires with PartsTech absolutely free.
Click here to get started: https://geni.us/PartsTech

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

In this episode, David and Greg dive into the realities of shop ownership, growth, and staffing challenges in the auto repair industry. Greg shares his journey from IT business owner to owner of Figs Auto Repair in Charlotte, highlighting the importance of adapting processes for efficiency and using tools like Shop-Ware. The conversation also covers practical hiring lessons, including the need to hire and fire quickly and the value of connecting technicians with the broader industry through training events to improve retention.

00:00 Blood draw complications

05:28 Comparing safety of substances

13:13 Navigating traffic delays

18:35 Challenges with new hires

24:24 Handling tough diagnostic jobs

29:03 Adjusting pay for evaluation tasks

36:10 Discussing car repair estimates

40:51 Learning from industry veterans

41:52 Community engagement in North Carolina

49:25 Improving employee efficiency

52:56 Customer communication and follow-ups

01:02:58 Cooking steak tableside

01:04:43 Discussing conference networking opportunities

01:10:37 Networking and local support connections

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Utilize the fastest and easiest way to look up and order parts and tires with PartsTech absolutely free.
Click here to get started: https://geni.us/PartsTech

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Eric Svedberg of European Autowerks. Eric shares his journey from starting in the gas station business at 16 to owning and growing a successful automotive shop. The conversation dives deep into the persistent technician shortage, with Eric outlining the challenges in attracting and retaining skilled talent and the evolving pay structures needed to stay competitive. The hosts and Eric also explore strategies for fair compensation, diagnostic testing systems, and the importance of shop culture and communication in bridging the divide between owners and technicians.

00:00 Starting at a gas station job

04:49 Rebranding to Automotive Specialists

09:29 Mac and cheese cart setup

11:26 Bellman warns about minibar sensor

15:40 Salary expectations for auto techs

18:05 Explaining the three-level system

21:04 Handling customer pushback

25:35 Technician pay discussions

26:54 Negotiating a technician's pay raise

30:33 Paying employees more than expected

34:26 Explaining the production bonus system

37:27 Growing demand for skilled technicians

41:53 Ensuring seamless parts distribution

44:01 Discussing social media dynamics

48:42 Dealing with unreliable workers

52:06 Understanding different industry perspectives

55:27 Dealing with technician issues

56:07 Discussing employee accountability