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Repair Shop Reckoning

Repair Shop Reckoning

By: Kevin Brown
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About this listen

 Repair Shop Reckoning is the no-nonsense, hard-hitting podcast where host Kevin Brown pulls no punches in bringing you the raw truth about the collision and repair shop industry. Forget the corporate sugarcoating—this show dives into the gritty reality of what really goes on behind the scenes. Whether you’re a shop owner, a mechanic, or just someone tired of the BS, Kevin’s got the hard-earned expertise and unapologetic opinions you need. Each episode tackles the biggest issues, challenges, and game-changing tips in the industry, giving you the tools to cut through the noise and level up your shop. Buckle up—it’s time to get real.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/repair-shop-reckoning--6688688/support.Copyright Kevin Brown Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • The Balance Sheet Reality No One Talks About

    The Balance Sheet Reality No One Talks About
    Apr 24 2026
    In this episode of Repair Shop Reckoning, Kevin breaks down the part of the business most shop owners either avoid or don’t fully understand… the balance sheet.

    You can be busy, profitable, and still not actually getting ahead.

    This is why.

    The balance sheet shows what you truly own, what you owe, and where your money is really going. And for a lot of shops, that picture isn’t as strong as it feels day to day.

    Kevin simplifies it with real-world examples so it finally clicks.

    You’ll hear why:
    -Cash in the bank doesn’t mean you’re in a good position
    -Inventory can quietly drain your business
    -Debt stays the same while your assets lose value
    -And the equipment in your shop might not actually be yours yet

    At the end of the day, this isn’t about accounting. It’s about control. If you don’t understand your balance sheet, you don’t fully understand your business.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/repair-shop-reckoning--6688688/support.
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    54 mins
  • Stop Guessing & Start Controlling: Budget vs P & L

    Stop Guessing & Start Controlling: Budget vs P & L
    Apr 17 2026
    In this episode of Repair Shop Reckoning, Kevin takes the conversation beyond just understanding your numbers and gets into what actually separates profitable shops from the ones constantly feeling the squeeze.

    Most shop owners look at their P&L like it’s the finish line. It’s not. It’s the scoreboard of what already happened. By the time you’re looking at it, the money’s already been made or lost.

    This episode is about what happens before that.

    Kevin breaks down the real difference between a P&L and a budget, and why the budget is the tool that actually gives you control. If you’re not actively watching your costs, adjusting your pricing, and managing your numbers week to week, your profit isn’t slipping because of one big mistake… it’s getting eaten alive by a hundred small ones.

    Parts creep up. Labor gets inefficient. Overtime stacks. Sublet gets easier than doing it right. Advisors miss markups. Discounts get handed out. Subscriptions, insurance, and utilities quietly climb. None of it feels like a big deal in the moment, but together, they will wreck your bottom line.

    Kevin walks through exactly how that happens using simple, real-world numbers and shows how fast a healthy shop can turn into a struggling one without anyone realizing it.

    He also gets into why your front counter is the real control center of your business. If your service advisors aren’t pricing correctly, using your system properly, and understanding what the numbers need to be, your budget doesn’t stand a chance. The software won’t save you. The systems only work if your people are trained to use them.

    You’ll hear why:
    • The P&L is the past and the budget is the future
    • Small leaks in parts, labor, and expenses will destroy your profit faster than one big problem
    • Overtime, discounting, and missed markups are silent killers in most shops
    • Why your shop management system is either a weapon or a liability depending on how it’s used
    • And why “we’ll see how the year goes” is one of the most dangerous mindsets a shop owner can have
    At the end of the day, this isn’t about spreadsheets. It’s about control.

    A profitable shop isn’t built by accident. It’s built by knowing your numbers, watching them in real time, and making decisions before the P&L tells you it’s too late. If you’re still guessing, still reacting, or still hoping it all works out… this is the episode that should snap you out of it.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/repair-shop-reckoning--6688688/support.
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    38 mins
  • Deeper Dive Into P & L and Budgeting

    Deeper Dive Into P & L and Budgeting
    Apr 10 2026
    In this episode of Repair Shop Reckoning, Kevin breaks down the difference between knowing your numbers and actually running your business with them. Too many owners look at their P&L at the end of the month and treat it like a report card. By then, the money is already spent and the decisions have already been made.

    This conversation is about taking that back.

    Kevin walks through how to use last year’s numbers as a blueprint for this year, how to build a real budget instead of guessing, and how to stop reacting to what already happened and start controlling what happens next.

    He also gets into the reality that a lot of owners are making more than they think, they just don’t see it because they’re pulling money out in ways that never show up cleanly on paper. Understanding that changes how you look at profit, pricing, and what your business is actually producing.

    You’ll hear why:
    -Chasing more car count is usually the wrong move
    -How small improvements in margins can completely change your bottom line
    -And why so many shops stay stuck even when they’re busy every single day.

    At the end of it, this comes down to one thing. A profitable shop is not built by working harder or getting busier. It’s built by turning last year’s truth into this year’s plan, controlling the leaks, and making decisions before the numbers force you to.

    If you don’t take control of your numbers, they will control you.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/repair-shop-reckoning--6688688/support.
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    1 hr and 54 mins
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