Gain Traction
127 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsThe Gain Traction podcast features top automotive entrepreneurs and experts and shares their inspiring stories.
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Episodes
From Food to Tires: A Customer Service Journey With Brooke Johnson of McMahon's Best-One Tire
March 27, 2024 08:00 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBBrooke Johnson is a dedicated Customer Service Representative at McMahon's Best-One Tire. With a prior background in the food industry which spanned a decade, Brooke brings a refreshing perspective to her role, marked by honesty and a strong work ethic. Despite her initial unfamiliarity with the tire industry, Brooke's commitment to learning and serving customers has made her an invaluable asset over her three-year tenure. In this episode… Is it necessary to be a lifelong “car person” in...
Navigating Auto Repairs With Empathy With Lee McWilliams of Midas
March 20, 2024 08:00 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBLee McWilliams is the store manager for Midas in Eden Prairie, Minn., where he oversees a customer service team in the automotive repair industry. With a keen understanding of the pivotal role customer interaction plays, Lee emphasizes the importance of empathy and adaptability in his role. Raised in a family where small-town values translated to warm customer service, Lee learned the art of building rapport with customers early on, making it easier to navigate conversations and provide effe...
Keys to Customer Engagement With Jason Widmer of AAA Auto Repair and Darren McLea of DJM Solutions
March 13, 2024 09:00 - 26 minutes - 24.7 MBDarren McLea is a tire sales trainer and the Founder of DJM Solutions, specializing in tire sales, repairs, and elevating the customer experience within the tire and auto repair industry. With a passion for fostering growth in automotive businesses, Darren provides comprehensive sales and operational training while delivering consistent coaching feedback. His dedication lies in helping business owners forge enduring connections with both employees and customers, ultimately fostering loyal lo...
Nurturing Organizational Cohesion and Camaraderie With Walter Lybeck of Point S Tire
March 06, 2024 09:00 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBWalter Lybeck is the CEO of Point S Tire and Auto Service. Originally from McMinnville, Oregon, growing up in a tight-knit community instilled in Walter a strong work ethic from a young age, starting with his first paying job mowing lawns. His path eventually led him through various roles in the service industry, including a memorable stint at Burger King. Though he initially stumbled into the tire industry by chance during a housing downturn, Walter found himself drawn to the dynamic challe...
Secrets of Exceptional Service With Cristol Duke and Heather Langdon of Gerald's Tires & Brakes
February 28, 2024 09:00 - 22 minutes - 21 MBHeather Langdon is a Customer Service Representative at Gerald's Tires & Brakes. Heather's journey into the tire business began when she applied for a position at Gerald’s to help her husband buy a motor for his trucking company, soon becoming an integral part of the customer service team. Born and raised in Charleston, Heather brings a deep understanding of her community's needs and values, striving to provide not just customer service, but an exceptional experience for every guest. Cris...
Generational Wisdom and Customer Focus With Clint and Clay Watts of Gerald's Tires & Brakes
February 21, 2024 09:00 - 24 minutes - 22.9 MBClint and Clay Watts are the third-generation owners of Gerald's Tires & Brakes in Charleston, South Carolina. Their grandfather, fondly known as "Big Daddy," instilled in them the ethos of hard work and adaptability. From their humble beginnings transforming old gas stations into tire stores to evolving with the market's demands, Clint and Clay exemplify a commitment to learning and improving. Their dedication to customer service, ingrained from a young age through teachings of good morals ...
Exceptional Tires, Equal Treatment With Charles Vickery of Beggs Tire & Wheel
February 14, 2024 09:00 - 19 minutes - 18.3 MBCharles Vickery brings over a decade of tire expertise to his role as Store Manager at Beggs Tire & Wheel. Hailing from Prineville, Oregon, his journey in the tire industry began in the small town where the choices were clear-cut: either work at a mill or dive into the world of tires. Inspired by the legacy of Les Schwab, Charles started as a tire tech at Beggs in 2010. He quickly showcased his unwavering commitment to the job and has since climbed the ranks to his current role. In this ...
Work Experience Must Be Rewarding and Fun: Danny Smith of Same Day Auto Repair
January 31, 2024 17:00 - 32 minutes - 30.4 MBDanny Smith is the CEO of Same Day Auto Repair. With a background in the auto industry that spans over 28 years, Danny's career began in high school, working for Chevrolet and steadily advancing through various roles. Despite his family not being in the industry, Danny's strong work ethic and determination led him to master different aspects of the business, leading to the bold decision to venture into entrepreneurship. Today, as the head of his own shop, Danny navigates the complexities of ...
Shaping Pros Through Innovative Training With Scott Blair of T.R.A.C.K. Auto Training and Network
January 24, 2024 09:00 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBScott Blair is the creator, host, and an instructor at T.R.A.C.K. Auto Training and Network. He is also Managing Partner of 2U Tire of Alabama and Co-founder of 2U Mobile Solutions. His automotive journey began in 1993, diving into the industry with American Racing Custom Wheels. In the late ‘90s, Scott developed and patented the Wheel Fit, a specialized aluminum jig for measuring custom wheels. He prides himself as someone who is always learning as he continues to shape his diverse career i...
Tires, Tears, and Triumphs: A 25-Year Odyssey With Jeff Mullersman of ATTURO Tires
January 17, 2024 09:00 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBJeff Mullersman is the Midwest Sales Director at ATTURO Tires, with 25 years of experience in the tire industry. Jeff’s automotive career is full of twists and turns, beginning with getting ripped off sweeping a go-kart parking lot. Undeterred, Jeff became a driver for Progressive Custom Wheels before moving on to sales, eventually running his own location in Omaha, Nebraska. When the company went under in 2000, he became a sales manager for Zisser Tire in St. Louis for several years during ...
Realities of the Tire Business With Hunt Demarest of Paar, Melis & Associates
January 03, 2024 09:00 - 31 minutes - 29.4 MBHunt Demarest is Senior Accountant at Paar, Melis & Associates, an accounting and tax firm specializing in automotive repair shops. Hunt is a seasoned CPA with a passion for optimizing team management and development, empowering shop owners with financial insights that drive greater success for their businesses. Armed with an economics degree from Penn State and an accreditation in business valuation, Hunt shares his wealth of knowledge as host of the podcast Business by the Numbers, where h...
How To Create a $6m Store With a Great Winning Culture With Todd Hayes, Joe Adams and Glenn Piccolo
December 20, 2023 09:00 - 39 minutes - 36.8 MBTodd Hayes is the Chief Operating Officer of Adams Automotive and Co-founder of Auto Shop Answers. At age 26 Todd founded a company, successfully growing it into a chain of stores that he later sold to a venture capital group. Having been perfecting business models since 1986, Todd's expertise led him to coalesce with partners including Perry Adams, Joe Adams, and Glenn Piccolo. Together, they transformed a $3 million-a-year store into a thriving flagship store with a $30 million market valu...
A Personal Support System for Independent Auto Shops With George Kingman of Advanced Shop Leadership
December 06, 2023 09:00 - 30 minutes - 28.4 MBGeorge Kingman is Founder and CEO of both Advanced Shop Leadership and BlueSky Tire and Auto Service, a burgeoning chain of stores with five locations in under five years. After beginning his journey in the tire and automotive industry as a teenage tire tech, George took a 17-year hiatus where he managed two businesses and held a senior analyst role focused on enhancing operational processes for one of America's largest banks. His passion for the automotive industry eventually drew him back,...
Optimizing Performance by Committing to Staff Development With Charles Mesones of Cook’s Tire & Service
November 29, 2023 09:00 - 28 minutes - 38.9 MBCharles Mesones, Partner at Cook's Tire & Service, has been a dedicated professional in the tire and auto repair Industry for over 25 years, following in the footsteps of his father who managed a competing company during the 1980s. Charles' journey began as a teenager, working under his father's guidance, where he learned valuable life and business lessons. Today, Charles proudly continues the family tradition, with his eldest son excelling as a service advisor and his middle son voluntarily...
Using Technology To Establish Customer Trust With Keegan Wentz, President of McMahon Tech Center
November 22, 2023 09:00 - 24 minutes - 22.7 MBKeegan Wentz is the President of McMahon's Automotive Technology Center, a family-owned service and repair shop based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. His vision and dedication have transformed the company into a pioneering institution for automotive technician training and career development. Under his leadership, McMahon’s has implemented a comprehensive training program that not only imparts technical skills but also focuses on professionalism and ethics. An ASE Master Tech with a rich background ...
Camaraderie and Passion on Full Display at the 2023 SEMA Trade Show With Mike Edge of Tread Partners
November 10, 2023 09:00 - 26 minutes - 24 MBDon Detore is the Editor of Tire Business, an industry trade magazine published by Crain Communications, and has over 35 years of journalism experience. Geoff Doster is the President of Linglong Tires, spearheading the brand’s North American growth initiatives. George Kingman is the Founder of Advanced Shop Leadership, a group of consultants focused on improving financials, team culture, training, customer experience, and operational excellence. Greg Draper is in charge of purchasing a...
Recognizing the Good and Fixing the Bad With Randy O’Connor of Dealer to Dealer Development Group
November 08, 2023 08:00 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBRandy O'Connor is the Owner of Dealer to Dealer (D2D) Development Group, which offers financial and operational consulting for the independent tire and auto service market in North America. The company's primary offering is a business growth strategy rooted in peer-to-peer networks, specifically the 20 Group format. Randy's strength lies in strategic analysis and process improvement. Drawing from varied roles across diverse industries, he's distinguished himself as an adept operator, craftin...
Reacting to Changes in the Marketplace With Michael Chung of Auto Care Association
November 01, 2023 08:00 - 35 minutes - 32.6 MBMichael Chung is the Senior Director of Market Intelligence at Auto Care Association, where he spearheads market research initiatives for the automotive aftermarket sector. He plays a pivotal role in keeping industry members informed about market trends, primarily through monthly content, the promotion of a comprehensive industry data platform, and the publication of an annual factbook. Before joining the association, Michael co-led a market research consultancy, focusing on client relations...
The Importance of Trust From Tire Dealers and Customers With Cody Lang of Tire Solutions
October 25, 2023 08:00 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MBCody Lang is Vice President of Sales at Tire Solutions. He embarked on his journey in the tire industry from a young age, inspired by his father's passion for the trade. From playful childhood memories of "playing tire store" with Matchbox cars to overcoming challenges as a young salesperson in a seasoned industry, Cody’s dedication is evident. His proudest achievement is contributing to the growth of Tire Solutions, a startup that began in 2010 with only five employees and has since flouris...
The Value of a Long-Term Exit Strategy With Giorgio Andonian of FOCUS Investment Banking
October 18, 2023 08:00 - 26 minutes - 24.1 MBGiorgio Andonian is the Managing Director at FOCUS Investment Banking. Since joining the company in 2019, he has been instrumental in guiding mergers, acquisitions, recapitalizations, and capital raises for middle-market businesses in the Consumer and Automotive Aftermarket sectors. Prior to FOCUS, Giorgio served as vice president of 55 Inc. in Southern California and has held other roles in the tire industry spanning finance, operations, and supply chain management. He holds a MBA from Pepp...
A Reporter’s Journey From Covering Sports to Tires With Don Detore of Tire Business
October 11, 2023 08:00 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBDon Detore is the Editor of Tire Business, an industry trade magazine published by Crain Communications. Before this, he began his tenure at Rubber & Plastics News in March 2013 as a copy editor and was later promoted to managing editor. With over 35 years in journalism, Don has held significant roles at The Repository in Canton, including sports editor, managing editor, and executive editor. He holds a bachelor's degree in communication arts from Walsh University. In this episode… When ...
Truth and Transparency in the Tire Industry With Frank Frattale of Trimax Tire-Maxon International
October 04, 2023 08:00 - 24 minutes - 22.8 MBFrank Frattale is the Director of Sales at Trimax Tire-Maxon International. With a rich history in the automotive industry, Frank has honed his skills in management, account management, sales, strategic planning, and business development. He is an accomplished sales professional, having previously worked for Fury Tires, NAMA Tires Inc. and NEXEN TIRE. In this episode… How do you build long-term partnerships or relationships with customers? Treat them the way you’d like to be treated. A...
Profits and Product Performance Produce Partnerships With Scott Weeden of Barnwell House of Tires
September 27, 2023 08:00 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MBScott Weeden is the Vice President of Sales at Barnwell House of Tires. With over two decades in the trucking industry, he previously managed his own freight company and oversaw the New York City market for a commercial tire manufacturer. In his position at Barnwell, Scott has cultivated a team of 22 sales representatives, leading to a 60% increase in revenue. Additionally, he serves on the Tire Industry Association board, contributing to the safety of tire technicians, drivers, and pedestri...
Looking Back on 100 Episodes With Neal Maier, David Christopher, and Mike Edge of Tread Partners
September 20, 2023 08:00 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBNeal Maier and David Christopher are Co-founders of Tread Partners, a digital marketing agency focused on using SEO, marketing, and branding to help tire companies and auto-repair shops grow and thrive. Neal was previously a Partner at 3VE and COO of TexTivia, which rebranded into 3VE. He has worked for multiple automotive companies such as Autoshop Solutions and Auto Pro To Call. David was previously a Partner at 3VE and the Founder of TexTivia, which rebranded into 3VE. He has over 20 ...
Revolutionizing Tire Sales With George Silagadze, Vice President of TireConnect
September 13, 2023 08:00 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MBGeorge Silagadze is the Vice President of TireConnect, a company that has revolutionized the way tires are sold. He founded the company in 2013 and it was acquired by Bridgestone in 2015. George has worked with Bridgestone to transform the tire sales landscape, revolutionizing the practice through direct referrals and online platforms. In this episode… The true definition of entrepreneurship is the ability to recognize a gap in the marketplace, fill it with your own ideas and abilities ...
Relationships Drive Success With JP Gallagher, President of Gallagher Tire
September 06, 2023 08:00 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MBJP Gallagher is the President of Gallagher Tire, a leading specialty tire wholesaler based in the US. Assuming leadership in 2003, JP has expertly guided the company's expansion, establishing warehouses in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Upstate New York and launching online consumer tire sales website Tires4That.com in 2017. Drawing from his vast experience at the forefront of a family business, he emphasizes the importance of both respecting current management practices and being agile in im...
Growing Customer Awareness With Bill Bainbridge, Former VP of Marketing and Business Development with CJ’s Tire and Automotive
August 30, 2023 08:00 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MBBill Bainbridge retired in March 2023 after more than 45 years in the tire industry. Bill was Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for CJ’s Tire and Automotive, where he helped grow the brand from 11 to 17 locations. His journey in marketing, communications, and sales involved nearly every area of the tire business from retail to wholesale. During his career, Bill established a track record of creating and managing marketing platforms that generated exceptional return on inve...
How Core Values Enhance Credibility With John Repp, Sales Manager for Dunlap & Kyle Co.
August 16, 2023 08:00 - 34 minutes - 31.7 MBJohn Repp is Sales Manager for Dunlap & Kyle Co., one of the leading tire distributors in the nation. John got his long-sought start in the automotive industry by taking a job at a National Tire Wholesale in Nashville, TN while working a second job to make ends meet. He worked several roles with Bridgestone for nearly 20 years before joining Dunlap & Kyle. In this episode… What’s the secret to building a long-term foundation of credibility for your business? Start by establishing core va...
How To Hire a Great Technician With Chris Lawson of Technician Find
August 09, 2023 08:00 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MBChris Lawson is the Founder of Technician Find, which helps independent automotive and diesel repair shops use creative ads and social media marketing to find good techs faster. He is also a digital marketing strategist with Astute Social Media and host of the Technician Find Office Hours podcast. Chris launched Technician Find in 2017 after he was asked to give a social media presentation for ten independent repair shop owners, nine of which became clients. In this episode… If you own a...
Expanding Your Portfolio To Meet Customer Demand With Lance Bullock of OE Wheels
August 02, 2023 08:00 - 24 minutes - 22.3 MBLance Bullock is President of OE Wheels, where he has worked since early 2006. He has used his background in finance and operations to contribute to the overall modernization, direction, and growth of the company. Under Lance’s leadership, OE Wheels has grown to become the largest independent replica wheel distributor in North America and is the parent company to 4Play Wheels and Defiant Wheels. In this episode… What should you do when demand outgrows what you have to offer? You expand y...
Supplying and Servicing Big Tires in the Mining Industry With Mason Hess of Purcell Tire
July 26, 2023 08:00 - 31 minutes - 28.6 MBMason Hess is the Director of Global Mining Division at Purcell Tire and an Executive Board Member and past President of the Tire Industry Association. He is a third-generation “tire guy” whose grandfather ran an independent tire store and whose father worked in the tire industry for decades. Mason began working full-time in the tire industry in 1995, joining D&D Tire in 2007 before it was purchased by Purcell Tire. In this episode… When you think about the tires and the various industri...
Roy Littlefield of the Tire Industry Association on Tire Registration and Right to Repair Legislation
July 19, 2023 08:00 - 24 minutes - 22.8 MBRoy Littlefield retired as CEO of the Tire Industry Association in late 2021. He began working there in 2002, and his tire industry career spans over 50 years. As CEO, he grew TIA’s membership from 2,700 to 13,000. He started his career in 1975, volunteering for Sen. Thomas McIntyre, D-NH, and worked for Sen. Barry Goldwater, R-CA, a few years later. His experience in politics taught him the importance of building strong relationships and paying attention to details. Roy earned a Ph.D. and t...
Innovating Software to Accommodate Customer Demands With Dave Vogel, General Manager at ASA Automotive Systems
July 05, 2023 08:00 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MBDave Vogel is General Manager at ASA Automotive Systems, where he leads all business operations. He has worked for over two decades, previously serving as Executive Vice President and Vice President of Sales. Immediately after graduating from Boise State University in 1983, Dave started his career with Goodyear Tires and worked his way from the ground up. In this episode… Consumer behavior and inclinations have seen multiple changes in all business sectors, including the automotive indus...
Fascinating Insights Into the Production of Automotive TV Shows With Tom Diaz, Coordinating Producer at Bright Bay Creative
June 28, 2023 08:00 - 33 minutes - 31.2 MBTom Diaz is the Coordinating Producer at Bright Bay Creative, where he contributes to the production of Netflix automotive TV shows. His first experience in the automotive industry was as a co-owner of a muffler shop in 1992. Despite not knowing what a muffler or catalytic converter were — or how to run a business — Tom’s passion for cars helped him to learn quickly. He found his muffler-related niche in import racing, and mufflers from his shop were routinely featured on the cover of Super ...
A Voice for Independent Tire Dealers With Jason Rook, President and CEO of Independent Tire Dealers Group
June 14, 2023 08:00 - 35 minutes - 33.1 MBJason Rook is the President and CEO of Independent Tire Dealers Group, where he leads a network of 1,000 independent tire dealer locations across the U.S. Jason specializes in strategic planning, business development, customer relations, and team building. His mission is to provide independent tire dealers with the best products, services, and resources available, while striving to foster a collaborative and inclusive culture within ITDG. In this episode… Many customers within the tire i...
Increasing Sales Through Effective and Thorough Training With Robert “Sonny” McDonald, Senior National Training Manager at Toyo Tires Corp USA
June 07, 2023 08:00 - 33 minutes - 45.9 MBRobert “Sonny” McDonald is the Senior National Training Manager for Toyo Tires Corp USA. He started his sales career in the tire industry as a representative for The Tire Rack, where he worked for over a decade, and has been in his current position for more than 20 years. Sonny has also served as an aircraft maintenance specialist in the US Air Force. In this episode… As anyone who works in the tire and auto repair industry will tell you, customers don’t come to your shop because things ...
Selling Tires Without a Sales Pitch With Ron Dolan, President at Sailun Tire North America
May 31, 2023 08:00 - 32 minutes - 44.8 MBRon Dolan is President at Sailun Tire North America. He has a demonstrated history working in the automotive industry with developed skills in negotiation, budgeting, business planning, and sales. Sailun Tires are exclusively distributed by TBC Brands in the US and sells over 30 million tires annually in more than 50 countries worldwide. Ron came to Sailun from Dynamic Tire Corp, where he worked for nearly twenty years. In this episode… What makes a salesperson great at what they do? Acc...
The Value of Experienced and Empathetic Leadership With Kyle Blankenhorn of Ken’s Tire
May 24, 2023 08:00 - 20 minutes - 29 MBKyle Blankenhorn came to Ken’s Tire as a tire changer after serving as a small town Iowa police officer and working for TSA at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids. His grandparents founded Ken’s Tire, with three locations in eastern Pennsylvania, and Kyle — who has managed two of the stores — is now helping run the successful third-generation business. He attributes the success of Ken’s Tire to the longevity of the staff and their ability to learn from mistakes. In this episode… In...
Promoting a Tire Brand by Sponsoring a Sport With Samuel Felberbaum, President at Prinx Chengshan Tire
May 17, 2023 08:00 - 26 minutes - 37.1 MBSamuel Felberbaum is President at Prinx Chengshan Tire. He came to Prinx from Toyo Tires, where he was the Director of Sales for eight years. His passion is in helping companies set up and implement marketing initiatives that increase customer growth, improve retention, and drive revenue. Samuel is a big sports enthusiast, especially when it comes to the New York Yankees. In this episode… What is the best way to reach your target customer demographic? Is it always through social media, o...
Eliminating Fear From the Payment Process With Chris Talevi, Vice President of Sales at PayTomorrow
May 10, 2023 08:00 - 17 minutes - 24.1 MBChris Talevi is Vice President of Sales at PayTomorrow, a fintech company with a unique financing model designed to offer a full credit spectrum platform for businesses to offer to their consumers. Chris was Ticket Office Manager at Davidson College, his alma mater, before becoming a part-time tire changer in NASCAR with Stewart-Haas Racing. He joined PayTomorrow in 2016 as a Senior Account Representative and was promoted to VP in early 2021. In this episode… If you are a tire or custom ...
Tackling Tire Industry Software With Jay Adams, President of MaddenCo
May 03, 2023 08:00 - 26 minutes - 36.8 MBJay Adams is President at MaddenCo, widely recognized as an industry leader for tire industry software. He started working in sales there in the late 90s after graduating from Wabash College with a history degree. After two years, Jay left for law school and then worked as an attorney for four years before returning to MaddenCo in 2006. In this episode… What should tire and auto repair shops consider when implementing or changing their software systems? Should data collection be a primary...
Simply Subscribe to Your Sweet Ride With Immanuel Klaiber and Jürgen Lobach of FINN
April 26, 2023 08:00 - 32 minutes - 44.9 MBJürgen Lobach is Chief Fleet Officer at FINN, overseeing the acquisition management and remarketing of over 20,000 vehicles. With more than 30 years of experience in the mobility sector, Jürgen is considered a proven and experienced industry expert. He spent almost two decades at Choice GmbH, an automotive provider. Immanuel Klaiber is Head of Subscription Pricing and TCO at FINN where he is responsible for FINN’s global subscription pricing and US remarketing team, which helps to market a...
The Fruits of Being a Franchisee With Brian Beers, President at Prenlyn Automotive
April 19, 2023 08:00 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MBBrian Beers is President at Prenlyn Automotive and the podcast host of Business with Beers. He has grown his small family franchise auto repair business into an enterprise with thirty locations. Currently, Brian’s mission is to teach people how to create freedom and build wealth by owning franchises. In this episode… For those interested in becoming an automotive industry franchisee, what are some initial barriers they’ll have to overcome? What are advantages to becoming a franchisee as ...
Do the Right Thing and Have Fun With Joe McDonald, Vice President of Sales at Jasper Engines & Transmissions
April 12, 2023 08:00 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MBJoe McDonald is Vice President of Sales at Jasper Engines & Transmissions. With more than thirty years of experience in the automotive aftermarket industry, Joe is skilled in team building, account management, leadership, planning, and sales processes. He began his career in the rental car industry and has been with Jasper since 1996. In this episode… How do you build a culture where your customers notice you do the right thing while having fun? In this era of job hopping, how do you reg...
Ensuring Customers’ Cars are Safe, Reliable, and Efficient With Craig O’Neill, Vice President of Training at Autoflow
April 05, 2023 08:00 - 31 minutes - 29.3 MBCraig O’Neill is Vice President of Training at Autoflow, formerly Autotext.me. Starting at a young age, Craig gained priceless experience at his family’s transmission shop, serving in a variety of roles including Service Manager, Technician and Business Manager. Craig’s greatest interest is in technology and since 2018, when he joined Autoflow, he has developed training processes to support shops launching digital systems. In this episode… How can a tire and auto repair shop ensure the s...
Servicing Your Vehicles Wherever With Angie Oleson, Business Lead at Firestone Direct
March 29, 2023 08:00 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBAngie Oleson is Business Lead at Firestone Direct, the largest mobile tire and service company in the United States. She has led and managed its business operations since it was launched by Bridgestone Americas in 2021. With an ability to translate strategic goals into concrete tactics, Angie has a track record of positively impacting business performance. In this episode… Is there a business or type of business who stands to benefit from the emergence of mobile vehicle and tire service?...
Using Technology To Increase Your Shop’s Efficiency With James Krakower of JMK
March 22, 2023 08:00 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MBJames Krakower is the Director of System Development at JMK Computerized Tire Dealer Information System. He has an extensive background in technology, and his operations experience has provided him with the ability to discern what works and what doesn’t work on a day-to-day basis. James started his career in academics leading a graduate course on how to market tires. In this episode… Are tire and auto repair businesses lagging behind other industries when it comes to the effective use of...
Tires and Technology in Tandem With Kevin Marley, Managing Director at E-Solution Professionals
March 15, 2023 09:00 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MBKevin Marley is Managing Director at E-Solution Professionals, who has been developing e-commerce software for the tire industry since 2001. He has worked in the tire industry for more than four decades. Throughout his career, Kevin has worked in positions including store manager, warehouse manager, State Manager for Toyo Tires, and Regional Manager for Goodyear Australia. In this episode… In an industry that is slow to embrace it, how has the tire business been changed by technology? In...
Successful Franchising With Charles Bonfiglio, CEO at Tint World
March 08, 2023 09:00 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBCharles Bonfiglio is CEO at Tint World, a privately-owned window tinting and vehicle accessory center. His areas of expertise include leading automotive companies to maximize profits and market share, along with franchising, e-commerce, web design, software development, and financial management. Charles is also Founder of Cars Cafe and Auto Parts Network, and previously served as CEO and Franchise Developer at Meineke Car Care Centers for over 30 years. In this episode… Have you seen a s...
Tires Are a People Business With Kent Coleman, Owner at Big O Tires
March 01, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 23.9 MBKent Coleman is the Owner of eleven Big O Tire stores in northern Utah and various other commercial properties. He has the ability to ask the right questions to get to the root of an issue and solve problems. As a result, even though Kent is not an avid car enthusiast, his Big O Tire stores are some of the highest-producing in the nation. Kent is also author of the book It’s Not About the Mangos. In this episode… Is it absolutely necessary to be a car enthusiast to be a successful busine...