Do It Up Front: Ryan Masterson on Trust, Reputation, and Second Chances

The Honest Garage Podcast exists for one reason: to bring honest conversations back to the automotive industry, the kind that help good shops become great without losing their integrity. In this episode, David sits down with Ryan Masterson, owner of Phoenix Auto Repair in Colorado Springs, to talk about rebuilding a life, rebuilding a reputation, and building a shop where trust is earned—one decision at a time. Ryan shares what it looks like to lead with humility, drop the ego, and put transparency at the front of the process, especially when you're trying to win back your community. You'll hear practical, shop-level takeaways like why Phoenix inspects 100% of vehicles, how they use DVIs and in-shop walk-throughs to help customers see the truth, and why "tell them the whole picture up front" is the fastest path to long-term trust. If you're serious about running a shop you're proud of—and building something that lasts—this episode is a must-listen. 🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations with real operators.