“Growth Without Systems Will Break Your Shop” | Philip Korbel & Brian Teberg | GGP #033

What this episode covers

How do you scale a six-bay shop without burning out your team—or your customers? Elite Automotive Center’s co-owners share how they’re growing the right way: fill capacity first, lock in systems, and win with relationships (not transactions).Guests:Philip Korbel & Brian Teberg — Co-owners, Elite Automotive Center — Fargo, North DakotaWhat you’ll learn (shop-owner takeaways):Why an owner shortage (culture/leadership) beats a “tech shortage” narrativeCar-count math: 260–280/month now, ~360 before adding baysBuilding a high-school pipeline (career academies, toolbox help, real training)Relationship selling: remembering pets & trips > being “transactional”DVIs with transparency + ride-alongs for “can’t duplicate” noisesCustomer experience that lowers anxiety (hotel-lobby vibes, kid-friendly perks)Training cadence (NAPA/O’Reilly + TechFix) and paying techs to attendHiring/firing: 2-stage interviews, red flags, acting fasterTech stack realities: Mitchell pros/cons, online scheduling, OctoRocket, textingFleet growth via speed, quality, fair pricing—and referralsCoaching, tribes, and how local politics/zoning impact expansion00:00 – Intro, FB group, Aug ’25 panel01:29 – Fargo market & rural pull02:25 – State line rules (ND/MN)03:45 – Shop size (6 bays)04:43 – Grow after capacity06:21 – Car count goals07:32 – High-school hire08:13 – “Owner shortage” quote11:11 – Career Academy pipeline13:11 – Student tech training14:34 – Meet Andrea (advisor)16:02 – Relationships > transactions18:14 – Pre-trip DVIs19:13 – Comm preferences19:58 – Calming waiting room20:30 – Comfort touches21:57 – Family-friendly perks23:31 – DVIs + ride-alongs24:17 – Ongoing training25:45 – Reviews & paid training27:17 – Origin story (2013)29:32 – Forced move30:57 – New building → COVID31:34 – Why Philip co-owner35:39 – Division of labor36:56 – Hiring funnel37:27 – Firing lessons43:49 – Competitors nearby45:12 – Grow the pie46:27 – DVI video tradeoffs50:11 – Parts matrix wishlist51:31 – ShopGenie & Kikui52:49 – Online requests54:07 – Phones & OctoRocket55:52 – Digital Concierge option56:12 – Fleet growth drivers57:40 – Brian’s path59:30 – Coaching & conferences1:01:14 – Shop tours cadence1:02:07 – Tribe accountability1:06:23 – Local politics & permits1:09:24 – Future panel topics1:11:10 – Rides vs. loaners1:11:49 – Wrap-upQuestions for Philip & Brian? Comment below or post in the FB group—they’ll jump in.Subscribe for more shop-owner panels & Origin & Impact stories.Want to be a guest? Share your story in the group.Listen on Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/garagegritJoin the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/forautorepairshopowners/Learn more: https://aashopmarketing.comauto repair shop growth, auto repair business management, hiring technicians, technician shortage solutions, shop owner culture, DVI best practices, customer experience auto repair, service advisor training, fleet accounts strategy, parts matrix pricing, Mitchell shop management, online scheduler auto repair, ShopFix coaching, car count goals, ride-along diagnostics, small business hiring and firing, recruiting from high schools, Fargo Moorhead auto repair, North Dakota auto repair, auto repair marketing

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