Honest Garage Podcast

Les Aliff has the kind of story shop owners respect because it is built on reps, not hype. He came up through the work, learned what customers actually need when they are stressed and confused, and built Youngsville Auto Care into a shop that wins through clarity, consistency, and doing the right thing when it would be easier to rush. In this episode, Les shares what he believes separates a good shop from a great one. Diagnosing the root cause instead of playing parts darts, documenting clearly so the customer understands the why, and training a team to think, not just follow instructions. He also gets honest about the hard parts of leadership, setting expectations, holding the line on standards, and building a culture where people take pride in doing it right. If you want a practical conversation about integrity, tech development, and building a shop that customers trust long term, Les delivers. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ Youngsville Auto Care: https://youngsvilleautocare.com/  

Michael Grueneich built Providence Auto Care with a clear mission: take care of people, not just vehicles. In this episode, Michael shares how his faith and family values shape the way the shop operates day to day, from how they communicate, to how they handle tough conversations, to how they train the team to do what is right even when it is inconvenient. He talks about building trust the slow way, consistency, quality work, and transparency that helps customers make confident decisions. You will also hear what it looks like to grow without losing the heart of the business. Hiring with character in mind, setting expectations early, and building a culture where the team actually enjoys coming to work. If you want a reminder that you can run a successful shop and still keep your values intact, Michael's story is worth hearing. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ Providence Auto Care: https://providenceautocare.com/  

Mitch Krstovski did not enter this industry through the usual path. He studied business, lived abroad, spent time in New Zealand, and earned an MBA through MIT while based in Shanghai. He was on track for a corporate career in China until life pulled him back home fast. His dad was fighting cancer, his brother was overwhelmed running the family dealership, and Mitch stepped in to help carry the load. That experience changed everything, and it eventually led Mitch to buy 5th Avenue Auto Service in Escondido, California, a full service independent shop known in North County San Diego for clean facilities, honest service, and a customer experience that does not feel like the greasy bay stereotype. In this episode, Mitch gets practical about what most owners actually need right now. Customer retention, service writing, and sales systems that keep a busy shop from turning chaotic. He talks about why he is willing to be intentionally overstaffed in the name of growth, how he thinks about margins and profit, and why transparency through inspections and DVI style communication builds trust faster than any script. He also shares how coaching, EOS, and training environments like ATI shaped his approach to leadership and accountability. If you want to run a real business, not just fix cars, Mitch's story brings a sharp, outside the industry perspective that still respects what happens in the bays. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.  

Marcus McFall grew up in a tire store. He was the kid stacking inventory in the back, watching customers roll in for tires, and learning what makes a shop survive when the market shifts. Today Marcus owns McFall Tire and Auto Repair in the West Valley of Arizona, with two locations serving Goodyear, Avondale, and the surrounding communities. In this episode, he tells the real story behind keeping a tire legacy alive while building full service repair that can carry the business long term. He shares how McFall started back in 1994, how he navigated ownership changes, and how he eventually became the sole owner of two growing stores after reopening and rebuilding a location that had gone dark. Marcus also breaks down a strategy most general repair shops miss. Tires bring constant search traffic, which creates a built in marketing engine. He shares what that mix looks like in real numbers, how tire work feeds the pipeline, and how you build culture and standards when you have one foot in the tire world and one foot in modern mechanical repair. You will also hear why he invests in training, groups, and industry connections to keep evolving as an operator. If you are trying to grow repair while keeping a strong base business, or you want a smarter view of how tires can support your marketing and car count, this episode is worth hearing. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ McFall Tire and Auto Repair: https://www.mcfalltire.com/  

Running a shop is hard. Running a shop with your spouse adds a whole extra layer, especially when the business is growing and the industry keeps changing. In this episode, David sits down with Lee and Kelli Weatherby of Accurate Automotive in Arizona, the hosts of the Underneath the Hood podcast. They share what it looks like to lead together without stepping on each other, how they divide responsibilities, and how they protect culture when the shop is busy and the pressure is high. Lee and Kelli also get real about the behind the scenes work that most owners do not talk about. Building systems, setting expectations, developing people, and keeping communication clean so the shop does not become a constant emergency. They tie it back to a simple goal, build a business you can be proud of and a life you can actually live. If you are trying to grow without losing your marriage, your team, or your standards, this episode will hit home. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ Accurate Automotive: https://accurateautomotiveaz.com/ Underneath the Hood podcast: https://podcastunderneaththehood.com/  

Josh King walked through the lean years. No paycheck, low visibility, inherited problems, and the kind of pressure that makes most owners quit. Instead, he helped turn an unprofitable shop into something stable, growing, and worth betting his future on. Josh is the co-owner of Edmunds Automotive Repair in Surprise, Arizona, a veteran and family owned general repair shop serving drivers across the West Valley. In this episode, Josh shares the real work behind the turnaround, what had to change first, what he stopped tolerating, and how leadership looks when you are building trust with customers and rebuilding confidence inside the team at the same time. If you are in a hard season, taking over a shop with baggage, or trying to turn effort into real profit, Josh's story is the kind of perspective you can use. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ Edmunds Automotive Repair: https://www.edmundsautomotiverepair.com/  

Victor DiGiuseppi did not come up as a flat rate tech. He came into automotive from the engineering and design world, then built C and S Auto around one big idea. There is a right way to run a shop, and it starts with clear standards, educated customers, and taking care of your people so the business is healthy enough to be there tomorrow. In this episode, Victor shares how he moved from engineering into shop ownership in the Charlotte area and why he refuses to compete for discount tickets. He explains what honest communication looks like when you are not 100 percent sure, how to give customers an educated guess without hiding behind confidence, and why transparency builds trust faster than any sales script. Victor also gets specific about what he will not tolerate in the industry, including scare tactics and recommendations that are not true. He talks about how repeat recommendations show up when customers delay repairs, and how consistent inspection notes help the next tech, the advisor, and the customer stay on the same page. If you want to raise the standard in your shop, keep integrity intact, and build a team culture that can support growth across more than one location, this conversation is worth hearing. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ C and S Auto: https://www.csautoinc.com/  

Jeff Corwin is not trying to be everything to everyone. He built JC's British and 4x4 by leaning into a clear lane and getting exceptionally good at it. In this episode, Jeff shares how specializing changes the entire business. The customers are different, the expectations are higher, and your process has to be tighter because the work is rarely simple. He talks through what it takes to earn trust with owners who love their vehicles, including clear inspection communication, setting expectations up front, and being willing to tell a customer the truth even when it costs you a sale today. You will also hear the operator side of running a specialty shop. Jeff gets into parts decisions, workflow, and why having standards matters more when you work on vehicles that other shops do not want to touch. He also explains how reputation compounds in a niche community, especially with Land Rover, British, and 4x4 circles where everyone talks and referrals can make or break your month. If you want to build a shop that people drive past other options to get to, Jeff's interview is packed with real lessons on focus, quality, and earning loyalty. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ JC's British and 4x4: https://jcbritish.com/  

Rick Becker is a shop owner who is still a technician at heart, and it shows in how he thinks about the business. He owns Monsoon Automotive in Tucson, Arizona, and has grown it into a two location operation in an environment where independents are getting squeezed harder every year. In this episode, Rick shares how his love for the trade started early, working with his dad, fixing cars for classmates, then getting a pivotal opportunity through a Mercedes Benz master tech that helped shape his standards. From there, we get into what it really takes to scale a shop today without lowering the bar. Rick breaks down the problem most customers never see, manufacturers and dealers are increasingly gatekeeping information and pushing subscription tools that make diagnostics harder, slower, and more expensive. He gives a real example of tech time being eaten up just trying to get tools to communicate properly, then explains why those barriers make it harder to pay technicians appropriately and ultimately raise costs for drivers. You will also hear what Monsoon hangs its reputation on, honest recommendations, clear communication, competitive pricing, and a 2 year, 24,000 mile nationwide warranty on most repairs. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ Monsoon Automotive: https://monsoonauto.com/  

Johnathan and Josh built the shop they wish existed when they were dealership techs. They are the co owners of Serenity EV Repair in Surprise, Arizona, an EV only shop created for owners of modern vehicles who want answers without the chaos. The name Serenity and the dove logo are intentional. They want the experience to feel calm, clear, and confidence building, even when the repair is complicated. In this episode, Johnathan and Josh share how they went from Tesla and other dealer environments into independent ownership, and why EV work is a different world. There is no steady diet of oil changes or maintenance packages. Most of the work is failure driven repairs on complex systems like suspension, air conditioning, and high voltage components. They also get honest about the business side of a specialty shop, including the turning point when they finally set proper parts margins, and realized customers did not push back when the value and communication were there. A big theme in this conversation is education. Johnathan explains why he loves teaching customers what is happening, and how transparency builds trust fast, especially in EV repair where parts, process, and safety are not familiar to most drivers. If you want a real look at what EV only ownership looks like, and how to build trust in the next generation of automotive service, this one is worth hearing. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ Serenity EV Repair: https://serenityevrepair.com/  

If you do not understand your numbers, you end up running your shop on stress instead of facts. In this Expert Spotlight episode, David sits down with Hunt Demarest, partner at Paar Melis and Associates, a firm that works heavily with auto repair shops. Hunt breaks down the core financial truths that quietly control everything in a repair business, including why profit is a trailing indicator, and why the leading indicators that actually move the needle are sales and gross profit. He also explains how to assign the right scoreboard numbers to the right roles, advisors focus on sales and gross profit, techs focus on hours, owners keep the full picture tied together. You will hear a clean framework for thinking about shop health, including the common 50 30 20 model and the simple rule behind it, your gross profit percentage needs to be at least twenty points higher than your overhead if you want twenty percent net income.  Hunt also gets practical about marketing and advertising spend, including why an average benchmark can mislead you, and how to use it as a sanity check. He shares that many shops land around three percent of sales on advertising, but the better question is value and customer acquisition cost, not the cheapest option. If you want to make decisions with clarity, not guesswork, this episode will help you see your business the way a great operator should. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ Paar Melis & Associates: https://paarmelis.com/ Hunt Demarest podcast page: https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ Business by the Numbers on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/business-by-the-numbers/id1611355257  

Sean Gordon has lived on both sides of the automotive world. High end performance, hot rod and custom work, plus the everyday reality of general repair where trust is the product. In this episode, Sean shares how he took that background and built APA Total Car Care into a brand that can do both without confusing customers. Sean walks through the early days of opening APA in Gilbert, growing it fast, then launching the Queen Creek location and adding a dedicated performance shop so they could serve daily drivers and serious go fast projects under one banner. He gets real about the challenge most shops underestimate, branding and marketing. Fixing old online footprints, cleaning up SEO, dialing in the Google Business Profile, and making sure the market understands what APA actually is today. You will also hear Sean's definition of honesty in a modern shop. Digital inspections that show the customer what is real, zero tolerance for fake recommendations, and even sending a car back to the dealership for warranty work when that is the right call. He ties it all back to one operator mindset, watch your numbers, watch your reputation, and build a system that keeps your bays full with the right work. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ APA Total Car Care: https://apatotalcarcare.com/  

Glen Hayward has been in the automotive world since the mid 1970s, and his story is not a straight line. He started wrenching in Milwaukee, survived a gasoline explosion that left him badly burned, and later spent nearly nine years serving on the mission field in Mexico, keeping vehicles alive in conditions where breakdowns were not just inconvenient, they were a problem. In 2004, Glen came back and opened Good Works Auto Repair in Tempe, Arizona using a home equity loan, then steadily grew it from a small owner operated shop into a modern facility. Along the way, he made a big bet on where the industry was going. Good Works became one of the early independent shops in Arizona to specialize in hybrid repair and hybrid battery conditioning, eventually partnering with The Hybrid Shop and working on everything from Priuses to Teslas. This conversation is packed with practical operator insight. Glen breaks down why transparency matters, how they use video and inspections to help customers see what is real, and why their five year, sixty thousand mile warranty only works if parts quality and process stay non negotiable. He also shares how coaching and being around other shop owners helped him learn business skills most techs never get taught. What makes this episode different is the heart behind the shop. Good Works supports Helping Hands for Single Moms, runs service clinics through local churches, and treats community involvement as part of the job, not a marketing angle. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ Good Works Auto Repair: https://goodworksautorepair.com/  

Brady Lehr is the owner of High Country Performance 4x4 in Colorado, and his story is equal parts shop growth and personal comeback. He started out cleaning toilets in the same building he now leads a team in, then built a career around the fun side of the industry. Lift kits, armor, axles, gears, fabrication. As Brady says in the interview, nobody needs what they do, it is all want based. That changes everything about the sales process. In this episode, Brady breaks down the question that drives every build at High Country. Why. Why does the customer want this truck, and how are they actually going to use it. Overlanding, rock crawling, camping with the family, daily driving. From there, they mix and match the right parts across brands to build a package that fits the use, not just what is sitting on the shelf. Brady also opens up about hitting a personal wall, addiction, and what life and leadership look like on the other side. If you are building a specialty shop, trying to sell with clarity instead of pressure, or you need proof that you can rebuild after a hard season, this episode is worth hearing. One more thing, Brady sent over something personal after the interview. He wrote a motorsport themed hype song about recovery. If you want to use it, great. If not, feel free to share it with someone who might need a lift. His hope is simple, that it helps the right person at the right time. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ High Country Performance 4x4: https://hcp4x4.com/   Hype song about recover:  https://open.spotify.com/track/3v27PKtstlKnhyn8CTWrAh?si=D_NIhK8CTOKRwDc_ypQSgA  

Alex Jones did not buy a shop to "own a job." He bought it to build an operation that can scale. In this episode, Alex shares the real story behind stepping into ownership at AutoWits in Scottsdale, Arizona, after retiring from professional basketball and taking some early hits in business. He talks openly about what changed when he went from learning business in theory to learning it with payroll, customers, and real consequences on the line. You will hear how Alex is rebuilding the shop from the inside out, including implementing EOS (Traction), defining core values, running a leadership book club, and operating from a long term vision that is clear, aggressive, and measurable. He also gets practical about the daily operator work, tightening process, improving inspections, building a team of techs you can trust, and marketing in a way that supports growth without sacrificing standards. If you are a shop owner who wants more than survival, and you are trying to build something scalable on purpose, Alex's episode is a strong listen. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ AutoWits: https://www.autowits.com/  

Jim Mueller is not just running shops, he is building something that holds up over time. Jim owns Repair Masters Automotive in Boulder and Louisville, Colorado, plus The Auto Repair Place in Boulder. Three general repair locations within a few miles of each other, and a team culture so sticky that some of his core people have been with him since they were teenagers. In this episode, Jim shares what it actually takes to grow without turning your business into a revolving door. He talks about why relationships matter more than shortcuts, how he thinks about leadership with a multi generational team, and what it looks like to take care of people in a way they never forget, including bringing the whole crew and their families on Thanksgiving trips. You will also hear the behind the scenes story of how his third location came to be, and why he refused to grow in a way that would hurt the people already in the building. He also gets real about customer expectations, warranties, and how trust is earned one decision at a time. If you want to build a shop that customers stay loyal to, and a team that stays with you for decades, Jim's story is worth hearing. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ Repair Masters Automotive: https://repairmastersauto.com/ The Auto Repair Place: https://theautorepairplace.com/  

Jeff Owen and Melissa Velasquez are the kind of leaders every shop owner hopes they can find, then keep forever. They run the day to day at Jeremy's Garage in Pueblo West, Colorado, a family owned NAPA Gold and AAA approved shop that has served the community since 2008. In this episode, Jeff and Melissa get tactical about what it takes to keep a busy shop smooth and accountable, even when the owners are not in the building. You will hear how they built systems that remove chaos, including a defined repair order flow that keeps every ticket moving through the right hands at the right time. From diagnostics, to the lead writer, to sales, to parts ordering, to parts receiving, to final delivery. They also talk about quality control checkoffs after repairs, key tracking, and why digital inspections help customers see the full picture without turning every update into a phone tag nightmare. Melissa also shares how they built an apprenticeship program after realizing the old hiring pipeline was not coming back. They started with a national program, then customized it into a paid, hands-on path that supports real life, real families, and even includes EV training as part of the progression. If you want to build a shop that can grow past the owner bottleneck, and you want a clearer playbook for ops, culture, and training, this episode is for you. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ Jeremy's Garage: https://jeremysgarage.com/  

Stephanie Corbin spent more than 25 years in corporate IT, then helped build Bullet Automotive and Diesel from a simple idea sketched on a Chick fil A napkin into a growing multi location operation on Colorado's Front Range. In this episode, Stephanie breaks down what it takes to scale without losing the thing customers actually care about, trust. She shares the four pillars Bullet is built on, honesty, integrity, reliability, and transparency, plus how those values turn into real systems inside the shop. You will hear how they designed vehicle inspections, how they write recommendations, and how they quote and explain work so customers understand what they are paying for and why. If you are trying to grow beyond one location, tighten your process, or build a shop that wins on clarity instead of hype, Stephanie's story will give you practical ideas you can use. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ Bullet Automotive and Diesel: https://bullet-automotive.com/  

Ken Stafford spent decades in the collision world, sold his business, and tried retirement. It did not stick. What started as a small "keep busy" shop quickly turned into something bigger, especially once Chris Oatman came in and Ken handed him the keys to run day to day. In this episode, Ken and Chris unpack how Next Auto Care in Highlands Ranch, Colorado grew from a side operation into a real business with a real team. They talk about what it takes to scale without losing quality, including hiring with culture in mind, creating trust through consistency, and adding layers of support that most shops skip. You will also hear the "next level service" details that customers actually notice, like mini detail touches after the repair, plus a dedicated quality control role to help prevent comebacks and protect the customer experience. If you want a clearer picture of how to grow steadily, stay people first, and build a shop where customers and employees want to stick around, this one is worth your time. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ Next Auto Care: https://nextautocare.com/

Collin Ettienne built RI Automotive in Tampa the hard way, starting with one lift in a storage unit, wrenching nights and weekends, and (for a season) balancing the shop while working as a firefighter. But the real turning point wasn't opening the doors, it was having the guts to reinvent the business. For years, RI was heavily performance-focused: big builds, fast parts, fun projects… and brutal cash flow. In this episode, Collin breaks down the pivot he made after getting around other operators and training environments, shifting toward a sustainable general repair model that could support a team, systems, and long-term growth. You'll hear Collin get honest about what made the change hard: ego, the need to be "the guy," and learning how to lead without doing everything himself. He also shares what they've put in place to build real A-players; training rhythms, team communication, and using tools like DVIs to drive clarity and trust. If you're stuck in "busy-but-chaotic," or you've built a shop around what's exciting instead of what's scalable, Collin's story will hit home. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ RI Automotive: https://riautomotive.net/  

Preston Callahan's shop story starts the way a lot of real ones do: wrenching at 16 in the shade of a tree in front of his parents' house, then making the leap to ownership at 23, working out of the driveway and betting on himself. Today, Preston runs Callahan Auto & Diesel in downtown Mesa, Arizona, plus a separate arm focused on 24-hour emergency roadside service for trucks and RVs. In this interview, Preston walks through what it actually took to grow, moving from a small 1,850 sq. ft. space to a facility of 10,000+ sq. ft.—and the lessons that only show up once you're responsible for payroll, margins, and the "everything breaks at once" reality of running a shop. You'll hear him get candid about the mistakes that happen when you don't know your numbers fast enough, the constant balancing act between parts margin, labor margin, and staffing, and why even years in, he's still experimenting and learning (including what he calls his "Google business degree"). Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ Callahan Auto & Diesel: https://callahanautoaz.com/  

Erik Rud built Big Thompson Diesel & Automotive in Loveland, Colorado by doing the opposite of what he saw in too many shops: rushing work, chasing clock-time, and treating people like numbers. In this episode, Erik breaks down how he went from frustrated employee to trusted problem-solver and why his shop has become a go-to destination for diesel and diagnostic work that other places can't quite nail down. He talks candidly about building a culture that prioritizes fixing it right the first time, why he pays his techs hourly with profit-based bonuses (not flat rate), and why he keeps his "foot on the brake" with growth to protect quality. You'll also hear Erik's perspective on the training gap in our industry, what's broken, what techs actually need, and what he's doing to develop people instead of constantly shopping for unicorn hires. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ Big Thompson Diesel & Automotive: http://www.btdaa.com/  

If hiring feels like a fire drill this one is your reset. In this Expert Spotlight episode, David sits down with Chris Lawson, founder of Technician Find, to break down what actually works when you're trying to hire great techs (and why most shops keep losing candidates even when the pay is solid). Chris walks through the recruiting framework he's used with shops across the country: How to create a consistent flow of applications (and why you "can't optimize zero") Why most technician ads look identical and how to write ads that stand out and convert The reality that only about 1 in 4 applicants will be qualified and how to filter fast The backend mistakes that cause ghosting (slow follow-up, weak rapport, messy process) and how to tighten your systems + offer so good candidates don't slip through the cracks Why speed-to-lead matters more than most owners think because top techs are talking to multiple shops at once If you want a real hiring system instead of another "post-and-pray" cycle, this episode will give you a playbook you can implement immediately. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ Technician Find: https://www.technicianfind.com/  

Steve Mancinelli is a third-generation shop owner who's spent more than half a century in the automotive industry and he's still pushing his team to stay ahead of where the market is going. Steve runs Mancinelli's Auto Repair Center in downtown Denver, a family shop that's operated out of the same location since 1950. In this episode, Steve shares how a shop with deep roots avoids getting stuck in the past, by combining old-school relationship service with modern execution: thorough digital inspections, factory-level tooling, and a serious commitment to ongoing training (including 60+ hours per tech each year). You'll also hear Steve's personal turning point, he originally considered becoming a doctor, but realized he couldn't separate the emotion from the work. Instead, he brought that same care into the bays and built a reputation for solving the vehicles other places can't, especially late-model European and electrified (hybrid/EV) platforms. If you want a real look at what "staying relevant" actually means for independent shops, without losing the human side, this episode is packed with perspective. Links: Honest Mechanic Marketing (HMM): https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/ Steve's shop: https://mancinellis.com/  

Darrell Weddell is the kind of operator who doesn't chase hype, he builds the business brick by brick.  🚗 https://hinsdaleauto.com/ In this episode, Darrell shares how he took a struggling Hinsdale Automotive in Littleton, Colorado and steadily turned it into a 7-figure shop known for honest diagnostics, clear communication, and top-quality work on both gas and diesel. He talks about the real path that led him there, tech school, dealership experience, independent shops, even time supporting a construction fleet, and the moment he realized shop ownership wasn't just a dream, it was a plan. You'll also hear Darrell get practical about what actually matters at the growth stage: building systems knowledge, tightening your process, making smarter marketing decisions, and approaching hiring like a long-term investment, not a panic move. If you're trying to scale without losing your standards (or your sanity), this one delivers. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with real shop owners. ➡️ https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/

Dennis Goodhue built Diamond G Repair in Montrose, Colorado the hard way—through long days, constant reinvestment, and an obsession with doing the job right even when nobody's watching. https://www.diamondgrepair.com/ In this episode, Dennis breaks down what it takes to run a high-trust, high-accuracy shop in a smaller market—where word travels fast, one bad review can outrun the truth, and your reputation has to be earned every single day. You'll hear why Dennis invests heavily in training and tooling, how his team leans on inspections + clear communication to help customers actually understand what they need, and why educating the public is part of the job if you want the industry to win long-term. If you're trying to level up your diagnostics, build a team that keeps improving, and grow a shop that customers believe in—Dennis's interview is packed with real operator perspective. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with real shop owners. https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/

Corry Brown didn't stumble into leadership, he earned it the old-school way: starting at the bottom, getting coached by strong mentors, and stacking reps until he knew how a great shop should actually run. Now Corry is the co-owner of McCormick Automotive Center and McCormick Quality Tires & Lube in Fort Collins, Colorado, operating two different business models under one roof of standards,  a full-service AAA-approved repair shop and a quick-service tire/lube store just minutes away. https://www.mac1auto.com/ In this episode, Corry gets extremely practical about the real problem most shop owners are facing: finding and developing technicians who want a career, not a job. He breaks down the structured system he built to create a pipeline: including GS-level progression, hourly-to-performance pay, tool support, and bonuses that reward senior techs for training the next generation. He also shares why he hires for attitude + punctuality, how he thinks about controlling comebacks, and what it takes to build a team that takes pride in doing it right. If you're tired of hiring roulette and want a repeatable way to grow talent inside your shop, this one will give you ideas you can actually use. 🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations with real operators. https://Honestmechanicmarketing.com    

Steve Horvath literally grew up in the automotive business—then spent decades evolving a family legacy into a modern, trusted operation. Steve is the owner of Gino's Auto Service in Littleton, Colorado, a AAA-approved shop that's been serving the community since the early 1980s. In this episode, Steve breaks down what it really looks like to expand and modernize a long-standing facility—without losing the "neighborhood shop" feel that built the reputation in the first place. https://www.jenosautoservice.com/ You'll hear Steve's real-world lessons from adding space and bays (including the stuff nobody tells you about: timelines, banks, inspectors, architects, electrical surprises, and why you "can't fight City Hall"). He also shares how building a strong operator network—through ASA Colorado, shop groups, and even Denver radio—shaped his decisions, improved communication, and helped him see problems through the customer's eyes. If you're thinking about expanding your building, leveling up your systems, or simply making smarter owner decisions faster, Steve's episode is packed with practical perspective. https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/auto-repair-marketing/

Chris Whited doesn't talk about his shop like it's just a business — he talks about it like it's a responsibility. Chris is the managing partner (and future sole owner) of Community Auto in Fort Collins, Colorado, and his path to leadership is anything but typical: he started in automotive as a teenager under a mentor, stepped away for 11 years to serve as a full-time pastor, then came back to the bays with a totally different perspective on people, money, and what "success" should look like. [https://www.communityautoinc.com/] In this conversation, Chris breaks down what it means to run an employee-first shop in a tough industry — including the real decisions behind a four-day work week, hourly pay with bonuses instead of flat rate, 100% paid health insurance + HSA, profit sharing, and even plans designed to help team members become homeowners. You'll also hear why Chris believes integrity is a growth strategy, how it shows up in the way they diagnose and communicate, and why sometimes the "right choice" costs money — but earns something bigger. If you're trying to build a shop that wins long-term by taking care of people first, this episode will challenge (and sharpen) how you lead. 🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations with real operators. Honest Mechanic Marketing - [https://honestmechanicmarketing.com/]

Robert Blaes didn't just build a repair shop — he built a family operation, a training ground for young techs, and a community hub rooted in a lifelong love for Mustangs. Robert is the owner of Stang Auto Tech in Broomfield, Colorado (serving the area since 1980), and in this interview he gets extremely practical about what it takes to scale trust beyond the owner. He shares how defining clear core values + a real mission helped him stop micromanaging, empower his team, and maintain quality without "looking over everyone's shoulder." Then he gets into one of the most interesting moves you'll hear from an independent shop owner: when he couldn't find an apprentice the traditional way, he partnered with local schools and Front Range Community College to build a paid internship + state-recognized apprenticeship pipeline—complete with an in-house mentor—so students can go from classroom to productive technician. You'll also hear how Robert uses a community appreciation day + car show (BBQ, band, giveaways, 100+ cars) to turn customers into real relationships — not transactions. If you care about building a shop that lasts — with values, people development, and community baked in — Robert's story is worth hearing.  

Austin Hatchell has worked his way through the industry the hard way—turning wrenches, working the counter, and even stepping into car sales long enough to realize the "sell it at all costs" mindset wasn't for him. Now he's the General Manager at Lake Arbor Automotive & Truck in Westminster, Colorado, leading a team through the kind of transition most shops struggle with: stepping into leadership, earning trust, and improving operations without burning people out or lowering standards. In this episode, Austin breaks down: What it takes to lead a shop when you're not the owner Why silos form between advisors and techs—and how to tear them down without drama The operational shift from "advisor + two techs" to centralized dispatching How to keep work flowing based on capability and availability, not turf and bottlenecks If your shop feels busy but not efficient—or you're trying to scale without losing the culture that got you here—Austin's story will give you real, practical clarity. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations built for real operators.  

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 Wiley Faris, owner of Landmark Automotive in Conifer, Colorado, to talk about taking over a small mountain-town shop and building a reputation strong enough that people will tow past the big chains to get to his bay. You'll hear Wiley's take on what "honest" actually looks like day-to-day: no collecting money before a car is truly finished, quality control that includes road testing, and being a straight shooter with customers—even when the truth is uncomfortable. He also breaks down one of the most practical hiring plays in today's market: stop chasing the unicorn tech and start hiring for attitude, then training for skill. If you're trying to grow a shop the right way—through trust, standards, and community—this one's a must-listen. 🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations with real operators.  

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.

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 Jake Clark to talk leadership, culture, and what it takes to build a shop people want to work for. You'll hear hard-earned lessons on developing your team, raising standards, and why the best operators don't blame the market — they build the kind of shop that wins anyway. If you're serious about becoming a better leader and building something that lasts, this episode is a must-listen. 🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations with real operators.

Welcome to The Honest Garage Podcast —  Our show is about REAL shops telling REAL stories. It's about shop owners talking about more than just repairs. They talk about building people, serving their communities, working ON their shops NOT just in them, and ultimately shaping the industry we all love! If this resonates with you, welcome to our show! We are excited to join the ranks of other great Auto Repair industry podcasts and look forward to helping share the stories from the bays and the offices and the events that help tie us all together! This show is for shop owners, techs, and operators who are tired of gimmicks and "growth hacks" that don't actually work. In this first episode, David Laird lays out exactly why this podcast exists: to give you real conversations, real strategies, and real stories from inside the automotive industry — the kind of stuff you don't hear at conferences or in marketing ads. If you're trying to grow a shop, build a better team, increase car count, or just run a business you're proud of… this is your new home. 🎧 Subscribe now — because we're helping bring the truth back to the garage.