Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Chris Gayne, owner of Dale County Diesel. Chris shares his unique journey from Army attack helicopter pilot to diesel shop owner, highlighting the importance of leadership and integrity in building his team. The conversation covers why prioritizing people and culture over technical skill is critical, the value of honest customer communication, and the ongoing challenge of maintaining passion while running a successful business.

00:00 Garage Trouble Without License

06:19 "Learning Through Experience"

09:39 Truck Repairs and Industry Journey

12:59 "Results Over Passion"

15:55 "Passion and Honesty in Selling"

17:05 "Transparent Auto Repair Process"

20:52 "Morals Over Money"

25:31 "Passing the Torch"

26:24 "Plans for Business Continuity"

29:31 "Failed Recruitment Due to Diploma"

33:14 "Lessons on Hard Work"

37:25 "Maximizing Growth Within Business"

42:09 "Shifting Passion and Letting Go"

45:17 "Work-Life Balance Struggles"

46:32 "Guidance Counselor Tension Escalates"

51:01 "Unexpected Apology on Facebook"

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by John Presnell, a shop owner from North Carolina, who shares his journey in taking over the family business. John discusses overcoming personal and professional resentments as he transitioned from working under his parents to owning the shop. Key topics include the challenges of shop growth and efficiency, strategies for training and developing a younger team, and the importance of personal growth through forgiveness and mentorship.

00:00 "Florida Drivers in Mountains"

04:44 "Slow, Stressful 27-Mile Drive"

08:23 Frustration Over Van Repairs

12:17 "Engine Coolant Leak Fail"

13:43 Flatlands Pickup Talk

19:18 "Overcoming Negativity and Growing"

21:26 "Parables as Framework for Success"

24:34 "Career Choices and Challenges"

28:52 "Family Dynamics and Influence"

33:02 "Accident Leads to Lasting Injury"

34:52 "From Porta Potty to Upgraded Space"

39:05 "Reflections on Growth and Work"

42:51 "Start at the Beginning"

44:59 "Keeping Business Decisions Private"

48:35 "Community Action and Attendance"

50:15 "Over a Barrel Moment"

55:24 "Sense Trade-off in Marriage"

56:09 "Affirmative Response"

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, David and Lucas are joined by Uwe Kleinschmidt of AutoTechIQ. Uwe explains how AI-powered tools are revolutionizing the Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) process, highlighting how annotated photos and captions can help customers better understand repair recommendations. The discussion also explores industry coaching advice on customer communication, with Uwe challenging traditional authority-based approaches by emphasizing transparency and customer empowerment.

00:00 AI Streamlines Automotive Service Communication

06:39 "DVI: The Ultimate CRM Tool"

10:11 "Streamlining Auto Flow Processes"

11:51 "Routine Inspections for Vehicle Health"

15:18 "Optimal Vehicle Maintenance Decisions"

18:23 "Transparency Builds Trust in Service"

24:39 "Tech8IQ Delays Dispatch Process"

27:37 "AI Fixing Cost Discrepancies"

30:18 "Autonomy Issues in Service Inspections"

32:48 "Coaching Pushback on Customer Calls"

36:24 "Key KPI: Customer View Rate"

39:25 "Improving Customer Interaction Metrics"

44:27 Shopware Weakness and DVI Feedback

47:05 "Gen Z's Communication Preferences"

51:28 Embedded Comparison Video Idea

53:08 "AI Image Stirs Debate"