What does it really take to build a business from scratch when you don’t have a roadmap? For Josh Oberlander, the answer has been equal parts grit, trial and error, and the discipline to keep sharpening himself along the way.

In this episode of Maximum Octane, Kim Hickey and Jason Patel talk with Josh Oberlander, co-founder and CRO of Detect Auto, about the unconventional path that shaped him as an entrepreneur. At 24, Josh launched a tree service business with $500 and a rope. That led to a foray into manufacturing a person-tracking fan for technicians, a product that seemed promising but came with its own hard lessons.

Josh shares why building a team is harder than most people expect, why the struggle years matter more than the highlight reel, and why continuous learning is the one thing you can never outsource. He also explains how Detect Auto helps shops save time, improve communication, and empower their staff with smarter tools.

Tune in to episode 126 of Maximum Octane if you feel stuck between where you are and where you want to go. Josh’s story is proof that persistence, awareness, and a willingness to keep learning can turn setbacks into stepping stones.

3:30 How Josh went from environmental science to running a blue-collar tree service business

5:20 Why being a skilled technician doesn’t automatically make you a business owner

9:10 Why building a team is harder than anyone teaches you

10:30 The leap from services to products and the lessons of selling a person-tracking fan to technicians

15:50 Why struggle and sweat equity are still the price of growth

20:10 Why learning is hard, but staying sharp is non-negotiable

21:30 The “Clippy for auto shops” vision behind Detect Auto

25:10 What shop owners need in place before adopting AI assistants

25:50 How Detect Auto empowers even non-technical front-of-house staff

29:20 Why the path less traveled can hold the biggest business opportunities

30:55 The entrepreneurial superpower of paying attention inside your own shop

Connect with Josh Oberlander:

• LinkedIn
• Detect Auto
• Connect with Detect Auto on LinkedIn
• Follow Detect Auto on Instagram
• Follow Detect Auto on Facebook

Let's connect:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: info@maximumoctane.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if you could transform every first-time customer into a loyal fan who tells everyone they know about your shop? According to Bruce Nation, owner of Westlake Independent Automotive in Southern California, the key lies in doing digital vehicle inspections (DVIs) right.

In this episode of Maximum Octane, Kim Hickey and Jason Patel sit down with Bruce Nation to uncover the overlooked power of DVIs. Bruce shares how a thorough, well-communicated inspection doesn’t just build trust, it creates fans. And fans don’t just come back, they bring their friends.

With nearly four decades in the industry, Bruce explains why most shops fail at DVIs, how accountability between technicians and service advisors changes everything, and why educating customers about both what’s right and what’s wrong with their vehicle is a game-changer. He also reveals the process behind his 45-minute inspections, how he doubled strut sales through progression reporting, and why assuming trust is the cornerstone of customer relationships.

Tune in to episode 125 of Maximum Octane if you’ve ever treated DVIs as just another box to check; this episode will challenge you to rethink them as one of the most powerful growth tools in your business.

04:30 Why DVIs are a true Blue Ocean strategy for auto shops

08:30 The secret to holding techs and service advisors accountable for complete inspections

09:20 Why pictures alone aren’t enough and how to make your DVI tell a story

14:30 The “How dare you?” test for shop owners who cut corners on inspections

16:20 How customer research time directly drives ARO (average repair order)

17:50 The progression method Bruce used to double strut sales

20:40 What to do when a car comes in needing $7,000 in work

24:20 The number one failure in shops: doing DVIs but not sending them

32:50 The small step Bruce’s techs take at the start of every DVI that prevents major headaches later

33:20 Why DVIs should be used to educate customers, not just cover liability

36:00 How proper DVIs increase pay for everyone in the shop, even the receptionist

Connect with Bruce Nation:

• LinkedIn
• Westlake Independent
• Follow Westlake Independent on Instagram

Let's connect:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: info@maximumoctane.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What would it take for you to finally let go of the death grip on your business? For Connor Tracy, it took two flaming cars, a smashed customer vehicle, and missing his son’s homecoming photos.

In this episode of Maximum Octane, Kim Hickey and Jason Patel sit down with Connor Tracy, Kikui’s Director of Partner Development, for a candid conversation about the art and necessity of delegation. Connor shares his hard-earned lessons from years of doing everything himself, the breaking point that forced him to change, and how learning to empower his team completely transformed his shops’ culture, engagement, and results.

You’ll hear how he learned to hand over morning huddles, parts reconciliation, and even marketing tasks, along with the missteps, course corrections, and resources that made those delegations successful. Connor opens up about the ego traps that keep shop owners stuck, why measurable results matter more than “feelings,” and how giving away ownership can actually make you look like a rockstar leader.

Tune in to episode 124 of Maximum Octane if you’ve ever thought, “No one can do it as well as I can.” This episode will challenge that belief and provide you with the tools to start building a business that runs without you being chained to the counter.

Episode Takeaways:

• 02:20 Why most shop owners misunderstand delegation and how to do it right
• 04:39 The first and last things Connor delegated in his shop (and why huddles changed everything)
• 07:51 The flaming car incident that became his catalyst for change
• 10:34 How two mentors gave him the blunt truth about his leadership problem
• 18:46 When delegation fails and the missing piece most owners forget
• 21:18 Why your team might do your “special” tasks better than you
• 24:30 The ego trap: why pretending to be infallible backfires with your staff
• 28:05 How to connect delegation to culture, engagement, and measurable results
• 31:24 Why measurable benchmarks beat “feelings” every time

Connect with Connor Tracy:

• LinkedIn
• Kukui

Let's connect:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: info@maximumoctane.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.