What if you gave every customer a $5 gift card to enjoy a coffee at the cafe down the street while they waited for their vehicle? In this episode, the crew is coming in hot with game-changing tips and advice for shop owners to create unforgettable customer experiences and a vibrant presence within their local communities. Tune in to get access to c…

Launching a successful auto repair shop is no small undertaking, but getting off on the right foot can make all the difference. Establishing the right tools and processes early on can lead to long-term benefits—more efficient operations, improved organization, an enhanced customer experience, and better insights into the business. It's also about c…

Online reviews — get them...or die? In this episode of the Tune Up Podcast, the crew discusses why it is critical for automotive shop owners to own and manage their online presence. Learn about the obvious (and not so obvious) benefits of gathering and responding to customer reviews and discover some practical steps to boost your online reputation.…

Does AI play a significant role in the near and distant future of the automotive service industry? In this episode, the team tackles the topic of how AI might assist the various roles within shops and where we see it starting to show up already. We also discuss why some people are afraid of AI, and whether or not they should they be. Tune in to hea…

In this episode of The Tune Up Podcast, the crew takes a peek into the crystal ball and pulls out predictions for the upcoming year in all-things-automotive. Car rental agencies are selling their EV fleets. Will the EV empire start to take a downturn and trend more toward hybrid vehicles again? Or will there be new entry points for EV late adopters…

In this episode of The Tune Up Podcast, the crew discusses various pay structures for automotive shops. What are the pros and cons of staff pay structures such as hourly, flat rate, salaried, hourly with bonus incentives, etc. and how do these impact a shop’s bottom line and ability to retain top talent? On the customer side of things, how do labor…

It's been an exciting inaugural season of The Tune Up Podcast! Join us for a rapid-fire recap of topics we discussed in 2023. The team talks about favorite cars, facial hair, and our favorite automotive topics from season 1 of the podcast — including everything from shop design and experience to shop pricing.…

In this episode, we discuss the macroeconomic trends that impact the auto repair industry, what to look out for, and what to do about it.How can shops reframe seasonal downtimes as an opportunity to improve overall shop performance somehow?Should shop owners look inward and incentivize technicians to learn a new skill or pursue a certification, or …

In light of SEMA happening this week, we are discussing whether or not aftermarket services have a place in general repair shops and vice versa. Should shops expand to offer aftermarket services to attract a more diverse set of customers? What are the pros and cons? Quick lube shops that do lift kits!? Performance shops that do brake jobs!? Tune in…

In episode five of The Tune Up Podcast, we discuss the critical and oftentimes very complex role that a service writer plays in the success of a high-functioning automotive shop. Is it more important to have a technical understanding of automotive repair or the ability to offer excellent customer service? What is the best path to becoming a service…

In episode four of The Tune Up Podcast, we discuss canned services and automating your shop. Is your auto shop running as efficiently as it should? We dive deep into maximizing your shop's productivity while minimizing your stress.By Shopmonkey

In episode three of The Tune Up Podcast, we discuss Building Community & Customer Trust. As a shop owner, what can you do to create a sense of community not only within your business, but outside of it as well? As a customer, what do you value most in your shop experience, and how can shop owners better meet these needs? We break down some of the p…

In episode two of The Tune Up podcast, we discuss The Technician Shortage — What skills and qualities are most valuable for new professionals in the auto industry and to get involved. Also, how can the auto repair industry attract the next generation of car enthusiasts to pursue a career as a technician and continue to fuel the growing need for tal…

In the first episode of The Tune Up podcast, we discuss Mobile Repair Services — We’ve seen this happen with things like Doordash and Uber Eats, and it's continuing to gain momentum in auto repair shops. Do we see a future where this becomes even more popular nationwide, or will this business concept fade away over time?…