Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERE

Turnkey Marketing takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off my plate. And gives it to someone who is. Click HERE for more.

Elite Worldwide has CHANGED my business and life through their one-on-one coaching. Use them like I do HERE

For years I thought I could handle the hiring process on my own. But, after far too many bad hires, it was clear I needed help. Promotive came through for me with a rock star hire in just a few days and I couldn't be happier. Swallow your pride and bring in Promotive for that open position you have at your shop today. You can thank me later. Learn more HERE

AI for Shop Owners: Open the Hood of the Future is happening June 12-13 at Carfix in Raleigh, NC. Use AI to your advantage! Register HERE

In this episode, Bryan Pollock and Mike Allen take a shot at service advisors. Well...not out of hate, out of a comp on how we treat technicians. Why can shop owners treat techs a certain way, but when they approach advisors with a similar stance, it's the end of the world? Something to chew on. They also dissect the myth that more advisors are always the answer, showing how deep-dive analysis can reveal wasted hours and productivity bottlenecks. And of course, they have some spicy, unfiltered fun, taking swings at industry sacred cows like the “300% rule” and sharing why making your own AI tools (and adopting top-tier shop software like Tekmetric) can boost both sanity and profits.

Timestamps:
00:00 Kicking off with a classic: Service advisors and efficiency “WTF” moments
03:44 Are podcasts ruled by ADHD? (Spoiler: Absolutely)
04:36 Lessons from Becky Witt & Hunt Demarest
07:13 Techs-to-advisor ratios and what shops get wrong
08:52 Where does the advisor’s time really go? Company-wide honesty hour
10:07 The “unaccounted for” hours—every shop’s dirty secret
12:24 Why mental gear-shifting kills productivity (and everyone’s guilty)
14:07 Investing big in software and still doing things “the old way”
16:07 Bridging the front-to-back gap: Should advisors have to see every repair?
19:31 Switching to Tekmetric: Will Bryan ever actually do it?
22:59 Real shop, real talk: One tech per bay and the volume game
27:20 Training, conferences, and why small events can outshine the big names
29:31 Free diagnostics, efficiency, and why some shops should re-think their value
31:35 Can great techs break the rules? The real value of experience
34:08 Should customers pay for your learning curve?
38:38 Average effort = average pay (and why that’s actually okay)
40:49 Diagnostic rates, shop profitability, and the marketing money trap
42:45 Getting left behind: AI, chatbots, and the future of shop work
43:09 Upcoming class: Build your own AI shop agent & get your hoodie!
48:53 Final confessions, hoodie reveals, and a not-so-subtle jab at 300% stores

If you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE for more on Turnkey Marketing.

Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE

When I used the maintenance tool for the fist time with Detect Auto, my mind was blown. My advisors had the same reaction - and then SO MUCH MORE TIME. Learn more about Detect Auto and book a free demo now!

For years I thought I could handle the hiring process on my own. But, after far too many bad hires, it was clear I needed help. Promotive came through for me with a rock star hire in just a few days and I couldn't be happier. Swallow your pride and bring in Promotive for that open position you have at your shop today. You can thank me later. Learn more HERE

AI for Shop Owners: Open the Hood of the Future is happening June 12-13 at Carfix in Raleigh, NC. Use AI to your advantage! Register HERE

In this episode, Mike Allen, Greg Buckley and Dan Theiken break down the nuts and bolts of tire sales, sharing strategies for maximizing profits without getting buried in equipment costs. Greg dives into how strong local marketing (along with a well-branded shop van) has helped his shop stand out in a busy market. The crew also explores the fast-moving shift toward AI in the automotive aftermarket, from building smarter workflow tools to the dream of AI-powered estimating.

Timestamps

00:00 Does selling tires boost suspension work?
03:00 Upcoming AI workshop & live shenanigans
05:17 International golf trips, shop talk, and bourbon
07:49 Who’s who: Meet Greg Buckley & Dan Theiken
10:30 Tire sales strategy: Margins, GP/hour & labor costs
13:03 Affordable tire equipment for small shops
15:59 Managing tire inventory without a giant warehouse
17:50 Tire protection plans, TPMS, and upsell opportunities
19:43 Growing tire sales in different markets
21:02 Local marketing, rolling billboards, and community outreach
23:54 Shop expansion, buying land, and creative waiting rooms
26:06 What AI is doing to the auto industry—real talk
27:30 Building custom AI tools for shop owners
29:39 How prompt writing is becoming a must-have skill
31:30 Using AI (and Tekmetric!) for smarter shop management
34:56 AI-generated content for training and onboarding
35:55 Replit, podcasting, and next-gen marketing
36:56 Songwriting, creativity, and AI tools like Suno
41:01 AI’s impact on creative arts (and your Spotify playlist)
42:10 AI avatars, digital influencers, and the automotive connection
43:42 The AI “holy grail”: Instant estimates and DVIs
44:42 Comparing shops: How AI is shifting sales and workflow
46:55 Shop advisor roles, relationship-building, and speed
47:33 Integration overload: The single-source dream
48:16 Soup Radio: Building a multi-location media presence

Tekmetrics' business model of listening to customers' needs and implementing new systems makes them super shop-friendly. Start using them at your shop today HERE

Turnkey Marketing has made my life SOOO much simpler, AND they've helped keep the phone ringing. Do you need these two things too? Learn more HERE

Elite Worldwide coaching has changed the game for me and my shop. Need a boost? Use Elite like I do. HERE

For years I thought I could handle the hiring process on my own. But, after far too many bad hires, it was clear I needed help. Promotive came through for me with a rock star hire in just a few days and I couldn't be happier. Swallow your pride and bring in Promotive for that open position you have at your shop today. You can thank me later. Learn more HERE

AI for Shop Owners: Open the Hood of the Future is happening June 12-13 at Carfix in Raleigh, NC. Use AI to your advantage! Register HERE

Aniz Lavji is a Canadian shop owner and new podcaster! Today, he and Mike reflect on Aniz's growth over the last year and how attending his first trade show (ASTA Expo) sparked a major shift in both mindset and operations, especially after adopting Tekmetric (the best software ever, obviously). They also talk about the explosive role AI is already playing in shop management, the importance of shop culture and community, and how Aniz plans to continue growing this year.

Timestamps:
00:00 There MUST Be a Day Limit onLoaner cars
01:14 First trade show jitters, family stress, & Niagara Falls survival
09:25 Building heart-centered shop culture & supporting your community
13:04 Miata confessions, advisors, and the subculture of small cars
14:03 QuickBooks to Tekmetric: The leap that sparked 50% growth
22:07 Shop struggles: 454 cars in one month & tech shortages
23:12 Planning for the future, hiring advisors, and stepping back
24:47 Will AI take over? Balancing efficiency and human connection
25:24 Loaner car policies: Leadership, responsibility, and big lessons
30:15 North Carolina vs. Ontario: Shop culture & competitive spirit
33:04 Trade association impact, collaboration, and ethical business
38:45 Go-kart racing, trophies, and shop owner bragging rights
40:44 Rage bait, social media, and “winning” on YouTube