Confessions of a Shop Owner
Confessions of a Shop Owner
Podcast Description
Confessions of a Shop Owner is hosted by Mike Allen, a third-generation shop owner, perpetual pot-stirrer, and brutally honest opinion sharer. In this weekly podcast, Mike shares his missteps so you don’t have to repeat them. Along the way, he chats with other industry personalities who’ve messed up, too, pulling back the curtain on the realities of running an independent auto repair shop. But this podcast isn’t just about Mike’s journey. It’s about confronting the divisive and questionable tactics many shop owners and managers use. Mike is here to stir the pot and address the painful truths while offering a way forward. Together, we’ll tackle the frustrations, shake things up, and help create a better future for the auto repair industry.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers themes related to auto repair business management, industry best practices, and personal anecdotes from shop owners. Episodes delve into specific topics like leadership consistency, the four-day workweek, customer service challenges, and implementing new store concepts, highlighting struggles such as embezzlement, team dynamics, and pricing strategies.
Confessions of a Shop Owner is hosted by Mike Allen, a third-generation shop owner, perpetual pot-stirrer, and brutally honest opinion sharer. In this weekly podcast, Mike shares his missteps so you don’t have to repeat them. Along the way, he chats with other industry personalities who’ve messed up, too, pulling back the curtain on the realities of running an independent auto repair shop. But this podcast isn’t just about Mike’s journey. It’s about confronting the divisive and questionable tactics many shop owners and managers use. Mike is here to stir the pot and address the painful truths while offering a way forward. Together, we’ll tackle the frustrations, shake things up, and help create a better future for the auto repair industry.
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Meet the future leadership of the Automotive Service and Tire Alliance: Mbie Dowd and Tonnika Haynes. Mbie tells the story of how she got to where she is today, and why she has a passion for selling tires. Tonnika talks about her recent struggle of to letting go of micromanagement in her shop, and boy oh boy, did Mike have a confession to share. Wow. Just wow.
Timestamps:
00:00 “Mike Has a Confessions”
05:48 “Life Driven by Cars”
06:47 “Journey Into Automotive Success”
10:27 Thoughtful Words, Powerful Impact
13:34 “Confessions of the Bougie Spouse”
17:57 “Trusting the Process”
20:55 “Tire Opportunities and Insights”
24:31 Collaborative Leadership in Tire Pros
27:07 “Setting Expectations Upfront”
33:07 “Running, Spiders, and Skinny Pants”
35:08 Sticky Trap Confession for Mike
39:49 “Battery Acid Mishap”
41:58 Locked Out and Climbing Gates
Disclaimer
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