The Garage Grit Podcast
Welcome to the Garage Grit Podcast, hosted by Brad Hurlock from AA Shop Marketing. Join us as we tackle common stress points in the auto repair shop space, uniting owners for insightful conversations. Our mission is to guide your shop towards success. Tune in, be part of the conversation, and propel your business forward. Explore strategies, insights, and camaraderie needed to thrive in the competitive auto repair industry. Welcome to Garage Grit, where we shift your business into high gear, one episode at a time!
Episodes
Join host Brad Hurlock on the Garage Grit Podcast for an insightful Origin & Impact episode (#026) featuring Paul Marquardt, owner of Clintonville Automotive Repair in Columbus, Ohio. In this episode, Paul shares his journey from technician to shop owner, offering practical insights into building trust with customers, empowering employees, and running a high-value auto repair business. Learn how Paul transformed a 50-year-old s...
From humble beginnings to a thriving Roswell shop, Renan Souza shares how grit, quality, and family values turned BR Auto Repair and Collision into a standout in a crowded market.
This episode of the Garage Grit Podcast is part of our Origin & Impact series—real stories from shop owners who built their business from the ground up.
Brad Hurlock sits down with Renan Souza of BR Auto Repair and Collision to dig into Renan’s ...
Join host Brad Hurlock for another Origin & Impact episode of the Garage Grit Podcast! This week, we sit down with David Light of Lighthouse Automotive, located on the iconic Outer Banks of North Carolina.
David shares how he and his wife built their auto repair business from the ground up—literally starting with a backyard, a tree, and a metal shed. Hear how they grew to two locations, how they weathered a changing industry, an...
In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock of AA Shop Marketing discusses the challenges of work-life balance in the auto repair industry with guests David Light from Lighthouse Automotive, Paul from Clintonville Auto Repair, and Kevin from Fox River Tire and Auto. The conversation covers various aspects of managing work-life balance, such as delegating responsibilities, the importance of using technology and aut...
Join Brad Hurlock on the Garage Grit podcast as he sits down with Kelli Weatherby, co-owner of Accurate Automotive in Mesa, Arizona, for an inspiring "Origin and Impact" story!
In this candid conversation, Kelli shares the remarkable journey of building Accurate Automotive from the ground up with her husband, Lee, starting from an unexpected decision to quit a dealership job. Discover how they transformed side work into a ...
In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, hosted by Brad Hurlock of AA Shop Marketing, shop owners Mike, Josiah, and Kevin discuss the significant impact coaches have had on their automotive businesses. They describe their varied backgrounds and experiences in the industry, emphasizing the importance of finding the right coach who aligns with their values and goals. The panel delves into topics such as overcoming emotional discou...
From Milk Deliveries to Multi-Shop Success 🛠️
Kevin Millevoi joins host Brad Hurlock for Episode 3 of the Garage Grit “Origin & Impact” series. What began as a three-bay Exxon gas station in 1965—run by his father, a former milkman—has grown into a multi-generational family of trusted auto repair shops across Northeast Philly and Bucks County.
This episode is packed with lessons on resilience, customer service, blue-collar work ...
In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock interviews Chris Whited from Community Auto, exploring the profound impact of community involvement on auto shop success. Chris shares his journey from a troubled youth to a community-focused business leader, emphasizing the importance of genuine service, building trust, and investing in employees. The conversation highlights how strategic partnerships and a commitment t...
In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast's Origin & Impact series, host Brad Hurlock interviews Kevin Bickford, the owner of Fox River Tire and Auto. Kevin shares his journey from a young car enthusiast in Southern California to becoming a successful shop owner in Illinois. He discusses the challenges he faced in management, the importance of building trust with customers, and the transition from employee to owner. Kevin emph...
In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock delves into the red flags encountered during the hiring process. He is joined by auto repair shop owners Jen, Mark, and Chris, who share their experiences and strategies for vetting potential employees. Topics discussed include the importance of team culture, the impact of the mechanic shortage, effective interview processes, and the growing trend of younger generations ...
Show Notes
In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, hosted by Brad Hurlock, the focus is on finding alternative revenue streams for auto repair shops to boost cash flow during downtimes and overall business enhancement. The guests, Tyson Fisher from Star Import Service in Gainesville, Florida, and Bill Vallely from Tru-Fix Auto Works in Long Island, New York, discuss their respective experiences and insights. They cover a variety...
In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, Brad Hurlock of AA Shop Marketing discusses the misleading information from car manufacturers and dealerships regarding extended service intervals. Joined by guests Jeremy Bucy and Mitch Fasnacht, they delve into the consequences of adhering to the 10,000-mile oil change myth and share insights on how shops can rebuild trust with their customers. The conversation includes personal anecdot...
Building Strong Community Connections for Auto Repair Shops
In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock from AA Shop Marketing converses with shop owners and managers, including Paul Hurst, Sarah Warfield, and Jason Musser, about the importance of community connections for auto repair shops. With detailed discussions around various community involvement strategies, such as sponsoring youth sports teams, volunteerin...
Car Rental and Shuttle Services for Auto Repair Shops
In this episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, host Brad Hurlock of AA Shop Marketing discusses solutions for customers who drop off their cars and need another ride. The discussion features three auto repair shop owners: Stephan from Indiana, Brian from Michigan, and Brian from Iowa. They explore different approaches like shuttle services, rental programs, and ride shares, sharing ...
In this episode of the Garage Grit podcast, host Brad Hurlock from AA Shop Marketing leads a discussion with three experienced shop owners: Moira from Karma Auto Care in Georgia, Kendall from A1 Automotive in Nebraska, and Matt from Carz R Us in Illinois.
The conversation focuses on building and maintaining a positive shop culture, with each guest sharing their unique experiences, challenges, and strategies. Topics include team-bui...
In this comprehensive series of the Garage Grit podcast, host Brad Hurlock of AA Shop Marketing, gathers insights from three seasoned auto repair shop owners: Kevin Millevoi of Millevoi's Tire & Automotive in Bensalem, PA; Bill Stegich of Hynes Auto Service in Glenview, Illinois; and Jeremy McQueen of B.A.T. Boys in Branson, Missouri. The discussions cover a wide range of topics crucial to the auto repair industry, including th...
About the Host:
Brad Hurlock is the voice behind the Garage Grit Podcast and co-owner of AA Shop Marketing. With a keen focus on helping independent auto repair shops succeed, Brad enjoys delivering practical insights and industry expertise to his listeners with every episode.
The Panel
Chris Barker is from Myers Tire & Auto Center of Statesville, NC. He started out in an independent shop, then worked for a big box store but found...
The Panel:
Kory Rozema: Kory Rozema is the second-generation owner of Rozema's Car Care in Hudsonville, Michigan. Since acquiring the business in 2016, Kory has expanded its operations significantly, from four bays to ten, and added a satellite location. He has also ventured into the highly technical field of ADAS calibrations. Kory is deeply involved in industry networking and training, fostering a community of continual learning a...
About the Host:
Brad Hurlock: Host of the Garage Grit Podcast, co-owner of AA Shop Marketing, with a focus on independent auto repair shops and a passion for sharing knowledge and insights with his audience.
About the Guest(s):
- Mitch Fasnacht: Owner of Green Lawn Garage in Denver, PA. He is a third-generation owner with two sons planning to take over as the fourth generation. Mitch is a member of an ATI group and has su...
About the Host:
Brad Hurlock: Host of the Garage Grit Podcast, with a background in the automotive industry and a passion for sharing knowledge and insights with his audience.
About the Guests:
Shiju Thomas: An experienced business owner with a deep understanding of training and development in the automotive repair industry. Mr. Thomas is the owner of Hotchkiss Auto Repair.
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