The Independent Dealer Podcast

Jeff Watson & Luke Godwin
  • 4.9 (96)
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A podcast for Independent Used Car Dealers to get help on how to improve their dealerships and their life. As current used car dealers, Luke and Jeff find the best advice from industry experts and other successful dealers. If you want to learn and grow your business with like minded used car dealers tune in each week. "Dealers Helping Dealers"

  1. #07 - Monday Minute | Core Values for Car Dealerships

    2D AGO

    #07 - Monday Minute | Core Values for Car Dealerships

    Welcome to the Monday Minute, brought to you by our friends at Podium. The Monday Minute is your weekly reset to help you lead better, think clearer, and build your dealership with intention.Your core values shouldn't just be words on a poster—they should guide how your team shows up when deals get tight, customers get frustrated, and decisions cost you in the short term. In this episode, we break down how to define core values for your car dealership that actually shape your culture and customer experience.WHAT WE COVER:Why most dealership core values fail (and how to make yours stick)The personal reflection every dealer owner must do: What matters most to YOU?How to narrow down your values to the critical three (if everything's a priority, nothing is)Real scenarios to test your values: flat tires, challenging credit, and daily interactionsThe difference between policies and principles—and why values must be lived, not listedBuilding team alignment so "What Would [Your Name] Do?" becomes second natureACTION STEPS THIS WEEK:Brainstorm your values - Write down everything that comes to mind: honesty, transparency, community, reliability, quality, customer serviceNarrow to three - Pick the core principles that have actually helped you succeed (and saved you when things went wrong)Define applications - For each value, describe what it looks like in action at your dealershipTest scenarios - Walk through real situations with your team to ensure values guide decisions, not just sound goodThis isn't about creating wall art. It's about building standards that guide every customer interaction, even when no one's watching. Core values give your team clarity on how to make the right call—every single time.Be sure to review this week's Sunday newsletter at TheIndependentDealer.com, where the full theme and exercises are laid out to help you work through this with your team. If you're not subscribed yet, sign up now. Let's build this together.SPONSORED BY PODIUM: www.podium.com

    4 min
  2. #418 - Tax Season Sales Tips for Car Dealers

    6D AGO

    #418 - Tax Season Sales Tips for Car Dealers

    In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, hosts Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin break down essential strategies for maximizing tax season sales at your dealership. Tax season is your biggest opportunity of the year—but only if you execute properly. What You'll Learn: How to mine your database for approved-but-not-delivered customers Why increasing down payments during tax season creates better deals Collection strategies to maximize cash flow when customers have money Smart inventory management to avoid running out of stock The importance of maintaining processes even when you're slammed 6 Tax Season Tips: Mine your database for previous approvals and conditions Tighten up and increase down payment requirements Aggressively collect on your portfolio when customers have cash Plan inventory ahead to avoid running out of cars Manage cash flow carefully during high-volume sales periods Don't let volume break your processes and best practices This isn't just about selling more cars during tax season—it's about selling BETTER cars to BETTER customers while improving your cash position. Support the businesses that support the podcast: Buckeye Risk Services - Reinsurance, tax planning, and long-term wealth strategies built specifically for independent dealers. https://theindependentdealer.com/buckeye BlytzPay - Buy Here Pay Here payment processing with fast funding, text-to-pay, and real dealer-focused support. https://theindependentdealer.com/blytzpay Ituran GPS - GPS and payment technology for BHPH and retail dealerships focused on asset protection, recovery tools, and customer management. https://theindependentdealer.com/ituran Follow & Connect: Website: www.theindependentdealer.com Email: info@independentdealer.com Facebook Group: @independentautogroup Luke Godwin: @lukegodwin Jeff Watson: /sendtojeffw Like, subscribe, and share this episode with another dealer who needs to maximize their tax season results.

    28 min
  3. #06 - Monday Minute | Creating a Mission Statement That Actually Works

    FEB 9

    #06 - Monday Minute | Creating a Mission Statement That Actually Works

    Is your mission statement just words on a wall, or does it actually drive your dealership?In this week's Monday Minute, sponsored by Podium, Luke and Jeff dive into why your mission statement matters more than you think—and how to create one that actually reflects how you operate every single day.In this episode, you'll learn:Why your mission statement should evolve as your dealership growsThe one simple question every mission statement should answerHow to identify core values that your team can actually stand behind (Jeff shares his dealership's F-O-U-R framework)How to use AI (the right way) to refine your mission without losing authenticityWhy alignment matters more than marketing when it comes to your "why"The bottom line? You're not just selling cars—you're selling freedom, solutions, and peace of mind. Your mission statement should reflect that truth, not just sound good on paper.Subscribe to the newsletter for the full roadmap to go with this week's mindset: https://www.theindependentdealer.comThe Monday Minute is the mindset. The newsletter is the roadmap.Let's build this thing together!Check out our Monday Minute Sponsor: Podium

    5 min
  4. #417 - Auto Dealer Compliance & Attorney General Enforcement 2025 with Steve Levine

    FEB 5

    #417 - Auto Dealer Compliance & Attorney General Enforcement 2025 with Steve Levine

    In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, hosts Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin sit down with compliance expert Steve Levine from Ignite Consulting to discuss the biggest compliance challenges facing auto dealers in 2025.What You'll Learn:Why state Attorney Generals are getting more aggressive with dealer enforcementHow to properly manage and document customer complaintsWhat constitutes a "complaint" and why it matters for your dealershipDocument retention requirements and best practicesNew FTC rules on Google reviews and compensation disclosureWebsite compliance issues including stock image licensingThe importance of annual document reviewsKey Topics Covered:State regulator activity and AG investigationsComplaint management systems that actually workFee transparency and profit center scrutinyBetter Business Bureau complaint trackingBHPH dealer-specific compliance considerationsGoogle review regulations and FTC enforcementWebsite copyright and licensing issuesAbout Steve Levine: Steve Levine is a compliance consultant with Ignite Consulting Partners, specializing in helping independent dealers stay compliant with ever-changing state and federal regulations.Resources: Contact Steve: info@ignitecp.com Website: igniteconsultingpartners.com Compliance Unleashed Conference - April (NABD United)Support the businesses that support the podcastBuckeye Risk ServicesReinsurance, tax planning, and long-term wealth strategies built specifically for independent dealers.https://theindependentdealer.com/buckeyeBlytzPayBuy Here Pay Here payment processing with fast funding, text-to-pay, and real dealer-focused support.https://theindependentdealer.com/blytzpayIturan GPSGPS and payment technology for BHPH and retail dealerships focused on asset protection, recovery tools, and customer management.https://theindependentdealer.com/ituranFollow & Connect Website: www.theindependentdealer.com Email: info@independentdealer.com Facebook Group: @independentautogroup Luke Godwin: @lukegodwin Jeff Watson: /sendtojeffwLike, subscribe, and share this episode with another dealer who needs a fresh perspective.

    39 min
  5. #05 - Monday Minute | How to Structure Your Car Dealership: LLC vs S-Corp vs Sole Proprietor

    FEB 2

    #05 - Monday Minute | How to Structure Your Car Dealership: LLC vs S-Corp vs Sole Proprietor

    Welcome to the Monday Minute, brought to you by our friends at Podium. The Monday Minute is your weekly reset to help you lead better, think clearer, and build your dealership with intention.Choosing the right business structure for your car dealership is one of the most important foundational decisions you'll make as an independent dealer. In this episode, we break down Sole Proprietor, Partnership, and LLC structures—and help you choose the right one for your dealership.WHAT WE COVER:Sole Proprietor structure and pass-through incomePartnership agreements (and why documentation is critical)LLC benefits: personal protection and flexibilityS-Corp vs C-Corp tax filing strategiesAligning your business structure with your dealership goalsACTION STEPS THIS WEEK:Get clear on your dealership goals - staying small or scaling up?Compare risk tolerance and tax implications of each structureConsult with a CPA and business attorney before decidingThis isn't about choosing the "best" business entity—it's about choosing the RIGHT one for how you want to operate and grow your car dealership. Build your foundation correctly, and everything else stands together.Be sure to review this week's Sunday newsletter at https://www.theindependentdealer.com where the full theme and exercises are laid out to help you work through this with your team. If you're not subscribed yet, sign up now.Let's build this together.SPONSORED BY PODIUM: https://www.podium.com

    3 min
  6. #416 - From Family Business to Free Agent: A Dealer Succession Story

    JAN 29

    #416 - From Family Business to Free Agent: A Dealer Succession Story

    What happens when the first generation won't let go? In this episode, we sit down with Nathan Smith to unpack one of the most common—and painful—challenges in the Buy Here Pay Here industry: dealership succession planning that goes sideways. Nathan shares his story of working for his father, being ready to take over, and watching it all fall apart when his dad wanted out but refused to structure a deal that actually worked. Then we flip the script. Nathan found a better path forward by partnering with a seasoned dealer who was ready to exit the right way. We break down how that transition happened, what the first 90 days looked like, the unexpected challenges (like inheriting a portfolio with short warranty terms), and why taking over an existing store with repeat customers changed everything. We cover: Why so many boomer-generation dealers can't exit successfully The real cost of trying to take 100% off the table How Nathan structured the buyout with a seasoned dealer Managing inherited customer relationships and portfolio risk The power of starting with 47% repeat/referral business Why multiple rooftops aren't always the answer Collecting 98% of an inherited portfolio (and why that matters) If you're thinking about succession—whether you're the one trying to exit or the one trying to take over—this episode is required listening. Support the businesses that support the podcast Buckeye Risk Services Reinsurance, tax planning, and long-term wealth strategies built specifically for independent dealers. https://www.buckeyerisk.com BlytzPay Buy Here Pay Here payment processing with fast funding, text-to-pay, and real dealer-focused support. https://www.blytzpay.com Ituran GPS GPS and payment technology for BHPH and retail dealerships focused on asset protection, recovery tools, and customer management. https://www.ituranusa.com Follow & Connect Website: https://www.theindependentdealer.com Email: info@ependentdealer.com Facebook Group: @independentautogroup Luke Godwin: @lukegodwin Jeff Watson: /sendtojeffw Like, subscribe, and share this episode with another dealer who needs a fresh perspective.

    30 min
  7. #04 - Monday Minute | How to Build a Strong Dealership Brand

    JAN 26

    #04 - Monday Minute | How to Build a Strong Dealership Brand

    Welcome to the Monday Minute, brought to you by our friends at Podium.The Monday Minute is your weekly reset to help you lead better, think clearer, and build your dealership with intention. This episode builds directly on last week’s conversation about market position and answers the next big question every dealer needs to wrestle with:What is your brand, really?Your brand isn’t your logo, your sign, or your color scheme. Your brand is what people say about your dealership when you’re not in the room. It’s how customers describe you when there’s no review link in front of them and no one watching.In this episode, we talk about:What a dealership brand truly is (and what it’s not)Why trust and consistency matter more than marketingHow independent dealers build brands through daily actionsTreating customers like people, not transactionsWhy your brand has to be lived, not just writtenYou’ll also get practical steps to take this week:Define your brand personality with 3–5 real, livable wordsWrite a mission statement your team actually believesAlign your showroom, messaging, and process with what you say you stand forStrong brands are built from the inside out. Every conversation, every delivery, every follow-up reinforces who you are. Over time, your reputation does the talking for you.Be sure to review this week’s Sunday newsletter, where the full theme and exercises are laid out to help you work through this with your team.If you’re not subscribed yet, head to TheIndependentDealer.com and sign up.Let’s build this together.Check out our Monday Minute Sponsor: www.podium.com

    5 min
  8. #415 - Stop Chasing Payments: A Smarter Way to Run Dealer Collections

    JAN 22

    #415 - Stop Chasing Payments: A Smarter Way to Run Dealer Collections

    Are you chasing payments instead of running a real collections strategy?In this episode, we dig into why collections break down for Buy Here Pay Here dealers and what actually fixes it. We sit down with Robyn Burkinshaw of BlytzPay for a focused highlight segment, then bring the broader operator-level conversation to the table around what actually drives payment velocity and portfolio performance.From underwriting decisions that quietly destroy portfolios to the collections habits that separate strong stores from struggling ones, this is a practical, no-fluff discussion for dealers in the trenches.We cover:Why underwriting always shows up later in collectionsThe importance of recency and early engagementCommon collector pay plan mistakesHow better conversations lead to more paymentsWhere automation and AI actually help (and where they don’t)If you want better cash flow, fewer charge-offs, and more control over your portfolio, this episode is for you.Support the businesses that support the podcastBuckeye Risk ServicesReinsurance, tax planning, and long-term wealth strategies built specifically for independent dealers.BlytzPayBuy Here Pay Here payment processing with fast funding, text-to-pay, and real dealer-focused support.Tax MaxTax season systems that help dealers sell more in Q1 with same-day advances and customer-facing tax solutions.Ituran GPSGPS and payment technology for BHPH and retail dealerships focused on asset protection, recovery tools, and customer management.Follow & ConnectWebsite: www.theindependentdealer.comEmail: info@independentdealer.comFacebook Group: @independentautogroupLuke Godwin: @lukegodwinJeff Watson: /sendtojeffwLike, subscribe, and share this episode with another dealer who needs a fresh perspective.

    39 min
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4.9
out of 5
96 Ratings

About

A podcast for Independent Used Car Dealers to get help on how to improve their dealerships and their life. As current used car dealers, Luke and Jeff find the best advice from industry experts and other successful dealers. If you want to learn and grow your business with like minded used car dealers tune in each week. "Dealers Helping Dealers"

Information

  • Creator
    Jeff Watson & Luke Godwin
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    435
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jeff Watson & Luke Godwin
  • Show Website
    The Independent Dealer Podcast

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