LIFT Your Shop

Kelsey Outram
  • 5.0 (3)
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The LIFT Your Shop podcast is a place to get insights from some of the most respected and outstanding auto repair industry experts around the nation. Kelsey Outram, CEO of LIFT Auto Repair Marketing and co-author of the book Drive More Business: A Step-By-Step Guide To Internet Marketing for Auto Repair Shops, hosts, and discusses all things that help lift your auto repair shop from marketing, staffing, culture, expanding, procedures, tech and more. With the insights shared in each episode, shop owners will learn how to grow their shop and be a leader in the automotive industry.

  1. 6D AGO

    65 - Secrets of Ownership: Training, Trust, and Growth.

    In this episode of the Lift Your Shop Podcast, Kelsey sits down with Eric Walker, owner of Walker Automotive in Elkton, Kentucky, to talk about what truly separates great shops from average ones.Eric shares how bringing back old-school customer service — commitment times, promise-based scheduling, loaner vehicles, and real accountability — has transformed his shop’s growth in a town of just 1,600 people. He explains why trust is the real product shops sell, how leadership and training changed his business, and what it takes to stop “owning a job” and start running a real company.From building a high-performing team to creating a culture of ownership, training, and continuous improvement, this conversation is packed with practical insights for shop owners who want to grow without excuses.If you’re struggling with hiring, team performance, training, or scaling beyond yourself — this episode is for you.

    42 min

  2. FEB 5

    63 - Dirty Hands, Clean Money with Tonnika Haynes

    In this episode of the Lift Your Shop Podcast, LIFT Auto Repair Marketing CEO Kelsey Ostrom sits down with Tonnika Haynes, owner of Brown’s Automotive, to talk about pride in the trades, leadership, and building the next generation of technicians. Tonnika shares her journey growing up in a family-owned shop, transitioning from collision repair to mechanical, and what it really takes to build trust—with customers and with your team. This conversation dives deep into why blue-collar work deserves more respect, how shop owners can mentor young technicians, and why culture matters just as much as KPIs. From hiring younger techs and developing service advisors to redefining success beyond college degrees, this episode is a powerful reminder that dirty hands can still mean clean money—and meaningful work. Why the trades deserve more respect How to mentor and grow young technicians The importance of shop culture and leadership Customer service lessons from collision repair Giving the next generation a real opportunity to succeed If you’re a shop owner, manager, or technician who cares about people, culture, and long-term success, this episode is for you. 👉 Subscribe for more conversations on auto repair marketing, leadership, and shop growth.

    48 min

  3. 11/14/2025

    62 - From Hobby to Empire: Systems Change Everything

    In today’s episode, we sit down with Jason Fan — owner of one of the fastest-growing European specialty shops in his region — to talk about the real work behind scaling a shop, elevating team performance, and building a business that changes lives. Jason shares what transformed his operation over the past 18 months: daily meetings that actually work, leadership built on encouragement instead of pressure, and the shift from working in the business to working on the business. He breaks down why he moved from general repair to European, how he created a high-end customer experience, and why the environment of your shop silently influences trust and ticket averages. We also dig into:• How to run daily meetings without them becoming repetitive• The mindset shift that allowed his team members to grow financially and personally• Why shop appearance and customer experience matter more than most owners think• The transition from technician to true business leader• The systems and coaching that helped him scale• The importance of building a shop that empowers employees to build real wealth• The book that completely changed his approach (The E-Myth) Whether you're a general repair shop, a European specialist, or an owner trying to grow your second or third location, Jason’s story gives a clear blueprint for how to upgrade culture, process, and leadership — and why doing so transforms the entire business. If you want to reach out to Jason, you can connect with him on Facebook at Jason Fan.

    36 min

  4. 10/31/2025

    61 - From Family Garage Routes to Auto Empire with Lauren Keeton

    In this episode of the Lift Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, we sit down with Lauren from Keeton Auto Repair to talk about how consistent marketing, authentic reviews, and year-over-year tracking transformed their business. From Google Maps calls skyrocketing to monthly meetings that keep goals on track, this conversation dives into the real-world marketing strategies that helped this shop grow — without losing the personal touch that keeps customers coming back. You’ll hear about:- How Locust Street Repair built trust through customer reviews- The impact of consistent SEO and paid ad strategy- Why monthly reporting and accountability matter- What happens when you finally connect your marketing data to real business results If you’re an auto shop owner looking for proof that marketing works when it’s done right, this episode is for you. Listen, learn, and get inspired to take your shop’s marketing to the next level.

    40 min

  5. 10/02/2025

    60 - From Park Chats to a Thriving Auto Shop with Colleen Shannon

    In this episode, we sit down with Colleen Shannon of Shannon Family Automotive to talk about leadership, growth, and navigating major transitions in both business and life. Colleen shares her journey of stepping into leadership during a breaking point, the lessons she and her husband learned from swapping roles, and how they discovered new strengths by leaning into each other’s “working geniuses.” We dive into hiring and team culture, the importance of asking the right interview questions, and why understanding people beyond their work matters so much. Colleen also opens up about the struggles of business ownership, the power of resilience, and how redefining traditional roles created new opportunities for both her family and her shop. Whether you’re a shop owner, a leader in any industry, or someone facing tough transitions, this conversation is filled with wisdom, honesty, and encouragement.

    49 min

  6. 09/16/2025

    59 - Branding Auto Repair From the Inside

    Branding Auto Repair From the Inside with Lola Schmidt Running an auto repair shop takes more than fixing cars—it takes building a brand that customers trust. In this episode, Lola Schmidt shares her journey of turning a shop from a tough beginning into a standout, customer-first business. She dives into: How to create a brand identity that feels authentic Why appearance, curb appeal, and safety matter to customers Balancing roles as husband-and-wife shop owners The importance of asking your community what they want Must-read books like Profit First that help shop owners stay profitable If you’re looking to improve your shop’s image, strengthen customer loyalty, and grow without burning out, this episode is packed with real, actionable advice. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with another shop owner who needs to hear this.

    42 min

  7. 07/23/2025

    58 - How Passion and Leadership Built a 7-Figure Auto Business

    What happens when you outgrow your “buddy culture” but don’t yet have real leadership systems in place? In this episode of the Lift Your Shop podcast, we sit down with Thomas Andrews, co-founder of CDT Automotive, who shares how their team scaled from chaos to clarity. Thomas opens up about the growing pains of leadership, the lessons learned from failed accountability, and how outside coaching helped them transform the business. - Why “praise in public, correct in private” is a leadership game-changer. - How Thomas and his partner shifted from being friends to effective leaders. - The role of Shop Fix and coaching in helping them systematize growth. - Why simplicity always scales better than complexity. Whether you're running a one-bay shop or scaling to multiple locations, this conversation is packed with insights that will move your business forward.

    47 min

  8. 06/16/2025

    57 - How Great Shops Build Great Leaders with Josh Parnell

    Unlock the Power of One-on-Ones: Build a Culture of Accountability & Leadership Join leadership coach Josh Parnell as he breaks down how effective one-on-one meetings can transform your team and workplace culture. Learn why calls to action and consistent follow-up are key to creating accountability, how to empower your team to lead their own meetings, and practical tips to develop stronger leaders. Plus, Josh shares his top leadership book recommendations and how to connect with him for personalized coaching. 👉 Watch now and start leading with impact!

    50 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The LIFT Your Shop podcast is a place to get insights from some of the most respected and outstanding auto repair industry experts around the nation. Kelsey Outram, CEO of LIFT Auto Repair Marketing and co-author of the book Drive More Business: A Step-By-Step Guide To Internet Marketing for Auto Repair Shops, hosts, and discusses all things that help lift your auto repair shop from marketing, staffing, culture, expanding, procedures, tech and more. With the insights shared in each episode, shop owners will learn how to grow their shop and be a leader in the automotive industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Kelsey Outram
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Kelsey Outram
  • Show Website
    LIFT Your Shop