Confessions of a Shop Owner

Mike Allen
  • 4.3 (15)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 3d ago

    Ep 111 - Mike and Bryan | Technicians Want More Money… But Won’t Do the Work

    Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE ASTA is coming up September 24-26 in Raleigh. Be there or be square, dog! Register now and use code confess25 for $25.00 off your registration. Sign up HERE 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. Tired of your shop’s social media looking like every other repair shop on the internet? Stand out with 47 Consulting. Learn more HERE Send your service advisor to hands down the BEST service advisor training in the industry (even other coaching companies agree). It's Elite Worldwide's Masters Program. The next one is happening in Dallas Texas, September 10-12. Learn more 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! In this episode of Confessions of a Shop Owner, Mike Allen and Bryan Pollock get into technician pay, work ethic, training, shop culture, and whether today’s owners are expecting too much from the modern workforce. Bryan questions whether the self-motivated technician is disappearing, while Mike pushes back on the idea that someone should receive six-figure pay before developing a six-figure skill set. They also get into government regulation and price-gouging enforcement, bad repair shops, Mike’s anonymous Facebook trolling, and why sometimes the industry’s problems feel impossible to fix. And because this is Confessions, Mike also explains how he managed to injure himself playing kickball on the beach. Timestamps:00:00 Mike’s Casino Decisions & Bryan’s Corvette Disaster04:54 Mike Gets a Letter From the Attorney General07:34 Fraud Alert…Live During the Podcast08:05 Mike’s Fake Career as a Professional Blimp Folder12:23 Confession: Mike Has Been Trolling Shop Owners Anonymously17:17 Why There’s More Than One Right Way to Run a Shop19:37 Three Shop Owners With Completely Different Business Models21:44 David Roman Wants Absolutely Nothing to Do With Mike24:19 Cheap Labor Rates & Buying Failed Shops’ Equipment25:07 Is Bryan Becoming a Cranky Old Shop Owner?27:05 Are Technicians Becoming Too Dependent on Shop Owners?29:22 Bryan’s Crash Course Into Becoming a Technician32:26 Is the Self-Motivated Technician Disappearing?33:23 Should You Make $100K Before You Have $100K Skills?35:31 What Happens When Newer Cars Get Even More Complicated?35:58 “I Want to Learn”…But Won’t Use Free Training37:10 Technicians Who Say Training Is “Too Basic”39:18 Bryan’s Government Intervention Rant Begins41:00 Price Gouging vs. Shops That Can’t Fix Cars43:43 Who Gets to Decide What an Auto Repair Shop Should Charge?47:01 Why Government Regulation Won’t Fix the Real Problem48:10 Should Shops Call Out Bad Repairs From Other Shops?52:44 Mike Adds Four Employees to His Shops55:10 Mike’s Most Embarrassing Kickball Story57:02 Mike Defends His Sumo Wrestling Record58:25 Why You Need to Be at ASTA Expo

  2. Aug 14 ·  Bonus

    BONUS AUDIO ONLY EPISODE: Lauren Langston & Jared Haleck | The Auto Repair Industry Earned Its Bad Reputation

    Keep shop management, payments, marketing (all the things) all in one place with Tekmetric. It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Click HERE ASTA is coming up September 24-26 in Raleigh. Be there or be square, dog! Register now and use code confess25 for $25.00 off your registration. Sign up 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 Tired of your shop’s social media looking like every other repair shop on the internet? Stand out with 47 Consulting. Learn more 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! Elite Worldwide's Ignite 2027 is coming up in February and NOW is the time to sign up. It's happening in Vegas February 4-6 and it will be the best 3 days of your shops year when you attend. Learn now HERE In this bonus audio-only episode, Mike Allen sits down at Tektonic 2026 with Tekmetric President Lauren Langston and Chief Product Officer Jared Haleck for a conversation that starts spicy and quickly heads into the future of automotive repair. They discuss whether industry coaches can remain relevant after years away from shop ownership, why repair shops have earned some of the public’s mistrust, and what real-world data says about the massive impact of consistent DVIs. Mike also gets an inside look at SmartDVI, automated estimating, integrated phone systems, AI call assistants, and other technology that could dramatically change how service advisors and technicians work. Timestamps 00:00 The Coaching Question That Made the Panel Spicy01:01 Can Coaches Stay Relevant After 10 Years Away From Shop Ownership?03:23 Why Tektonic Stands Out From Other Industry Events04:26 Tekmetric Digital Ads & Why Google Maps Matters08:08 The DVI Numbers That Should Shock Shop Owners09:00 Longer DVIs = Nearly $200 More ARO?09:32 SmartDVI: Using AI to Build Better Inspections Faster13:48 Can AI Understand Your Technician’s Accent?15:27 Building New Features vs. Fixing What Customers Already Use19:15 We’re 20 Minutes In…Maybe We Should Introduce the Guests22:41 Every Shop Owner Thinks They’ve Built the Next Great AI Tool24:35 What Happens When Software Companies Build Your Integration’s Feature?27:06 SmartDVI, Meta Glasses & Hands-Free Inspections30:24 How Close Are We to Fully Automated Estimates?34:17 Let Service Advisors Build Relationships—Not Estimates35:53 Personalized Service Plans & Eliminating Customer Surprises37:21 Has Auto Repair Earned Its Bad Reputation?41:24 Does Showing Future Repair Pricing Encourage Price Shopping?46:06 Tekmetric Phones & the Next Big Integration49:12 AI Call Assistants Listening in Real Time53:11 Mike Announces Tekmetric’s Entire Future Roadmap…Without Permission

  3. Aug 11

    Ep 110 - Ryan Ragan and Tony Mercury | Why Every Shop Owner Needs to Go to ASTA

    Tekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HERE ASTA is coming up September 24-26 in Raleigh. Be there or be square, dog! Register now and use code Confess25 for $25.00 off your registration. Sign up HERE My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERE Tired of your shop’s social media looking like every other repair shop on the internet? Stand out with 47 Consulting. Learn more HERE Make your techs happier with Detect Auto. They'll stop getting "check noise" or "check vibration" from advisors with the customer concern tool. It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Book a demo HERE Send your service advisor to hands down the BEST service advisor training in the industry (even other coaching companies agree). It's Elite Worldwide's Masters Program. The next one is happening in Dallas Texas, September 10-12. Learn more HERE In this episode, Mike Allen, Ryan Ragan, and Tony Mercury dig into the power of networking and relationship-building at automotive industry events like the ASTA Expo. They talk about how rapid advances in technology, especially AI, are reshaping both vehicles and shop operations. They also stress the huge benefits that come from dropping egos and openly sharing struggles, with honest conversations paving the way for growth and support among shop owners. Wanna win a ticket to ASTA? If you're a shop owner who has never been, register to WIN HERE Timestamps:00:00 Survivor-Style Competition: The ASTA Expo Gets Wild01:36 Why Every Shop Owner Needs Car Tribe Connections04:01 The Miata, the “Fun Car” & Shop Owner Cred10:08 The Future of Self-Driving, Subscription Cars & AI in Auto Repair12:16 From T-Mobile Number to Success: Meet Tony Mercury18:01 The Honest Shop Owner Life Cycle (and Why We Stagnate)20:08 Crushing Ego and Building Teams in the Shop25:46 Why First-Time Expo Attendees See HUGE Growth26:07 The Ultimate Training and Networking Lineup at ASTA30:01 Inside the ASTA Survivor Pre-Party: Obstacle Courses, Axe Throwing & More32:28 How to Win Free Tickets & Why You Have No Excuse33:14 The 80+ Classes that Actually Move the Needle in Your Shop36:24 Shop Owners Only: No-Vendor, No-BS Roundtables40:08 Raw Entrepreneur Talk, Family Fails, and Real-Life Shop Disasters42:02 How to Get Involved, Confess, and Join the Next Event

  4. Aug 4

    Ep 109 - Becca & Tony Zanders | The Truth About Selling Your Auto Repair Shop

    Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE ASTA is coming up September 24-26 in Raleigh. Be there or be square, dog! Register now and use code confess25 for $25.00 off your registration. Sign up 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. Tired of your shop’s social media looking like every other repair shop on the internet? Stand out with 47 Consulting. Learn more HERE Send your service advisor to hands down the BEST service advisor training in the industry (even other coaching companies agree). It's Elite Worldwide's Masters Program. The next one is happening in Dallas Texas, September 10-12. Learn more 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! In this episode, Mike Allen sits down with Tony and Becca Zanders to discuss the realities of selling an auto repair shop and what it takes to leave behind more than just a paycheck. They share the story of building Heritage Auto Repair from the ground up before selling it to a longtime employee, explaining why preserving their legacy mattered more than chasing the highest offer. The conversation explores private equity, succession planning, burnout, and the emotional challenges many owners face after selling their business. Tony and Becca also offer practical advice for increasing your shop's value, building systems that outlast you, and creating an exit strategy that aligns with your long-term goals. Timestamps:00:00 Legacy vs. Payday: The Truth About Selling Your Shop 01:00 Meet Tony & Becca Zanders: Building Heritage Auto Repair Together 04:41 From Backyard Garage to One of Idaho's Top Repair Shops 07:00 Selling to an Employee Instead of the Highest Bidder 08:20 Private Equity, High Multiples & Internal Buyouts 10:42 Questions Every Shop Owner Should Ask Before Selling 12:14 Don't Wait Until Burnout: The Three Keys to a Healthy Exit 16:07 Defining Your "Why" Before You Sell 17:44 Choosing the Right Successor and Passing the Baton 21:14 The Emotional Reality of Staying On After the Sale 23:24 Losing Your Identity After Selling Your Business 24:18 Empowering Employees to Increase Shop Value 27:13 The D6 Elements: Building a Sale-Ready Business 35:16 How to Start Planning Your Exit—Even If You're Late 37:03 The Biggest Mistakes That Destroy Shop Value 39:40 Why Strong Processes Matter—Even After the Sale 44:02 Vegas Food Recommendations & Planning for AAPEX

  5. Jul 28

    Ep 108 - Coaching Call #19 | The Technician Hiring Mistake Costing You Thousands

    Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE ASTA is coming up September 24-26 in Raleigh. Be there or be square, dog! Register now and use code confess25 for $25.00 off your registration. Sign up HERE 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. Tired of your shop’s social media looking like every other repair shop on the internet? Stand out with 47 Consulting. Learn more HERE Send your service advisor to hands down the BEST service advisor training in the industry (even other coaching companies agree). It's Elite Worldwide's Masters Program. The next one is happening in Dallas Texas, September 10-12. Learn more 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! In this episode, Mike Allen and Matt Lofton tackle the tough realities of technician recruitment and retention in the automotive industry. They break down what makes for a world-class tech resume, including the importance of certifications and a repeatable diagnostic process. They also dive into creative benefits and pay structures that help shop owners attract and keep high-performing team members. Timestamps:00:00 Why effort matters: average effort equals average results01:01 On location: Real shop talk—live from the upstairs lounge02:12 Listener story: The perils of moving for a big technician bonus03:31 Counter work: How service advisor experience changes your perspective04:12 Building a world-class technician resume06:10 Green flags when hiring technicians: culture, urgency, and communication08:07 Assessing tech skill levels: How shop owners rank new hires10:02 The realities of shop life: climate (un)controlled & passion required11:15 Interview testing: Math, typing, and diagnostics12:25 What a detailed diagnostic process REALLY sounds like15:00 Repair process deep dive: Front pads and rotors, step by step16:00 Certifications: Do ASE and OEM certs really matter?18:19 Certification pay bumps and how smart shops use them22:24 Additional benefits: Tool truck stipend, unique perks, and paid vacation23:21 Spotting red flags in technician interviews25:25 Dangerous hobbies, life outside work, and “yellow flags”27:08 Get your questions HR-checked—don’t risk dangerous interview territory28:19 Video games: Neutral factor or warning sign?29:01 A-level techs vs. average: The importance of self-improvement32:10 Tools for growth: ScannerDanner Premium and other training hacks33:04 Is tech a job or a career? Why treating it like a profession pays34:10 Unique retention benefits elite shops are offering now36:18 The surprising power of honest feedback and shop culture39:22 Flat rate, salary, and pay progression: Building real career pathways41:45 What techs should ask in every interview (and why shops should let you talk to the team)44:39 The best techs interview the shop right back45:53 Why service advisor performance matters for technician pay47:00 When mistakes happen: Who eats the loss—tech or shop?48:41 “How do you want to get paid?” Structuring compensation around performance50:00 Signing bonuses: rewards, risks, and negotiation tips53:40 Why every tech should understand shop numbers (not just fixes!)

  6. Jul 21

    Ep 107 - Rich Falco | The ADAS Mistake That Could Cost You Everything

    Keep shop management, payments, marketing (all the things) all in one place with Tekmetric. It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Click HERE ASTA is coming up September 24-26 in Raleigh. Be there or be square, dog! Register now and use code confess25 for $25.00 off your registration. Sign up 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 Tired of your shop’s social media looking like every other repair shop on the internet? Stand out with 47 Consulting. Learn more 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! Elite Worldwide's Ignite 2027 is coming up in February and NOW is the time to sign up. It's happening in Vegas February 4-6 and it will be the best 3 days of your shops year when you attend. Learn now HERE In this episode, Mike Allen welcomes Rich Falco to talk about the challenges and stories behind running a shop in today’s changing automotive landscape. They focus heavily on why shop owners need to invest in technician training and the difficulties many shops face bridging the gap between what techs want to learn and what the industry demands. A key theme that emerged was the growing impact of ADAS calibrations, the risk of improper repairs, and the increasing need for specialized equipment and procedures. Timestamps:00:00 Scope Drama: Impressive Diagnostics or Just for the ‘Gram?01:05 Poker Nights & Shop Camaraderie02:58 CTI Training Center – Tech Paradise04:44 Bikers, Miatas & Life After Kids05:11 Running a Mobile Calibration Business06:29 Body Shop Calibrations: Bent Brackets & Bad Installs07:05 Small Shops vs. Chains: Who Cuts Corners?08:00 Essential Tools for Mobile Programming & Diagnostics09:11 How Much Does a Well-Equipped Van REALLY Cost?10:49 Why Shops Should Avoid “Hero” Jobs on Exotic Cars13:15 Overconfident Techs (And When Ego Bites Back)14:18 CTI’s Latest: Technician Evaluation & Skills Platform16:17 Closing the Gap: Tech Training You Want Vs. Need19:22 Best Training Tools: Online vs. In-Person21:02 Shop Owners Bringing In-Depth Training to Their Doorstep23:53 Should You Build Up Domestic Programming Skills?24:34 Playground for Technicians: Touring the Research Center25:07 Autel vs. PicoScope Throwdown26:44 Shops Chasing “Hero Work” vs. Profitable Bread & Butter28:18 Building Technician Career Paths—Real Tools for Real Growth30:21 The Real Deal: What Techs Actually Want in Shops32:42 Shop Owner Secrets: Training, Recruiting & Retention34:44 Why the Best Techs Invest In Their Own Training35:37 Networking & Recruiting at Industry Events37:17 Rookie Shop Owners Who Get It Right (And Bring Cocktails)41:47 Short-Form Training – The Secret Techs Actually Use42:39 Why Boring Training Videos Kill Your Shop Culture44:42 Not Reading the Service Info? Big Mistake45:09 ADAS Calibrations, Liability, and Lawsuit Risks47:24 Will Self-Driving Tech Change Everything?52:45 Should We Fear (or Welcome) Our Robot Car Overlords?54:05 Endgame: Cards, Cocktails & Hospitality at the Next Expo

  7. Jul 14

    Ep 106 - Mike Allen, Bryan Pollock, & Braxton Critcher | The Repair Industry is Like a Bucket of Crabs

    Tekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HERE ASTA is coming up September 24-26 in Raleigh. Be there or be square, dog! Register now and use code Confess25 for $25.00 off your registration. Sign up HERE My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERE Tired of your shop’s social media looking like every other repair shop on the internet? Stand out with 47 Consulting. Learn more HERE Make your techs happier with Detect Auto. They'll stop getting "check noise" or "check vibration" from advisors with the customer concern tool. It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Book a demo HERE Send your service advisor to hands down the BEST service advisor training in the industry (even other coaching companies agree). It's Elite Worldwide's Masters Program. The next one is happening in Dallas Texas, September 10-12. Learn more HERE This one was a long time coming. Today, Mike, Bryan and Braxton dig into some of the wildest and most misguided comments from the Confessions of a Shop Owner Facebook page recently. They tackle the notorious “$358k technician” story, breaking down why so many techs can’t do the math—or just don’t want to believe the numbers. You'll have a lot of fun hearing what some people in the industry have to say about some of the hot button issues...or really their lack of understanding. Timstamps:00:00 Techs in the comment section: “Nobody makes that much!” The $350K technician saga02:31 Are you watching the podcast, or just the reels? Context, context, context!05:07 Reggie’s story: Would you leave for a $1/hr raise? Why context gets lost online07:12 Diagnostic skills, cognitive leaps, and why some techs will never make big money10:09 Fairfax, VA: High rent, high output, high pay – breaking down the math11:19 “Crabs in a bucket” and raging over others’ success13:11 Who are the real 1%ers in the shop world? Defining success in auto repair15:03 The service advisor breakdown: Where does all the time go?16:09 Rage-baiting with advisor accountability, tracking every minute in the shop18:29 Punch cards, bathroom codes, and memories of dealership micromanagement20:01 How hard is it, really, to do a 10-minute write-up?21:23 Mediocre service advisor confessions (& Braxton’s epic shade)22:25 Do your employees secretly listen to your podcast?23:45 The all-star “A Tech” myth: Can anyone really “do everything”?25:11 Ego, memory, and those wild open forum stories26:26 Are you really a unicorn tech, or did you just burn a car down?28:00 Training vs. tech evolution: Has the industry outpaced technician effort?29:21 After hours learning: What the top techs are really doing30:26 Commenters vs. reality: Reading comprehension fails (and laughs)33:02 “Never lost to a car” – the world’s biggest shop lie35:01 Toolbox wars and the rolling rig debate: Weight, wheels & wild finance42:02 Remote diagnostics, shop culture, and the power of process49:00 Why context is everything: Dealerships, warranty companies & internet assumptions52:28 If you’re mad at a reel, maybe just listen to the episode (and visit our sponsors)

  8. Jul 7

    Ep 105 - Zeb Beard | Your Shop Doesn't Need More Techs

    Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE ASTA is coming up September 24-26 in Raleigh. Be there or be square, dog! Register now and use code confess25 for $25.00 off your registration. Sign up 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. Tired of your shop’s social media looking like every other repair shop on the internet? Stand out with 47 Consulting. Learn more HERE Send your service advisor to hands down the BEST service advisor training in the industry (even other coaching companies agree). It's Elite Worldwide's Masters Program. The next one is happening in Dallas Texas, September 10-12. Learn more 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! In this episode, Bryan Pollock sits down for a no-holds-barred conversation on shop ownership, team culture, and social media with Zeb Beard. Zeb shares why he's big on visualizing goals—and how that mindset helped him score a brand-new facility. They dive into why having dedicated roles, like a full-time DVI specialist, can massively boost shop efficiency (and profit). Plus, Bryan and Zeb talk about why they're not afraid to stir the pot with the trolls on social media, and how “playing grab ass” at the shop stalls progress. Timestamps:00:00 Why “100% production” is for amateurs01:18 Why techs need to get off Google and show initiative03:40 The hiring hack: leave info out and see who can problem-solve06:00 Raising independent kids—now considered “dangerous”?!08:26 Can’t = Motivation: Zeb's reverse psychology for success10:02 Visualizing ridiculous goals (and how it landed a new shop)12:13 Social media, comedy, and the birth of the viral “road report”14:11 From slow shop to slammed: the power of relatable content16:11 Why automotive posts attract trolls—and why Brian loves ‘em19:03 Haters gonna hate, but the right customers love the realness20:53 Stop showing brake jobs, start showing personality25:35 Growth mode vs “growing into your skin” after scaling up27:47 The struggle to find talent in rural America30:17 Choosing city vs small town for shop location32:41 Surviving a soft market and approval rate dips35:05 Organic marketing: how the “road report” really moved the needle37:00 Tracking the 10-year cycles in auto repair shop business41:58 Boundary setting: solving the “grumpy shop owner” syndrome43:53 Introducing William, the DVI wizard: why every shop needs one48:04 How a DVI specialist and cleanup guy can outpace 3 extra techs54:15 Unlocking ultimate tech efficiency with multiple bays per tech59:18 Real math: How more bays explode your bottom line01:00:47 Firing low producers—why your shop might actually run better

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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

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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