Confessions of a Shop Owner

Mike Allen
  • 4.5 (12)
  • 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. 6D AGO

    Ep 80 - Ash Kaplan | I Learn About Golden Hour Garage

    Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. 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. Elite Worldwide has CHANGED my business and life through their one-on-one coaching. Use them like I do HERE Ash Kaplan is first and formost a friend of the show. Secondly, she's the founder of Golden Hour Garage. Today, Mike learns all about Ash and the new adventure of buisness owernship she's on. Ash Kaplan shares her vision for Golden Hour Garage, focusing on optimizing efficiency for shops through remote estimate building, warranty processing, and innovative advisor training. The conversation also highlights the importance of building meaningful customer relationships, as well as the value of attending industry events like the ASTA Expo for personal and professional growth. Learn more about Golden Hour Garage HERE Timestamps:00:00 "Ignite 2026 Wrap-Up Reflection" 05:28 "Golden Hour Garage Vision" 09:25 Intentional Onboarding and Quality Control 12:14 "Warranty Costs vs Estimate Service" 14:21 "Streamlined Warranty Estimate Solutions" 17:58 "Empowering Shops Through Connections" 21:23 "Optimizing Processes for Transparency" 25:46 "Adapting for Growth in Business" 27:27 Struggling to Sustain Employee Growth 30:18 Do You Use a Bidet? 35:51 "Free Beer Disappointment" 38:18 Customized Pricing Approach Explained 41:48 "Life-Changing ASTA Experience" 42:42 "Red String Connections" 48:06 Maximize Networking at Trade Shows 49:28 "Breaking Isolation in the Industry" 54:24 "AI Phone Systems Discussion"

    1 hr

  2. MAR 6

    Ep 79 - Joe Marconi & Sabrina Wilkerson | Why Service Advisors Will Make Or Break The Shop

    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. Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE There are a lot of moving parts in a repair shop, opening the door to missing things. Don't let that happen to you. Learn more about Detect Auto Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERE Joe Marconi and Sabrina Wilkerson are with the best coaching company in the world: Elite Worldwide. Today, they and Mike talk about how to build a strong, service-oriented shop culture. Sabrina shares how the Elite Masters program aims for long-term behavioral change with advisors, blending bootcamp-style training with months of accountability. Joe explains how Fly with the Eagles evolved to help not just shop owners but managers, advisors, and lead techs master the business side of operations. Timestamps:00:00 "Elite's Culture and Purpose" 04:32 "Fly with the Eagles Commitment" 07:53 Advisor Training with Long-Term Impact 10:22 Evolving Shop Owner Training Workshop 14:17 "Client Auto Repair Struggles" 17:41 Customer Experience Over Details 21:08 Creating Welcoming Customer Experiences 22:51 "Touchpoint Process Optimization" 27:21 "Record Year, Growing Partnerships" 32:22 "Topshop 180: Foundational Support Program" 35:20 Inspired Writing Journey 37:12 Trust the Process 42:53 "Smart Room Change Request"

    47 min

  3. MAR 3

    Ep 78 - Carrie-Lynn Rodenberg | Social Media Is TERRIBLE For You, But You Need It To Grow

    Tekmetrics' business model of listening to customers' needs and implementing new systems makes them super shop-friendly. Start using them at your shop today 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 Elite Worldwide coaching has changed the game for me and my shop. Need a boost? Use Elite like I do. HERE Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERE Carrie-Lynn Rodenberg is the founder of Turnkey Marketing. Carrie-Lynn explains how her team uses advanced, but fully legal, geo-targeted digital marketing to help auto repair shops reach customers right when they need services. Together, they reflect on the challenges and responsibilities that come with rapid business growth, especially as Carrie-Lynn balances running a large team and raising a family. Finally, they share honest confessions about time management, the dangers of distractions (like doomscrolling), and the evolving role of a business leader. Timestamps:00:00 Kicking off with shock collars for kids and hidden fences01:02 The power of geo-targeted marketing and “Big Brother” advertising03:33 Is hyper-targeted marketing actually legal? Carrie-Lynn explains05:14 Shop owner confessions: When your marketing team knows you better than you know yourself07:48 Growing the team: Challenges of explosive business growth09:58 Parenting confessions: Having 3 kids in under 4 years10:59 Letting go: Why shop kids don’t need to be bubble wrapped12:03 Childhood nostalgia: Drinking from the hose and living to tell the tale14:16 The emotional cost of success: Stepping up and supporting your team17:01 How to keep evolving as a leader—and why it matters18:00 Structuring your goals (without losing your mind)20:05 When shiny objects (like podcasts) derail your business21:26 The trap of doom scrolling and living with intention24:11 Building real connections versus losing time on social media25:06 Next-level onboarding: How Turnkey Marketing works with new shops28:04 Shop marketing myths: Grocery store receipts and bus benches? No thanks!

    33 min

  4. FEB 27

    Ep 77 - Eric Merchant and Andrew Klement | Free Diag But Still Pay Your Techs!

    My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERE 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 I was SHOCKED when I saw the things I was missing the first time I used Detect Auto. Simple things, but easy to miss. Detect Auto helped clean that up for me, and they can for you, too. Use them HERE Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERE Today, Mike Allen is joined by Eric Merchant and Andrew Klement to talk about Eric's recent shop expansion and how Andrew has found IMMEDIATE success with free diag. Yes, he pays he techs, he just doesn't charge the customer for the diag. Don't get your panties in a wad!  Timestamps:00:00 The Free Diag Debate: Paying Techs and Shop Owner Risks00:53 Live from Ignite 2026: Scottsdale (or “Snotsdale”) and Shop Size Rivalries02:58 Landing Airplanes on Shops & Zeb the Legend05:46 Meet Andrew: Quitting a Job & Opening His Own Shop07:58 Used Alignment Machine Drama & DIY Repair Stories10:00 The Swingline Stapler Mystery – Office Space Reference Exposed12:11 Barrett-Jackson Recap and Shop Marketing Tactics14:13 Paying Techs Fairly, Navigating Free Diag, & Owner Lessons Learned16:32 Charity Work & Community Service: Shop Owner Outreach18:53 YouTube Fame from Contractor Nightmares21:26 Confession Call-Ins and Vanity Phone Number Strategies31:43 Bonus: Crushing Spirits at the Elite Pro Service Racing Challenge32:56 Alignment Maintenance Advice & $14K in Equipment Headaches35:14 Wrapping Up: Shop Ownership is Never Boring

    39 min

  5. FEB 24

    Ep 76 - Coaching Call #14 | How to Survive Slow Days at the Shop

    Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. 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. Elite Worldwide has CHANGED my business and life through their one-on-one coaching. Use them like I do HERE In this episode, Mike Allen and Matt Lofton talk about how weather disruptions impact sales at the shop. Matt says that's why it's important to divide yearly goals by 48 weeks instead of 52 to account for lost days. They also discuss employee compensation strategies for inclement weather, highlighting the need for clear PTO policies and communication plans.  Timestamps:00:00 Ignite Event Exceeds Expectations 05:31 "January's Weather Impacted Business" 09:20 Weather Days and Compensation Policy 11:31 "Creating Weather Policies for Business" 13:49 "Challenges of Post-Storm Operations" 19:08 Maximizing Car Count Strategies 23:04 "Impact of Snow on Sales" 26:11 "Commitment Over Convenience for Success" 30:10 "Making Prepaid Offers Work" 33:34 Reviving Maintenance Habits Strategically 36:17 "Pre-Booking Boosts Service Sales" 41:20 "Stressful Front Counter Reflections" 44:56 "Pre-Booking Strategy for Success" 45:54 Optimizing Slow Months Momentum

    52 min

  6. FEB 20

    Ep 75 - Jamie's Garage | How to Scale Your Repair Shop

    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. Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE There are a lot of moving parts in a repair shop, opening the door to missing things. Don't let that happen to you. Learn more about Detect Auto Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERE Today, Jamie Caldwell from Jamie's Garage joins Bryan Pollock and Mike Allen as Jamie shares the story of scaling from one stressed-out location to five thriving shops. How? He hired character over skill. They also talk about different pay structures when Jamie shares why his team isn’t paid commissions—and how that’s improved culture and teamwork. Timestamps:00:00 "Stolen Truck Insurance Windfall" 04:35 "Extended Warranty Dispute Strategy" 07:59 "Mastering Scripts Before Freestyling" 12:17 "Shifting Focus to Good People" 15:15 European Auto Shop Journey 18:13 Private Equity Impact on Auto Industry 20:07 Future Possibilities and Industry Impact 24:45 Relational vs. Transactional Business 27:22 Hiring Challenges and Compensation Talks 33:57 "Flat Rate vs Teamwork Culture" 38:15 Embracing Transparency in Leadership 41:55 "Discovering TikTok During COVID" 44:33 Race Car Engine Connection 48:59 "Business Over Social Media Earnings"

    55 min

  7. FEB 17

    Ep 74 - Todd Speciale | Make MORE Money As a Salesperson...with Honesty??

    Tekmetrics' business model of listening to customers' needs and implementing new systems makes them super shop-friendly. Start using them at your shop today 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 Elite Worldwide coaching has changed the game for me and my shop. Need a boost? Use Elite like I do. HERE Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERE Todd Speciale is the founder of Make Sales Great Again and best selling author of The Ultimate Sales Bible. Today, he and Mike discuss the reputation of salespeople and the keys to selling with integrity. Todd also shares the story behind his company and book, emphasizing the importance of honesty and culture in building successful sales teams. Find out more about Todd here Timestamps: 00:00 Who do people distrust most in sales? 01:00 Todd’s keynote that broke all Mike’s rules02:30 Why Todd Speciale speaks—his personal story and passion for helping others05:06 The real meaning behind “Make Sales Great Again”07:00 Why Todd left timeshare & how the right sales tactics can change an industry09:00 Dirty sales: How to SELL and still sleep at night10:30 Sales from the negative—flipping the pitch with integrity12:00 Firing the top 1%: Why the best sales aren’t always the best people14:00 Blocking objections & how to own the conversation16:05 Who does Todd’s consulting actually help—and how?18:00 How can auto shops attract high-level sales talent with lower ceiling pay?19:45 The power of culture: 71% hate their jobs—how to fix that!21:00 Best industries for ethical sales training—and the truth about training23:10 Door-to-door horror stories: What it REALLY teaches you25:30 Who invests the most in their teams? The inside scoop on insurance, real estate, roofing & more29:35 Inside Todd’s books: The Ultimate Sales Bible & more33:00 Why the sales process hasn’t changed—but the buyer sure has36:00 Old school vs. new school: Changing prospects and tactics38:53 The compensation trap—can performance pay ever reward ethics?41:00 How to weed out the wrong hires before they cost you44:20 Where to find great trainable sales talent: Youth, servers, and bartenders47:00 Mythbusting the “kids don’t want to work” narrative—how to develop the next generation50:52 How to reach Todd Speciale and learn more

    55 min

  8. FEB 13

    Ep 73 - Nate Winston | Business Partnership are Like Marriage...

    My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERE 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 I was SHOCKED when I saw the things I was missing the first time I used Detect Auto. Simple things, but easy to miss. Detect Auto helped clean that up for me, and they can for you, too. Use them HERE Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERE Nate Winston owns Winston's Complete Auto Care in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Today, Nate shares with Mike how he and a friend one day decided to start a shop...with ZERO experience in the industry...They talk candidly about the challenges of business partnerships—including the fallout from a partnership built on a handshake deal—and offer hard-won advice for anyone considering opening a shop with a friend. Like the episode? Call 704-CONFESS or email mike@confessionsofashopowner.com to share your stories or feedback! Timestamps: 00:00 Business Partnerships: Like Marriage...Without the Sex 02:02 Meet Nate Winston: From Blinds Factory to Auto Shop Owner 03:29 Starting a Shop with Zero Experience 06:08 Living in the Shop: Early Struggles as Entrepreneurs 08:25 Growing the Business & Chamber of Commerce Involvement 11:47 Partnership Breakup: What Went Wrong? 14:16 Why Every Partnership Needs an Agreement 17:17 Building a Business “Prenup” vs. Friendship 18:23 Opening a New Shop: The Leap to Solo Ownership 20:17 Coaching, Training & The Value of Events for Shop Owners 22:50 One-Man Operation: The Challenges and Plans for Hiring 24:58 Biggest Challenges in 2026 and Beyond 26:13 Cutting Out Heavy Work: Focusing on the Right Jobs 28:34 Tektonic 2026 Preview & Vendor Networking

    36 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
12 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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