Driven to Success

Vic Tarasik
  • 5.0 (5)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Looking for conversations that spark ideas and move you forward? Driven to Success gives you an inside look at the leaders shaping the entire aftermarket. Hosts David Wofford and Vic Tarasik dive into real stories, practical strategies, and fresh ideas from standout shop owners, top-performing technicians, distributors, tool innovators, manufacturers, and leaders from key industry associations, plus the unexpected insights that only come from honest, unfiltered conversation. If you’re focused on growing, leading, & staying ahead, this is where the industry’s brightest minds come to talk shop.

  1. 14H AGO

    The Storyteller Behind Shop Owner Magazine with Doug Kaufman

    What happens when the guy who usually asks the questions steps behind the microphone? In this episode of Driven to Success, Vic Tarasik and David Wofford sit down with Doug Kaufman of Shop Owner Magazine for a conversation filled with stories, laughter, mentorship, media evolution, and why this industry still feels like family. From a beat-up 1974 Camaro to the future of digital media and AI, Doug shares how storytelling, culture, and attitude shape success in the automotive world. This episode is packed with heart, humor, and insight from one of the industry’s most respected voices.

    37 min

  2. APR 22

    Inside Tektonic: The Teamwork Powering the Industry’s Next Move

    Why should you listen? Because this is not about a conference. It is about what happens when leadership, vision, teamwork, and execution come together to move an entire industry forward. In this episode of Driven to Success, Vic Tarasik and David Wofford sit down with John Phelps and Amber Wright from Tekmetric to go behind the scenes of Tektonic. If you are a shop owner, service advisor, or technical specialist, this conversation will challenge how you think about growth. You will hear what top-performing shops are doing differently, why connection drives real change, and how small shifts in process can unlock real results. This episode gives you perspective you can use immediately. Not theory. Not fluff. Real insight from leaders shaping the future of the aftermarket. And this is just the start. More voices, more stories, and more takeaways are coming next.

    43 min

  3. APR 13

    Gen Z at Their Best

    Most shop owners overlook the hidden power of exceptional customer experience—and it’s costing them more than they realize. Imagine turning a simple tire plug into a moment that builds lifelong loyalty. Vic shares a story with David that shows how just one young Gen Zer’s genuine care and professionalism transformed a stressful situation into a standout win—without high-pressure sales or shortcuts.

    14 min

  4. APR 13

    Never Discount (Tire) Gen Z Audio episode

    Most shop owners overlook the hidden power of exceptional customer experience—and it’s costing them more than they realize. Imagine turning a simple tire plug into a moment that builds lifelong loyalty. Vic shares a story with David that shows how just one young technician’s genuine care and professionalism transformed a stressful situation into a standout win—without high-pressure sales or shortcuts.In this episode, you’ll discover how leaders in the industry are redefining service with small but impactful gestures, like showing respect and transparency. We break down: the importance of digital inspections that build trust, the value of training your team to approach every customer like a valued guest, and why investing in your staff’s development leads to happier customers and higher profits.You'll also learn how to spot and nurture the “diamonds” in your team—young professionals eager to serve—and how systems from industry giants like Discount Tire create consistent, excellent experiences. Plus, why time and trust are more valuable to your customers than ever before, and how shifting your mindset can turn challenges into opportunities for growth.If you’re tired of reactive service that leaves money and loyalty on the table, this episode is your blueprint for creating memorable, profitable customer interactions. Perfect for shop owners, managers, and technicians ready to elevate their game—and their bottom line. Don’t miss these proven strategies to turn every customer visit into a loyalty-building experience.

    14 min

  5. APR 13

    Never Discount ( Tire) Gen Z audio only

    Most shop owners overlook the hidden power of exceptional customer experience—and it’s costing them more than they realize. Imagine turning a simple tire plug into a moment that builds lifelong loyalty. Vic shares a story with David that shows how just one young technician’s genuine care and professionalism transformed a stressful situation into a standout win—without high-pressure sales or shortcuts.In this episode, you’ll discover how leaders in the industry are redefining service with small but impactful gestures, like showing respect and transparency. We break down: the importance of digital inspections that build trust, the value of training your team to approach every customer like a valued guest, and why investing in your staff’s development leads to happier customers and higher profits.You'll also learn how to spot and nurture the “diamonds” in your team—young professionals eager to serve—and how systems from industry giants like Discount Tire create consistent, excellent experiences. Plus, why time and trust are more valuable to your customers than ever before, and how shifting your mindset can turn challenges into opportunities for growth.If you’re tired of reactive service that leaves money and loyalty on the table, this episode is your blueprint for creating memorable, profitable customer interactions. Perfect for shop owners, managers, and technicians ready to elevate their game—and their bottom line. Don’t miss these proven strategies to turn every customer visit into a loyalty-building experience.

    14 min

  6. APR 9

    Never Discount (Tire) Gen Z

    Most shop owners overlook the hidden power of exceptional customer experience—and it’s costing them more than they realize. Imagine turning a simple tire plug into a moment that builds lifelong loyalty. Vic shares a story with David that shows how just one young technician’s genuine care and professionalism transformed a stressful situation into a standout win—without high-pressure sales or shortcuts.In this episode, you’ll discover how leaders in the industry are redefining service with small but impactful gestures, like showing respect and transparency. We break down: the importance of digital inspections that build trust, the value of training your team to approach every customer like a valued guest, and why investing in your staff’s development leads to happier customers and higher profits.You'll also learn how to spot and nurture the “diamonds” in your team—young professionals eager to serve—and how systems from industry giants like Discount Tire create consistent, excellent experiences. Plus, why time and trust are more valuable to your customers than ever before, and how shifting your mindset can turn challenges into opportunities for growth.If you’re tired of reactive service that leaves money and loyalty on the table, this episode is your blueprint for creating memorable, profitable customer interactions. Perfect for shop owners, managers, and technicians ready to elevate their game—and their bottom line. Don’t miss these proven strategies to turn every customer visit into a loyalty-building experience.

    14 min

  7. MAR 27

    The 60-Second Turnaround

    What does it take to win back a lost shop… in just 60 seconds? In this episode of Driven to Success, Vic Tarasik (The Shop Owner Coach) and David Wofford break down a real-world moment every warehouse distributor (WD) and outside sales representative (OSR) will recognize. A service center relationship goes sideways… a warranty issue creates frustration… and the entire service center program is suddenly on the line. Instead of walking away, David turns the car around. What follows is a powerful lesson in credibility, communication, and execution—the three things that determine whether your customers see you as just another parts supplier… or a true business partner. If you’re in auto parts distribution, field sales, or managing independent repair shop relationships, this episode will challenge how you approach: Service center program implementation and follow-throughBuilding loyalty with independent auto repair shopsHandling warranty issues and customer dissatisfactionCommunicating value beyond price and parts availabilityTurning difficult conversations into long-term growthFor shop owners, this episode is a reminder of what great partners look like-and why the right WD and OSR can directly impact your shop’s success. If you’re serious about growing your market share, customer retention, and sales performance in the automotive aftermarket, this is one conversation you don’t want to miss. Follow Driven to Success for more real-world strategies, industry insights, and lessons from the road that help you grow your business. 00:00 - Introduction02:13 - Distribution Dynamics04:37 - Educating the Sales Team08:26 - Building Credibility with Customers11:41 - Transitioning from Competitor Programs14:55 - The Role of Sincerity in Sales18:12 - Storytelling as a Sales Tool21:34 - Effective Messaging on Warranties23:10 - The 60 Second Turnaround26:12 - Reflection on the Experience28:00 - Boosting Sales Through Program Engagement30:00 - Closing Remarks

    32 min

  8. MAR 13

    Elevate Your Business: The Power of the Service Center Program. PT2

    In Part 2 of Elevate Your Business, Vic Tarasik (The Shop Owner Coach) and David Wofford help shop owners and sales reps turn “included” program features into real customer value and real growth, with practical talk on positioning warranty and roadside assistance, improving communication, and implementing one benefit at a time. Introduction and Theme Setup (0:02)The Story of the Ocean Liner (0:25)Service Center Program Insights (2:06)Communication and Education (2:39)Nationwide Warranty and Customer Perception (4:02)Roadside Assistance and Customer Experience (5:19)Effective Communication Strategies (6:40)Challenges in Program Presentation (7:32)Training and Implementation (8:29)Sales and Service Center Dynamics (12:55)Shop Owner Challenges and Solutions (18:28)The Role of Trust and Communication (19:44)Compensation and Motivation (29:15)Commitment and Partnership (39:11)Conclusion and Next Steps (40:34)

    42 min
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out of 5
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About

Looking for conversations that spark ideas and move you forward? Driven to Success gives you an inside look at the leaders shaping the entire aftermarket. Hosts David Wofford and Vic Tarasik dive into real stories, practical strategies, and fresh ideas from standout shop owners, top-performing technicians, distributors, tool innovators, manufacturers, and leaders from key industry associations, plus the unexpected insights that only come from honest, unfiltered conversation. If you’re focused on growing, leading, & staying ahead, this is where the industry’s brightest minds come to talk shop.

Information

  • Creator
    Vic Tarasik
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Vic Tarasik
  • Show Website
    Driven to Success