40 episodes

Success Leaves Clues. This common phrase highlights the simple fact that we don’t have to find success all on our own. In an industry internally known for individualism, this is a powerful but important shift to the view of finding success. Host Thomas Hays has been in the automotive industry for over 10 years. Through his experience and work, he’s heard and been a part of so many powerful stories. Stories of success, stories of failure. Funny stories, sad stories, and through them all, one thread is common… When we share our stories 2 things happen. 1. We realize we aren’t alone in our own struggles and 2. Stories reveal those clues that help us in our own journey to becoming more successful. When we choose to share like this, we not only empower ourselves, but we empower this great industry to become better together. So in this podcast, each week, you’ll hear incredible stories from those from all parts of our industry. Owners, Service Advisors, technicians, those who work for companies that serve our industry, investors, and more. This isn’t just another interview podcast. In this podcast, our guests will not only share their stories, but they will reveal the clues to their success through practical teaching and training provided on each episode.

Success Leaves Clues: An Automotive Industry Podcast Thomas Hays

    • Business
    • 4.9 • 36 Ratings

Success Leaves Clues. This common phrase highlights the simple fact that we don’t have to find success all on our own. In an industry internally known for individualism, this is a powerful but important shift to the view of finding success. Host Thomas Hays has been in the automotive industry for over 10 years. Through his experience and work, he’s heard and been a part of so many powerful stories. Stories of success, stories of failure. Funny stories, sad stories, and through them all, one thread is common… When we share our stories 2 things happen. 1. We realize we aren’t alone in our own struggles and 2. Stories reveal those clues that help us in our own journey to becoming more successful. When we choose to share like this, we not only empower ourselves, but we empower this great industry to become better together. So in this podcast, each week, you’ll hear incredible stories from those from all parts of our industry. Owners, Service Advisors, technicians, those who work for companies that serve our industry, investors, and more. This isn’t just another interview podcast. In this podcast, our guests will not only share their stories, but they will reveal the clues to their success through practical teaching and training provided on each episode.

    Creating a Company Culture That Retains Great Techs with Phil Quillen

    Creating a Company Culture That Retains Great Techs with Phil Quillen

    It's a well-known fact that the auto repair industry that we are in the middle of a nationwide technician shortage. In my observation, there are shops that have faired better than others. These shops tend to focus on creating a culture and system where techs know they won't have to deal with drama, can make great hours, and have a great career. In this podcast, I chat with the great Phil Quillen, who is the company Foreman for a multi-location auto repair company in Middle Tennessee. You'll love this conversation because it gives so many unique perspectives, tactics, and ideas that you can deploy to really change the game in your shop. Wanna build your dream team? Then this one is for you!

    • 59 min
    The Evolution of Roles with Eric & Brent Raber

    The Evolution of Roles with Eric & Brent Raber

    There’s a saying that I really love, that I’ve lived by for many years. “Find a need and fill it”. This saying speaks to service, but also making room for yourself to grow. The employees and even owners that I’ve seen become the most successful seem to really follow this saying too. They do things beyond what they are paid for because it needs to be done, they put the mission above their “title”. In my observation, when someone does this, success seems to be inevitable. This week's interview really drives this home. Eric and Brent Raber and not only brothers, but they own a highly successful 4-location repair shop company in Ohio. This concept is a theme throughout their story. If you work with family or are trying to level up in your shop or give your team opportunities, then this one is for you. 
    Thanks to our sponsors, Leads Near Me and Shop Fix Academy. They serve our industry and help make this show possible. Learn more about them below.
    Leads Near Me is a full-service online digital presence provider for automotive repair shops. Let Leads Near Me effortlessly increase your car count by reaching them at 888-953-2379 or by visiting them online at LeadsNearMe.com
    Shop Fix Acadamy’s sole purpose is to stop the average small business from destroying the average family. Call 615-645-3683 to speak to someone on our leadership team about seeing if Shop Fix Acadamy is a good fit for your shop. Learn more at ShopFixAcademy.com  

    • 53 min
    Part 3 of 3: Become A Dependable and Powerful Leader with Joe Stokes

    Part 3 of 3: Become A Dependable and Powerful Leader with Joe Stokes

    This is the final part of an incredible 3 part series with our friend, the very wise, Joe Stokes who is the Regional Director for EuroFix, AutoFix, and Mike's Auto in Middle Tennessee. If you’ve missed parts one and two, then we highly recommend you listen to those too as the Truth Bombs are many. In this great episode, we focus on how to build the superpower known as Emotional Intelligence. This is the skill of learning to manage your emotions, mindset, and even how your body reacts to stress. We reveal how every role in the shop can utilize this tool to improve their relationships with the team, the customer, and even in their personal life. Want to get ahead? Want to level up? Then you’ll love this episode. 

    Thanks to our sponsors, Leads Near Me and Shop Fix Academy. They serve our industry and help make this show possible. Learn more about them below.
    Leads Near Me is a full-service online digital presence provider for automotive repair shops. Let Leads Near Me effortlessly increase your car count by reaching them at 888-953-2379 or by visiting them online at LeadsNearMe.com
    Shop Fix Acadamy’s sole purpose is to stop the average small business from destroying the average family. Call 615-645-3683 to speak to someone on our leadership team about seeing if Shop Fix Acadamy is a good fit for your shop. Learn more at ShopFixAcademy.com  

    • 1 hr 50 min
    Part 2 of 3: Become A Dependable and Powerful Leader with Joe Stokes

    Part 2 of 3: Become A Dependable and Powerful Leader with Joe Stokes

    Part two of this three-part series is focused on what it takes to open one (or more) stores at once. Joe Stokes, Regional Director for a fast-growing Middle Tennessee Auto Repair company, and I dive into how to find the locations, where to find and how to hire the staff, help new employees from out of state, the logistics of overcoming the Tech Shortage, and how to have the right leadership team in place. In addition, we have a great discussion on the mindset of techs at dealerships vs. independent shops. If you’re an owner, a tech, or anyone involved in a growing auto repair company, then this episode is for you. As you may have noticed Joe and I can TALK, so this is another long one, but well worth the listen all the way through. Stay tuned! 
    Thanks to our sponsors, Leads Near Me and Shop Fix Academy. They serve our industry and help make this show possible. Learn more about them below.
    Leads Near Me is a full-service online digital presence provider for automotive repair shops. Let Leads Near Me effortlessly increase your car count by reaching them at 888-953-2379 or by visiting them online at LeadsNearMe.com
    Shop Fix Acadamy’s sole purpose is to stop the average small business from destroying the average family. Call 615-645-3683 to speak to someone on our leadership team about seeing if Shop Fix Acadamy is a good fit for your shop. Learn more at ShopFixAcademy.com  

    • 1 hr 24 min
    Part 1 of 3: Become A Dependable and Powerful Leader with Joe Stokes

    Part 1 of 3: Become A Dependable and Powerful Leader with Joe Stokes

    Our guest this week is the amazing and very wise, Joe Stokes who is the district manager for EuroFix, AutoFix, and Mike's Auto in Middle Tennessee. This is Joe’s second time on the show and if you’ve not heard his first interview, we'd highly recommend it. In fact, it was one of our top listened-to episodes. I asked Joe to come back and share some more wisdom, and share he did! We recorded a 3-part series which we are so excited for you to hear. In this first part of the series, we discuss how Joe dealt with a store that had been affected by an underperforming manager. Yes, this is a long episode, but let me assure you that the actionable “clues” which will help you be a better leader are non-stop. 
    Thanks to our sponsors, Leads Near Me and Shop Fix Academy. They serve our industry and help make this show possible. Learn more about them below.
    Leads Near Me is a full-service online digital presence provider for automotive repair shops. Let Leads Near Me effortlessly increase your car count by reaching them at 888-953-2379 or by visiting them online at LeadsNearMe.com
    Shop Fix Acadamy’s sole purpose is to stop the average small business from destroying the average family. Call 615-645-3683 to speak to someone on our leadership team about seeing if Shop Fix Acadamy is a good fit for your shop. Learn more at ShopFixAcademy.com  

    • 1 hr 44 min
    A Shop Model That Provides Financial Advocacy For Our Customers With Rob Choisser

    A Shop Model That Provides Financial Advocacy For Our Customers With Rob Choisser

    Customer Advocacy. It’s a big part of what we as automotive professionals. Technicians advocate with complete and accurate inspections, and our Advisors help customers understand what is needed on their cars. What would happen if we took this concept to the next level? That’s exactly what guest Rob Choisser of Choisser Automotive Services did. He found himself furious at the fact that so many people make poor financial decisions about their cars from a lack of financial education, the lies told to us by society, and misconceptions about the nature of the car itself. So, Rob built his entire shop model around helping his customers gain freedom from this trap. The result is a thriving, profitable shop, with raving multi-generational customers who are actually financially better off because of his process. This concept is a game-changer for our shops, our customers, and the industry.
    Thanks to our sponsors, Leads Near Me and Shop Fix Academy. They serve our industry and help make this show possible. Learn more about them below.
    Leads Near Me is a full-service online digital presence provider for automotive repair shops. Let Leads Near Me effortlessly increase your car count by reaching them at 888-953-2379 or by visiting them online at LeadsNearMe.com
    Shop Fix Acadamy’s sole purpose is to stop the average small business from destroying the average family. Call 615-645-3683 to speak to someone on our leadership team about seeing if Shop Fix Acadamy is a good fit for your shop. Learn more at ShopFixAcademy.com  

    • 59 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
36 Ratings

36 Ratings

DTRMND18 ,

Amazingly Helpful Podcast

This podcast has been so helpful at motivating and helping me to see different points of view. Even on the stressful days it helps bring me back to my WHY and gives me some golden nuggets of info along the way.

J5erra ,

Very motivational

Great podcast. Straight to the point. Wish the episodes were longer.

Mbwzrd ,

Wonderful podcast.

Wish I had known about this sooner. I owned and operated a repair shop for European cars for 29 years. Every episode I have listened to has been relatable and educational. Big attraction for me was listening to relatable industry stories about overcoming stress and addiction, I know now that I wasn’t alone. Great job with this podcast. Thanks

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