The Highs and Lows of Running a One-Man Auto Repair Shop with Dailey Kelley

The Gearbox Podcast

Jimmy Purdy is joined by Dailey Kelley, an experienced technician and shop owner from Bardstown, Kentucky. Dailey shares his insights on transitioning from dealership work to running his own business, highlighting the challenges of managing workflow and avoiding the pitfalls of field calls. Their conversation also covers the intricate world of transmission repairs, discussing the importance of detailed diagnostics and the common issues with high-cost maintenance. 

00:00 Failures happen; sometimes the builder's fault, sometimes not.
09:10 Started trade school, moved, and now works at Ford.
10:58 Dealing with the manufacturer's approval process delays time.
19:20 Consider long-term solutions over temporary repairs.
22:04 Consumers want functioning, warrantied vehicles.
31:09 Facing many issues prefer flat rate payment.
32:14 Struggling to diagnose new vehicle, underpaid time.
41:27 Understanding the wife helps manage shop-related stress.
47:26 Issues with Saturday drop-offs; now using Dropbox.
51:45 Effective communication and fair pricing ensure client satisfaction.
56:56 Learning is continuous; adapt and learn from experiences.
01:00:25 Focus on one task at a time.

Thanks to our sponsor, Shop Boss! See how they can simplify your auto shop HERE

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.

Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada