Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, David and Lucas welcome Pixi Pickthall and Josh from Mesa, Arizona. Pixi and Josh share their unique approach to shop ownership, blending Josh’s decades of industry experience with Pixi’s social work background to create a highly personalized customer experience. The conversation dives deep into the challenges of setting proper labor rates, the importance of understanding financial metrics, and the need to balance quality service with fair profitability.

00:00 Managing warehouse logistics

09:25 Name change and market saturation

12:50 Observations from working at dealership

17:16 Challenges in hiring skilled technicians

22:29 Implementing DVX for consistency

29:16 Improving client experience

36:25 Handling customer complaints

39:22 Court warranty responsibility discussion

45:55 Talking auto shop math basics

49:50 Struggling with car ownership choices

59:17 Financial stability and customer selection

01:02:01 Seeking expert financial advice

01:09:12 Auto Repair Shop Basics series

01:10:48 Facing challenges and setbacks

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, Lucas and David sit down with Joe Ocello and Tom Elder from AASP New Jersey to discuss the state of the mechanical and collision repair industries. Tom shares his perspective on the growing need for specialized education and proper documentation as vehicles become more technologically advanced. Joe emphasizes the importance of ongoing technical training and communication to keep independent shops competitive and safe.

00:00 Teaching and building a skilled team

08:22 Ignoring safety instructions

14:35 Discussing mechanical challenges

19:55 Dealership service concerns

26:33 Replacing a deformed metal line

28:52 Carrying on the industry's legacy

34:24 Importance of business education

42:42 Dealing with repair mishaps

46:03 Discussing lawsuit strategy and repairs

49:57 Used car ADAS diagnostic work

58:46 Maryland ADAS certification debate

01:00:51 Discussing automotive repair regulations

01:08:25 Engaging shops beyond North Carolina

01:10:31 Staying focused on future goals

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, the conversation focused on Rich Fasulo's career journey, also known as Check Engine Chuck, as he shared his path from mobile diagnostics to shop ownership and back. One concept discussed was the importance of charging appropriately for diagnostic and repair work, with a strong emphasis on valuing your time and not giving away discounts out of pocket. A key theme that emerged was the struggle to balance caring for customers with running a profitable, sustainable business—highlighting how industry integrity depends on both technical skill and smart business decisions.

00:00 Choosing between shop and mobile business

06:56 Failing van inspection in New York

08:19 Fixing my car with a friend

11:42 Fixing a wheel balance issue

14:25 Learning from Scannerdanner videos

19:54 Writing detailed explanations for claims

23:37 Ensuring quality and reputation

25:38 Frustration with lack of effort

27:23 Frustration with tech industry's focus

30:26 Reflecting on past business failures

35:51 Explaining billing to customers

38:59 Realizing a Habitual Pattern

42:03 Learning from industry peers

44:34 Sharing videos for personal reasons

48:38 Diagnosing and strategizing module repairs

51:47 Troubleshooting a no-crank issue

53:37 Bringing in more mechanical vendors