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 are joined by Uwe Kleinschmidt of AutoTechIQ. Uwe explains how AI-powered tools are revolutionizing the Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) process, highlighting how annotated photos and captions can help customers better understand repair recommendations. The discussion also explores industry coaching advice on customer communication, with Uwe challenging traditional authority-based approaches by emphasizing transparency and customer empowerment.

00:00 AI Streamlines Automotive Service Communication

06:39 "DVI: The Ultimate CRM Tool"

10:11 "Streamlining Auto Flow Processes"

11:51 "Routine Inspections for Vehicle Health"

15:18 "Optimal Vehicle Maintenance Decisions"

18:23 "Transparency Builds Trust in Service"

24:39 "Tech8IQ Delays Dispatch Process"

27:37 "AI Fixing Cost Discrepancies"

30:18 "Autonomy Issues in Service Inspections"

32:48 "Coaching Pushback on Customer Calls"

36:24 "Key KPI: Customer View Rate"

39:25 "Improving Customer Interaction Metrics"

44:27 Shopware Weakness and DVI Feedback

47:05 "Gen Z's Communication Preferences"

51:28 Embedded Comparison Video Idea

53:08 "AI Image Stirs Debate"

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 are joined by Ruth Wisniewski, Senior Director of Customer Success at Vehlo. Ruth shares how her team at Vehlo elevates client experience by helping shops leverage software to meet their goals, from boosting efficiency to increasing car count. The discussion explores the importance of building a favorite brand through “moments of truth” in the customer journey, and the role company culture plays in delivering exceptional service.

00:00 "Vehlo Customer Success Leadership"

03:48 "Streamlining Your Shop's Experience"

07:40 "Building Culture Around Experience"

10:46 "DIY Car Fixer Fails"

15:14 "Creative Problem-Solving Improves Outcomes"

18:13 "Sales vs. Customer-Centric Approach"

20:30 Shady Shopware Setup Concerns

25:25 "Customizable Customer Experience at Vehlo"

26:56 "Empowerment Through Vehlo's Support"

31:08 "Customer Experience: A Guided Reflection"

35:50 "Cost of Goods Discrepancy"

36:44 "Reading Release Notes Religiously"

42:16 "Lion's Mane and Nerve Healing"

45:49 "Recovering Without Surgery"

47:06 Lion's Mane for Focus?

52:14 "Best Banana Pudding Ever"

53:18 Raleigh's Amazing Food Scene

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 are joined by Jonathan Seitzer, a former Wall Street product manager who is stepping into the world of auto shop ownership. Jonathan shares his journey from discovering the podcast and automotive industry to the challenges of buying an established shop with no technical background. The conversation covers the realities of inheriting an existing staff, balancing necessary changes with preserving shop culture, and the daunting task of building a supportive work environment while facing industry-wide staffing and training hurdles.

00:00 "From Marines to Wall Street"

03:45 "Electric Vehicle Charging Stations"

07:15 "Journey Back to Mars"

12:44 Customer Reactions to Pricing Changes

14:16 "Challenges with Dutch Customers"

16:25 "Effective Marketing Strategy Essentials"

21:44 "Golden Handcuffs Dilemma"

25:29 "Building a Hiring Pipeline"

28:24 "Fostering Growth and Balance"

31:03 Scaling Revenue Through Skilled Leadership

34:49 Preparing the Next Generation

37:20 "Challenges in Automotive Careers"

40:58 "Beware Leadership Temptations"

44:05 "Finding Balance in Leadership"

45:51 "The Struggle to Take Seriously"

52:01 "Building Trust Through Consistency"

55:12 "Cluttered Midwestern Dealership Tale"

56:18 "Impactful Change Through Appearance"

59:50 "Supportive Learning Community"