If you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE for more on Turnkey Marketing.

Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE

When I used the maintenance tool for the fist time with Detect Auto, my mind was blown. My advisors had the same reaction - and then SO MUCH MORE TIME. Learn more about Detect Auto and book a free demo now!

For years I thought I could handle the hiring process on my own. But, after far too many bad hires, it was clear I needed help. Promotive came through for me with a rock star hire in just a few days and I couldn't be happier. Swallow your pride and bring in Promotive for that open position you have at your shop today. You can thank me later. Learn more HERE

AI for Shop Owners: Open the Hood of the Future is happening June 12-13 at Carfix in Raleigh, NC. Use AI to your advantage! Register HERE

This episode is Mikeless - just how we like it. HA! Today Bryan rides solo at TOOLS 2026 and talks dynamics between technicians and service advisors Andrew Fischer. They bring up the importance of fundamentals and communication—technicians often overlook basic testing but expect to dive into advanced diagnostics, leading to costly mistakes and frustration. They also talk about ego and misunderstanding: both between team members in the shop and toward customers, highlighting how crucial it is to clearly explain repairs and processes, not just rely on expertise.

Timestamps:
00:00 The real hardest job in the shop: service advisor confessions
03:08 Training struggles, being away from family, and the reality of evening classes
05:02 Why owners MUST vet what you’re paying for in auto training
07:11 Technicians skipping fundamentals—and how it comes back to bite your shop
10:20 Ego, ignorance, and the "alphabet soup" of tech skill levels
13:13 Fast techs vs fixed cars: the hidden cost of comebacks and efficiency
16:19 Communicating diagnostics: where most techs screw up (and how AI helps)
19:06 Why the front counter is pure chaos—and techs can’t handle customers
21:13 Explaining diagnoses in a way anyone can understand (with help from AI)
25:26 The service advisor’s secret: what customers REALLY want to know
28:12 The "zip code" analogy for why testing matters
30:28 Shops that charge for time vs selling fixed vehicles—who really wins?
32:40 Real-life story: four shops, still not fixed (and how a dead battery fooled them all)
34:35 What to do when you just can’t fix the car (real talk and lessons learned)
41:33 The problem with technician forums & why the smartest avoid them
44:28 Why most technicians will never be ready for business ownership
47:46 Full circle: gratitude, getting humbled, and growing as a leader
50:02 What every technician NEEDS to understand before running a shop

Tekmetrics' business model of listening to customers' needs and implementing new systems makes them super shop-friendly. Start using them at your shop today HERE

Turnkey Marketing has made my life SOOO much simpler, AND they've helped keep the phone ringing. Do you need these two things too? Learn more HERE

Elite Worldwide coaching has changed the game for me and my shop. Need a boost? Use Elite like I do. HERE

For years I thought I could handle the hiring process on my own. But, after far too many bad hires, it was clear I needed help. Promotive came through for me with a rock star hire in just a few days and I couldn't be happier. Swallow your pride and bring in Promotive for that open position you have at your shop today. You can thank me later. Learn more HERE

AI for Shop Owners: Open the Hood of the Future is happening June 12-13 at Carfix in Raleigh, NC. Use AI to your advantage! Register HERE

In this episode, Mike Allen sits down with Adam Rath, owner of a repair shop in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Adam tackles the challenge of adapting business models to different communities, emphasizing that what works in one area may not work in another. They also explore the importance of process efficiency, particularly in estimate building and digital vehicle inspections. Adam also talks about his role with the ASOG mastermind group, highlighting how peer support and structured programs can help struggling shop owners build a solid foundation.

Timestamps:
00:00 Efficient Estimates vs. Wasting Time
01:31 Podcast Tech Upgrades and Recording on the Road
03:03 Behind-the-Scenes: Touring Craftsman Auto Care
04:01 Coaching Models: Origins and Overlaps
06:00 Meet Adam Rath & the Reality of Shop Locations
08:08 Coaching Myths: "That Won’t Work in My Town"
09:00 Different Markets, Different Rules
11:16 The 300% Rule: Double-Edged Sword
12:33 Are You Sticker-Shocking Your Clients?
13:33 Presenting Estimates the Smart Way
14:09 DVI Tools and Estimating Efficiency
15:24 What Do You Show the Customer?
17:10 Single-Issue Selling: Helpful or "Slimy"?
20:01 Show & Sell: The Theater of Auto Sales
22:52 Roleplaying, Sales Practice, and the J Curve
24:55 Tech Tools: Detect Auto, DVI Speed, and Pain Points
28:40 Remote Estimators: Overseas Teams & Lessons Learned
30:41 The Rise and Fall of Remote Estimate Companies
33:05 EOS Explained: Visionaries vs. Integrators
36:36 Taking the Crystallizer Assessment
38:19 Monthly State of the Company at Adam's Shop
41:20 When the Team Wins—Even Without the Manager
43:13 Building Leadership Skills with the Right Tools
44:57 Adam’s Role in the ASOG Mastermind
46:33 The Mastermind Format & Growth
48:36 Curriculum Overhaul: Tightening the Learning Path
50:36 Live Invoice & Call Audits: Growing through Discomfort
53:43 Why We Break Process (and How to Fix It)
55:15 The Future of the Mastermind: Structure & Guest Coaches
57:10 Shop Fix vs. ASOG: The Coaching Disconnect
59:48 Buffet Approach to Coaching: Take What Works
1:01:47 Guest Coaches, Good Info, and Avoiding Sound Bites
1:04:00 Confession Time: When Employees Just Aren’t a Fit
1:06:23 Shop Culture: The Right People Stay, Others Go
1:07:13 EOS Implementers & Next Steps

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERE

Turnkey Marketing takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off my plate. And gives it to someone who is. Click HERE for more.

Elite Worldwide has CHANGED my business and life through their one-on-one coaching. Use them like I do HERE

For years I thought I could handle the hiring process on my own. But, after far too many bad hires, it was clear I needed help. Promotive came through for me with a rock star hire in just a few days and I couldn't be happier. Swallow your pride and bring in Promotive for that open position you have at your shop today. You can thank me later. Learn more HERE

AI for Shop Owners: Open the Hood of the Future is happening June 12-13 at Carfix in Raleigh, NC. Use AI to your advantage! Register HERE

In this episode, the podcasts collide for a behind the scenes conversation about what goes on on social media. Are the viral reels a good thing or a bad thing? Tonnika Haynes from Downshift with Tonnika, Jeff Compton from the Jaded Mechanic and Bryan Pollock from Confessions of a Shop Owner circle up to have this conversation with Braxton Critcher, the producer of each show. They also get real about the importance of doing the actual work behind the scenes, emphasizing that growth in your business (and in life) comes from putting in consistent effort, not just watching highlight reels.

Timestamps:
00:00 - The uncomfortable truth about podcast discovery and audience habits
01:16 - What happens when podcasts collide—introductions and chaos
02:23 - Behind the scenes: Group chat antics, tools, and industry jokes
03:57 - Social media, reels, and who’s to blame for viral content
05:01 - The power (and pain) of online comments and negative feedback
06:46 - Why social media works for some shops but isn’t for everyone
07:14 - Going viral: 2.4 million views, angry commenters, and riding the algorithm
09:03 - Building a brand: Negativity, growth strategies, and five-year plans
12:33 - Are most people really “spoon fed”? Podcast challenges explained
14:26 - Shop rates, community service, and fixing Chevy trucks for peanuts
17:04 - The “must be nice” attitude and its effect on success and envy
19:01 - Growing beyond your bubble: Why spicy reels are necessary
22:27 - Can podcasts actually change the industry? Or just a few minds?
35:01 - Choosing your hard: Highlight reels, business reality, and keeping perspective
44:21 - Real talk: Same struggles, different zip codes, focus on YOUR growth
49:34 - Excuses vs. results—moving, changing, and finding a way to win
54:37 - Visualization, success stories, and putting in the extra work
59:38 - “Choosing average”: 9-to-5 mentality and salary realities
1:01:09 - Relationships, distractions, and shop staff drama
1:03:21 - The only goal: One shop at a time, one listener at a time.

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERE

Turnkey Marketing takes the stress of doing something I'm not good at off my plate. And gives it to someone who is. Click HERE for more.

Elite Worldwide has CHANGED my business and life through their one-on-one coaching. Use them like I do HERE

For years I thought I could handle the hiring process on my own. But, after far too many bad hires, it was clear I needed help. Promotive came through for me with a rock star hire in just a few days and I couldn't be happier. Swallow your pride and bring in Promotive for that open position you have at your shop today. You can thank me later. Learn more HERE

AI for Shop Owners: Open the Hood of the Future is happening June 12-13 at Carfix in Raleigh, NC. Use AI to your advantage! Register HERE

Jesse Jackson is the CEO of Mango Automotive and knows a thing or two about scaling an auto repair business. Mainly because she scaled to 8 Figures in 3 Years. Yeah. Pretty good. She tells Mike why it's important to her to help shop owners retire comfortably, the realities of private equity buyouts, and innovative solutions like the new co-op model aimed at giving small shop owners a fairer shot at big multiples.

Email Jesse - jesse@mangoautomotive.com

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Why the gap between private equity & shop owner deals matters
• 01:01 The surprising drag bar origin of the podcast logo
• 02:14 Jessee’s family business journey: three generations, tough choices
• 03:29 Why Jessee hated the shop as a kid…and college “studies”
• 04:21 Why teaching wasn’t in the cards—parenting, patience, and expectations
• 05:57 Public vs. private school and family debates about education
• 07:06 Trades, college alternatives & raising hands-on kids
• 08:33 Kids figuring out life—boomerangs and avoiding $100k mistakes
• 10:06 Official intros: Mike Allen, mother of seven, owner of eight shops
• 10:35 Mike’s unconventional leap from environmental engineer to automotive mogul
• 11:46 Growth secrets: from 0 to $17M in four years
• 13:10 The ultimate session: “Growing from zero to eight figures”
• 14:41 Acquiring shops: The stories, motivations, and the human side
• 16:35 Shop owners and retirement dreams—how Mango is changing the game
• 19:11 The “1 to 3 out of 100” rule—finding shops worth acquiring
• 20:05 The evolution of Mango’s team and Jesse’s focus on marketing & acquisitions
• 22:45 Which shops do they buy? Turnarounds vs. high performers
• 23:10 Shattering revenue records—and a little friendly competition
• 24:32 Can the next gen kids take over? Mike’s family talks legacy
• 26:08 The 30-by-2030 vision: getting rolled up with equity
• 27:01 Why the current system feels broken—and how the Mango co-op could fix it
• 29:35 Jessee’s TechMetric ad break – Shop life made simple
• 31:09 The real question: Is selling to PE a betrayal or a smart exit?
• 32:06 Getting honest: Life, legacy & why helping owners matters
• 34:43 How the Mango co-op actually works—details & process
• 36:44 What’s next? Growth, challenges & why five years feels like a lifetime
• 39:00 Favorite markets, new territory, and expansion goals
• 40:29 The thrill of the shop game—and the hunt for the next big thing
• 41:44 Want to sell your shop or join the co-op?

If you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE for more on Turnkey Marketing.

Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HERE

When I used the maintenance tool for the fist time with Detect Auto, my mind was blown. My advisors had the same reaction - and then SO MUCH MORE TIME. Learn more about Detect Auto and book a free demo now!

For years I thought I could handle the hiring process on my own. But, after far too many bad hires, it was clear I needed help. Promotive came through for me with a rock star hire in just a few days and I couldn't be happier. Swallow your pride and bring in Promotive for that open position you have at your shop today. You can thank me later. Learn more HERE

AI for Shop Owners: Open the Hood of the Future is happening June 12-13 at Carfix in Raleigh, NC. Use AI to your advantage! Register HERE

In this crossover episode, Mike Allen teams up with Tonnika Haynes from Downshift with Tonnika to give you a preview of the upcoming ASTA Expo in Raleigh, NC this September. ASTA Board Member and shop owner Benjie Burris joins alongside his daughter, Callie Johnson, ASTA’s new Membership & Events Manager, to talk about what makes the Expo special and how building a strong shop culture can create lasting success both inside and outside the business.

The conversation dives into the power of showing up for your local community, building authentic relationships, and why giving back has played a major role in long-term growth. They also share first-hand ASTA Expo experiences, what makes the event different, and why the connections made there can impact both your business and your life.

Oh, and you'll also hear the story of how Benjie met his wife. Let’s just say it’s one of those stories you definitely won’t see coming.

Learn more about the ASTA Expo and how you can be there HERE

Timestamps:
00:00 The funniest icebreaker ever (yes, fake boobs are involved)
00:53 Live from Fueling Connections 2026 – ASTA at UTI Mooresville
02:22 Audio chaos: Why your own tools matter (and how NOT to record a podcast)
04:10 The rise of Downshift and the weirdness of being told “I listen to your podcast!”
05:03 Social media hacks: Engagement, trolls, and managing the comment chaos
09:19 A blueprint for a family-run business culture that actually works
10:29 Turning community support into real shop growth (and why service matters)
13:42 Small steps, big progress: Building a shop “patch by patch”1
4:42 The real reason community work succeeds (hint: It can’t be faked)
18:25 Real talk on supporting schools, teachers, and being boots-on-the-ground
22:22 Dealing with “big city” demands and setting shop boundaries
23:46 ASTA’s new Membership & Events Manager shares social media tips
26:53 The ASTA Expo: Networking, parties, and the least clicky vibe in the industry
28:29 Conversations that change careers—and lives
30:46 Competitors or community? Why ASTA shops help each other
32:07 Going from local to international—how ASTA keeps its family feel
36:04 Must-attend classes, what’s next for ASTA, and seriously, don’t miss the hospitality suite
39:29 Why Downshift is different: Focusing on legacy, mindset, and leveling up

Tekmetrics' business model of listening to customers' needs and implementing new systems makes them super shop-friendly. Start using them at your shop today HERE

Turnkey Marketing has made my life SOOO much simpler, AND they've helped keep the phone ringing. Do you need these two things too? Learn more HERE

Elite Worldwide coaching has changed the game for me and my shop. Need a boost? Use Elite like I do. HERE

For years I thought I could handle the hiring process on my own. But, after far too many bad hires, it was clear I needed help. Promotive came through for me with a rock star hire in just a few days and I couldn't be happier. Swallow your pride and bring in Promotive for that open position you have at your shop today. You can thank me later. Learn more HERE

AI for Shop Owners: Open the Hood of the Future is happening June 12-13 at Carfix in Raleigh, NC. Use AI to your advantage! Register HERE

In this episode, Mike and Matt talk about daily shop performance and the importance of defining what a "perfect day" looks like for the team. One concept Matt brought up was the need to move away from subjective evaluations and instead implement objective, binary metrics—like technician hours worked, appointments attended, and gross profit targets—for more effective management. One trick for shop owners is to use actionable mid-day check-ins to quickly identify and respond to potential issues, raising the floor on performance rather than merely chasing bigger highs.

Timestamps:
00:00 Setting the Standard: Defining a "Perfect Day" in Shop Management
01:46 Upcoming AI Training Class: Why Early Adoption Means Opportunity
04:13 Building the Event Calendar: Fall Shows, Course Selection & Hospitality Suite
05:47 April Recap: Revenue, Profit, and Running a Leaner Team
07:27 Unlocking the Numbers: ARO, Close Ratio & Tech Metric Deep Dive
08:10 The DVI Dilemma: Why Process Slippage Hurts Your Bottom Line
10:06 Only One-Third of Customers See Your DVI?! Here's Why That Matters
12:06 Triggers for Action: When to Audit and How to Respond
13:01 The "Perfect Day Plan" and Real-World Contingencies
15:47 Scorecarding the Day: Checks at 10AM, 2PM, and Raising the Floor
18:00 Subjective vs. Objective Reporting: What REALLY Tells the Story
21:25 The Problem with Overreporting & What Data Actually Matters
23:21 Real-World Action Plans: Handling Cancellations, No-Shows & Dead Days
25:21 VIP Customers, Deferred Work, and Making Today Count
27:01 Maximizing Opportunity: Not All Cars (or Customers) Are Equal
28:35 Do You Exclude State Inspections From Your Numbers? The Truth Behind the Data
30:03 Stepping Beyond Express Lube: Changing What Business You’re In
32:01 Retention Rates & Why That Second Visit is GOLD
35:10 Turning State Inspections into Repeat Business: The REAL Strategy
40:14 Role Playing, AI in Training, and How Owners Stay Sharp
42:22 Overcoming Price Objections: Getting Down to What Matters Most
44:10 Fly With the Eagles & Masters Training: What’s Coming Next
47:47 Hosting at ASTA Expo: Deep Dive, Hot Topics & Real Owner Conversation

Tekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HERE

My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERE

Make your techs happier with Detect Auto. They'll stop getting "check noise" or "check vibration" from advisors with the customer concern tool. It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Book a demo HERE

For years I thought I could handle the hiring process on my own. But, after far too many bad hires, it was clear I needed help. Promotive came through for me with a rock star hire in just a few days and I couldn't be happier. Swallow your pride and bring in Promotive for that open position you have at your shop today. You can thank me later. Learn more HERE

Brad McAllister & Jay Power from OktoRocket join Mike to dig into the power of analytics for shop owners. They break down how tracking call conversions can translate into serious revenue, revealing that just a 6% bump in close ratio could mean an extra $24,475 per month. The guys also share their take on leaderboard motivation—why it can drive some team members and demotivate others—and discuss the relentless advance of AI-powered features like agent assist and Rocket Shield to keep shops ahead of the curve.

Get the OktoRocket 2025 Industry Report HERE

Timestamps:

00:00 Game-changing stats to motivate your business growth

01:17 Tektonic 2026: Rooftop parties, Texas-shaped pools, and industry networking

03:00 Turtle races and finding your pace in a crowded event

05:05 Meet the OktoRocket team and their journey from shop floor to SaaS leaders

05:37 How OktoRocket connects, analyzes, and grows shops of every size

08:25 Tools for shops, marketing companies, and analyzing your campaigns

10:17 Decoding call conversion, inbound sales, and the analytics that matter most

12:11 Should you use leaderboards? Shop culture, competition, and motivation dilemmas

16:41 What makes great management & using data to coach your people

17:14 Drill down into conversions: marketing calls, repair orders, and tracking ROI

22:44 Tagging high-value customers—Are your ads bringing the right cars to your bay?

24:29 The real numbers: Industry report highlight reel and surprises

28:28 Close rates are dropping—what does it mean for your shop in 2025?

31:38 Just a 6-point close rate boost could net $24k/month—here’s how

32:49 Real talk on gross profit, compensation, and fixing margins

34:46 OktoRocket’s founders share their shop careers and why they built it

40:45 Staying ahead with rapid dev, AI, and never getting outcompeted

44:27 New tech rolling out: AI phone agents, Rocket Shield, and beyond

47:37 Your wish list: Real-time scripts and objection handling coming soon?