What actually happens when a great technician becomes a shop foreman?

In this episode of The Wrench Turners Podcast, I sit down with Mike Ramirez and Aaron Marion, two experienced shop foremen, to talk about the real work of leading technicians on the shop floor.

This conversation goes far beyond diagnostics, flat rate, and fixing cars.

Mike talks about going from a producing technician to a shop multiplier, helping other techs remove bottlenecks, make more hours, and work better as a team. Aaron shares what it’s like leading inside a high-end Porsche environment, why mentorship still matters years into the trade, and why no technician should ever believe they’ve learned everything.

The episode digs into:

How mentors build technicians without doing the work for them

Why shop foremen need to document their processes

How team chemistry changes the entire shop

Why reputation matters more than most technicians realize

How ego can limit growth in the automotive industry

Why personal finances affect technician happiness and performance

What real shop leadership looks like when the car, the customer, or the team is struggling

This is a conversation for technicians, shop foremen, service managers, fixed operations directors, and anyone who cares about building better leaders inside automotive service departments.

Because the best tool in the shop is still a good leader.

Negative Pushes

Positive Pulls

God Bless

j.

Find Mike:

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-ramirez-1782152a/

Find Aaron:

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-marion-257b18231/

⚠️ Disclaimer:

I’m a licensed mechanic. That doesn’t mean I know what I’m doing, whether it’s fixing things or filming things. Do your own due diligence.

Listen to The Wrench Turners Podcast:

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/1ScwRP0DFMtDsp83JxPhPK?si=26aeb4be65da45eb

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mrjoshuataylor/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjtaylor/

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:56 Express bay to shop foreman

05:20 Aaron Marion’s early mentors

08:01 High-end stores and better shops

09:48 Why some shops can’t afford to miss

15:12 How Aaron handles problem cars

18:23 Mike’s Prologue diagnostic nightmare

20:34 Stumbling gracefully

23:17 The middle years of a technician’s career

25:32 What a dream shop feels like

26:23 Learning from everyone in the shop

32:39 Aaron’s advice for apprentices

33:44 Mike on reputation, trust, and leadership

37:15 Why technicians need to manage personal finances

41:44 Why technicians shouldn’t box themselves in

44:50 Closing quote and final thoughts

Is there really a technician shortage or is the industry losing good people because shops are ignoring the real problem?

In this episode, Marshall, John Baranski, Brent Osmond, and Richard Mueller break down the uncomfortable truth behind technician recruiting, retention, flat rate pay, shop reputation, apprentice turnover, and why automotive technicians are moving into heavy-duty, mining, material handling, and hourly positions.

The conversation gets real about what shops say they need, what technicians actually talk about, and why every dealership’s reputation travels faster than most leaders want to admit.

Because technicians know.

They know what your shop pays.

They know what your benefits cost.

They know how your bonus structure actually works.

They know which shops develop people and which shops chew them up.

This episode is for technicians, shop foremen, service managers, fixed ops directors, dealership leaders, and anyone trying to understand why attracting and keeping good technicians has become one of the biggest challenges in the trade.

Topics include technician shortage myths, apprentice retention, flat rate frustration, heavy-duty recruiting, employee experience, shop culture, technician career paths, and why great technicians don’t automatically become great leaders.

The strongest line from the episode says it all:

“If you think that the technicians around your area don’t know what your techs are getting paid, you’re dead wrong.”

Negative Pushes

Positive Pulls

God Bless

j.

Follow Brent Osmond:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-osmond-7b8302149/

Dynamic Diesel Solutions

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamic-diesel-solutions-canada/posts/?feedView=all

Follow Marshall Sheldon

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshall-sheldon-981349176/

Briggs Industrial Solutions

https://www.linkedin.com/company/briggs-industrial-solutions/

Follow Richard Mueller

https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-mueller-024155150/

Wolfe Automotive Group

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wolfecalgary/

Follow John Baranski

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-baranski-335021270/

Miami Car Cartel

https://www.instagram.com/miamicarcartel/

⚠️ Disclaimer:

I’m a licensed mechanic. That doesn’t mean I know what I’m doing, whether it’s fixing things or filming things. Do your own due diligence.

Listen to The Wrench Turners Podcast:

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/1ScwRP0DFMtDsp83JxPhPK?si=26aeb4be65da45eb

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mrjoshuataylor/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjtaylor/

00:00 Technicians know what everyone is getting paid

00:52 Is there really a technician shortage?

01:45 Trade schools are still producing apprentices

03:47 Shortage or bad working conditions?

07:00 Shops complain about shortage but ignore retention

10:26 The real cost of training a new technician

12:42 What an empty bay actually costs the business

15:32 Shops have reputations whether leaders admit it or not

22:57 Why apprentices leave in the first year

29:52 Flat rate resentment and why techs are leaving automotive

34:24 Automotive techs moving into heavy duty and material handling

40:48 Different types of high performing technicians

43:58 Why good technicians don’t always become good leaders

48:21 What’s coming next: career paths technicians care about

So the 10 Mill lads took over.In this episode of 10 Mill Mastery, Marshall Sheldon, Richard Mueller, John Baranski, and the mysterious camera off Josh Arnold sit down for a real technician panel about what’s actually happening inside shops right now.This one goes everywhere.Passwords that change constantly.Scan tools that need updates before you can even work.Videos and photos are becoming part of every repair.Warranty documentation.Hot shops.Young techs are hitting the six-hour wall.Energy drinks, bad lunches, mental fatigue, and the difference between being lazy and learning how to work.Then the conversation turns into something bigger.How do you lead apprentices without crushing them?How do you coach a tech who’s stuck in diagnostic circles?How do you build shop culture without turning “roasting” into damage?How much direction does an owner actually need to give their leaders?And when does a job stop being worth the money?Marshall keeps the conversation moving from the field service side.Richard brings the structured dealership leadership perspective.John brings the boat world, the faith, the chaos, and the big picture questions.Josh Arnold stays hidden like a mystery dude in witness protection, but still drops the kind of quiet Subaru tech wisdom that makes everyone stop and listen.No polished keynote.No corporate script.No Joshua steering the ship.Just four technicians talking through passwords, videos, heat, pressure, leadership, money, values, and the modern weight of fixing things for a living.This is 10 Mill Mastery, without me.Negative PushesPositive PullsGod Blessj.⚠️ Disclaimer:I’m a licensed mechanic. That doesn’t mean I know what I’m doing, whether it’s fixing things or filming things. Do your own due diligence.Listen to The Wrench Turners Podcast:Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1ScwRP0DFMtDsp83JxPhPK?si=26aeb4be65da45ebInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/mrjoshuataylor/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjtaylor/00:00 Opening Prayer00:24 Passwords, Logins, and Technician Tech Overload02:24 Boat Diagnostics and OEM Platforms05:12 GM Techline, Updates, and Bricked Modules10:02 DMS Logins, Video Inspections, and Warranty Photos14:32 VPNs, Hotspots, and Mobile Programming Problems20:14 The Six Hour Wall for Young Technicians25:49 Midday Check Ins and Technician Productivity27:31 Helping Young Techs Learn How to Work32:25 Diagnostic Frustration and Knowing When to Step Away35:08 Shop Roasting, Mistakes, and Mentorship38:15 Watches, Fitness, and Side Conversations41:35 Alberta, Weather, Taxes, and Moving South44:44 Owner Vision, Guardrails, and Shop Direction47:51 Making Money Is Not a Clear Business Plan53:41 Pay, Risk, and Knowing Your Hard Line1:00:46 Jobs, Core Values, and When to Leave1:12:28 Closing Reflection

Chris Biediger, better known online as Texas Tool Guy, has lived a technician's story that doesn’t fit into a clean little box.

He broke his back at 17. Lost hearing in one ear. Left college. Worked the lube rack. Got humbled by an electrical diagnosis. Left the dealership world. Went back to school. Bartended. Fixed cars in his driveway. Got pulled back into the trade. Built a social media following by accident. Then helped launch a Toyota and Lexus specialty shop in Texas.

But this episode isn’t just about tools, certifications, or dealership drama.

It’s about what it actually takes to survive and grow in this trade.

Chris talks about learning the hard way, asking for more money, getting certified, reading service information, flat rate pressure, dealership politics, mentorship, content creation, Toyota and Lexus work, ADAS, and why technicians have to take their physical and mental health seriously.

Because if your body goes, your career goes with it.

And if your head isn’t clear, your diagnosis won’t be either.

This is a real technician conversation about grit, growth, money, mentorship, family, and building a better life with a wrench in your hand.

Follow Chris:

Texas Tool Guy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/txtoolguy

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@txtoolguy

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@TxToolGuy⁩

Hill Country Yoda Works

Toyota and Lexus Specialists in New Braunfels, Texas

Subscribe to The Wrench Turners Podcast for real conversations with technicians, shop foremen, service leaders, trainers, and automotive professionals who are working to make this trade healthier, happier, and more productive.

Negative pushes.

Positive pulls.

j.

⚠️ Disclaimer:

I’m a licensed mechanic. That doesn’t mean I know what I’m doing, whether it’s fixing things or filming things. Do your own due diligence.

Listen to The Wrench Turners Podcast:

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/1ScwRP0DFMtDsp83JxPhPK?si=26aeb4be65da45eb

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mrjoshuataylor/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjtaylor/

Chapters

00:00 Chris Biediger, TxToolGuy

04:07 Breaking his back...

08:41 Leaving college for the dealership

10:26 Getting humbled

15:17 The mentor who taught him

20:16 Certifications, flat rate, and pay

28:26 COVID, side work, and the auto pull

38:22 Ford, heavy line, and learning value

51:06 Leaving Toyota to build something

55:59 Starting Texas Tool Guy

Most people don’t plan to lead technicians.

Racheal Bright didn’t either.

She walked into the industry knowing four words… and now leads teams responsible for keeping mission-critical equipment running where downtime costs thousands per minute.

In this episode of The Wrench Turners Podcast, we break down what leadership actually looks like in the real world, not theory, not management books, but on the ground, in the shop, and in the field.

We get into:

👉 How she accidentally got into the industry

👉 What the first year really felt like (confusion, pressure, learning fast)

👉 The reality of leading technicians under constant urgency

👉 Why preventative maintenance isn’t boring… It’s everything

👉 The difference between shop work vs field work pressure

👉 How trust is built (and lost) with customers

👉 What separates average techs from high-value leaders

This isn’t just about material handling or forklifts.

This is about leadership in any shop, any trade, anywhere.

If you’re a technician, advisor, or service manager trying to get better… this one matters.

🎙️ About The Wrench Turners Podcast

Real conversations with real people in the trades.

No fluff. No scripts. Just the truth about what it takes to build a career, lead people, and stay in the game.

📢 Want to be on the show?

If you’re a mechanic, technician, or leader who started on the tools and has a story to tell, reach out.

Auto. Heavy-duty. Motorcycle. Marine. RV.

If it moves… We’ll talk about it.

Negative Pushes

Positive Pulls

j.

⚠️ Disclaimer:

I’m a licensed mechanic. That doesn’t mean I know what I’m doing, whether it’s fixing things or filming things. Do your own due diligence.

Listen to The Wrench Turners Podcast:

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/1ScwRP0DFMtDsp83JxPhPK?si=26aeb4be65da45eb

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mrjoshuataylor/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjtaylor/

Find Racheal Bright:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/racheal-bright-08281262/

Check out Gregory Poole Equipment Company

https://www.linkedin.com/company/gregory-poole-equipment-company/

Chapters:

00:00 Intro & Setting the Stage

04:00 Meet Racheal Bright

05:50 How She Got Into the Industry

08:10 “I Only Knew 4 Words”

10:05 The First Year

12:30 When It All Finally Clicked

14:45 What Is Material Handling

17:00 The Hidden Cost of Downtime

19:30 Shop vs Field Technicians

22:00 Pressure in the Field

24:30 Leadership Lessons

27:00 Why Most Shops Struggle

29:30 Simple Systems

32:00 The Problem With Disorganized Workflows

34:30 Preventative Maintenance Is Everything

36:45 Why PMs Build Trust

39:00 What Separates Great Technicians

41:30 The Reality of Leading

43:30 Advice for Anyone

45:00 Outro & Final Thoughts

Brandon Roy grew up in the collision industry. His grandfather was a blacksmith. His father ran body shops and taught collision repair. By the time Brandon was a teenager, he was already sanding panels and painting vehicles inside the family shop.

What started in a paint booth eventually turned into a career that spans more than two decades across collision repair, estimating, operations, coaching, paid speaking, and national training.

Today, Brandon travels across North America as an instructor with NCM Associates, helping shops develop leaders, improve performance, and build stronger teams in the collision repair industry.

In this episode, we talk about:

👉 What it takes to become a world-class refinish technician

👉 The difference between paint “applicators” and real painters

👉 Why mentorship is the most overlooked advantage in the trades

👉 How leadership and culture shape successful collision centers

👉 Why attitude and problem-solving determine long-term success

If you work in collision repair, mechanical service, or dealership operations, this conversation will challenge how you think about growth in the trades.

🎧 Listen to more episodes of The Wrench Turners Podcast

👉 https://www.youtube.com/@wrenchturners

📌 Like, comment, and subscribe to support the channel

Subscribe for episodes on:

👉 Service advisor training

👉 Technician productivity

👉 Service Leadership

👉 Mechanic Mental Health

👉 Repair order accuracy

👉 Dealership leadership and culture

👉 Fixed Ops coaching and management

👉 Automotive Content Creation

👉 Event Media and Publication

👉 Event Filmography

Listen to The Wrench Turners Podcast:

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/1ScwRP0DFMtDsp83JxPhPK?si=26aeb4be65da45eb

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mrjoshuataylor/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjtaylor/

Find Brandon Roy:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-roy-697b5356/

Chapters

01:05 Introducing Brandon Roy

02:30 Growing Up in Collision

04:30 What a Refinish Tech Does

07:00 The Truth About Paint

10:30 Painters vs “Applicators”

14:00 Family Influence

18:00 Mentorship Matters

22:00 Commitment vs the Modern Career

26:00 Hiring the Right People

30:00 Becoming a Paid Speaker

33:30 Advice for Technicians

35:30 Final Thoughts

John Baranski started as an automotive technician in the middle of the 2008 recession, when shops were closing and layoffs were constant. Instead of quitting, he learned everything no one else wanted to do. Water leaks. Convertible tops. Hybrids. That grit carried him from fixing cars to fixing boats… and eventually, into leadership.

Today, John is a shop foreman in the marine industry, managing a team that repairs some of the most advanced wake and performance boats in the world.

In this episode, we talk about:

👉 How to survive shop closures and layoffs

👉 Turning hard jobs into career opportunities

👉 Building accountability and trust on the shop floor

👉 The difference between working hard and leading hard

👉 What it takes to move from wrenching to leadership

If you’re a mechanic, technician, or service professional who wants to level up, this conversation will hit home.

🎧 Listen to more episodes of The Wrench Turners Podcast

👉 https://www.youtube.com/@WrenchTurners

📌 Like, comment, and subscribe to support the channel

Subscribe for episodes on:

Service advisor training

Technician productivity

Repair order accuracy

Dealership leadership and culture

Fixed Ops coaching and management

Automotive Content Creation

Event Media and Publication

Event Filmography

Listen to The Wrench Turners Podcast

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ScwRP0DFMtDsp83JxPhPK?si=26aeb4be65da45eb

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjoshuataylor/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjtaylor/

FixedOPS Marketing — Service marketing tools for dealerships

https://www.fixedopsmarketing.com

https://www.youtube.com/@fixedopsmarketing

https://www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing

Chapters:

00:00 – Opening Prayer

01:00 – Who is John Baranski?

03:00 – Discovering a Passion

05:00 – Getting Recruited

07:00 – Surviving the 2008 Crash

09:00 – Learning Work Ethic

12:00 – Accountability, Trust

15:00 – The Power of Great Leadership

18:00 – Finding Culture and Coaching

20:00 – Moving to Florida:

23:00 – Becoming a Master Tech

26:00 – Reaching the Top

29:00 – The Hardest Jobs in the Dealership

31:00 – Transition from Cars to Boats

34:00 – Entering the Marine Industry

36:00 – Learning Boats from Scratch

38:00 – Mentorship, Mindset, and Learning

42:00 – Universal Skills All Mechanics Share

44:00 – Advice for Technicians

47:00 – “Do the Jobs Nobody Wants to Do”

49:00 – The Wildest Customer Stories

51:00 – The Coolest Thing That Ever Happened at Work

52:00 – Final Thoughts and Closing Quote

Technician recruiting is broken, and Sheila Pogue has seen it from both sides.In this episode of The Wrench Turners Podcast, Sheila shares how she went from a parts counter rookie to leading teams across service, warranty, marketing, and now talent acquisition in RV, Marine, Power Sports, and Automotive.She’s placed techs, she’s hired techs, she’s BEEN the tech’s backup when things went sideways. Now, she’s sounding the alarm: if your dealership can’t recruit techs, it’s not a shortage, it’s a systems problem.In this episode:✅ Why most techs don’t even have a resume✅ What top technicians actually want (and what they don’t)✅ How LinkedIn is “word of mouth on wide open throttle” for hiring✅ What shops should be doing right now✅ Why RV, Marine might just be the next big hiring poolWhether you're a GM, Fixed Ops Director, or recruiter trying to fill your bays, or a tech thinking about your next move, this episode will change the way you think about hiring and getting hired.📌 Like, comment, and subscribe to support smarter recruiting and better technician careers.🔧 Follow Sheila Pogue on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilapogue713/🔔 Subscribe to the Wrench Turners Podcast for more in-depth conversations with industry innovators.#morethancarsSubscribe for episodes on:Service advisor trainingTechnician productivityRepair order accuracyDealership leadership and cultureFixed Ops coaching and managementAutomotive Content CreationEvent Media and PublicationEvent FilmographyListen to The Wrench Turners PodcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ScwRP0DFMtDsp83JxPhPK?si=26aeb4be65da45ebInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjoshuataylor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjtaylor/FixedOPS Marketing — Service marketing tools for dealershipshttps://www.fixedopsmarketing.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@fixedopsmarketinghttps://www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing