Gearbox Podcast

What if most customer objections are created before the price is ever mentioned?

Jimmy sits down with automotive coach Dave Schedin from Computrek for a deep dive into smarter selling, proactive customer communication, and building real trust at the service counter. They break down price shoppers, preventative maintenance, overcoming objections without pressure, increasing hours per repair order, and why the best advisors stop trying to be the hero—and become the guide instead.

Packed with practical language, real shop examples, and strategies you can put to work immediately.

In this episode, Jimmy Purdy sits down with Dawn Sloas, host of Mileage May Vary and Buckaroo Bob for an honest, unfiltered conversation about leadership, shop culture, training, and the future of the automotive industry. From managing younger technicians and building stronger teams to balancing accountability with empathy, the trio dives deep into the real struggles shop owners face every day.

They tackle everything from employee development and communication to imposter syndrome, coaching, technician shortages, and what it really takes to create a workplace people want to be part of. With plenty of laughs, real-world stories, and hard-earned wisdom, this episode is packed with insight for shop owners, managers, technicians, and anyone passionate about building a better industry

In this episode of Gear Box Podcast, Jimmy sits down with Jesse from Mango Automotive to talk about scaling auto repair businesses, shop acquisitions, leadership, and the changing future of the automotive industry. Jesse shares how Mango Automotive grew from a single acquisition to eight locations across the Southwest, what she looks for when buying shops, and why culture, accountability, and mindset matter more than flashy business tactics.

The conversation dives deep into private equity, industry consolidation, technician shortages, SOPs, leadership burnout, imposter syndrome, and how shop owners must evolve personally if they want to grow professionally. They also explore how AI and automation could reshape the future of automotive repair—and why adaptability will separate thriving shop owners from those left behind.

Whether you’re a one-shop operator dreaming of expansion or just trying to survive the daily grind, this episode is packed with real-world insights on growth, systems, hiring, and building a business that can scale beyond the owner.

In this episode, it’s a real, unfiltered conversation about what actually happens when you go from turning wrenches to running a shop. We dig into the early chaos of opening, hiring struggles, bad decisions, wins, losses, and everything in between.

This one covers it all—free diag, building a sales process, dealing with customers, paying technicians what they’re actually worth, and the reality of trying to grow something from nothing. Nothing scripted, nothing polished—just two shop owners talking through what’s working, what’s not, and what they’re learning in real time.

If you’re in the industry and tired of hearing theory from people who don’t live it… this is for you.

In this episode, we sit down with JK Walker—owner of a thriving mobile auto repair business and founder of a mail-order ECM company specializing in Chrysler vehicles. We dive into the culture of negativity in the auto industry, how it holds shops back, and the powerful sales processes that separate struggling businesses from thriving ones. If you’re serious about growth, mindset, and building something different, this episode is for you.

David Boyd from call inbound- an automotive specific VOIP phone service company- is back on to drop more knowledge of the importance of communication from AAPEX 2025!

Mike runs a parts distribution warehouse for Corvette in our hometown, Corvette Pacifica, he comes to AAPEX every year to find new suppliers, He talks about how Tariffs are affecting his business and some of the issues he has run into with keeping quality his number one priority.

Arun from Driven auto care is Back! And Straight from the AAPEX floor, we sit down to cut through the hype and spotlight what actually moves the needle in 2025—smarter diagnostics, cleaner workflows, and people-first processes. Fast, practical takeaways you can bring back to the shop Tomorrow.

The man, the myth, the legend, Lalo stops back in after a long Hiatus and is joined by Shift'n gears own service manager Moe, and what better place to catch up then at AAPEX, we talk Shop performance, culture, and tech adoption—how to turn this year’s show buzz into measurable wins in your bays.

In this episode of The Gear Box Podcast, Jimmy sits down with Kevin Brown — shop owner, creator of Repair Shop Reckoning, and one of the loudest voices calling for real talk in the auto repair world. Together, they dig into the truth behind shop culture, leadership, AI in the bay, and why knowing your numbers beats chasing the next silver bullet. It’s raw, funny, and packed with lessons every shop owner needs to hear.

In this powerful episode of The Gearbox Podcast, Jimmy Purdy sits down with financial advisor and exit strategist Matt DiFrancesco to talk about the one thing most shop owners never plan for—what happens after the grind. Matt shares insider strategies on how blue-collar business owners can transform from being trapped in their business to leading it with freedom and purpose. From building true business value to creating generational wealth, this conversation is packed with real talk, practical tools, and mindset shifts every shop owner needs to hear.

In this powerful milestone episode, Jimmy sits down with Brent Kilmer — owner of Velocity Tire & Auto and coach with Repair Shop of Tomorrow — for a raw and inspiring deep dive into what it really takes to grow as a shop owner and leader. From battling resistance to coaching, to learning when to let go of bad habits (and bad employees), Brent shares how he transformed his business — and himself — by embracing change.

Expect hard truths, laughs, and plenty of wisdom about leadership, pricing your worth, and killing the “old version” of yourself that’s holding you back. Whether you’re behind the counter or under the hood, this conversation will hit home.

In this episode, Jimmy sits down with Charlie Zlatkoz of Pleasant Car Care to talk about the journey from technician to shop owner—and why that leap requires a totally different mindset. They dive into the concept of "auto hospitality," fixing process bottlenecks, hiring the right team, and the power of saying yes to customers. Whether you're running a shop or just passionate about business, this episode is packed with real-world insights and game-changing advice

In this episode, Jimmy Purdy sits down with leadership coach Josh Parnell of Limitless Leadership to unpack what it really takes to grow as a leader—both in the shop and in life. From mastering communication and the power of one-on-ones, to balancing recognition with accountability, Josh shares practical strategies that drive team engagement, improve performance, and even restore relationships at home.

Together, Jimmy and Josh dive into imposter syndrome, the importance of repetition and practice, work-life “rhythm,” and why investing in people beats chasing quick fixes. Whether you’re a shop owner, a team leader, or just someone striving to lead better, this conversation is packed with insights, quotes, and stories that will inspire you to take action.

In this episode, Felipe shares how his AI-powered tool seamlessly integrates with CRMs to capture, analyze, and leverage real customer conversations. From recording interactions to providing actionable insights, Felipe explains how advisors and sales teams can boost productivity, strengthen client relationships, and make data-driven decisions—all without disrupting their workflow. We also talk about the challenges of working with less-than-perfect internet, the humor in everyday names, and the exciting possibilities of AI in customer engagement.

What happens when a former Wall Street financier-turned-school teacher opens a five-bay auto shop in a small Maryland town? You get JJ — a powerhouse of faith, grit, and strategy. In this episode, JJ shares how he transformed his shop from grinding $40K months into a $450K+ monthly revenue engine — all without a massive facility or a big-city advantage. Learn how he used a coaching framework, customer service, and even AI to revolutionize operations, empower his team, and prove that purpose and process can outperform size and location.

Whether you’re in a 2-bay rural shop or a 50-lift mega facility, this episode will challenge what you believe is possible.

In this episode of The Gearbox Podcast, Jimmy Purdy sits down with Josh Overlander, Director of Business Development at Detect Auto, to explore how data and AI are revolutionizing the way independent repair shops do business. From identifying lost revenue opportunities to measuring real technician productivity in real time, Josh shares how Detect Auto helps shops bridge the gap between shop floor performance and profitability.

In this episode, Jimmy sits down with Brian Rhodes, founder of Auto Shop Recruiting and a 20-year veteran of talent acquisition, to crack the code on hiring techs and advisors in a market where “Help Wanted” banners are everywhere. Brian explains why the old “post-and-pray” ad doesn’t work anymore—and how independent shops can compete head-to-head with dealers, chains, and even OEM training programs for A-level talent.

Whether you’re a one-man shop dreaming bigger, or a multi-bay owner stuck in neutral, Elijah’s hard-won lessons on pricing, scheduling, and customer trust will help you shift from survival mode to booming business.

Tune in to learn how a pole-barn passion project became a high-growth auto-repair force—and why your location, lift count, or local economy no longer have to cap your potential.