Craig Bruneel is the Owner of Bruneel Point S Tire & Service, which operates 13 shops across Idaho, and holds the position of Chairman of the Board of Point S Tire & Service. Craig's tenure in the tire and auto service industry began in childhood, where his early exposure to the family business instilled a passion for entrepreneurship and service. His experience encompasses every aspect of the tire business, from creating swim tubes for sale as a young entrepreneur to expanding his famil...
Aug 21, 2024•32 min•Ep. 141
Mike Allen is the entrepreneurial owner of Carfix , a three-shop operation in Raleigh and Garner in North Carolina. Serving as the President of the Board of Directors for the Automotive Service and Tire Alliance and hosting the annual ASTA Expo , Mike embodies third-generation excellence in the auto repair industry. With his grandfather founding a multifaceted auto repair business in 1937, Mike was born into an environment where the industry was a staple at home. After taking the helm, he expand...
Aug 14, 2024•27 min•Ep. 140
E. Red is the enterprising force behind the TV hit show Muscle and Classics , where he serves as producer, director, and star. Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, E. Red grew up in a large, car-loving family which set the foundation for his passion for the automotive industry. He has garnered extensive knowledge in car restoration and motorsports, leading him to create content that educates and inspires fellow car enthusiasts. E. Red’s dedication to the craft has resulted in a thriving TV show...
Aug 07, 2024•31 min•Ep. 139
Logan Wilks is the Vice President of Wilks Tire & Battery Service, a family-owned company with a rich history originating from the post-World War II era. Under his leadership, the company has nearly doubled its locations, expanding their footprint throughout Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia, including two retread plants and a distribution center. He is known for his forward-thinking approach, balancing aggressive growth with a strong emphasis on taking care of employees and customers. With a ...
Jul 31, 2024•27 min•Ep. 138
Chris Garman, Vice President of Business Development at Sun Auto Tire & Service, built up his family's auto service business from three to nine stores before selling to Sun Auto in 2019. He leads the company's mergers and acquisitions, significantly expanding its footprint. Tommy Gaynor, Director of Mergers and Acquisitions at Sun Auto, joined the company after acquiring his family's successful auto repair shops. With a history in 20 groups and a deep understanding of the industry, Tommy wor...
Jul 24, 2024•35 min•Ep. 137
Mike Graber is the President and CEO of Toyo Tires, a role he has embraced with vigor since joining the company in 2013. With a foundation in truck part sales and an eight-year tenure in various roles at Michelin, Mike's experience spans across the industry from sales to product development. In addition to a passionate commitment to product quality and customer engagement, Mike’s leadership reflects his belief in the significant role genuine relationships and people play in the success of the ti...
Jul 11, 2024•34 min•Ep. 136
Joe Inchiostro is the Owner and CEO of St. Louis Wholesale Tire. His cousin, John Inchiostro, is Operations Manager. The company is renowned for providing hard-to-find tires and other specialty products in the automotive industry. Their fathers founded St. Louis Wholesale Tire, which started in their living room and eventually grew into an enterprise serving a national customer base. Together, Joe and John have expanded the company's offerings, introducing their own AIRLOC brand inner tubes and ...
Jun 20, 2024•35 min•Ep. 135
Steven Fafel, Co-founder of AutoOps, has innovatively shaped the automotive service industry through his online scheduling tool that integrates with most shop management systems. With a background in building software for rock climbing gyms with his brother, Steven pivoted to AutoOps to address a need for better customer engagement and streamlined scheduling in the auto repair space. Known for his commitment to excellence and deep understanding of customer behavior, Steven brings care and dedica...
Jun 05, 2024•36 min•Ep. 134
Neal Maier is Co-founder of Tread Partners, an agency that specializes in marketing for the tire and auto repair industry. With a history of running shops and an entrepreneurial spirit, Neal has developed a nuanced understanding of the challenges businesses face in customer acquisition and retention. His expertise is in creating tailored marketing strategies, particularly leveraging a unique framework named DRIVE, helping businesses engage with customers at every lifecycle stage. Neal offers a b...
May 29, 2024•25 min•Ep. 133
Nick Fox is the Regional Manager of Gills Point S Tire & Auto, holding the role for over nine years. His dedication to continuous improvement, coupled with a strong work ethic and self-motivation, sets him apart. Nick's profound product knowledge and customer-centric approach foster unparalleled loyalty and satisfaction, reflecting his commitment to delivering exceptional experiences. Vanessa Larson is the Marketing Manager of Gills Point S Tire & Auto. She has been with the company sinc...
May 22, 2024•30 min•Ep. 132
Randy O'Connor, Owner of Dealer to Dealer Development Group, is a strategic specialist known for his prowess in analyzing and enhancing processes. With a track record spanning roles at Colony Tire, American Tire Distributors-Tire Pros, DSP20 Group, and Big Brand Tire and Service, Randy brings a wealth of experience to the table. He leverages his expertise to empower independent businesses in the tire and auto service industry, guiding them toward long-term success and excellence as best-in-class...
May 15, 2024•46 min•Ep. 131
Douglas Kershaw is the Executive Vice President of KAL Group, a freight and truck parts company with numerous divisions. Prior to joining KAL Group, Douglas had an extensive career in the tire industry, previously serving as President of BKT Tires in North America. With his diverse background spanning television broadcasting, the rubber industry, and various leadership roles, Douglas brings a wealth of experience to his current position at KAL Group, where he is responsible for establishing a ne...
May 08, 2024•37 min•Ep. 130
Cody Hammer is the Area Sales Manager for Trusted Tire and Auto in Bismarck, N.D. Despite not having an automotive background, Cody's career path shifted from construction to sales after being inspired by a radio advertisement featuring the general manager of Trusted Tire. With a natural gift for communication and a deep-seeded desire to positively impact people’s lives, Cody thrives in his role by prioritizing empathy and understanding toward customers, a quality he believes is essential in cus...
May 01, 2024•27 min•Ep. 129
Brian Quisenberry is Vice President at S&S Tire. Known for his responsive and dependable leadership style, Brian prides himself on his ability to deliver results and fulfill commitments through a blend of enablement and tenacity. With over 25 years of diverse experience, he has honed his skills as a coachable and loyal teammate, always ready to lead his team towards strategic success that brings real value to customers. Beyond his professional achievements, Brian is committed to excellence a...
Apr 24, 2024•20 min•Ep. 128
Stephen Kantarze, is the Program Director of The Veterans Trust. He joined the US Army in 2008 as an infantryman, serving his countries in numerous capacities including a tour in Iraq. He was deeply impacted by his role as a casket team leader at Arlington National Cemetery, where conducted over a thousand funerals and ceremonies. As part of The Veterans Trust, Stephen continues to honor his military roots by serving other service members. Fred Roger is the Executive Director of The Veterans Tru...
Apr 17, 2024•39 min•Ep. 127
David Bennett, Repair Systems Manager at AAA, brings over 37 years of dedicated service to the company. Originally from the Washington DC area, David's career journey began at a young age, marked by early experiences as a paperboy, at a gas station, and in food service. His passion for automotive work ignited during high school, where he received vocational training and honed his skills, laying the foundation for a successful career in the industry. In this episode… The vast majority of adults i...
Apr 10, 2024•33 min•Ep. 126
Baker Ghanim is the President of Tire Store Service Center in Bedford, Texas. Under his leadership, Tire Store Service Center opened nine locations in its first 10 years, with a goal of ultimately opening 50. Baker is also the Founder of oTo Solutions, where customers can easily order tires online. With his background in business management and customer service, Baker is dedicated to providing top-notch services and solutions to clients. In this episode… In a rapidly evolving automotive sales an...
Apr 03, 2024•25 min•Ep. 125
Brooke Johnson is a dedicated Customer Service Representative at McMahon's Best-One Tire. With a prior background in the food industry which spanned a decade, Brooke brings a refreshing perspective to her role, marked by honesty and a strong work ethic. Despite her initial unfamiliarity with the tire industry, Brooke's commitment to learning and serving customers has made her an invaluable asset over her three-year tenure. In this episode… Is it necessary to be a lifelong “car person” in order t...
Mar 27, 2024•22 min•Ep. 124
Lee McWilliams is the store manager for Midas in Eden Prairie, Minn., where he oversees a customer service team in the automotive repair industry. With a keen understanding of the pivotal role customer interaction plays, Lee emphasizes the importance of empathy and adaptability in his role. Raised in a family where small-town values translated to warm customer service, Lee learned the art of building rapport with customers early on, making it easier to navigate conversations and provide effectiv...
Mar 20, 2024•25 min•Ep. 123
Darren McLea is a tire sales trainer and the Founder of DJM Solutions, specializing in tire sales, repairs, and elevating the customer experience within the tire and auto repair industry. With a passion for fostering growth in automotive businesses, Darren provides comprehensive sales and operational training while delivering consistent coaching feedback. His dedication lies in helping business owners forge enduring connections with both employees and customers, ultimately fostering loyal long-t...
Mar 13, 2024•27 min•Ep. 122
Walter Lybeck is the CEO of Point S Tire and Auto Service. Originally from McMinnville, Oregon, growing up in a tight-knit community instilled in Walter a strong work ethic from a young age, starting with his first paying job mowing lawns. His path eventually led him through various roles in the service industry, including a memorable stint at Burger King. Though he initially stumbled into the tire industry by chance during a housing downturn, Walter found himself drawn to the dynamic challenges...
Mar 06, 2024•33 min•Ep. 121
Heather Langdon is a Customer Service Representative at Gerald's Tires & Brakes. Heather's journey into the tire business began when she applied for a position at Gerald’s to help her husband buy a motor for his trucking company, soon becoming an integral part of the customer service team. Born and raised in Charleston, Heather brings a deep understanding of her community's needs and values, striving to provide not just customer service, but an exceptional experience for every guest. Cristol...
Feb 28, 2024•23 min•Ep. 120
Clint and Clay Watts are the third-generation owners of Gerald's Tires & Brakes in Charleston, South Carolina. Their grandfather, fondly known as "Big Daddy," instilled in them the ethos of hard work and adaptability. From their humble beginnings transforming old gas stations into tire stores to evolving with the market's demands, Clint and Clay exemplify a commitment to learning and improving. Their dedication to customer service, ingrained from a young age through teachings of good morals ...
Feb 21, 2024•25 min•Ep. 119
Charles Vickery brings over a decade of tire expertise to his role as Store Manager at Beggs Tire & Wheel. Hailing from Prineville, Oregon, his journey in the tire industry began in the small town where the choices were clear-cut: either work at a mill or dive into the world of tires. Inspired by the legacy of Les Schwab, Charles started as a tire tech at Beggs in 2010. He quickly showcased his unwavering commitment to the job and has since climbed the ranks to his current role. In this epis...
Feb 14, 2024•20 min•Ep. 118
Danny Smith is the CEO of Same Day Auto Repair. With a background in the auto industry that spans over 28 years, Danny's career began in high school, working for Chevrolet and steadily advancing through various roles. Despite his family not being in the industry, Danny's strong work ethic and determination led him to master different aspects of the business, leading to the bold decision to venture into entrepreneurship. Today, as the head of his own shop, Danny navigates the complexities of tax ...
Jan 31, 2024•33 min•Ep. 116
Scott Blair is the creator, host, and an instructor at T.R.A.C.K. Auto Training and Network. He is also Managing Partner of 2U Tire of Alabama and Co-founder of 2U Mobile Solutions. His automotive journey began in 1993, diving into the industry with American Racing Custom Wheels. In the late ‘90s, Scott developed and patented the Wheel Fit, a specialized aluminum jig for measuring custom wheels. He prides himself as someone who is always learning as he continues to shape his diverse career in th...
Jan 24, 2024•23 min•Ep. 115
Jeff Mullersman is the Midwest Sales Director at ATTURO Tires, with 25 years of experience in the tire industry. Jeff’s automotive career is full of twists and turns, beginning with getting ripped off sweeping a go-kart parking lot. Undeterred, Jeff became a driver for Progressive Custom Wheels before moving on to sales, eventually running his own location in Omaha, Nebraska. When the company went under in 2000, he became a sales manager for Zisser Tire in St. Louis for several years during its ...
Jan 17, 2024•33 min•Ep. 114
Hunt Demarest is Senior Accountant at Paar, Melis & Associates, an accounting and tax firm specializing in automotive repair shops. Hunt is a seasoned CPA with a passion for optimizing team management and development, empowering shop owners with financial insights that drive greater success for their businesses. Armed with an economics degree from Penn State and an accreditation in business valuation, Hunt shares his wealth of knowledge as host of the podcast Business by the Numbers , where ...
Jan 03, 2024•32 min•Ep. 113
Todd Hayes is the Chief Operating Officer of Adams Automotive and Co-founder of Auto Shop Answers. At age 26 Todd founded a company, successfully growing it into a chain of stores that he later sold to a venture capital group. Having been perfecting business models since 1986, Todd's expertise led him to coalesce with partners including Perry Adams, Joe Adams, and Glenn Piccolo. Together, they transformed a $3 million-a-year store into a thriving flagship store with a $30 million market value, a...
Dec 20, 2023•40 min•Ep. 112
George Kingman is Founder and CEO of both Advanced Shop Leadership and BlueSky Tire and Auto Service, a burgeoning chain of stores with five locations in under five years. After beginning his journey in the tire and automotive industry as a teenage tire tech, George took a 17-year hiatus where he managed two businesses and held a senior analyst role focused on enhancing operational processes for one of America's largest banks. His passion for the automotive industry eventually drew him back, lea...
Dec 06, 2023•31 min•Ep. 111
