In this episode, Jimmy Purdy from Shift’n Gears Auto Repair sits down with Oscar Gomez, founder of Master Automotive Training, for a no-filter conversation about diagnostics, technician training, and the realities of modern auto repair. From network code nightmares to crank-no-start mysteries, they dive into why proper testing matters, how to charge for your shop’s value, and the tricky balance between learning on the job and protecting the customer’s car. Whether you’re a tech, a shop owner, or...
Jun 11, 2025•45 min•Ep. 86
In this brutally honest episode, Jimmy Purdy and Lola pull no punches as they unpack the real chaos behind the scenes in auto repair — and spoiler alert: it's not the techs or the customers. From the constant battle with unreliable parts suppliers to the identity crisis of techs-turned-owners who'd rather rebuild a transmission than sell an oil change, this conversation is raw, relatable, and ruthlessly insightful. If you've ever wanted to scream at a parts counter or felt like you're running a ...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 85
Back by popular demand, Another live version of our local call in radio show.
May 21, 2025•47 min•Ep. 84
Nate Winston returns to the podcast one year after a dramatic business split — and he’s not the same guy. In this raw and reflective conversation, Nate opens up about the emotional toll of walking away from a 20-year friendship and 16-year partnership, the legal chaos that followed, and how he's found peace building his own shop from the ground up. From implementing Profit First to sandblasting therapy in the Rust Belt, Nate shares the lessons that helped him regain control, find happiness, and ...
Apr 30, 2025•34 min•Ep. 83
In this episode, Jimmy sits down with shop owner Josh Rainwater, who’s in the thick of a serious growth phase — and not holding back. Josh talks about what it means to go all in on your business, pushing through those brutal weeks where quitting sounds tempting, and the strategy behind hiring to free himself up from the bay and the front desk. If you’ve ever been stuck between turning wrenches and running the show, this one’s for you.
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 82
A local, live call in radio show, featuring Leigh-Ann Purdy of Shift'n gears auto repair.
Apr 09, 2025•47 min•Ep. 81
Private equity firms are flocking to the auto repair industry like never before—but why? In this episode, Jimmy Purdy sits down with industry expert Jim Parker to break down the boom in shop acquisitions, what makes auto repair recession-resistant, and how COVID put the spotlight on blue-collar businesses. Plus, they dive into a shocking stat: 40% of small business owners are nearing retirement, but many aren’t prepared to sell. If you own a shop (or plan to), this is an episode you can’t afford...
Apr 02, 2025•56 min•Ep. 80
We sit down with Josh Coomes, who is in his second year of running his auto repair shop. We dive deep into the challenges of managing car count, marketing strategies, and the struggle of balancing growth with efficiency. Josh and Jimmy discuss the tipping point where too much work can actually hurt a shop, the importance of processes, and whether discount services like free diagnostics are a smart play or a race to the bottom. If you're a shop owner, mechanic, or just love the business side of t...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 79
Gear up for a special edition of The Gear Box Podcast ! 🎙️🔧 This time, I’m bringing you along for a Saturday morning like no other —live from the airwaves of Gear Head Radio ! It’s a call-in radio show where we talk cars, repairs, industry insights, and everything in between —unfiltered and in real-time. Get ready for live questions, expert advice, and a whole lot of gearhead banter . Whether you're a shop owner, technician, or just love talking cars , this episode is packed with engaging, fas...
Mar 19, 2025•47 min•Ep. 78
In this episode of The Gearbox Podcast , we sit down with Brandon Jones , a former shop owner, coach, and leadership mentor , who is on a mission to change the way repair shops estimate jobs. Brandon has just launched Hub Shop Solutions , a groundbreaking company that provides a team of remote estimators , allowing service advisors to focus on what truly matters— building strong client relationships . We dive into Brandon’s journey from shop owner to mentor and now entrepreneur, exploring how hi...
Mar 12, 2025•43 min•Ep. 77
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 76
Are you giving away free work without even realizing it? Struggling to raise your labor rate without losing customers? In this episode of The Gear Box Podcast , we sit down with Jaron Kleber from Repair Shops of Tomorrow to tackle one of the biggest challenges in the automotive industry—knowing your worth and charging for it. We’ll break down why so many shop owners underprice their services, how to confidently set and increase labor rates, and why giving away ‘freebies’ is costing your business...
Feb 26, 2025•37 min•Ep. 75
Today, Jimmy Purdy and David Toole talk about the pros and cons of owning multiple repair shops. David emphasizes creating a strong shop culture, particularly when expanding locations. He shares advice on preforming reviews and evaluations of technicians to ensure they are aligned with shop standards and discusses the challenges involved in managing financial aspects of a growing business. 00:00 Streamlining for Growth and Profit 07:52 Interviewing: Beyond Questions, Assessing Fit 12:56 Repair L...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 74
Christian Mosley joins Jimmy Purdy to talk about automotive repair shop marketing. Christian talks about the pros and cons of social media how many shops have found wide success online. Jimmy shares his experience offering no-cost inspections to improve customer retention, saying that their retention rate increased significantly. The bottom line, though, is that quality work and good processes are essential in long-term customer relationships. 00:00 Understanding Client Lifetime Value 08:29 Targ...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 73
In this episode of The Gearbox Podcast, Jimmy Purdy and Mike Allen talk about adaptability in today's industry. Mike shares why he offers free diag and gets into the constant balance between maintaining quality service and achieving growth. Listen to Mike Allen's new podcast "Confessions of a Shop Owner" HERE 00:00 Rural Store to Automotive Career 04:13 College Dropout Party Life 07:59 "Anomaly and Natural Selection in Business" 10:33 Assessing Growth and Contentment 14:32 Diagnostic Compensatio...
Feb 06, 2025•46 min•Ep. 72
Today, Jimmy Purdy and Coralee Zueff talk about shop management and how to find the ideal ratio of technicians to service advisors. Jimmy asks Coralee to share her experience and advice to shop owners on how to gain trust between advisors and technicians. Coralee gives tips on setting expectations and improving diagnostic processes for shop owners. 00:00 "Gearbox Podcast: Automotive Journeys" 05:42 Setting Customer Expectations as Advisors 07:17 Flexible Collaboration in Auto Shops 09:50 Streaml...
Jan 30, 2025•52 min•Ep. 71
Todd Westerlund is an industry vet. Over 15 years of technical experience and more than 18 years in the repair shop coaching. Todd is a believer in opening your shop seven days a week for ultimate customer service. He also shares advice on how to make your processes more efficient. 00:00 Industry Insights & Training 07:25 Technician's Journey: 15 Years Experience 10:46 Hands-On Training Initiative 20:16 Flexible Work Schedules Benefit All 23:15 Balancing Technician Ego and Client Needs 29:42...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 70
Jimmy talks with Kingston and Ava about their family-run transmission business at AAPEX 2024. Ava shares her journey in office management and how she's learned hands-on and gotten pretty good at multitasking. Kingston is excited about the technical side of the business, and even though he's in the 8th grade, he loves rebuilding transmissions. 00:00 Transitioned from packaging to office management tasks. 05:51 Mom suggests learning web design for marketing. 08:49 Working for Dad's business is ful...
Jan 16, 2025•22 min•Ep. 69
Listen to Arun's podcast "We Are Driven" In this episode, Jimmy Purdy is joined by Arun Coumar, owner of Driven Auto Care and host of the "We Are Driven" podcast. Arun discusses the significance of efficient operations and avoiding high-pressure sales tactics to enhance the customer experience. Jimmy shares the challenges he faced in expanding his business, emphasizing the importance of having documented procedures for consistent quality. 00:00 Misdiagnosed allergy; later treated as seasonal all...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 68
In this episode, Jimmy Purdy is joined by Jim Cokonis to discuss the significance of mindset and culture in business, especially within the realm of technician coaching. Jim Cokonis shares an anecdote about Simon Sinek to highlight the benefits of positive management on employee satisfaction. Jimmy emphasizes the difference between treating technicians as people versus mere productivity tools and suggests focusing on positive aspects to boost morale. They also examine the importance of interacti...
Jan 02, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 67
Phil Leone, a seasoned automotive business coach, joins Jimmy Purdy. Phil emphasizes the necessity of thorough car inspections to ensure efficiency and job satisfaction among technicians. He shares the importance of quick quoting for waiting customers to enhance customer experience and minimize delays. Additionally, Phil discusses the value of ongoing coaching and how shop visits help identify real operational issues, ensuring genuine progress and accountability 00:00 Automotive business veteran...
Dec 26, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 66
Cecil Bullard is the CEO of The Institute for Automotive Business Excellence. Cecil discusses the challenges of dealing with driven individuals in group settings and the risks impatience can pose in business decisions. He also shares his experiences with vetting marketing companies, emphasizing the importance of thorough evaluation to avoid issues. 00:00 Coaching programs tailored to client business levels. 05:23 The M&A program offers growth and consolidation opportunities. 10:43 The Indust...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 65
Jimmy Purdy chats with Buckaroo Bob about organizing major training events in the automotive industry. Buckaroo Bob explains the strategies behind attracting participants from outside the local area, emphasizing the importance of effective communication and education in automotive diagnostics and repairs. Jimmy reflects on the enthusiasm of younger technicians today, contrasting it with past advice to avoid the industry, and underscores the value of continuous training for career advancement. 00...
Dec 12, 2024•49 min•Ep. 64
Jimmy Purdy is joined by Joe Hyde to discuss the importance of technicians recognizing their influence within the shop to improve workplace culture. Joe emphasizes the significance of teaching professionals to conduct one-on-ones and lead effectively without being in charge. He also introduces Limitless Leadership, a coaching initiative aimed at filling gaps in technician training by focusing on emotional and career development needs. 00:00 Retain employees by improving work conditions. 04:50 Gi...
Dec 05, 2024•39 min•Ep. 63
Today, Jimmy chats with Larry Anderson. Larry shares his journey from hands-on technician to business manager, hammering the importance of surrounding yourself with the right team. Jimmy reflects on the emotional roller coaster of managing customer feedback and the challenges of transitioning to a more managerial role. Larry offers practical advice on making business processes more efficient and selecting the right customers to ensure long-term success. 00:00 Adaptation eases setbacks and unexpe...
Nov 28, 2024•43 min•Ep. 62
In this episode, Jimmy chats with David Boyd and Parker Branch. Parker emphasizes the importance of aligning values when seeking advice or mentorship, ensuring that guidance resonates personally and professionally. David shares his own experience, showcasing how advice from a mentor helped him navigate a challenging conflict, highlighting the value of informed counsel. Additionally, the trio discusses the tangible benefits of coaching programs, with an emphasis on setting clear goals and utilizi...
Nov 21, 2024•54 min•Ep. 61
Brian Walker is the Owner and CEO of Shop Marketing Pros. In this episode, he and Jimmy Purdy discuss the challenges and strategies of customer interactions and marketing within the automotive industry. Brian discusses the importance of action in marketing efforts, emphasizing that doing nothing is not an option. Jimmy and Brian also explore the complexities of balancing different roles in a business, highlighting how marketing, HR, and other business aspects require careful management for succe...
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 60
In this episode, Jimmy Purdy and Steph, known as "that Tool Girl," delve into the polarization within the automotive industry, challenging the notion that "the customer is always right." Steph shares her insights on the critical need for clear, effective communication with customers to avoid misunderstandings and disputes. They also tackle the impact of social media on businesses, emphasizing the ethical responsibility of shops to admit and rectify their mistakes. 00:00 Apprenticeship varies; fo...
Nov 07, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 59
In this episode, Jimmy Purdy is joined by Jeff Compton, a frequent attendee of the SEMA convention. Jeff shares his enthusiasm for walking extensively at the event, even considering it a potential weight loss opportunity. Jimmy highlights the ease of navigating SEMA using the Tesla Loop, which offers free rides around the convention center. The duo also delves into the contrasts between SEMA and Apex conventions, noting SEMA’s vibrant, innovation-focused atmosphere versus Apex's intimate, busine...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 58
In this episode, Jimmy Purdy is joined by Andrew Clement from "Rogue Wrenching" and the "Changing the Industry" podcast group. Andrew emphasizes the importance of clear communication and setting expectations, sharing how a lack of these can lead to frustration and inefficiency. He also discusses the critical need for continuous learning and development in the automotive repair industry, highlighting his significant income boost from prioritizing education. Additionally, Jimmy and Andrew explore ...
Oct 24, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 57
