Automotive repair is a highly competitive industry. And with car technology advancing at an exponential rate, shop owners must be able to keep up in order to maintain a profitable business. And one way to keep up is to make body shops go digital. Shop owners should look at their processes and find areas they can work on to improve not only the shop’s overall function but to strengthen customer relationships as well. Going digital can be an overwhelming process for most body shops, yet it is now ...
Apr 22, 2022•31 min
For a lot of business owners, especially in the collision industry, “marketing” is a dirty word. It’s an added expense that most small shop owners consider a luxury. Yet nowadays, having a marketing strategy has become a necessity and is considered one of the most important key components to running a successful business. And as the industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, shop owners need to understand how they want to progress their businesses, and how to utilize marketing to help them cr...
Apr 05, 2022•39 min
Disputes between insurance companies and collision repair shops are not uncommon. From errors with estimates, repairing parts vs. replacing parts, to choosing the right type of replacement parts to be used. Unfortunately, a lot of shop owners think that they need to agree with whatever the insurance agents say because otherwise, they will lose business. But who is it that the body shops really work for? Is it the insurance companies who will keep cars running through their shops? Or should they ...
Mar 03, 2022•39 min
For collision shop owners who spend years getting too involved in running their business, there often comes a time when they find themselves having no idea which direction to take moving forward. And they realize they don’t have a clear vision of what they want their business to become in the future. It doesn’t matter which industry we’re in, all businesses have common goals. One of these goals is to be able to sustain the family and make enough money to support a great life. And the way to get ...
Feb 23, 2022•35 min
Many shop owners are great technicians yet most struggle with the “entrepreneurial” side of their business. Terms such as “building a brand” or “brand awareness” often sound foreign to them. So what does “branding” mean? How important is it to build a brand and a community along with it? And how will it help your business grow and survive the changes that are happening in the industry? Join Matt DiFrancesco and Jeff Gargas, COO and Co-Founder of Teach Better Team, as they discuss why building a ...
Feb 16, 2022•36 min
The auto repair industry is facing several disruptive trends nowadays. With the rapid advances in automotive technology, the challenges it presents are poised to transform the industry for years to come. What must an auto repair shop owner do if they want to ensure that their business survives and thrive in the future? Join Matt DiFrancesco and Frank Terlep, CEO of Auto Techcelerators, LLC., as they share their thoughts on the ever-changing needs of the auto repair industry and Frank’s insights,...
Feb 09, 2022•35 min
Business owners should be able to enjoy the full benefits of the business that they’ve built. And that includes the life that they plan to live once they decide to sell shop or exit the business. Yet, strategizing how to sell a business can be an overwhelming task. And without fully understanding what their business is worth, most collision shop owners end up feeling lost. That is why many shop owners today are in desperate need of trusted help and guidance with the process of selling their shop...
Feb 01, 2022•35 min
They say most auto repair shops have been stuck in a rut for far too long. They’ve been fed the information that the insurance industry wants to feed them. Sadly, this situation still goes on today. And with all the misinformation that the collision industry has to deal with, some shop owners have resorted to less than ethical methods just to survive. Collision shop owners should start acting as the customer’s advocate and it is their duty to inform their customers what is best for them. And as ...
Jan 26, 2022•34 min
Hello everyone, welcome to Your Business, Your Life and I hope you’re off to an awesome start this 2022. January, being the first month of the new year, is a good time to re-evaluate and re-assess the things that are going on in our lives and in our businesses as well. And as we start putting plans in place to accomplish the things we want to achieve this year and the years to come, I thought this is also the perfect time to share 3 areas that every business owner, especially collision shop owne...
Jan 18, 2022•13 min
A lot of collision shop owners are excellent technicians. However, most of them are less skilled as business owners. And while there are a lot of resources when it comes to the technical side, there aren’t as many resources for the entrepreneurial side of the business. As the automotive repair industry changes rapidly, with the emergence of hybrid and electric, more sophisticated, modern cars, how can the independent collision repair shop owner ensure that his business survives and thrives well ...
Jan 11, 2022•29 min
Like most beginnings, the new year brings hope and opportunities to make things better. That is why this is the perfect time people make resolutions and plans for the rest of the year. Yet sometimes, no matter how much effort we put into goal planning, it’s often the execution part that most people struggle with and ultimately fail at. And what keeps us from making our plans happen usually stems from our own minds. In this episode, join Matt DiFrancesco and Kim Ades, President and CEO of Frame o...
Jan 06, 2022•31 min
If you were asked the question: Why did you build your own business in the first place? What would your answer be? A common response would be to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of being an entrepreneur. Yet, as the business grows, many business owners spend more time working and have less time for family, relaxation, and personal growth. In this episode, join Matt DiFrancesco and Pete Mohr, a Certified Business Coach, Entrepreneurial Speaker, and host of the Simplifying Entrepreneurship podcas...
Dec 23, 2021•35 min
The pandemic has undeniably changed our lives on so many levels. Aside from its devastating effects on global health and the economy, it has taken an enormous toll on people’s mental health as well. A lot of family business owners today deal with mental health issues. Unfortunately, most of them choose to ignore it because they’re not really equipped to deal with it, or worse, some don’t even recognize what it is. In this episode, join Matt DiFrancesco and Michelle E. Dickinson, a Workplace Ment...
Dec 09, 2021•33 min
In recent years, technological innovations in the automotive industry have revolutionized the way people drive. Advanced systems like automatic braking and cruise control are now being integrated into modern vehicles with the goal of making driving easier, safer, and more convenient. However, ensuring that these systems work properly is no easy feat. Few repair shops are actually equipped to do the calibrations needed to keep these modern vehicles up and running. So how will small, independent r...
Nov 18, 2021•35 min
It’s every business owner’s goal to achieve a life of prosperity. To some, being prosperous means not having to worry about the money to pay the bills. For others, it’s having the time to enjoy life at their own leisure. Every person may have their own definition of the word. But what does it mean to be truly prosperous? More than just financial wealth, prosperity should also be embodied in other key areas of your life: mental, physical, and spiritual. By optimizing your well-being in all these ...
Nov 11, 2021•39 min
One of the biggest challenges for family businesses, especially in the automotive repair industry, is that when they look to transition their business and move to a different part of their life, they don’t have a plan in place for it. And in most cases, these are the businesses that end up failing. Some family business owners intend to hand over the business to the next generation. However, when the younger generation doesn’t want to take over the business, they are left with no choice but to se...
Oct 22, 2021•50 min
The changes that the automotive repair industry is going through have made it very challenging for a lot of shop owners and technicians. The idea of going up against the big MSO’s (multi-shop operators) is making these business owners consider giving up and selling their shop. However, these are limiting beliefs and small repair shop owners still have some edge over their formidable competitors. This is why instead of having the “I can’t” mentality, it’s important to be in your right mind and tr...
Oct 07, 2021•39 min
More often than not, business owners get buried in the grind of things which can make it difficult to see what could go wrong. Unfortunately, they only realize what they’ve overlooked when the problems start to arise right in front of them. In this episode, join Matt DiFrancesco and Aric Johnson, President & CEO of AXIS Coaching and Consulting, Voice Talent at ProudMouth & Host of The Real F.B.I. Podcast, discuss how looking at a business from a unique perspective is crucial to a busines...
Sep 17, 2021•28 min
Have you ever dreamed of packing up your family and heading across seas? Or maybe your work is already taking you there! Whatever the case, it is vital for you to understand what is going to happen with your finances when you make the move. In this episode, Matt DiFrancesco is joined with Jennifer Patterson, … Continue reading 34. Cross-Border Wealth Management With Jennifer Patterson →
Jun 16, 2021•32 min
When it comes to costs to your business, healthcare plans can have some of the biggest impacts. You need to be sure that you are creating plans that are going to benefit your employees, while also making sense financially. In this episode, Matt DiFrancesco is joined with Kimberly Volk, small business consultant at The Health … Continue reading 33. The Biggest Cost To Employers – Healthcare Plans With Kimberly Volk →
Jun 02, 2021•32 min
As a business owner, it is not unlikely that your operations are always on your mind. It has been proven that taking a step away from what is happening in your business can actually help you come back and be more productive. Today, Matt DiFrancesco discusses the importance of renewal time – taking time to … Continue reading Episode 32 – The Purpose of Renewal Time →
May 19, 2021•26 min
As a business owner, it can be tough to find the right candidates for an open position. Luckily, there are people out there who aim to assist you in combing through the unqualified candidates to find the perfect fit! Today, Matt DiFrancesco sits down with Stephanie and Duane Roberts, owners of Humans Being Resources, as … Continue reading Episode 31 – Why Might You Consider a Recruitment Firm? – with guests Stephanie and Duane Roberts →
May 05, 2021•38 min
Matt has had the opportunity to work with countless business owners, and has been able to recognize 4 main qualities that ensure their business success. Today, Matt DiFrancesco discusses the qualities he sees in the business owners he works with that ensure their business runs smoothly. Matt takes the time to go into depth about … Continue reading Episode 30 – Creating an Entrepreneurial Mindset →
Apr 21, 2021•25 min
You have heard about our rebrand, but why did we choose to target the niche of the auto repair industry? Today, Matt DiFrancesco lets you in on the decision process to rebranding to High Lift Financial. Matt shares some of the issues that business owners in the auto industry face, and how High Lift Financial … Continue reading Episode 29 – Why the Auto Repair Industry? →
Apr 07, 2021•31 min
DiFrancesco Virtual Family Office is changing, and we want you to be the first to hear! Today, Matt DiFrancesco has some exciting news to share with you – DiFrancesco Virtual Family Office is getting a rebrand! Matt shares what this rebrand involves and what the changes mean for him and his clients! In this episode, … Continue reading Episode 28 – We Have Exciting News →
Mar 17, 2021•24 min
Deciding to move your parents or loved ones into assisted living can be tough, but when you have help from a professional, these decisions can be made easier. Today, Matt DiFrancesco is joined with Eileen Graham, founder of EG Associates Group, as they discuss the work that EG Associates Group does to help families during … Continue reading Episode 27 – Assisting You with Elderly Care Decisions – with Guest Eileen Graham →
Feb 24, 2021•36 min
When you work with DiFrancesco Virtual Family Office, we want to be sure that you are always on track with your finances and financial goals. Today, Matt DiFrancesco discusses the three step process that he goes through with clients to ensure that they are set up to meet their goals and address any problem areas. … Continue reading Episode 26 – Our Three Step Review Process →
Feb 10, 2021•21 min
When operating a business, do you know when it’s time to start succession planning? How do you know that everyone in your family is being taken care of properly? Today, Matt DiFrancesco is joined with Jim & Molly Creenan as they discuss the topic of what happens when it comes time to plan for the … Continue reading Episode 25 – Planning for Your Business and Family Future →
Jan 27, 2021•28 min
The New Year is a time when most people evaluate their lives and look to make changes. If you were asked if you would like to grow your business by 25 to 50% this year, what would your answer be? Now, what if you were asked how you were going to do that? If you … Continue reading Episode 24 – Starting 2021 Right Without ‘Head Trash’ →
Jan 13, 2021•33 min
This New Year, think about how you are going to take better care of yourself, because you deserve it! Today, Matt DiFrancesco joins Emily Mahler, founder of Wellness for Generations, LLC., to talk about how you can lead a healthier lifestyle, and overcome the common challenges that stop you from developing lasting changes! In this … Continue reading Episode 23 – Why It’s Time To Prioritize Your Health – With Emily Mahler →
Dec 30, 2020•33 min