Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, Lucas and David sit down with Joe Ocello and Tom Elder from AASP New Jersey to discuss the state of the mechanical and collision repair industries. Tom shares his perspective on the growing need for specialized education and proper documentation as vehicles become more technologically advanced. Joe emphasizes the importance of ongoing technical training and communication to keep independent shops competitive and safe.

00:00 Teaching and building a skilled team

08:22 Ignoring safety instructions

14:35 Discussing mechanical challenges

19:55 Dealership service concerns

26:33 Replacing a deformed metal line

28:52 Carrying on the industry's legacy

34:24 Importance of business education

42:42 Dealing with repair mishaps

46:03 Discussing lawsuit strategy and repairs

49:57 Used car ADAS diagnostic work

58:46 Maryland ADAS certification debate

01:00:51 Discussing automotive repair regulations

01:08:25 Engaging shops beyond North Carolina

01:10:31 Staying focused on future goals

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, the conversation focused on Rich Fasulo's career journey, also known as Check Engine Chuck, as he shared his path from mobile diagnostics to shop ownership and back. One concept discussed was the importance of charging appropriately for diagnostic and repair work, with a strong emphasis on valuing your time and not giving away discounts out of pocket. A key theme that emerged was the struggle to balance caring for customers with running a profitable, sustainable business—highlighting how industry integrity depends on both technical skill and smart business decisions.

00:00 Choosing between shop and mobile business

06:56 Failing van inspection in New York

08:19 Fixing my car with a friend

11:42 Fixing a wheel balance issue

14:25 Learning from Scannerdanner videos

19:54 Writing detailed explanations for claims

23:37 Ensuring quality and reputation

25:38 Frustration with lack of effort

27:23 Frustration with tech industry's focus

30:26 Reflecting on past business failures

35:51 Explaining billing to customers

38:59 Realizing a Habitual Pattern

42:03 Learning from industry peers

44:34 Sharing videos for personal reasons

48:38 Diagnosing and strategizing module repairs

51:47 Troubleshooting a no-crank issue

53:37 Bringing in more mechanical vendors

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Transform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!
Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingPros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, the conversation focused on transitions into shop ownership, the challenges of maintaining industry standards, and planning for long-term success. The discussion explored how entering the automotive industry from a corporate background can offer a unique advantage, especially in management and process implementation. A key theme was the importance of building a strong shop culture rooted in quality and integrity, even when customer awareness often hinges more on convenience than craftsmanship. Lastly, several points highlighted the need to prepare exit strategies and succession plans early, ensuring shop owners are ready for both expected and unexpected changes in their business journeys.

00:00 Airport confusion during an emergency

05:04 Visiting the 9/11 Memorial Museum

07:52 The importance of personal artifacts

13:07 Struggles with delegation in auto shops

16:44 Starting coaching with confidence

17:18 Embracing Change to Drive Growth

21:54 Father-in-law's car passion

26:27 Long-term planning for business owners

28:20 Learning about health savings accounts

33:01 Attending a life-changing class

36:53 Working in car parts sales

38:18 Realizing customers don't notice quality

43:06 Proper car wheel maintenance

45:12 Ensuring job tasks are completed

49:19 Discussing shop culture impact

53:38 Workplace culture and technician skills

57:05 Values and integrity in coaching

58:52 Building a supportive team