Thanks for listening to Shop Talk Her Way! We believe that to make it in this industry, no matter your role or experience, you need training! That's why we recommend the WorldPac Training Institute. Training for any experience level in person and online. Learn more HERE

In this episode, JeanAnn SaintGrace explores the evolving landscape of leadership in the automotive repair industry. She shares her own journey from an authoritarian, "do it because I said so" leadership style to a more supportive and empowering approach. Key takeaways include the importance of setting team members up for success by providing clarity and support, the value of recognizing and celebrating team achievements to boost morale, and the need for regular one-on-one mentorship to help employees connect their work to a greater purpose.

Timestamps:
00:00 Leadership Challenges in Automotive Industry

05:54 "Modern Leadership: Following to Lead"

09:25 "Setting Him Up for Success"

12:53 "Gratitude Transforms Leadership"

16:35 "Valuing Older Workers' Expertise"

18:13 "Finding Purpose in Automotive Work"

22:10 "Building Unity and Teamwork"

26:25 Mentorship and Leadership for Growth

30:46 "Transformative Leadership Through Servant Leadership"

32:22 "Share, Engage, and Level Up"

Thanks for listening to Shop Talk Her Way! We believe that to make it in this industry, no matter your role or experience, you need training! That's why we recommend the WorldPac Training Institute. Training for any experience level in person and online. Learn more HERE

Join host JeanAnn SaintGrace in the very first episode of "Shop Talk Her Way" as she shares her candid story of becoming an “accidental shop owner”—and how she turned challenges into powerful lessons for anyone in the automotive industry.

Whether you’re just starting out or have been running a shop for years, this episode is packed with hard-won insights on financial planning, team leadership, succession, burnout, and making your business work for you—not the other way around.

#AutoShopLife #ShopOwner #Podcast

Timestamps:
00:00 What It Really Takes to “Break Even” in Today’s Auto Shops
00:45 Accidental Shop Owner: JeanAnn’s Unexpected Journey
02:32 From Trucker’s Daughter to Auto Shop Entrepreneur
06:33 Building (Literally) from the Ground Up
09:06 The Myths & Mistakes Most Shop Owners Make About Profit
13:01 When a “Break Even” Mentality Isn’t Enough
17:07 How Coaching Changed the Game
20:56 Why So Many Shop Owners Avoid Talking About Profit
22:02 The Heart of the Auto Industry: Service and Saving the Day
24:44 Growing Pains: Hiring, Firing, and Doing It All
25:55 Burnout & The Breaking Point—JeanAnn’s Struggle Behind the Scenes
29:14 When Life Changes Everything: Facing Cancer and the Sale of the Shop
32:01 The Only Numbers That Matter When Selling Your Business
34:15 Grief, Growth, and Finding a New Purpose
36:17 How Leadership (Not Just Customer Service) Makes or Breaks a Shop
38:41 What Shop Owners Need to Learn About Money
40:52 Setting the Stage for Your Shop, Your Way

Listen to Shop Talk Her Way each Wednesday!