Episodes

  • Meet AACF: The Foundation Quietly Backing the Aftermarket Industry

    Meet AACF: The Foundation Quietly Backing the Aftermarket Industry
    Jun 3 2026

    John Kairys is the Executive Director of the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF), a position he has held for the past two and a half years. Before stepping into the role, he served on the AACF board, giving him deep organizational context from both a governance and operational standpoint.


    Kairys brings more than 40 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket to the foundation. He is a consistent presence at industry conventions, trade shows, and annual meetings; including Auto Care Connect and the APSG, working to raise awareness of the AACF across every segment of the aftermarket.

    In this episode…

    Most shop owners know their employees by name. They know who just had a baby, who's been with the shop for fifteen years, who's holding things together and who's quietly struggling. What they don't always know is what happens to that person when a car accident totals their vehicle, a house fire displaces their family, or routine back surgery leaves them unable to walk.


    The automotive aftermarket has a safety net built specifically for those moments. It isn't workers' comp. It isn't a GoFundMe. It's a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a 29-person volunteer board, a mid-90s approval rate, and a five-day window from application to ACH deposit. The people it helps aren't just technicians and counter staff; they're marketing managers, warehouse drivers, and executives. Anyone employed in the aftermarket qualifies, whether the hardship is work-related or not.


    John Kairys runs that organization. He's spent two and a half years as Executive Director making sure shop owners and their employees know it exists because awareness is still the AACF's biggest obstacle.

    Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

    [01:01] Meet John Kairys, Executive Director of the AACF

    [02:15] Who qualifies and what hardships the AACF covers

    [06:01] The annual Classic Car Sweepstakes: How to donate and enter

    [07:54] Stories of hope: A routine surgery that changed everything

    [12:42] Stories of hope: A totaled vehicle, then a house fire two weeks later

    [15:39] Corporate giving, sponsorships, and the annual SEMA fundraiser

    [19:28] Two paid staff, a 29-member board, and how to connect

    [22:14] The Aftermarket Hearts Giving Circle: Recurring giving for industry insiders

    Resources mentioned in this episode:

    • Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation Website
    • John Kairys on LinkedIn
    • Tread Partners
    • Gain Traction Podcast on YouTube
    • Gain Traction Podcast Website
    • Mike Edge on LinkedIn

    Quotable Moments:

    • "We like to say we take care of our own."
    • "Our biggest challenge is awareness, and that is getting people to know who we are and what we do."
    • "The AACF is the on-ramp to the freeway of recovery."
    • "After losing so much so quickly, the AACF gave me hope and a way to start over." — AACF recipient, shared by John Kairys
    • "God forbid, if ever you need that help, the AACF will be there for you."

    Action Steps:

    1. Share the AACF with your team this week. Send an internal message or post a one-pager in your break room with the link to aftermarketcharity.org.
    2. Make a corporate donation or explore sponsorship. The automotive aftermarket charitable foundation is a 501(c)3, meaning contributions are tax-deductible.
    3. Sign up for the Aftermarket Hearts Giving Circle. Recurring donations start at $5 a month.
    4. Add AACF to your employee onboarding materials. The application is at aftermarketcharity.org, reviewed within 24 hours, and results in a direct ACH deposit within five days.
    5. Attend the SEMA events if you're in Las Vegas. Reach out to John Kairys directly through the leadership page at aftermarketcharity.org to get involved.
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    29 mins
  • How AI Is Changing the Way Consumers Buy Tires

    How AI Is Changing the Way Consumers Buy Tires
    May 27 2026
    Komal Choong is the co-founder of Tire Pig, an AI-powered tire shopping platform, and Zohr, a mobile tire installation service operating in Kansas City and Dallas-Fort Worth. Born in India and raised in Kansas City, Komal and his brother cut their teeth in the restaurant business before turning a shared obsession with cars into a venture; flipping parts, then full vehicles, then launching Zohr in 2015 to fix the tire-buying experience they kept finding broken.A decade in, Komal has built a customer base of premium-vehicle owners who pay for convenience, and he's now putting that audience in front of an AI engine that ranks tires by performance data rather than brand relationships. Tire Pig's public beta is live, with a membership model that pairs tires with roadside, flat repair, and road hazard coverage built around the same service-first thesis.EPISODE SPONSORThis episode of the Gain Traction Podcast is sponsored by Cosmo Tires. Cosmo Tires offers a wide range of tire solutions designed for durability, reliability, and performance across multiple vehicle segments. Learn more at https://www.cosmotires.comIn this episode…The tire-buying decision is moving out of the shop and onto the customer's phone. Komal's platform pulls thousands of data points on every tire available in a buyer's market, weights them against where the customer lives and what they drive, and surfaces three options out of 150, with zero brand favoritism. Brand-loyalty pitches at the counter are losing power because the customer walks in already knowing which three tires fit their car best.The install side is shifting just as fast. Mobile installers run on the customer's schedule, not the bay's. Online buyers expect a concierge handoff that puts tires in their driveway or routes them to a partner shop without a phone call. Shop owners who treat themselves as the destination keep losing margin to brokers who treat themselves as the network. Komal lays out the model, DoorDash for tires, plus a membership wrapper, that's pulling high-value customers off the dealership and chain-shop conveyor belt.Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [01:30] Komal's path from restaurants to flipping cars to founding Zohr in 2015[05:27] How Tire Pig's AI ranks tires against where you live, what you drive, and your priorities[08:51] The two install paths: ship-to-door DIY or concierge handoff to a partner shop[12:12] Inside Zohr's mobile tire shop model running in Kansas City and Dallas-Fort Worth[15:26] The Tire Pig membership: flat repair, roadside, road hazard, and monthly coffee[17:34] Why "nerd mode" gives enthusiasts the full data stack behind every recommendation[19:05] Cutting brand bias by narrowing 150 tires to three based on performance data[22:13] Leading with empathy and putting the customer's perspective ahead of the saleResources mentioned in this episode:Komal Choong on LinkedInTire Pig WebsiteZohr WebsiteTread PartnersGain Traction Podcast on YouTubeGain Traction Podcast WebsiteMike Edge on LinkedInQuotable Moments:"We want to give the power back to the consumer.""We're simply trying to provide the best unbiased recommendation based on data that's available online.""It's as easy as buying something on Amazon, maybe even easier, because the decision process has been simplified significantly.""The whole entire idea is trying to make tires a little bit less confusing, so people can make a better decision for themselves.""We've always kind of put ourselves in the consumer shoes before we even put ourselves in our own shoes sometimes."Action Steps:Audit last month's tire tickets to see how often the same three SKUs show up, then align your counter pitch with the data-backed shortlist customers now expect from AI-powered tire shopping platforms.Apply to become a Tire Pig install partner in your market before a competitor down the road claims the default spot on the network map.Stand up a mobile install option, even a single van, and route it to fleet accounts and high-end residential customers willing to pay a premium to skip the lobby.Bundle every tire install into a 12-month membership at checkout that covers rotations, alignments, a flat repair credit, and road hazard coverage.Train your service writers to confirm or beat an AI-vetted top three with local intelligence on regional wet-traction performance, fitment quirks, and current rebate stacking.
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    26 mins
  • Why Acquired Auto Repair Shops Grow 50% Year One

    Why Acquired Auto Repair Shops Grow 50% Year One
    May 20 2026
    Jesse Jackson is the co-founder and operator of Mango Automotive, a multi-location auto repair group running eight shops across Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. After a career in software, Jesse pivoted into the trades alongside her partner Brian, building Mango into a regional operator focused on acquiring auto repair shops from retiring owners whose businesses are already profitable but under-marketed.Jesse is the creator of a free acquisition-evaluation tool at autorepairqueen.com/shop It's the same model Mango Automotive uses internally to underwrite its own deals. Her perspective sits at the intersection of operator, acquirer, and brand-builder, which is why shop owners modeling their first or fifth acquisition keep coming back to her playbook.EPISODE SPONSORThis episode of the Gain Traction Podcast is sponsored by Cosmo Tires. Cosmo Tires offers a wide range of tire solutions designed for durability, reliability, and performance across multiple vehicle segments. Learn more at https://www.cosmotires.comIn this episode…The Boomer generation built most of the independent auto repair shops in this country, and a huge share of them are heading toward retirement with thirty years of word-of-mouth equity and zero modern demand generation on top. That's the deal flow most multi-location operators are sleeping on. Acquiring auto repair shops at this stage means buying already-profitable businesses and unlocking the growth the previous owner stopped chasing a decade ago.The 50%+ year-one number comes from three layers: Google Maps SEO, Local Service Ads, and AI search visibility on the marketing side; a transition protocol that retains every technician on the people side; and the right district manager, finance, and HR hires at the three-shop and five-shop inflection points. Jesse Jackson of Mango Automotive has run this playbook across eight locations and three states, and this conversation breaks down exactly how it gets executed.Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:[01:14] Guest introduction: Jesse Jackson, Operator of Mango Automotive[01:41] The career pivot from software into the automotive trades[04:49] Building Mango Automotive into a multi-state operator through acquisition[06:41] Navigating the three-store and five-store inflection points in multi-location growth[12:00] The transition protocol for retaining staff through a change in ownership[14:14] Customer acquisition strategy and cost-per-acquisition in secondary markets[18:29] Local brand-building and the role of community partnerships in market penetration[24:16] Operator mindset and the discipline of career reinvention[25:31] Leadership lessons from It's Not About the Mangoes[31:57] The free acquisition-evaluation tool Mango uses to underwrite dealsResources mentioned in this episode:Jesse Jackson on LinkedInMango Automotive WebsiteFree Acquisition Evaluation Tool (Mango Automotive)Tread PartnersGain Traction Podcast on YouTubeGain Traction Podcast WebsiteMike Edge on LinkedInQuotable Moments:"The shops we buy are already successful, the previous owner just stopped pushing for growth.""We wait in the parking lot while the owner tells the team, then walk in so nobody has time to get paranoid.""Customer acquisition in our secondary markets runs about $150, and that's with the referral base already working for us.""I'm rebuilding our website because I don't like what ChatGPT or Gemini says when I ask for the best repair shop in town.""The three-shop and five-shop inflection points are where most operators break; district managers, finance, and HR are what get you through.""We've never lost an employee through a transition, and that's not luck, it's benefits and how you walk in the door."Action Steps:Underwrite every deal on year-one marketing upside, not trailing revenue. Assume a 50%+ lift when acquiring auto repair shops from retiring owners who never invested in modern demand generation.Run the parking-lot transition play on day one. Let the seller announce the sale to the team alone, then walk in within minutes with the full benefits package in writing.Audit AI search visibility this week; ask ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude for the best repair shops in each market and treat every gap as a website rebuild priority.Hire the district manager, finance lead, and HR seat before hitting five locations: those three roles carry multi-location auto repair operators through the inflection point.Pull Jesse's free acquisition-evaluation tool and run it on the next deal in the pipeline, it's the same model Mango uses to pressure-test year-one assumptions before signing an LOI.
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    34 mins
  • AAA’s Playbook for Fixing the Technician Shortage

    AAA’s Playbook for Fixing the Technician Shortage
    May 13 2026
    Jim Sennett is the manager of repair programs at AAA (American Automobile Association), where he oversees the Approved Auto Repair network of roughly 6,000 shops across the country, about 5,000 independents and 1,000 dealerships, along with the club's emerging technologies work on EVs and hybrids. He came up through Goodyear, starting as a tire changer and working through alignment tech, service advisor, service manager, and store manager across two stints with the company. Between his Goodyear years and his current role he spent nearly a decade in law enforcement before returning to the industry.Jim has been with AAA for 12 years and serves as Vice Chair of the ASE Education Foundation, which puts him at the center of how the industry is responding to the technician shortage in auto repair; both through the certification side and through the apprenticeship program AAA built with NAPA to bring new people into the trade.In this episode…The technician shortage in auto repair stopped being an abstract talking point around 2022-2023, when AAA's approved shops started telling Jim Sennett the same thing in different words: the tows keep coming, the waiting rooms keep filling up, and there's nobody behind the bay door to do the work. AAA's response was to stop waiting for the trade-school pipeline to fix itself and build a parallel one, partnering with NAPA on an apprenticeship program designed to take someone out of a grocery store, a fast-food job, or a closed-down factory and turn them into a working technician in 18 to 24 months.Jim walks through the actual mechanics: $300 a year per person, free for shops already running NAPA, but built parts-supplier agnostic so O'Reilly, Advance, and AutoZone shops are not locked out. The program is self-paced and mentor-based inside the shop, and the apprentice finishes with four ASE certifications; brakes, steering and suspension, A/C, and electrical. He also gets into why the recruiting pitch itself is part of the problem. The trade is still being sold as the "Cooter from Dukes of Hazzard" job; greasy coveralls, wrench in hand, when the actual work is a laptop in one hand and a diagnostic tool in the other. The shortage closes faster when the marketing catches up to what the job has become.The other thread worth following is Jim's story about a Buffalo shop owner who was a few months from closing. Jim sat down with him, looked at the numbers, and made him do two things first: raise labor rates and raise parts margins. The shop is now operating out of its second, bigger location.Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [01:14] Introducing Jim Sennett and his role at AAA[02:45] Early career path from college into a general service technician role at Goodyear[04:26] Overseeing AAA's Approved Auto Repair program[08:49] The three-decade partnership between AAA and NAPA[09:40] Reframing the technician's image in the modern trade[10:36] Formative lessons from Goodyear's management training[13:28] Addressing the technician shortage through the AAA/NAPA apprenticeship[17:30] Rescuing a Buffalo shop through disciplined pricing and margin strategy[21:06] Leading with a firm, fair, and consistent standard[24:35] The under-promise, over-deliver principle and the Five Guys case study[26:48] Closing reflections and hometown conversationResources mentioned in this episode:Jim Sennett on LinkedInAmerican Automobile AssociationASE Education FoundationTread PartnersGain Traction Podcast on YouTubeGain Traction Podcast WebsiteMike Edge on LinkedInQuotable Moments:“These men and women are professional people out there, you got a laptop in your hand now, you're doing more work on a computer than you are turning wrenches.""You find the right person, the right personality for you, and we'll give you a program, and we'll make them into a technician in 18 months to two years.""Always be firm, fair and consistent every day.""I'm always a fan of under-promising and over-delivering.""If you can't be your word, or you can't have someone that believes in you, it kind of sets a bad foundation and we know what happens with bad foundations, the building tends to crumble."Action Steps:Audit your labor rates and parts margins this week, raise both if the math says so.Enroll one career-changer in the AAA/NAPA apprenticeship at $300 a year and assign a senior tech as mentor.Rewrite your tech job postings to lead with diagnostics, scan tools, and EV work, not wrench-turning.Pick one customer promise: timeline, price, or scope, and engineer the over delivery.Join AAA's Approved Auto Repair program to access the apprenticeship pricing and the nationwide warranty.
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    31 mins
  • The Franchise Advantage Nobody Talks About Enough

    The Franchise Advantage Nobody Talks About Enough
    May 6 2026
    Joe Happel, Desiree Elliott, Steve Towers, Charlie Alexander, Tim & Terri Hollander, and Gary Skidmore represent a cross-section of some of the most experienced operators and leaders within Big O Tires. From Hall of Fame-level leadership and second-generation ownership to multi-state expansion and corporate strategy, each brings decades of real-world experience in building, scaling, and sustaining automotive service businesses. Their combined perspective reflects what actually works inside high-performing tire shop networks; not theory, but execution.Across their roles as franchisees, operators, and executives, they reveal how tire shop owners grow through standards, accountability, and long-term relationship building. Their insights are grounded in running multiple locations, navigating growth cycles, developing teams, and aligning franchise systems to support both independence and scale.EPISODE SPONSORThis episode of the Gain Traction Podcast is sponsored by Cosmo Tires. Cosmo Tires offers a wide range of tire solutions designed for durability, reliability, and performance across multiple vehicle segments. Learn more at https://www.cosmotires.comIn this episode…The industry doesn’t have a growth problem, it has a standards problem. Shops chase tactics, marketing angles, and quick wins, but the operators scaling from one location to ten and beyond are playing a different game entirely. Growth is being driven by discipline, culture, and consistency, not creativity.Inside Big O Tires, the pattern becomes clear. The operators winning long-term don’t reinvent systems, they refine them. They build pressure into their culture, hold teams accountable, and treat customer relationships as assets that compound over time. The gap between average and top-performing shops isn’t access to better tools. It’s the refusal to let standards slip.This is where most operators fall behind. Weak retention, inconsistent service, and constant hiring challenges aren’t random, they’re the result of operating without a defined standard. Meanwhile, the shops that understand how tire shop owners grow are building businesses that scale predictably, retain customers for years, and create internal leadership pipelines that sustain expansion.Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [01:11] Joe Happel on maintaining high standards and prioritizing work over recognition[09:09] Desiree Elliott on generational leadership and scaling a multi-store operation[14:05] Steve Towers on expanding across multiple states and building brand consistency[22:23] Charlie Alexander on acquisition-driven growth and co-op structure advantages[27:04] Terri & Tim Hollander on customer retention through long-term relationships[35:01] Gary Skidmore on franchise growth strategy and system-wide collaborationResources mentioned in this episode:Big O TiresBig O Tires Franchise OpportunitiesJoe Happel on LinkedInDesiree Elliott on LinkedInSteve Towers on LinkedInCharlie Alexander on LinkedInGary Skidmore on LinkedInTread PartnersGain Traction Podcast on YouTubeGain Traction Podcast WebsiteMike Edge on LinkedInQuotable Moments:“You just have to listen… and you learn a lot.”“Pressure creates diamonds.”“You can’t teach somebody to care.”“Delight the customer, not just satisfy them.”“It is cheaper to keep an employee than to find and train a new one.”Action Steps:Establish one non-negotiable service standard across every location and enforce it daily without exception.Build structured mentorship inside your shop by pairing experienced operators with newer team members to accelerate learning.Audit your customer experience and shift from satisfaction to retention-driven service that builds long-term trust.Identify where inconsistency exists in your operations and eliminate it through repeatable systems and accountability.Study how tire shop owners grow by focusing on culture, employee retention, and execution rather than chasing new strategies.
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    40 mins
  • The New Playbook for Independent Tire Dealers

    The New Playbook for Independent Tire Dealers
    Apr 29 2026
    Peter Greenberg — owner of City Tire Co., a business operating since 1927 with a long-standing presence in retail, commercial, and retread segments. With decades of industry experience, he brings a strong perspective on vendor relationships, buying group strategy, and the operational decisions shaping how independent tire dealers compete today.David Zeller — owner of Zeller Tire & Auto Center, a multi-location operation established in 1952. His experience centers on integrating tire sales with automotive service, refining internal systems, and driving profitability for independent tire dealers in an increasingly competitive market.Bob Amenta — President of Modern Tire, where he oversees a service-focused operation that complements tire sales with long-term maintenance and repair. His approach emphasizes operational structure, customer retention, and sustainable growth within the independent tire dealers segment.EPISODE SPONSORThis episode of the Gain Traction Podcast is sponsored by Cosmo Tires. Cosmo Tires offers a wide range of tire solutions designed for durability, reliability, and performance across multiple vehicle segments. Learn more at https://www.cosmotires.comIn this episode…Independent tire dealers are losing margin in plain sight, and the root cause sits inside their own operations. Pricing no longer defines competitiveness. Buying power, service integration, and internal alignment now determine who grows and who gets left behind.Peter Greenberg, David Zeller, and Bob Amenta expose a shift that many operators still overlook. Running a shop in isolation limits leverage with vendors, restricts access to best practices, and slows down operational evolution. Their collaboration through Tire Team Partners reveals a model where shared intelligence and complementary strengths unlock both cost advantages and revenue growth.The pressure from consolidation and rising customer expectations continues to intensify. Shops that fail to modernize purchasing strategies and service mix face shrinking margins and weaker retention. Growth now depends on executing both sides of the business; tires and service, with precision, while building systems that scale beyond a single location mindset.Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [01:10] Overview of panel guests and their operations[01:54] Formation of Tire Team Partners and collaboration model[05:39] Strategic importance of balancing tire sales and service revenue[07:23] Role of advisor recommendations in tire purchasing decisions[08:08] Impact of internet-informed customers on the sales process[10:13] Guest backgrounds and industry experience[11:01] Leadership perspectives and operational philosophies[15:09] Business outlook and collaboration strategy for 2026[17:16] Leveraging buying power to improve pricing and margins[19:44] Future direction and potential expansion of Tire Team PartnersResources mentioned in this episode:Peter Greenberg on LinkedInCity Tire Co. WebsiteDavid Zeller on LinkedInZeller Tire & Auto CenterModern TireTread PartnersGain Traction Podcast on YouTubeGain Traction Podcast WebsiteMike Edge on LinkedInQuotable Moments:“70% are going on the recommendation of the advisor.”“The real diamond in the rough is doing both—tires and service—and doing both well.”“The price largely is determined by the market, not by my cost.”“We have to control our own destiny.”“Small tweaks can turn out to be incredibly profitable over the course of 12 or 24 months.”Action Steps:Audit purchasing strategy and consolidate vendor relationships to increase leverage and reduce cost per unit.Rebalance operations to ensure tire sales consistently drive service opportunities and long-term customer retention.Build peer-level partnerships or join collaborative groups to access shared best practices and scale advantages.Standardize internal processes across locations to eliminate inefficiencies and improve profitability at scale.Implement a dual-focus growth plan that strengthens both service operations and tire volume to position independent tire dealers for sustained expansion.
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    22 mins
  • The Real Issues Independent Tire Dealers Are Facing in 2026

    The Real Issues Independent Tire Dealers Are Facing in 2026
    Apr 22 2026
    Jeff Webster is the owner of Take Ten Tire Service, with nearly three decades in the tire industry. He has expanded his operations beyond Oklahoma through recent acquisitions and is an active member of the Independent Tire Dealers Group, where he values long-term relationships and peer collaboration.Josh Porter is the owner of Lex Brodie’s Tire Company on the Big Island of Hawaii, where he operates multiple retail locations alongside commercial tire centers, car washes, and service businesses. With over 20 years in the industry, he focuses on staying relevant in a geographically isolated market through diversification and industry connections.Ryan Anderson is the president and owner of Montana Tire Distributors Inc., a business that combines wholesale distribution with retail operations. Having grown up in the industry, he emphasizes the financial and competitive advantages of group buying power and has helped lead the company through continued expansion.Katie Youngblood is a third-generation owner of Youngblood Auto & Tire based in Texas, overseeing both retail locations and a large-scale mobile commercial service operation. Her business primarily serves commercial clients, with a strong focus on roadside service and fleet support across a wide regional footprint.Jay Baxter is the president of Delaware Tire Centers, where he operates a smaller independent dealership. With decades of experience, he highlights the challenges faced by independent operators and the importance of joining networks like ITDG to remain competitive.Peter Greenberg is the owner of City Tire Company and serves as chairman of the Independent Tire Dealers Group. Coming from a multi-generational business, he focuses on helping independent dealers compete against large chains through private brands, collective buying power, and shared strategies.Rick Benton II is the president of Black’s Tire Service, a long-standing family-owned company known for its strong community involvement and internal culture. He advocates for collaboration among independent dealers and emphasizes adapting to industry changes while maintaining core values.EPISODE SPONSORThis episode of the Gain Traction Podcast is sponsored by Cosmo Tires. Cosmo Tires offers a wide range of tire solutions designed for durability, reliability, and performance across multiple vehicle segments. Learn more at https://www.cosmotires.comIn this episode…Independent tire shop owners are losing margin in places they don’t even see, buried in pricing, sourcing, and deals that were never built for them to win. The big chains aren’t just bigger; they’re buying better, negotiating harder, and moving faster. That advantage shows up every single time a customer says yes to a quote.The operators in this conversation aren’t guessing what’s wrong. They’re seeing it firsthand: the cost of staying independent without leverage is rising, and it’s showing up in tighter profits, tougher competition, and slower growth. Meanwhile, shops that have aligned themselves with groups like ITDG are playing a different game: better pricing, stronger supplier relationships, and a seat at the table they didn’t have before.This is the shift most shop owners feel but haven’t fully defined yet. The shops that recognize it are already adjusting how they buy, how they price, and how they scale. The rest are still trying to outwork a system that was never built in their favor.Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [01:11] Jeff Webster on ITDG value and industry relationships[06:23] Josh Porter on ITDG benefits and business expansion[12:43] Ryan Anderson on buying power and profit impact[17:36] Katie Youngblood on commercial operations and scale[25:10] Jay Baxter on challenges facing independent dealers[28:59] Peter Greenberg on competition and private label strategy[37:21] Rick Benton II on culture and industry evolutionResources mentioned in this episode:ITDG (Independent Tire Dealers Group LLC)Jeff Webster LinkedInTake Ten Tire & ServiceLex Brodie’s Tire CompanyMontana Tire Distributors Inc.Youngblood Auto & TireJay Baxter LinkedInDelaware Tire CentersCity Tire CompanyRick Benton II LinkedInBlack’s Tire ServiceTread PartnersGain Traction Podcast on YouTubeGain Traction Podcast WebsiteMike Edge on LinkedInQuotable Moments:“You just never know where you’re gonna run across the same people, it’s a great family of people.”“It’s the difference between competing and succeeding and thriving.”“When we come together, we’re a really big fish; it’s hard to beat us.”“As an independent, you’re faced with private equity getting bigger, how do you compete?”“It’s not just about making a living, it’s about making a difference.”Action Steps:Join or evaluate a dealer network to immediately increase buying power and reduce cost per tire, independent tire shop owners who stay isolated are overpaying.Audit your current supplier pricing and compare it against group ...
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    48 mins
  • Why Most Auto Shops Fail When They Try to Scale

    Why Most Auto Shops Fail When They Try to Scale
    Apr 15 2026
    Phil Carpenter is the Director of Operations at Urban Autocare and Avalon Motorsports, overseeing seven locations in the Denver, Colorado area. He began his career as a technician and became the first employee in what was once a two-person shop, eventually helping grow the business into a 55-person operation.His experience spans every stage of scaling an auto repair shop; from turning wrenches to leading teams, building systems, and managing multi-location complexity. That progression gives him a grounded perspective on what actually breaks, evolves, and demands attention as shops grow beyond a single location.EPISODE SPONSORThis episode of the Gain Traction Podcast is sponsored by Cosmo Tires. Cosmo Tires offers a wide range of tire solutions designed for durability, reliability, and performance across multiple vehicle segments. Learn more at https://www.cosmotires.comIn this episode…Growth doesn’t fail loudly at first. It slips in through divided attention, stretched leadership, and roles that multiply faster than the team can support.Scaling an auto repair shop introduces a different kind of pressure, one that doesn’t show up in car count or revenue reports. It shows up in managers juggling three roles, in culture that starts to drift, and in decisions that carry more weight than they did at one location. The systems that once worked stop holding, and the habits that built the business begin to limit it.This conversation centers on what actually changes as a shop grows. The shift from technician to leader, the cost of trying to do everything at once, and the reality that profitability is what allows a business to stand behind its work when things go wrong. Scaling an auto repair shop demands sharper focus, stronger systems, and a clear understanding of where leadership attention belongs.Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [01:15] Background and introduction of Phil Carpenter[02:39] Early career path and entry into the automotive industry[04:15] Building culture through care and accountability[07:16] Early challenges and stagnant growth in the first location[10:57] Transition from technician to advisor and manager[14:40] Operational strain from wearing multiple roles[20:33] Profitability as a foundation for stability and customer care[22:50] Leadership framework: execution, preparation, and review[26:48] Personal background and life outside the shopResources mentioned in this episode:Phil Carpenter on LinkedInUrban Autocare WebsiteAvalon Motorsports WebsiteTread PartnersGain Traction Podcast on YouTubeGain Traction Podcast WebsiteMike Edge on LinkedInQuotable Moments:“I can be a very good technician and I can be a very good service advisor, but I cannot do them at the exact same time.”“We know how to take care of people, and we’re going to do that really, really well.”“We can love and care about you, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t expect you to do a really good job.”“If we’re not running our businesses soundly and with profit, we start squeezing pennies and stop standing behind what we do.”“Feedback is a gift.”Action Steps:Audit current roles across your team and eliminate overlap where one person is carrying multiple critical functions. Divided attention is one of the fastest ways scaling an auto repair shop breaks down operationally.Define clear accountability standards for each role and enforce them consistently. Culture weakens when expectations stay informal.Review profitability at a granular level. Margin is what allows the business to take care of customers without hesitation when mistakes happen.Identify one process that worked at a single location and stress-test it across multiple locations. Systems must evolve as complexity increases.Build a leadership habit of preparation and review. Go into key conversations with intent, then evaluate performance immediately after to improve the next decision.
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    31 mins