What if the part your customer needs is already built, already tested, and already on a truck headed your way? In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Vince Edivan and Shannon Nordstrom unpack the real story behind recycled OEM parts—how they’re sourced, certified, and delivered—and why forward-thinking repair shops are using them to protect margins, reduce cycle times, and offer customers good-better-best options that keep cars (and relationships) on the road.

What happens when your dad hands you the keys to the shop—and the responsibility—before you’re old enough to vote? In this candid conversation, Tonnika Haynes opens up about legacy, leadership, letting go, and why sometimes the best training is being pushed off the boat and told to swim.

Cell phones, texts, shop software—auto repair shops have no shortage of ways to communicate. But are they actually slowing you down? In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, two-way radio expert Stew McClintic talks about why “push-to-talk” technology is still one of the fastest, simplest tools shops can use to improve workflow.

Customer retention doesn’t happen by accident. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, business consultant John Waters explains why trust is the real currency of the auto repair industry—and how shop owners can create exceptional experiences that keep customers coming back and referring others.

He built 14 stores. Then he sold 10 of them—one by one—during one of the toughest economic downturns in modern history.

In Fearless to Courageous, James Baxter reveals the sleepless nights, payroll fears, and hard leadership decisions that reshaped his company—and why focusing on four strong stores made him more profitable than ever before.

If you’re an entrepreneur navigating growth, succession, or tough calls about the future of your business, this episode delivers real-world insight on vision, culture, and the courage it takes to right the ship.

Seventy-five breakout sessions. Role-based tracks for owners, advisors, and technicians. Big-name keynotes. A coaching debate on one stage. Dedicated technical training on EV service, ADAS calibration, direct injection systems, and new refrigerants.

Tektonic 2026 isn’t about theory—it’s about results.

In this conversation, Tekmetric owner Sunil Patel explains why hard work isn’t enough, why systems win, and why Houston in April could be the reset button ambitious shop owners have been looking for.

What happens when a lifelong shop owner steps into the COO role of a fast-growing national platform? In this episode, Brian Bates breaks down the walls shop owners hit when scaling, how to balance culture with growth, and why leadership—not capital alone—will determine who wins the next decade in the aftermarket.

Tariffs, inflation, and rising labor costs are putting real pressure on shop margins right now—and I know a lot of shop owners are asking how to recover those costs without upsetting customers. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, I sit down with payments expert Randy Motos to break down surcharging: what it is, how it works, what the compliance rules really are, and why “freedom of choice” at checkout is becoming a go-to strategy for shops looking to offset credit card fees while protecting customer trust.