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In this episode of Gearheads n’ Gasoline, hosts Barry Alt and Annette Bauer welcome Jason Wenig, owner of The Creative Workshop, to discuss his journey from a corporate executive to a leader in concourse-level automotive restoration. Jason shares insights into his early experiences with cars, the challenges of building a successful restoration business, and the importance of client relationships. He also delves into marketing strategies, the significance of word-of-mouth referrals, and the evolving landscape of the automotive restoration industry. In this conversation, Jason Wenig discusses the importance of building trust with clients in the automotive restoration industry, emphasizing that character and integrity are paramount. He stresses the importance of referrals and repeat business, illustrating how strong relationships contribute to long-term success.

Takeaways:

• Bootstrapped from Scratch: He transformed a rat-infested, failing shop into a world-class restoration facility
• Team Took Time: It took over a decade to build the right skilled team to match his high standards
• Repeat Business is Gold – Many clients return with new projects, often reserving shop time in advance
• Word-of-Mouth Wins: Referrals and relationships remain the most effective growth engine
• Strategic Visibility: He uses print ads, social posts, and events to maintain presence
• Professional Presence Matters: A clean website, proper email, and branding are must-haves
• Hands-On Mentorship: Always has apprentices in the shop to pass on restoration skills
• Industry Advocacy: Serves on the RPM Foundation board to support youth training and education
• Inspire the Next Gen: He believes early exposure helps steer young talent into creative automotive careers

Guest Bio:
Jason Wenig is the owner of The Creative Workshop, a concours restoration shop. He is the co-executive director of Motorcar Cavalcade and serves on the Board of Directors of the America's Automotive Trust. A lifelong automobile aficionado, Wenig began his professional career in an executive position at a car-focused internet startup before beginning his Pebble Beach award-winning restoration business in 2002. Wenig and his shop were most recently awarded the RPM Foundation Restorer’s award in 2022.

Guest:

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram

Hosts:
Barry Alt, Motorhead Digital

• Email: maximizesales@motorheaddigital.com
• Website

Annette Bauer, Annette Bauer Creative

• Email: annette@annettebauercreative.com
• Website

Don’t miss an episode from Gearheads n’ Gasoline!

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You can reach us at gngoperations@motorheaddigital.com

Audio Production by: Mantis Media

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Supported by:
➡️ Red Line Synthetic Oil
➡️ Auto Metal Direct
➡️ POWERtube TV

In this engaging episode, hosts Barry Alt and Annette Bauer welcome Michael Narx, the passionate car enthusiast and host of the Drag Drive Repeat podcast. The conversation delves into Michael's early love for cars, the sentimental value of his grandfather's 66 C10 truck, and his transition from a corporate job to focusing on the drag and drive community. They discuss the exponential growth of drag and drive events, the importance of marketing strategies, and the challenges of maintaining affordability in the racing world. Michael emphasizes the significance of storytelling within the community and the need for data collection to recognize achievements. The episode highlights the camaraderie and shared experiences that make the drag and drive community unique and vibrant. In this conversation, Mike Narx discusses the challenges faced by promoters and the importance of community support among racers. He highlights the evolving role of sponsorship in the racing industry, advocating for a more strategic approach to building relationships with brands.

Takeaways:

• Michael's love for cars began with Hot Wheels and car shows during childhood
• His grandfather's '66 C10 truck holds deep sentimental value and sparked his hands-on involvement
• Building Drag Drive Repeat allowed him to merge passion with purpose
• The drag-and-drive scene is a tight-knit, supportive group
• Racers frequently help one another during events, creating lasting bonds
• Drag-and-drive events have exploded in popularity
• Social media has been critical to the success and visibility of Drag Drive Repeat
• Focusing on a niche audience helped build a loyal and engaged following
• Brands are increasingly recognizing the value of grassroots motorsports
• Successful sponsorships rely on relationships, professionalism, and aligned values

Guest Bio:
Car guy since day one, I still own my first car - my grandfather's '66 C10. After selling cars for 15 years, I moved to logistics and built a brand in my free time. Have hosted 50+ car events (drag races, car shows, drag and drive events, rallies, scavenger hunts) - most for children's charities. Started Drag Drive Repeat in Jan 2022, closing in on 100k followers - more than 5000 pieces of content across social media accounts. Two weekly Live Streams dedicated to the drag and drive community.

Guest:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

Hosts:
Barry Alt, Motorhead Digital

• Email: maximizesales@motorheaddigital.com
• Website

Annette Bauer, Annette Bauer Creative

• Email: annette@annettebauercreative.com
• Website

Don’t miss an episode from Gearheads n’ Gasoline!

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

You can reach us at gngoperations@motorheaddigital.com

Audio Production by: Mantis Media

Send us a text

Supported by:
➡️ Red Line Synthetic Oil
➡️ Auto Metal Direct
➡️ POWERtube TV

In this episode, we sit down with Ron Hinshaw, the hands-on gearhead turned shop owner behind North Speed and Restoration. Ron takes us on a ride through his 30-year journey in the automotive industry—from BMX bikes and off-road trail rigs to managing a hot rod shop and eventually buying it outright. He opens up about what it takes to go from tech to owner, why relationship-building matters more than instant returns, and the lessons he’s learned while keeping a 40-year shop legacy alive.

Ron shares real-world advice on purchasing a shop, building trust with customers and employees, marketing through car shows and social media, and why your website does matter. Plus, he gives us a glimpse into his days of motocross, ice racing, and mud trucks, and how his love for off-roading and monster truck builds still shows up in his work today.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Ron transitioned from side work and general repair to full-time hot rod building
• Key considerations when buying an existing shop (equipment, name value, customer relationships, and more)
• Why showing up at events like SEMA and Goodguys is critical for long-term success
• The power of professional photography, solid branding, and clear client communication
• Why Ron believes success is when his team thrives, like buying their first homes or new trucks

Guest Bio:
Ron has spent the last 30 years immersed in the automotive world, starting from the bottom at a oil change shop and working his way up through the ranks as a technician, manager, and now shop owner. By his late teens, he was already getting handed the vintage and custom jobs, and that passion never let up. From big shops to small local garages. In the larger shops, Ron always found himself in a leadership role. When he wasn’t working, he was off-road racing, building trail rigs, and wrenching on hot rods to fund his hobbies.

In 2016, Ron landed at a true hot rod shop, learned everything he could, and helped level up the business using the skills he’d honed over the years. By 2018 he was managing the shop, and in 2022 he bought it outright, continuing a 40-year legacy now known as North Speed and Restoration. Today, Ron’s building wild customs, tackling vintage restorations and showing that with the right mix of grit, gearhead passion, and hands-on hustle, you really can turn your side hustle into a full-time dream.

Guest:

• Website
• Instagram

Hosts:
Barry Alt, Motorhead Digital

• Email: maximizesales@motorheaddigital.com
• Website

Annette Bauer, Annette Bauer Creative

• Email: annette@annettebauercreative.com
• Website

Don’t miss an episode from Gearheads n’ Gasoline!

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

You can reach us at gngoperations@motorheaddigital.com

Audio Production by: Mantis Media