Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled

Larry Anderson isn’t your typical shop owner and that’s exactly what makes this episode worth your time. From fabricating race cars and building trail-ready rigs with his wife, Cheryl, to mastering lost arts like manual machining and custom fabrication, Larry’s story is a masterclass in keeping your passion alive while running a successful auto repair business.

We dig into how he balances work and hobby without burning out, the lessons he learned from turning wrenches to leading a thriving shop, and why separating business from personal projects might just be the secret to staying in love with what you do.

If you’ve ever felt your business start to steal the joy from your craft, this conversation will hit home. Larry’s perspective is real, relatable, and packed with takeaways every shop owner needs to hear.

🎧 Don’t miss this one, hit play and get inspired to keep your passion running strong while you fill those bays.

Show Notes with Timestamps

• Introduction and Sponsor Acknowledgments (00:00:01) Brian introduces the podcast, guest Larry Anderson, and thanks sponsors.
• Larry’s Background and Entry into Fabrication (00:02:00) Larry shares his early interest in cars, career path, and transition into fabrication and off-roading.
• Wife’s Influence and Family Off-Roading (00:02:46) Larry discusses his wife Cheryl’s role in getting him into off-roading and their shared experiences.
• Building and Evolving Off-Road Rigs (00:04:18) Larry describes Cheryl’s Toyota Tacoma, its evolution, and the custom work involved.
• Custom Jeep Commander Build (00:06:07) Larry details his own Jeep Commander project and its unique, custom-built features.
• Off-Roading Trails and Local Adventures (00:06:38) Discussion about Rubicon Trail, Fordyce Creek, and the local off-roading scene.
• Learning Fabrication and Machining Skills (00:08:16) Larry explains how he self-taught welding and machining, using resources like YouTube.
• Balancing Work and Hobby, Avoiding Burnout (00:10:05) Larry shares how he keeps his passion alive by separating work from hobby and not working on customer cars at home.
• Advice on Separating Work and Hobby (00:12:32) Brian and Larry discuss the importance of keeping personal projects separate from business to maintain passion.
• Current Favorite Project: 1975 F150 Diesel Build (00:16:13) Larry talks about his current project, a custom 1975 F150 with a diesel engine.
• 3D Printing for Automotive Projects (00:17:27) Larry discusses his journey into 3D printing, its uses in his builds, and the technology’s evolution.
• 3D Printing for Customer Cars and CAD Skills (00:19:22) Larry explains why 3D printing isn’t yet practical for customer cars and the importance of CAD skills.
• Advice for Shop Owners Who’ve Lost Passion (00:20:55) Larry offers advice on gratitude, balance, and not letting business consume your life.
• Closing Thoughts and Episode Wrap-Up (00:22:52) Brian and Larry reflect on the conversation, social media highlights, and thank listeners.

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Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled

Kim Walker and Michael Doherty dig into what really happens at the front counter of an auto repair shop and why the service advisor’s role can make or break your marketing efforts. From real-world auditing tips to skill-building strategies, Michael shares how shops can turn their advisors into trusted consultants instead of order takers. You’ll hear practical advice on improving communication, handling tough days like a pro, using body language that builds trust, and even his traffic light method for explaining repairs in a way customers actually understand.

If you’re an auto repair shop owner or manager looking to strengthen your team, boost customer trust, and turn your service advisors into your strongest marketing asset, this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Tune in to this episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast to learn how small mindset shifts at the service counter can lead to big results in your shop’s success.

Show Notes with Timestamps

• Introduction and Sponsor Message (00:00:01) Podcast introduction, host and guest introductions, and sponsor message from Shop Boss.
• Michael’s Transition to Remote Marketing Service Advisor (00:02:25) Michael discusses moving from in-shop service advisor to remote marketing service advisor, and the mindset and skills required.
• Service Advisor Auditing: First Impressions and Body Language (00:06:48) Explains how to audit service advisors, focusing on greeting, body language, and the importance of open, inviting gestures.
• The Service Advisor as the Marketing Front Line (00:09:35) Discusses the critical role of service advisors in converting marketing leads and the impact of their attitude and training.
• Phone Skills and Professionalism (00:12:04) Covers the importance of tone, professionalism, and being qualified to answer the phone as a service advisor.
• Skill Building: Managing Personal Challenges and Mindset (00:13:51) Advice for service advisors on handling personal issues, self-talk, and maintaining professionalism at work.
• Sponsor Messages (00:16:49) Additional sponsor messages for Shop Boss and App Fueled.
• Traffic Light Method for Explaining Repairs (00:18:46) Michael explains the “traffic light method” for communicating repairs to customers: green (good), yellow (caution), red (urgent).
• From Order Taker to Trusted Advisor (00:22:26) How to coach service advisors to move from being order takers to trusted consultants, emphasizing communication and empathy.
• High-Impact Behaviors for Service Advisors (00:25:23) Two key behaviors: making interactions less transactional and building genuine relationships with clients.
• Marketing and Service Advisor Communication (00:29:35) The importance of communication between marketing and service advisors to avoid surprises and ensure campaign alignment.
• Internal Shop Communication and Team Synergy (00:32:10) Discusses the need for strong communication between service advisors and technicians, and fostering a positive team environment.
• Adapting Communication Tools and Looking Ahead (00:36:18) Reflects on past communication challenges and the evolution of shop tools, with thoughts on future service advisor roles.
• Preparing for the Future: Proactivity and Continuous Learning (00:37:44) Advice for service advisors to be proactive, use new tools like ChatGPT, and prioritize ongoing education and industry networking.
• First Impressions: Dress and Professional Appearance (00:42:30) The impact of professional dress on client perception and team culture, and...