Bonus Episode - Things I Wish I Knew Before Owning a Shop

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In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Greg Schuler, Christian Beyer, Chad Kaemingk, and Joseph Augustine to discuss the realities of shop ownership and what they wish they’d known from the start. Joseph shares his experience with the pitfalls of hiring friends and family, stressing the benefits of implementing production-based pay for technicians and clear roles for staff. Greg emphasizes the importance of establishing systems and processes, particularly when transitioning leadership and ensuring team members understand what success looks like. The conversation also touches on the changing expectations of today’s workforce and the value of leadership that goes beyond simply “fixing cars.”

00:00 "From Engineering to Maintenance Leadership"

06:50 Unexpected Journey into Family Business

07:14 Family Business Challenges and Changes

14:20 Scaling Challenges with Specialized Business

19:35 Struggling with Multiple Roles

20:21 Struggling to Find Work-Life Balance

28:46 "Proven Business Methodology Essential"

30:39 Operational Protocols and Responsibilities

33:47 "Accountability Requires Clear Standards"

38:06 "10-Year System Development Insights"

43:01 Lack of Business Systems Leads to Fraud

43:41 Implement Systems for Success

49:23 "Don't Hire Apprentices First"

54:15 Business Chaos Without Clear Financials

56:28 Lack of Business Knowledge

58:22 "Daughter's Crochet Creations Soar"
Bonus Episode - Things I Wish I Knew Before Owning a Shop
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