Building a Thriving Auto Repair Shop Culture: Insights from Industry Leaders
Running a successful auto repair shop is much more than repairing vehicles; it's about creating a culture that attracts talented technicians, ensures growth, and fosters an environment where everyone can thrive. In a recent episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, shop owners Moira Sheehan, Kendall Warnock, and Matt Aukes shared their insights on shop culture, managing growth, and navigating the challenges of multiple locations. Here’s a deeper dive into their experiences, offering invaluable lessons for shop owners.
Shifting Perceptions of the Auto Repair Industry: Moira Sheehan’s Vision
Moira Sheehan has been a fixture in the auto repair industry for years, and her vision extends beyond just business success—she’s passionate about changing the public’s perception of auto repair work. Traditionally, many people still view technicians as “greasy guys” working in the back of the shop, performing rough, manual labor. However, Moira is on a mission to shift this outdated view.
She believes that today’s auto technicians are far more skilled than ever before, with a deep understanding of advanced diagnostic tools and complex automotive computer systems. As she sees it, auto repair is no longer about brute strength but about intellect and precision. Moira wants to mentor the next generation of technicians by reaching out to young people in high schools and technical schools, offering them a realistic look at the modern auto repair profession.
Her aim is not only to attract young talent but also to educate them about the real potential in the industry. The misconception that auto repair is a low-paying, dead-end job couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, it’s a field with lucrative opportunities and a solid career path. Moira is already in talks with local tech schools and high schools, working alongside other shop owners to develop programs that offer hands-on training and open the door to rewarding careers in auto repair.
For anyone looking to build a strong future in the industry, Moira’s mentorship approach is a perfect model to follow. By connecting with local educational institutions and sharing the wealth of knowledge that seasoned shop owners possess, she’s helping ensure that the next generation will have the skills and drive to excel in a modern auto repair shop.
Kendall Warnock: Scaling With Purpose
Kendall Warnock is a shop owner with a vision for growth—specifically, expanding his business to multiple locations while ensuring that his shop culture remains strong. His strategy for growing his business is simple but effective: replicate the good elements of his current culture in his new locations. This requires overstaffing, careful planning, and a keen focus on leadership.
For Kendall, one of the key factors in expanding to new locations is taking core team members along. As he opens a second location, he plans to take several staff members with him, including a trained service manager, and a few technicians. This strategy ensures that the culture at the new location is set up from day one. By transplanting successful practices and values from the original location, Kendall avoids the risks of starting fresh with an entirely new team.
What sets Kendall’s strategy apart is his approach to overstaffing. By intentionally hiring extra team members for the new location, he ensures that there is enough support to maintain a positive culture and smoothly transition the operation into its new phase. For shop owners looking to scale, this is a crucial step in maintaining quality and consistency across locations.
Kendall also notes that the role of managers is vital in replicating shop culture. His plan involves hiring and training new managers who are aligned with his values and leadership style. A strong, capable management team is essential for keeping the culture intact while expanding operations. Without strong managers in place, shop culture can quickly deteriorate, leading to dissatisfaction among employees and customers alike.
Matt Aukes: Emphasizing Day-to-Day Interaction for Stronger Culture
Matt Aukes has a unique perspective on shop culture. Although he is no longer working directly on the shop floor, he believes that being hands-on and interacting with staff on a day-to-day basis can have a significant impact on maintaining a positive culture. According to Matt, it’s much easier to influence culture when you’re present in the workflow, interacting directly with your employees.
Matt’s experience as a service advisor gave him firsthand knowledge of how critical daily interactions are for shaping a productive, healthy environment. He believes that shop owners who are actively involved in their shops can create a more immediate and lasting influence on culture, helping set the tone for teamwork, communication, and customer service.
However, Matt acknowledges that as a business grows, it becomes harder to remain involved in the day-to-day operations. This is when it becomes necessary to delegate responsibility and put in place a strong team that aligns with the company’s values. As the business grows, the challenge becomes balancing leadership with strategic oversight, ensuring that the shop’s core values remain intact.
For shop owners who are still turning wrenches, Matt’s advice is to stay active in the workflow as much as possible. Lead by example, communicate openly with your staff, and provide constructive feedback. This active involvement will ensure a stronger bond between you and your team, helping maintain a positive work environment that reflects your values.
Moira’s Hard-Earned Lessons on Managing Multiple Locations
While Moira’s current focus is on mentoring young professionals, she has experience managing multiple locations. She shared some of the lessons she learned the hard way. In the past, Moira owned three shops and managed a staff of 20. Unfortunately, she made the mistake of trying to manage everything herself. She worked tirelessly, burning the candle at both ends, and almost jeopardized her health as a result.
Looking back, Moira admits that if she were to expand again, she would definitely hire a general manager or district manager to oversee daily operations at each location. Trying to juggle everything herself was simply too much. Managing multiple locations requires the delegation of responsibility, and having the right people in place is crucial for success.
Moira also stresses the importance of having a solid management team when you’re replicating your culture across multiple shops. It’s vital that the people you bring in to manage new locations understand the company’s core values and can uphold them. She echoes Kendall’s sentiment that it’s easier to manage culture when you bring in trusted staff members who already know the company’s expectations.
Conclusion: Building a Sustainable Shop Culture
The insights shared by Moira, Kendall, and Matt during the Garage Grit Podcast highlight the importance of building a strong shop culture while managing growth. Whether you’re mentoring the next generation of auto repair professionals, scaling your business, or ensuring that your shop’s core values remain intact, the key to success is creating a work environment that prioritizes integrity, communication, and growth.
For shop owners looking to scale, Moira, Kendall, and Matt’s experiences provide valuable lessons on managing multiple locations, replicating a successful culture, and staying involved in the day-to-day operations. With the right leadership, clear communication, and a focus on mentoring and growth, any auto repair shop can build a thriving business that attracts talented employees and ensures long-term success.
For more on these topics and to hear directly from Moira, Kendall, and Matt, be sure to watch the full episode of the Garage Grit Podcast on YouTube here.
By taking a strategic approach to building and maintaining your shop’s culture, you can ensure that your business grows sustainably, attracts and retains top talent, and provides excellent service to your customers. Embrace mentorship, effective leadership, and clear communication, and watch your auto repair shop thrive in the years to come.