Shows
Gain TractionCultivating Customer Connections With Cody Hammer, Area Sales Manager at Trusted Tire and AutoCody Hammer is the Area Sales Manager for Trusted Tire and Auto in Bismarck, N.D. Despite not having an automotive background, Cody's career path shifted from construction to sales after being inspired by a radio advertisement featuring the general manager of Trusted Tire. With a natural gift for communication and a deep-seeded desire to positively impact people’s lives, Cody thrives in his role by prioritizing empathy and understanding toward customers, a quality he believes is essential in customer service. In this episode… In the competitive automotive services industry, building strong customer connections is crucial for succ...
2024-05-0126 min
Gain TractionProviding Large-Scale Service and Small-Scale Care With Brian Quisenberry of S&S TireBrian Quisenberry is Vice President at S&S Tire. Known for his responsive and dependable leadership style, Brian prides himself on his ability to deliver results and fulfill commitments through a blend of enablement and tenacity. With over 25 years of diverse experience, he has honed his skills as a coachable and loyal teammate, always ready to lead his team towards strategic success that brings real value to customers. Beyond his professional achievements, Brian is committed to excellence and humility, with "Dad" and "Husband" being his most cherished titles. In this episode… Is it possible to combine the ex...
2024-04-2420 min
Gain TractionTread Carefully: Ensuring Roadside Safety With David Bennett of AAADavid Bennett, Repair Systems Manager at AAA, brings over 37 years of dedicated service to the company. Originally from the Washington DC area, David's career journey began at a young age, marked by early experiences as a paperboy, at a gas station, and in food service. His passion for automotive work ignited during high school, where he received vocational training and honed his skills, laying the foundation for a successful career in the industry. In this episode… The vast majority of adults in the US own a vehicle, but are they paying attention to the most important maintenance el...
2024-04-1033 min
Gain TractionEmpowering Employees for Success With Baker Ghanim of Tire Store Service Center and oTo SolutionsBaker Ghanim is the President of Tire Store Service Center in Bedford, Texas. Under his leadership, Tire Store Service Center opened nine locations in its first 10 years, with a goal of ultimately opening 50. Baker is also the Founder of oTo Solutions, where customers can easily order tires online. With his background in business management and customer service, Baker is dedicated to providing top-notch services and solutions to clients. In this episode… In a rapidly evolving automotive sales and service landscape, innovative management techniques can empower employees and unlock unprecedented levels of success. According to Baker Gh...
2024-04-0325 min
Gain TractionFrom Food to Tires: A Customer Service Journey With Brooke Johnson of McMahon's Best-One TireBrooke Johnson is a dedicated Customer Service Representative at McMahon's Best-One Tire. With a prior background in the food industry which spanned a decade, Brooke brings a refreshing perspective to her role, marked by honesty and a strong work ethic. Despite her initial unfamiliarity with the tire industry, Brooke's commitment to learning and serving customers has made her an invaluable asset over her three-year tenure. In this episode… Is it necessary to be a lifelong “car person” in order to provide outstanding customer service in the tire and auto repair industry? Is it possible for a novice with a...
2024-03-2721 min
Gain TractionNavigating Auto Repairs With Empathy With Lee McWilliams of MidasLee McWilliams is the store manager for Midas in Eden Prairie, Minn., where he oversees a customer service team in the automotive repair industry. With a keen understanding of the pivotal role customer interaction plays, Lee emphasizes the importance of empathy and adaptability in his role. Raised in a family where small-town values translated to warm customer service, Lee learned the art of building rapport with customers early on, making it easier to navigate conversations and provide effective solutions, whether it's a brand-new BMW owner or someone with a trusty truck of 30 years. In this episode… Customer se...
2024-03-2025 min
Gain TractionNurturing Organizational Cohesion and Camaraderie With Walter Lybeck of Point S TireWalter Lybeck is the CEO of Point S Tire and Auto Service. Originally from McMinnville, Oregon, growing up in a tight-knit community instilled in Walter a strong work ethic from a young age, starting with his first paying job mowing lawns. His path eventually led him through various roles in the service industry, including a memorable stint at Burger King. Though he initially stumbled into the tire industry by chance during a housing downturn, Walter found himself drawn to the dynamic challenges and opportunities it presents. In this episode… Company culture has taken center stage when it co...
2024-03-0633 min
Conversational SellingMike Ulmer: A Guide to Storytelling SuccessAbout Mike Ulmer: Mike Ulmer is CEO of Catapult Bookwriting and the author of books about business, hockey, Canada, and leadership. Mike's company, Catapult Bookwriting, has published Unapologetic Leadership by Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng, Drop the Mic Marketing by Jason Hunt, Show and Tell Writing: A Great Short Business Book About How to Write A Great Short Business Book by Mike Ulmer, The Myth-Guided Mind: Unleash Your God-Given Genius At Work And At Home by Michael Hynes, The 50 Year-Old Millenial by Marc Petitpas and The 40 Ways Of The Fox by Ron Foxcroft. He has written for three wire services: the T...
2024-02-2821 min
Gain TractionExceptional Tires, Equal Treatment With Charles Vickery of Beggs Tire & WheelCharles Vickery brings over a decade of tire expertise to his role as Store Manager at Beggs Tire & Wheel. Hailing from Prineville, Oregon, his journey in the tire industry began in the small town where the choices were clear-cut: either work at a mill or dive into the world of tires. Inspired by the legacy of Les Schwab, Charles started as a tire tech at Beggs in 2010. He quickly showcased his unwavering commitment to the job and has since climbed the ranks to his current role. In this episode… Consumers typically have plenty of options when tire shop...
2024-02-1419 min
Gain TractionWork Experience Must Be Rewarding and Fun: Danny Smith of Same Day Auto RepairDanny Smith is the CEO of Same Day Auto Repair. With a background in the auto industry that spans over 28 years, Danny's career began in high school, working for Chevrolet and steadily advancing through various roles. Despite his family not being in the industry, Danny's strong work ethic and determination led him to master different aspects of the business, leading to the bold decision to venture into entrepreneurship. Today, as the head of his own shop, Danny navigates the complexities of tax laws, insurance liabilities, and business management. In this episode… Can a commitment to creating an ex...
2024-01-3132 min
Gain TractionShaping Pros Through Innovative Training With Scott Blair of T.R.A.C.K. Auto Training and NetworkScott Blair is the creator, host, and an instructor at T.R.A.C.K. Auto Training and Network. He is also Managing Partner of 2U Tire of Alabama and Co-founder of 2U Mobile Solutions. His automotive journey began in 1993, diving into the industry with American Racing Custom Wheels. In the late ‘90s, Scott developed and patented the Wheel Fit, a specialized aluminum jig for measuring custom wheels. He prides himself as someone who is always learning as he continues to shape his diverse career in the automotive world. In this episode… As more and more automotive empl...
2024-01-2423 min
Six-Figure Speaker Spotlight14 - The Impact of Storytelling: Creating Lasting Impressions on Audience with Catapult Bookwriting's Mike UlmerYour host, Kelley O'Hara, talks with the Owner of Catapult Bookwriting, Mike Ulmer. Mike's path to becoming a storytelling maestro was both unique and inspiring. As a child, he found storytelling to be a natural outlet in a household where attention was scarce. His acceptance into a journalism program marked the beginning of a career that would be as challenging as it was rewarding. A pivotal moment came during his time at an oil exploration camp, where he realized the need for significant changes in his life.His battle with bipolar illness and his experiences as a...
2024-01-1832 min
Gain TractionTires, Tears, and Triumphs: A 25-Year Odyssey With Jeff Mullersman of ATTURO TiresJeff Mullersman is the Midwest Sales Director at ATTURO Tires, with 25 years of experience in the tire industry. Jeff’s automotive career is full of twists and turns, beginning with getting ripped off sweeping a go-kart parking lot. Undeterred, Jeff became a driver for Progressive Custom Wheels before moving on to sales, eventually running his own location in Omaha, Nebraska. When the company went under in 2000, he became a sales manager for Zisser Tire in St. Louis for several years during its gradual decline. Jeff briefly went into restaurateuring before returning to the automotive industry, where he found his ho...
2024-01-1732 min
Unbound with Chris DuBois065 Mike Ulmer: Writing Your StoryOn today's episode of Unbound, I'm joined by Mike Ulmer. Mike is the founder of Catapult Bookwriting. He specializes in helping business people write books that demonstrate their expertise and help grow their companies. Mike’s also a published author with over 20 books to his name.Learn more about Mike at MikeUlmer.com.
2024-01-1138 min
Phantom Electric GhostPhantom Electric Ghost Interviews: Mike Ulmer. Writer/Interviewer: The three pillars of every great business bookPhantom Electric Ghost Interviews: Mike Ulmer. Writer/Interviewer: The three pillars of every great business book
Biography
While I specialize in helping business people write their books, I have written, co-authored or guided home 20 books with a total of nearly $1 million in total sales revenue. Add in 10,000 interviews during a 30-year journalism career and it's a pretty safe bet that I know my way around a conversation.
Our latest title, August 2023 is Unapologetic Leadership By Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng. Have a look at it on Amazon https://t.ly/rwFME .
You can al...
2024-01-0355 min
Brand-Forward Leadership79 - The Competitive Edge of Publishing a Book with Catapult Bookwriting's Mike UlmerYour host, Gerry Foster, talks with the CEO of Catapult Bookwriting, Mike Ulmer. Mike specializes in helping individuals uncover and share their unique stories, a skill that is invaluable in the world of branding. In this blog post, I'll share some of the key insights from our discussion, which touched on everything from baseball to taxation.Mike delved into the importance of having a signature story and how it can be leveraged in various aspects of branding, including social media, books, and speaking engagements. Mike explained that uncovering one's story often involves digging deep into formative experiences...
2024-01-0129 min
Play Big Faster Podcast#64: Mastering Business Storytelling │ Mike UlmerA seasoned expert in helping professionals write impactful books, Mike Ulmer has a track record of 20 books and almost $1 million in sales revenue. In this episode, Mike shares insights on using books to establish thought leadership and connect with your audience. He highlights the three pillars of a successful business book. Whether you dream of writing your book or aim to refine your business narrative, this episode is for you. If you're seeking to define yourself in a competitive market, build trust with prospects, and master the art of storytelling, don't miss this episode. Join us as we explore the...
2023-12-2626 min
Play Big Faster PodcastMastering Business Storytelling │ Mike UlmerA seasoned expert in helping professionals write impactful books, Mike Ulmer has a track record of 20 books and almost $1 million in sales revenue. In this episode, Mike shares insights on using books to establish thought leadership and connect with your audience. He highlights the three pillars of a successful business book. Whether you dream of writing your book or aim to refine your business narrative, this episode is for you. If you're seeking to define yourself in a competitive market, build trust with prospects, and master the art of storytelling, don't miss this episode. Join...
2023-12-2626 min
Your 12|30Episode 191: Mike Ulmer | Interviewer, Writer, Speaker, Author, and Owner of Catapult BookwritingWe welcome Mike to share his story and answer 12 Questions in 30 Minutes
Mike Ulmer is CEO of Catapult Bookwriting and the author of books about business, hockey, Canada and leadership.
Mike’s company, Catapult Bookwriting, has published Unapologetic Leadership by Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng, Drop the Mic Marketing by Jason Hunt, Show and Tell Writing: A Great Short Business Book About How to Write A Great Short Business Book by Mike Ulmer, The Myth-Guided Mind: Unleash Your God-Given Genius At Work And At Home by Michael Hynes, The 50 Year-Old Millenial by Marc Petitpas and The 40 Ways Of...
2023-12-1829 min
Gain TractionOptimizing Performance by Committing to Staff Development With Charles Mesones of Cook’s Tire & ServiceCharles Mesones, Partner at Cook's Tire & Service, has been a dedicated professional in the tire and auto repair Industry for over 25 years, following in the footsteps of his father who managed a competing company during the 1980s. Charles' journey began as a teenager, working under his father's guidance, where he learned valuable life and business lessons. Today, Charles proudly continues the family tradition, with his eldest son excelling as a service advisor and his middle son voluntarily contributing on weekends, embodying the family's passion for the industry. In this episode… How do you get the best out of...
2023-11-2928 min
The Thoughtful Entrepreneur1723 - How to Write a Great Short Business Book with Mike UlmerIn this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the Writer, Publisher & Journalist of Catapult Bookwriting, Mike Ulmer.
Mike's journey from sports journalism to business storytelling is a fascinating one. After spending three decades in sports journalism, he transitioned into the business world.
He noticed a common thread among many people he interacted with in the business network - they struggled to tell their stories or present themselves effectively. This observation led him to develop a formula for writing great business books and assisting others in their writing endeavors.
Mike attributes much of his success to...
2023-11-0917 min
The MIKE Show VAStop Pooping in Line, Use the Six Million Dollar Toilet!!!Disney Workers Would Appreciate It if You'd Stop Pooping in Line!!! And Our TOPLIST- Top Other Things Disney Workers Want Guests to Stop Doing???5 Random Facts- Was David Bowie Greek??? And More WOW!!!What Outdated Tech Are You Still Using, and Are "Perfectly Happy" With???Danielle Ulmer joins from Humankind talking about Turkey Trot with Megan Huffman from SHARE Greater Lynchburg & The Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation! https://sharegreaterlynchburg.org/.../2023-lynchburg...Stoopid Criminalz- Four Men Are Charged for Stealing a $6 Million Gold Toilet??? Authorities Seized Drugs Shaped Like Candy Hearts!!! Florida man...
2023-11-0759 min
Gain TractionThe Importance of Trust From Tire Dealers and Customers With Cody Lang of Tire SolutionsCody Lang is Vice President of Sales at Tire Solutions. He embarked on his journey in the tire industry from a young age, inspired by his father's passion for the trade. From playful childhood memories of "playing tire store" with Matchbox cars to overcoming challenges as a young salesperson in a seasoned industry, Cody’s dedication is evident. His proudest achievement is contributing to the growth of Tire Solutions, a startup that began in 2010 with only five employees and has since flourished, boasting a team of 35 today. In this episode… If you are a relatively-small family-owned tire busi...
2023-10-2526 min
Gain TractionThe Value of a Long-Term Exit Strategy With Giorgio Andonian of FOCUS Investment BankingGiorgio Andonian is the Managing Director at FOCUS Investment Banking. Since joining the company in 2019, he has been instrumental in guiding mergers, acquisitions, recapitalizations, and capital raises for middle-market businesses in the Consumer and Automotive Aftermarket sectors. Prior to FOCUS, Giorgio served as vice president of 55 Inc. in Southern California and has held other roles in the tire industry spanning finance, operations, and supply chain management. He holds a MBA from Pepperdine University and several professional licenses including Series 79, Series 82, and Series 63. In this episode… Are you considering selling your tire and auto repair shop in the ne...
2023-10-1826 min
Gain TractionA Reporter’s Journey From Covering Sports to Tires With Don Detore of Tire BusinessDon Detore is the Editor of Tire Business, an industry trade magazine published by Crain Communications. Before this, he began his tenure at Rubber & Plastics News in March 2013 as a copy editor and was later promoted to managing editor. With over 35 years in journalism, Don has held significant roles at The Repository in Canton, including sports editor, managing editor, and executive editor. He holds a bachelor's degree in communication arts from Walsh University. In this episode… When you grow up as a sports fan and eventually become a sports reporter — getting paid to cover historic NFL games, incl...
2023-10-1132 min
Disruptive Minds121: How To Tell Your Story And Grow Your Business - Mike UlmerLadies and gentlemen, it is a true honor to introduce our next guest, Mike Ulmer, a seasoned wordsmith and storytelling maestro. Mike's incredible journey as an author and storyteller has left an indelible mark on the literary landscape, with an impressive portfolio of over 20 books contributing to nearly $1 million in total sales revenue.
In his latest literary masterpiece, "Show and Tell Writing: A Great Short Business Book About How To Write A Great Short Business Book," Mike not only showcases his exceptional writing prowess but also shares invaluable insights into the art and science of crafting impactful...
2023-09-2933 min
Gain TractionProfits and Product Performance Produce Partnerships With Scott Weeden of Barnwell House of TiresScott Weeden is the Vice President of Sales at Barnwell House of Tires. With over two decades in the trucking industry, he previously managed his own freight company and oversaw the New York City market for a commercial tire manufacturer. In his position at Barnwell, Scott has cultivated a team of 22 sales representatives, leading to a 60% increase in revenue. Additionally, he serves on the Tire Industry Association board, contributing to the safety of tire technicians, drivers, and pedestrians. In this episode… How do you convince potential clients that it’s worth partnering with your company? According to Scot...
2023-09-2730 min
Gain TractionHow Core Values Enhance Credibility With John Repp, Sales Manager for Dunlap & Kyle Co.John Repp is Sales Manager for Dunlap & Kyle Co., one of the leading tire distributors in the nation. John got his long-sought start in the automotive industry by taking a job at a National Tire Wholesale in Nashville, TN while working a second job to make ends meet. He worked several roles with Bridgestone for nearly 20 years before joining Dunlap & Kyle. In this episode… What’s the secret to building a long-term foundation of credibility for your business? Start by establishing core values and getting your team to buy in. According to John Repp from Dunlap & Kyle Co...
2023-08-1634 min
Gain TractionExpanding Your Portfolio To Meet Customer Demand With Lance Bullock of OE WheelsLance Bullock is President of OE Wheels, where he has worked since early 2006. He has used his background in finance and operations to contribute to the overall modernization, direction, and growth of the company. Under Lance’s leadership, OE Wheels has grown to become the largest independent replica wheel distributor in North America and is the parent company to 4Play Wheels and Defiant Wheels. In this episode… What should you do when demand outgrows what you have to offer? You expand your portfolio. That’s exactly what OE Wheels did, according to Lance Bullock. He says when wheels...
2023-08-0224 min
Gain TractionSupplying and Servicing Big Tires in the Mining Industry With Mason Hess of Purcell TireMason Hess is the Director of Global Mining Division at Purcell Tire and an Executive Board Member and past President of the Tire Industry Association. He is a third-generation “tire guy” whose grandfather ran an independent tire store and whose father worked in the tire industry for decades. Mason began working full-time in the tire industry in 1995, joining D&D Tire in 2007 before it was purchased by Purcell Tire. In this episode… When you think about the tires and the various industries that rely on them, you probably overlook the mining industry — which not only relies on very lar...
2023-07-2631 min
Gain TractionA Voice for Independent Tire Dealers With Jason Rook, President and CEO of Independent Tire Dealers GroupJason Rook is the President and CEO of Independent Tire Dealers Group, where he leads a network of 1,000 independent tire dealer locations across the U.S. Jason specializes in strategic planning, business development, customer relations, and team building. His mission is to provide independent tire dealers with the best products, services, and resources available, while striving to foster a collaborative and inclusive culture within ITDG. In this episode… Many customers within the tire industry have found the place they go for all their tire-related needs, and it’s often a local mom-and-pop shop they’ve been frequenting for ge...
2023-06-1435 min
Gain TractionIncreasing Sales Through Effective and Thorough Training With Robert “Sonny” McDonald, Senior National Training Manager at Toyo Tires Corp USARobert “Sonny” McDonald is the Senior National Training Manager for Toyo Tires Corp USA. He started his sales career in the tire industry as a representative for The Tire Rack, where he worked for over a decade, and has been in his current position for more than 20 years. Sonny has also served as an aircraft maintenance specialist in the US Air Force. In this episode… As anyone who works in the tire and auto repair industry will tell you, customers don’t come to your shop because things are going well — if their car and tires were in good sh...
2023-06-0733 min
Gain TractionSelling Tires Without a Sales Pitch With Ron Dolan, President at Sailun Tire North AmericaRon Dolan is President at Sailun Tire North America. He has a demonstrated history working in the automotive industry with developed skills in negotiation, budgeting, business planning, and sales. Sailun Tires are exclusively distributed by TBC Brands in the US and sells over 30 million tires annually in more than 50 countries worldwide. Ron came to Sailun from Dynamic Tire Corp, where he worked for nearly twenty years. In this episode… What makes a salesperson great at what they do? According to Ron Dolan from Sailun Tire North America, it’s not a tried-and-true sales process, it’s your abilit...
2023-05-3132 min
Gain TractionPromoting a Tire Brand by Sponsoring a Sport With Samuel Felberbaum, President at Prinx Chengshan TireSamuel Felberbaum is President at Prinx Chengshan Tire. He came to Prinx from Toyo Tires, where he was the Director of Sales for eight years. His passion is in helping companies set up and implement marketing initiatives that increase customer growth, improve retention, and drive revenue. Samuel is a big sports enthusiast, especially when it comes to the New York Yankees. In this episode… What is the best way to reach your target customer demographic? Is it always through social media, or could there be another effective way? What if it was to be the main sponsor of...
2023-05-1726 min
Gain TractionTackling Tire Industry Software With Jay Adams, President of MaddenCoJay Adams is President at MaddenCo, widely recognized as an industry leader for tire industry software. He started working in sales there in the late 90s after graduating from Wabash College with a history degree. After two years, Jay left for law school and then worked as an attorney for four years before returning to MaddenCo in 2006. In this episode… What should tire and auto repair shops consider when implementing or changing their software systems? Should data collection be a primary factor? What hurdles often come with the switch? According to Jay Adams of MaddenCo, dat...
2023-05-0326 min
Gain TractionThe Fruits of Being a Franchisee With Brian Beers, President at Prenlyn AutomotiveBrian Beers is President at Prenlyn Automotive and the podcast host of Business with Beers. He has grown his small family franchise auto repair business into an enterprise with thirty locations. Currently, Brian’s mission is to teach people how to create freedom and build wealth by owning franchises. In this episode… For those interested in becoming an automotive industry franchisee, what are some initial barriers they’ll have to overcome? What are advantages to becoming a franchisee as opposed to starting your own business from scratch? What do franchisors look for in a potential franchisee? Acco...
2023-04-1924 min
Gain TractionDo the Right Thing and Have Fun With Joe McDonald, Vice President of Sales at Jasper Engines & TransmissionsJoe McDonald is Vice President of Sales at Jasper Engines & Transmissions. With more than thirty years of experience in the automotive aftermarket industry, Joe is skilled in team building, account management, leadership, planning, and sales processes. He began his career in the rental car industry and has been with Jasper since 1996. In this episode… How do you build a culture where your customers notice you do the right thing while having fun? In this era of job hopping, how do you regularly keep employees around for not just multiple years, but multiple decades? You’ll learn how Jasp...
2023-04-1225 min
Gain TractionServicing Your Vehicles Wherever With Angie Oleson, Business Lead at Firestone DirectAngie Oleson is Business Lead at Firestone Direct, the largest mobile tire and service company in the United States. She has led and managed its business operations since it was launched by Bridgestone Americas in 2021. With an ability to translate strategic goals into concrete tactics, Angie has a track record of positively impacting business performance. In this episode… Is there a business or type of business who stands to benefit from the emergence of mobile vehicle and tire service? How about any business that regularly utilizes a fleet of vehicles? For some interesting perspective on how fleets ga...
2023-03-2929 min
Drop The Mic with Jason Hunt172 - How We Wrote 'Drop The Mic Marketing' with Mike UlmerIn today's episode, I talk with my co-author, Mike Ulmer. We are talking about 'How We Wrote 'Drop The Mic Marketing .' Mike's bio speaks volumes: Aside from co-authoring Jason's debut book 'Drop The Mic Marketing,' Mike Ulmer has had an illustrious 25-year career in journalism, having worked for the Woodstock Sentinel-Review, The Hamilton Spectator, The Hockey News, Southam News, National Post, and The Toronto Sun, where he served as a sports columnist for seven years. He has also authored 12 books, and his opinion pieces have been featured in the four major Toronto-based dailies: The Sun, The Globe...
2023-03-0125 min
Gain TractionTires Are a People Business With Kent Coleman, Owner at Big O TiresKent Coleman is the Owner of eleven Big O Tire stores in northern Utah and various other commercial properties. He has the ability to ask the right questions to get to the root of an issue and solve problems. As a result, even though Kent is not an avid car enthusiast, his Big O Tire stores are some of the highest-producing in the nation. Kent is also author of the book It’s Not About the Mangos. In this episode… Is it absolutely necessary to be a car enthusiast to be a successful business owner in the tire...
2023-03-0125 min
Gain TractionEasy Money for Tire Dealers With Mike Edge, Director of Business Development With Tread PartnersMike Edge is the Director of Business Development at Tread Partners. He has had a lengthy career in his field, having previously been the Owner and Business Development expert for Resource Connection Inc., Director of Business Development at Upright Communications, and Owner of T.M. Edge, Inc. In this episode… What is the best group of potential customers a tire dealer could possibly reach out to? According to Mike Edge, who oversees Tread Partners’ Retread program, it’s past customers who haven’t been in the shop for a while. Mike describes those people as “low-hanging fruit that peopl...
2023-02-2221 min
Gain TractionThe Benefits of Association Membership With Tony DeSimone, Executive Director at New England Tire and Service Association (NETSA)Tony DeSimone is Executive Director at New England Tire and Service Association (NETSA) and Business Development Manager at TD Consultants. He has led NETSA to be a well-known, active, and growing association representing thousands of members. Tony previously served as president of NETSA before becoming executive director in February 2018. In this episode… If you own a tire and auto repair shop, are there advantages to being a member of a tire association? According to Tony DeSimone from the New England Tire and Service Association, there certainly are! Those benefits include regular updates on national and local legislation, th...
2023-02-1622 min
Gain TractionTurning Old Tires Into Treasure With John Ward, E-commerce Manager at Allen Rubber Co.John Ward is E-commerce Manager at Allen Rubber Co and is Owner and President at Ward Media Services LLC. As the owner of a digital marketing agency with a history of working in the automotive industry, John is skilled in store management, inventory management and customer satisfaction. He’s also a lifelong competitive hockey player. In this episode… Can you make a profit buying and selling discontinued tires? According to John Ward of Allen Rubber Co, that's the focal point of his organization’s operation. For some interesting insights surrounding this profitable business model, don’t miss this epi...
2023-02-1520 min
Gain TractionBuilding a Culture and Getting Buy-in With Darren McLea, Business Development Consultant at Molloy Business Development GroupDarren McLea is a Business Development Consultant at Molloy Sales Development Group, where he consults with business owners to help identify and implement solutions in their business for training, performance, communication, operational standards, and more. After starting out as a “cleanup kid” changing tires and fixing flats in high school, Darren went on to become the Executive Vice President and a Partner at McLea’s Tire. Prior to joining Molloy, he sold the family business to AAA. His purpose is to help people to exceed their wildest dreams and have a ton of fun along the way. In this e...
2023-02-0130 min
Gain TractionCulture Eats Strategy for Lunch With Kim McMahon, President at McMahon's Best-One TireKim McMahon is the President of McMahon's Best-One Tire, which has five locations, one distribution center and one retread facility. She is one of just a few top female executives at tire dealerships in North America and recently won the Humanitarian of the Year award from Tire Business Magazine. She has a banking and financial background and believes culture is more valuable for a company than strategy. In this episode… What’s your strategy when your business is expanding, adding locations and entering new markets? What about your strategy when it comes to implementing new services? Is stra...
2023-01-2527 min
Gain TractionAn Appreciation for Hard Work With Quinton Molnar, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Ward TirecraftQuinton Molnar is the Director of Marketing and Business Development and the Director of Human Resources at Ward Tirecraft. He’s been a management trainee, marketer, and IT guy for Ward Tirecraft, and his unique set of skills comes from performing similar roles across multiple industries. Quinton prides himself on turning an average customer experience into an exemplary one. In this episode… As an owner or manager of a tire and auto repair shop, do you have a true appreciation for the work that your employees do? It’s often said that you can’t appreciate what someone...
2023-01-1823 min
Gain TractionSticking to What You Do Best With Larry Sutton, President and Founder of RNR Tire ExpressLarry Sutton is the Founder and President of RNR Tire Express, a national tire shop franchise with 155 locations across 26 states. Founded in 2000, the franchise was initially known as Rent-n-Roll. Larry attributes the success of RNR Tire Express to keeping focus on what your shop does well and serving customers — not just providing service. In this episode… As the owner or manager of a tire and auto repair shop, does your store try to be all things to all people? Or does it stick to what it’s good at? According to Larry Sutton, the President and Founder of RNR...
2023-01-0424 min
Gain TractionBuilding a Positive Work Environment With Al Pridemore, CEO and Co-owner of Pride Auto CareAl Pridemore is CEO and Co-owner of Pride Auto Care. He and his brothers became owners in 2005, starting with two shops before growing to six. Pride Auto Care is a full-service tire and automotive center focused on putting their employees first. Their philosophy is that building relationships and leadership, within all of their ranks, results in great service for the customer. In this episode… As any tire and auto repair shop owner knows, building a positive workplace culture can be challenging. What about turning a negative workplace culture into a positive one while keeping most of the sa...
2022-12-2127 min
Gain TractionCulture Is Everything With Joe Rush, Owner of Rush AutomotiveJoe Rush is the Owner of Rush Automotive. He opened his first location in Round Rock, TX in 2011 with just three employees. Since then, Rush Automotive has grown to nearly 50 employees across five locations. The motto at Rush Automotive is “Caring for People and Cars.” As a culture-based company, Rush Automotive works hard to live out that motto. In this episode… People often talk about the culture at their workplace. Is it a positive culture? Is it negative or toxic? Can customers notice the culture the minute they walk through the door? Everybody wants to work in a posi...
2022-12-1422 min
Gain TractionImplementing a Strategic Process With Randy O’Connor of MTD TENRandy O'Connor is the Executive Director of MTD TEN. He is a strategic specialist with a talent for analyzing and improving process and procedure. Randy has held a variety of roles in the tire business, from retail to distribution. He maintains a long-range perspective and thrives when he’s in position to handle a problem. In this episode… How are you preparing your tire and auto repair shop for 2023? In the past two years, we’ve seen record-breaking car counts, revenues, and units sold. Unfortunately, according to Randy O’Connor, Executive Director of MTD TEN, “not every independen...
2022-12-0727 min
Gain TractionWorking Your Way From Lube Tech to Owner With Brad Updegraff, Owner of Dave's Ultimate AutomotiveBrad Updegraff is the Owner of Dave’s Ultimate Automotive, which has six locations in Texas. He started as a lube technician in a small, Austin-based gas station and repair shop in 1998, and moved into the front office as an advisor in 2001. Brad worked his way up to being manager, acquired his ASE certification and started working for Dave’s Ultimate Automotive as an advisor in 2010. He bought the original location in 2012 and expanded to six locations by 2016. In this episode… If you’re an employee at a tire and auto repair shop, you probably enjoy what you do...
2022-11-3022 min
Public Speaking with Peter GeorgeHow To Find The Story that Drives Your Presentation with Mike UlmerIncluding stories in your presentations is one of the most powerful ways to convey a message and make it memorable. But what makes a great story? Well, as you might have guessed, there are particular elements that stories should feature, and my guest in this episode, Mike Ulmer, is here to discuss them with you. Takeaways - Where to find stories to include in your talks - Who to ask for stories - The point of storytelling - Elements of a story - Advice you ca...
2022-11-2924 min
Gain TractionBuilding a Great Culture with Max Gardner, Founder of Tire MaxMax Gardner is the Founder of Tire Max, which has six retail locations in North Carolina. He has been in the tire business for almost 40 years and opened his first Tire Max location about 20 years ago. Max believes in building a culture that employees feel comfortable in, which in turn translates to customers feeling comfortable in-store. In this episode… If you own or manage a tire and auto repair shop with multiple locations, how do you keep everyone on the same page? How do you build a welcoming and positive culture that customers sense the minute they wa...
2022-11-0915 min
Gain TractionThe Fight for Your Right To Repair With Tim Winkeler, President and CEO of VIP Tires & ServiceTim Winkeler is the President and CEO of VIP Tires & Service. He is a people-focused leader whose teams are high-performing, with a track record of exceeding expectations. Tim advocates for "right to repair" legislation, which is vital to the continued success of the tire and auto repair industry. In this episode… Where will you take it for repair when your car inevitably needs something fixed? Is there a preferred location, or do you prefer to fix it yourself? What if you couldn't choose where and who could fix your vehicle and your only option was to take it...
2022-11-0217 min
Gain TractionStaffing and Branding a Venerable Company With Kate Speelman, Brand Management and Talent Acquisition Specialist at Rice TireKate Speelman is Brand Management and Talent Acquisition Specialist at Rice Tire, a fourth-generation family-owned independent tire dealership that began as a gas station in 1929. She previously served as Rice Tire’s Marketing Coordinator for 10 years. Before joining the automotive world, Kate worked as a Graphic Design Specialist for Engage USA. In this episode… How does a tire dealer stay in business for nearly a century? How does that business, with 12 different locations managed by 12 different people with 12 potentially different branding messages, stay united over the long term? To hear from Kate Speelman, who manages branding and tale...
2022-10-1912 min
Gain TractionThe Joy of Selling Your Own Tires With Michael Mathis, Founder and President of Atturo Tire Corp.Michael Mathis is Founder and President at Atturo Tire Corp. He grew up around the tire business working in wholesale, retail, and selling aftermarket wheels. Atturo was among the first to market with a hybrid off-road tire — today, their tires are distributed in nearly 30 countries worldwide. Michael graduated from Webster University with a degree in management and then sold commercial insurance for 12 years, insuring several import tire brands. In this episode… If you were an experienced insurance salesman with a passion for tires, how would you try to break into the tire industry? Maybe you’d try to wor...
2022-10-1218 min
Gain TractionProfit Sharing Increases Caring With Dick Erickson, Founder of Sun Tire and Author of How the Rubber Meets the Road.Dick Erickson is the Founder of Sun Tire and author of How the Rubber Meets the Road: A Blue-Collar Roadmap to Success for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs. He opened his first Sun Tire store in Orange Park, Florida in 1981, and added ten more stores over the next few decades. Dick sold the business to a national chain of tire stores in 2018. His book details his journey from rural North Dakota to flying helicopters in the Marine Corps in Vietnam and covers four key business topics: customer service, profit sharing, mentoring, and profitable growth. In this episode… How do...
2022-09-2126 min
#SKRECountry PodcastBackcountry Muleys w/ Randy Ulmer & David LongIf you’re a muley aficionado you will not want to miss this episode with two of the greatest Mule deer hunters of all time. Join us as we discuss all things mule deer with mule deer author & hunter, David Long and bow hunter Hall of Famer Randy Ulmer as we talk about bow hunting big bucks in the back country. We cover topics like the art of closing the distance, Mule deer behavior, mule deer conservation, and close out the episode with hosts and guests sharing stories of their most memorable hunting adventure.
Learn mo...
2022-09-051h 53
Gain TractionHow and When To Sell Your Auto Shop With Michael McGregorMichael McGregor is Managing Director at Focus Investment Banking. His experience includes fifteen years of advising on business transfers, capital raises, and management buyouts for middle market businesses. He has been a founder or co-founder of three automotive-related businesses. Michael is author of the book Buy, Build, Fix, Sell, which helps tire and service dealers build better businesses and get maximum value when they decide to sell. In this episode… If you own a tire and auto repair shop and are planning to retire, have you thought about a succession plan? Are you thinking about selling the bu...
2022-08-3121 min
Gain TractionNever Stop Evolving With Dwayne Myers, Co-Owner and Managing Partner of Dynamic AutomotiveDwayne Myers is Co-owner and Managing Partner of Dynamic Automotive, an independent automotive repair business with five locations in Frederick, MD. He has spent his career of over 30 years in the maintenance and repair industry, ranging in size from lawn mowers to U.S. Army tanks. His skill set includes negotiation, market planning, team building, business planning, and operations management. Dwayne's greatest passion is enriching the lives of others through philanthropic endeavors and community involvement. In this episode… As the owner or manager of a tire and auto repair shop, are you resistant to change? Maybe things ar...
2022-08-2422 min
Web3 CMO StoriesS1 E31 Why Writing a Business Book is Easier Than You Think – with Mike UlmerSend us a textToday's guest is Mike Ulmer. While he specializes in helping business people write their books, he has written 13 books with a total of nearly $1 million in total sales revenue. His latest book (March, 2022) is Show and Tell Writing: A Great Short Business Book About How To Write A Great Short Business Book.This episode was recorded through a StreamYard call on July 14, 2022.You find the show notes here: https://webdrie.net/s1-e31-why-writing-a-business-book-is-easier-than-you-think-with-mike-ulmer/Here is the link to Joeri's own book, which was launched on Amazon ve...
2022-08-1036 min
Gain TractionGenerating Loyalty and Avoiding Complacency With Steven Stamey, Operations Manager at Maxi Auto Service CentersSteven Stamey is Operations Manager at Maxi Auto Service, which has eight locations in the Chattanooga, TN area. He started his career at a Chevrolet dealer in 1999. Steven is also a former college level instructor with ASE L1, L2, and L3 Master Certification. In this episode… What motivates your staff? Is it strictly financial compensation or are there other, less tangible factors? Do your employees stick around for decades or are they here today and gone tomorrow? If you own a tire and auto repair shop and these are some questions you find yourself wrestling with, this epi...
2022-08-1023 min
My Favorite Mistake: Learning Without Blame in Business and LeadershipCanadian Journalist & Author Mike Ulmer Learned From a Conflict With a ColleaguePublisher, book coach, and more.
Episode page with video, transcript, and more.
*** I WANT TO WRITE MY BOOK *** (AD)
My guest for Episode #176 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Mike Ulmer. While he specializes in helping business people write their books, he has written 13 books with a total of nearly $1 million in total sales revenue.
His latest book (March 2022) is Show and Tell Writing: A Great Short Business Book About How To Write A Great Short Business Book.
His other recent titles are Drop The Mic Marketing with...
2022-08-0847 min
Gain TractionFinding the Best Tires at the Best Price With Tim Shaffer, CEO and Co-Founder of Search TiresTim Shaffer is Co-Founder and CEO of Search Tires, also known as searchtires.com, the world’s first price comparison search engine. He is also President of YENT, a subsidiary of Prepared Patriot Brands. Tim is a leader, an innovative thinker, and a trusted advisor who excels at guiding businesses from multimillion-dollar start-ups to established companies. In this episode… Have you ever tried shopping for tires online? Did you just find the first set you found or do you search on different sites to compare prices? What if you could find the right tires and get them for...
2022-07-2722 min
Gain TractionThriving in Difficult Times With Doug Miller, President of St. Lucie Battery & TireDoug Miller is President of St. Lucie Battery & Tire, which has 15 locations on the central east coast of Florida. He has taken over operations from his father, Joey — the founder of the company. Doug looks to expand St. Lucie Battery & Tire, which has been in business for more than fifty years, with a focus on integrity and serving the community with honesty and reliability. In this episode… Are you a tire and auto repair shop owner whose business has been affected by the pandemic or supply chain issues in today’s economy? Are you taking a lean approac...
2022-07-1325 min
Gain TractionNew Tires at Your Convenience With Paul Hosage, Founder and CEO of Tread ConnectionPaul Hosage is Founder and CEO of Tread Connection, which delivers tires to customers and installs them on their vehicles. Paul has served as President of Tread Connection since 2016 and is looking to grow the company. Tread Connection is seeking out experienced automotive professionals looking to start something on their own and be their own boss through Tread Connection’s franchise program. In this episode… Have you ever needed your tires replaced but struggled to find a time to go to the tire shop? When you finally got to the tire shop, did you end up h...
2022-07-0621 min
Gain TractionGet Your Old Customers Back with Neal Maier, Co-Founder at Tread PartnersNeal Maier is Co-Founder at Tread Partners, a digital marketing agency that helps auto repair and tire shops drive success through coordinated marketing strategies. He is a skilled negotiator, salesperson, and business planner with expertise in Search Engine Optimization and Customer Relationship Management. Tread Partners has designed a full-scale reengagement program called ReTread that brings old customers back into auto repair and tire shops. In this episode… If you are the owner of an auto repair or tire shop, have you noticed that you haven’t seen several of your quality, loyal customers in the last 18 months? Mayb...
2022-06-2321 min
Fastlane Founders and Legacy with Jason Barnard: Personal Branding, AI Strategies, and SEO Insights for Visionary CEOsFind the Business Story You’ll Tell Daily the Rest of Your Life (Mike Ulmer and Jason Barnard)Mike Ulmer talks with Jason Barnard about find the business story you'll tell daily the rest of your life.
Mike Ulmer founded Catapult, a company that reflects his belief that great business books are great books. And at Catapult, story comes first. The company makes a point of interviewing its customers to find out their story, their processes, the ins and outs of their business, what they do, how they do it, and why they do it. Catapult's methodology: the "Only Ten Business Questions That Matter" questionnaire. And after 25 years in journalism and 15 books, Mike learns something new every day...
2022-06-2328 min
Gain TractionThe Incredible Value of Telling Your Shop’s Story with Patrick Egan, Founder and CEO of Spark InteractivePatrick Egan is a senior marketing executive and the Founder and CEO of Spark Interactive. Spark Interactive fuses the power of storytelling with professionally-produced video to help business owners attract a high volume of the right customers. Patrick takes a pragmatic approach to product management, marketing and team building, with a focus on the execution of technological vision. In this episode… Are you looking for a way to attract more of the right people to your tire and auto repair shop? Does your shop have a great story behind it? Now may be the time to leverage your shop’s st...
2022-06-1520 min
At Home Is NowI've been writing all my life Mike UlmerJoin Mike as he elaborates on many ways to write books and other forms like his experience as a columnist. Listen as he reassures us that we are entitled to tell our stories and write what we choose to write and how to let people think what they want to think about what you share. It is also most likely that nothing bad comes of having shared. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-ulmer-554814a3/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getcatapulted
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
Website: getcatapulted.com
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IHM1IbSKmY
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Mike...
2022-06-081h 06
Gain TractionCommunicating With Customers About Car RepairChan Patel is Vice President of Sales and Business Development at Autotext.me. His passion and energy is focused on making Autotext.me the leader in digital inspections and workflow solutions for the automotive industry. The company has been experiencing record growth — Chan’s deep experience and proven track record has been the catalyst behind that success. In this episode… As an owner or manager of an auto repair shop, do you find it frustrating communicating with your customers about recommended service after they’ve dropped their car off? Do they take forever to return your call? Do they trust yo...
2022-05-2521 min
Gain TractionGrowing and Sustaining a Family Business Brian Lenhardt is the Owner and Vice President of Operations at Fat Boys Tire & Auto in Wyoming. Fat Boys has provided services to the tri-state area for over 50 years and now operates five locations. Brian is the third generation in the business and has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old. He now has 17 years of experience in the industry and oversees corporate, national, and government accounts while managing Fat Boys’ outside sales team. Brian lives in Wyoming with his wife and four kids, and he loves fishing, playing softball, hockey, and golf. In this epi...
2022-05-1819 min
Inspirational Journeys: Stories that MatterShow and Tell Writing with Mike UlmerThis week, my special guest and I sat down and had a lovely conversation about one of my favorite things to talk about, writing. Sit back, relax, tune into our conversation and laugh along with us as we discuss his rules of writing and how he helps other people write their books.
With over 30 plus years of writing experience, Mike Ulmer has written 14 books, thousands of newspaper articles and conducted more than 10,000 interviews. He lives in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He is the author of the best selling alphabet in Canadian publishing history, M is for Maple.
Mike’s featured book is...
2022-05-1739 min
The Powell MovementJeremy Nobis, Legendary Skier - Pt. 2Jeremy Nobis is a living legend cwho describes his life and times on skis as often misunderstood. But I believe there is no misunderstanding; Jeremy was a race prodigy, making the US Ski Team at 16 and racing on the World Cup until he was 26 years old. Then, Jeremy transitioned to the big mountains, and singlehandedly changed the way people ski them. In part 2 with Nobis, we talk about Alaska, TGR, Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, DUIs, etc. Kristen Ulmer asks the Inappropriate Questions. Jeremy Nobis Show Notes Part 2: 3:30: Back to the ski shop, Dynastar, giving skiing another s...
2022-05-091h 18
Gain TractionUpdating Your Tire Data SolutionsJ.P. Brooks is the Chief Revenue Officer at Fitment Group. He’s spent over 15 years in the automotive aftermarket with a focus on the tire and wheel industry. J.P. has worked on many levels within this industry, including software sales, business development, partnership, management, and product development. J.P. lives in Duluth, Minnesota with his wife and daughter. He enjoys spending as much time outdoors with his family as the weather permits. In this episode… The tire industry has traditionally been slow to adopt new technology. But how can new data tools benefit your business?
2022-04-2717 min
Gain TractionBuilding Outstanding Business Relationships Chris Pazderny is the Vice President of Operations at Caliber Auto Care in Texas. He has been in the automotive industry for 30 years, starting at age 16. Chris began his career as a part stocker at a Ford dealership in Texas. Eventually, he was hired to get Service First Automotive off the ground, opening the first shop in July 2011. He helped develop multiple stores until 2017, when they signed a joint venture agreement with Caliber. Since then, they have expanded to 32 locations in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, and San Antonio. Chris and his wife Melinda have four kids, ages 10 t...
2022-04-2017 min
Gain TractionThe Advantages of Automated Software Tere Hardin is an automotive software expert with over two decades of experience. Currently, he is an Enterprise Account Executive for Shop-Ware. Previously, Tere was a Product Specialist for Automotive Management Solutions and ran the National Accounts for Progressive Automotive Systems. Born and raised in South Texas, he joined the Marines when he was 17 and left a small farm to repair navigation equipment aboard a Navy helicopter carrier. Tere spends his free time riding his Harley Davidson and fixing things as needed. Tere and his wife love to travel light and spontaneously. In this episode… Mos...
2022-03-3018 min
Gain TractionHow To Smoothen Your Acquisition ProcessChris Garman is the Vice President of Business Development at Sun Auto Tire & Service. Sun Auto Tire & Service is the leading provider of quality aftermarket automotive repair, maintenance, and tire service in the Southwest. Chris oversees Sun Auto Tire’s merger and acquisition activities. Before being acquired by Sun Auto, he was the President of his family’s automotive store, GB Auto in Phoenix. Tommy Gaynor is the Pacific Northwest Market Director at Sun Auto Tire & Service. Tommy was the General Manager at Gaynors Automotive before joining Sun Auto Tire & Service. He is an accomplished leader with a pro...
2022-03-0925 min
Gain TractionInspiring Success by Sharing StoriesBryce Evans is the Vice President of Content and Events at 10 Missions Media. Bryce oversees the company’s six national brands, Auto Service Professional, ADAPT, FenderBender, Modern Tire Dealer, National Oil & Lube News, and Ratchet+Wrench. He also takes care of the live events, marketing department, and additional products. An award-winning journalist, Bryce has produced work in dozens of national and regional publications. In this episode… Starting a business isn’t easy — but it helps to learn from others who have endured similar challenges. That’s why Bryce Evans is working hard to showcase inspiring stories of automotive business leaders through pu...
2022-02-0221 min
Gain TractionTop-Notch Training for Hybrid and EVCraig Van Batenburg is the CEO and Chief Technical Officer of ACDC Hybrid EV Training Resources. Craig has worked as a tech since 1968, a shop owner since 1977, a management trainer since 1997, and a technical trainer since 1999. In 2014, he added a research and development center to his facility. He's deeply interested in the EV space and training those curious and willing to learn. In this episode… Electric cars might seem like a mystery if you've been working on traditional vehicles for years. Where can you learn the secrets of the trade? ACDC Hybrid EV Training Resources has...
2022-01-2620 min
Gain TractionFrom A Mall Basement to Multi-Location Tire BusinessRob Eskew is the Co-founder and Co-owner of TRUE Automotive in Atlanta, Georgia. Rob has been in the repair business since 2005 — before graduating high school. He performed service and upgrades on BMWs and other European models during college at UGA. After college, he worked in commercial construction, but his true passion was working on cars. This led him to co-found TRUE Automotive in 2012. Rob’s goal is to have over 50 locations by 2030. Rob is passionate about self-improvement, discipline, and personal growth. He’s an avid reader, race car driver, instructor, and world traveler. In this episode… It’s no...
2022-01-1919 min
Gain TractionBuilding a Unified Team CultureTim Winkeler is the President and CEO of VIP Tires & Service, with 63 locations in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Tim is an accomplished, people-focused leader with a track record of building high-performance teams that exceed expectations and are hyper-focused on customer needs and feedback. Tim thrives in helping organizations succeed through strategy, development, and execution. Tim is originally from St. Louis, Missouri but grew up in Oklahoma before moving to Maine. In this episode… There's often an unspoken division between a tire company's office and service teams. Is it possible to help them connect and understand one another? ...
2022-01-0522 min
Gain TractionAttracting Customers Through Interactive VideosPatrick Egan is the Founder of SPARK Interactive. SPARK Interactive fuses the power of storytelling with the technology of professionally produced video to help business owners attract their target customers. Patrick has over 10 years of experience in the automotive industry, primarily focusing on marketing. Previously, he was the Vice President of Marketing at Kukui Corporation and the Digital Marketing Director at AutoServe1. In this episode… It can be difficult to introduce your automotive shop to potential customers online. Wouldn’t it be nice to give them a chance to tour your store — without having to leave their couch? SPARK...
2021-12-2915 min
Gain TractionBuilding Better Together with Michael Chung of Auto Care AssociationMichael Chung is the Director of Market Intelligence at the Auto Care Association. Michael has worked in molecular biology research, environmental consulting, marketing and communications, and market research. He writes about industry trends and key factors influencing the health of the automotive aftermarket to help businesses throughout the supply chain make better decisions. In this episode… So much has happened in the auto industry in the last year and a half. How can you make sense of all the information and figure out how it will affect the market? The Auto Care Association takes care of that. Mem...
2021-12-0118 min
Gain TractionAcquisition for Exponential Growth with Jeffry Gardner of Sun AutoJeffry Gardner is the Vice President of Marketing for Sun Auto Tire & Service. Jeffry came to GB Auto Service Inc., which is now rebranded to Sun Auto Tire & Service, with the first acquisition of BRAKEmax in late 2017. Since then, he has taken responsibility for the marketing of the entire company and all acquisitions. Before Sun Auto, Jeffry was the Director of Marketing for BRAKEmax and a Store Manager for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Outside of work, Jeffry loves cycling and cheering for the Denver Broncos, the Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, the Rockies, and all other University of Arizona teams. In this...
2021-10-2019 minGain TractionExpanding Your Automotive Chain with Jenn Mello of Tire OutletJenn Mello is the Project Manager at Tire Outlet, a 13 store chain in Jacksonville, Florida. Jenn handles social media, email marketing, website design, strategic management, brand management, promotions, market research, and public relations. Jenn started at Tire Outlet as a Marketing Manager in 2017 and expanded her role as the company grew. Previously, she was a Training Advisor at New Horizons Computer Learning Center and an Advertising Intern at Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center. In this episode… Growing a chain of businesses is a unique challenge. From finding the proper marketing channels to utilize to researching new location opportunities, what are...
2021-10-1318 minGain TractionWhat is the Transformers Institute? Meet Their VP, Fernando MirandaFernando Miranda is the Vice President of Transformers Institute. Transformers Institute brings together automotive shop owners to leverage each person’s knowledge and experience to improve the industry. Fernando brings a wealth of automotive expertise to the Transformers organization through his 24 years of management experience. Previously, he was the Vice President of Professional Sales at Advance Auto Parts and the District Manager for O’Reilly Auto Parts. Fernando was also the Regional Vice President of the International Car Wash Group. In this episode… Running your own automotive business isn’t easy. Do you ever wish you had a group of common...
2021-10-0620 minGain TractionHiring and Retaining Quality Employees with Mike AllenMike Allen is the CEO of Carfix, a growing group of auto repair shops in North Carolina. A third-generation tire dealer, Mike grew up working in his father’s auto repair shop and has since grown his own shop into a three-location business. Carfix has been named one of the 10 ‘Top Shops in America’ by Motor Age Magazine twice. Mike is an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certified Service Consultant and is also the Director of the Independent Garage Owners Association of North Carolina. Before Carfix, Mike was an Auto Advisor for Auto Pro to Call. In this episode… Are you s...
2021-09-1519 minGain TractionChanging the Money Conversation with Jeff TuckerJeff Tucker is the CEO of Triple T Tire and Tapps. Jeff grew his family’s tire business from a single location specializing in tires to three full-service auto repair and tire shops. Jeff also developed the Tapps App to help retailers implement payment plans for their customers. Using data, analytics, and customization, the Tapps App helps to improve consumer engagement which allows businesses to flourish. In addition to his roles at Triple T Tire and Tapps, Jeff is also a Business Development Consultant at Molloy Business Development Group. Outside of the tire world, Jeff loves to be at ho...
2021-09-0825 minGain TractionDeveloping Trust in the Automotive Industry with Tommy Gaynor of Gaynor’s AutomotiveTommy Gaynor is the President and CEO of Gaynor’s Automotive, a full-service auto repair facility located in Vancouver, Washington. The business started with his parents, and now there are five locations across the state. He has over 25 years of experience in the automotive industry and has a proven track record of being a multi-business entrepreneur, problem solver, and leader. When Tommy is not spending time with his family, he can be found drag racing. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Tommy Gaynor talks about how automobiles have been a major part of his family Tommy di...
2021-08-1121 minGain TractionCustomer Satisfaction, Franchising, and Marketing in the Auto Care Industry with Andy Fiffick of Rad AirIn this episode of the Gain Traction Podcast, Mike Edge talks with President and CEO of Rad Air Complete Car Care, Andy Fiffick, about all aspects of the auto care industry from a management level. They discuss how to ensure customer satisfaction, the benefits of franchising, tips for marketing your auto care company, and much more. For the last 35 years, Andy Fiffick has been the President and CEO of Rad Air Complete Car Care, an auto shop that provides quality auto repairs and was rated number one in Ohio for car repair and customer service. In addition, An...
2021-08-0429 minGain TractionFranchising in the Auto Care Industry with Bill Snow of Rad AirIn this episode of the Gain Traction Podcast, Mike Edge talks with Vice President of Marketing and Franchise Development at Rad Air Complete Car Care, Bill Snow, about franchising in the auto care industry. They discuss tips on crafting an impactful customer experience, the trade secrets behind franchising, building your network in the industry, and much more. Buckle up and stay tuned! For many years, Rad Air has provided quality auto repairs for customers and was rated number one in Ohio for car repair and customer service. Prior to joining Rad Air in 2014, Bill worked at companies i...
2021-07-1922 min
Drop The Mic with Jason Hunt081 | Why You Need Your Book Written - with Mike UlmerIf you’re aspiring to write your book, this episode is definitely for you. Mike Ulmer is a writer who worked for the Woodstock Sentinel-Review, The Hamilton Spectator, The Hockey News, and more for a total of 25 years, including 7 years as a sports columnist. He’s also the author of 15 books!
Mike is a founder of Catapult, a company that strives to help you write your own book, just like Mike is doing for Jay! You may not believe there’s a story to be written about you, but we think you’ll change your mind after today’s...
2021-07-0635 min
The Powell MovementKristen Ulmer, Legendary SkierKristen Ulmer is routinely called the best female big mountain skier of her time, maybe ever, and that annoys her, and she'll let you know it. If you've seen Kristen ski, you know her gender doesn't matter, she's always been about sending it and most of the time it's bigger than her male peers. Kristen is a living legend, a unique personality, who doesn't' lack confidence…. on part two of the podcast, we talk about ski mountaineering, pioneering AK, gender, and more…. Kristen Ulmer Show Notes Part 2: 3:00: Knee issues from part 1, Nepal Mountaineering with no permits...
2021-07-051h 06
The Powell MovementKristen Ulmer, Legendary SkierKristen Ulmer is routinely called the best female big mountain skier of her time, maybe ever, and that annoys her, and she'll let you know it. If you've seen Kristen ski, you know her gender doesn't matter, she's always been about sending it and most of the time it's bigger than her male peers. Kristen is a living legend, a unique personality and in part one of the podcast, we talk about her not really falling in love with skiing until HS, being blind as a bat, extreme skiing, injuries, the US Ski Team, and more. Kristen Ul...
2021-06-281h 01
Write or Die ShowInterview with Mike UlmerMike shares his story of being diagnosed with bipolar and how that effected him.
Follow Mike on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getcatapulted
Instagram: @getcatapulted
2021-03-2931 min
Peak Performance Habits - Jackie UlmerSSW383 Is Success Limited to Only a FewRecently, while my husband and I were having a casual drink and conversation about the 26.7% increase in 20-30 year olds visiting mental health facilities with a fear of doing self inflicted harm, I was interrupted by a millennial who wanted to talk about it. We discussed the disillusionment of his generation, the hopelessness, and the feeling that they did what they were told to do; went to college, racked up $100k in college debt and now have no where to turn for jobs; the housing market is prohibitive and they feel they have been shut out of...
2020-09-1421 min
Drop The Mic with Jason Hunt027 | Will Newspapers Disappear Forever? - with Mike UlmerMike Ulmer enjoyed a 25-year career in newspapering and worked for the Woodstock Sentinel-Review, The Hamilton Spectator, The Hockey News, Southam News, National Post and as a sports columnist for 7 years at The Toronto Sun.
He has also written 12 books.
His opinion pieces have appeared in all four Toronto based daily newspapers: The Sun, Globe and Mail, National Post and Toronto Star.
2020-08-0428 min