The NOLN Podcast

Listening Back to the 2023 Archives

The year isn't over yet, but December is right around the corner! Before the holiday rush truly takes over, listen back to some of your favorite episodes from The NOLN Podcast this year, or discover one that you haven't had the chance to listen to yet. 
In this episode, Associate Editor Hanna Bubser dives into the archives and reflects on just a handful of conversations that appeared in the podcast feed in 2023. So listen in and keep an eye out for more content to come this year and into 2024! 
Check out the full versions of the episodes mentioned:
Costa Kapothanasis is the 2023 NOLN Operator of the Year
Running the Family Business with Sara White
Arnold Gacita on Petra Cares
Midas Celebrates 67 Years with Kindness 
Best Workplaces 2023 Winner Rancho Express Lube
Best Workplaces 2023 Winner SpeeDee Oil Change and Auto Service of Charlotte/Charleston
Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast and visit noln.net for more content. Follow NOLN on Facebook, LinkedIn and X (formerly known as Twitter).   

Justin Cialella on the PAMA Management Certification Course

The Preventative Automotive Maintenance Association (formerly known as the Automotive Oil Change Association) hosts Management Certification Courses for individuals in the quick lube industry. 
Recently, one of these courses was held at the Victory Lane Quick Oil Change headquarters in Michigan. Victory Lane President and CEO Justin Cialella (who is also a board member for PAMA) joins the show to outline how this course went for the association, and to give an overview of how the course is usually run for those who are interested in participating in the future. 
Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast and visit noln.net for more content. Follow NOLN on Facebook, LinkedIn and X (formerly known as Twitter).   

Rob Meng on FasterLines

A core understanding of shop efficiencies is something that shop owners strive to achieve on a daily basis. Many factors go into the full picture of shop operations. Data can play a role in telling that story. 
Rob Meng is the founder and CEO of FasterLines, which offers data-based line management solutions. Rob joins the show to talk about the power of this data for quick lubes. 
Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast and visit noln.net for more content. Follow NOLN on Facebook, LinkedIn and X (formerly known as Twitter).   

Daniel Wilson of Big Ray’s Express Lube

As anyone in the quick lube industry would say, there is so much more that goes into this work than changing oil. Running a successful operation involves strategy, dedication, and passion for the job. 
Daniel Wilson embodies this mindset as the regional manager at Big Ray's Express Lube in Illinois, and he joins the podcast to talk about his approach to the work he does for the shop network. 
Wilson was featured in "How To Be a Customer Liaison" for the September 2023 issue of NOLN. The article can be read in the physical issue of the magazine as well as on the NOLN website.  
Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast and visit noln.net for more content. Follow NOLN on Facebook, LinkedIn and X (formerly known as Twitter).   

Costa Kapothanasis is the 2023 NOLN Operator of the Year

It's September, and that means the 2023 NOLN Operator of the Year issue is live. This year, NOLN has proudly bestowed the title upon Costa Kapothanasis of Costa Oil 10 Minute Oil Change. 
Kapothanasis joins the show to talk about his perspective as an operator as well as the Costa Oil model and why it works for him and his team. Read the full Operator of the Year feature in the September 2023 issue of NOLN or over on the NOLN website. 
Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast and visit noln.net for more content. Follow NOLN on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.  

Joe Benza Talks Shop

The elements that draw a person to the quick lube industry can be very personal. People participate in this line of work for a variety of reasons. Every career starts somewhere. Every shop starts somewhere. 
Joe Benza has been in the quick lube game for years. He even ran a network of shops with his dad until they decided to sell. But Benza came back strong to ownership by opening Carolina Quick Lube in Johnston County, North Carolina. He's taking what he learned earlier in his career while also bringing in some new ideas. He joins the show to talk about it. 
To learn more about Benza and Carolina Quick Lube, read "Too Good to Leave Behind" from the July 2023 issue of NOLN. 
Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast and visit noln.net for more content. Follow NOLN on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.  

Kye Grisham on Automotive Trends and Tech

When it comes to discussing and digesting the various elements of technology that impact the aftermarket, perspective is key. This mindset can be applied to automotive trend-watching as well. Some trends are exciting and some technology may be overwhelming, but it's important to talk about nonetheless. 
Kye Grisham is the director of automotive technology for Christian Brothers Automotive. He joins the show to shed light and insight on some of the technology and trends that automotive aftermarket service providers should keep an eye on. 
Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast and visit noln.net for more content. Follow NOLN on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.  

Sponsored Podcast: The Nuts and Bolts of Preventive Services

In this sponsored episode of the NOLN Podcast, Neal McGlinchey, Manager of Field Training, Valvoline Global Operations, spoke with Matt Hudson, Content Director of National Oil & Lube News, about the nuts and bolts of preventive maintenance services and what products and services are most effective for quick lubes to offer.
To find out more, please click here: https://partner.valvolineglobal.com/

Jeff Harmening on API Oil Certifications

The American Petroleum Institute is a familiar name to the automotive aftermarket, seeing as API represents the oil and gas industry across America. Some of the work done by API revolves around the licensing, specifications and certifications related to oils. 
Jeff Harmening from API joins the show to contextualize this work, as well as the other elements it touches and what it all means for quick lube shop owners. 
Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast and visit noln.net for more content. Follow NOLN on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.  

Scott Accardo’s Journey to VP of Operations for SpeeDee

Fullspeed Automotive recently announced the promotion of Scott Accardo to vice president of operations for SpeeDee Oil Change & Automotive Service. But Accardo's career with this industry began well before that announcement.
At seven years old, Accardo helped vacuum customer cars at his father's SpeeDee franchise, which also happened to be the very first franchise under SpeeDee as a whole. This early exposure to a quick lube setting ultimately led to a decades-long career in the industry. Accardo joins the show to talk about how he got to where he is today. 
Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast and visit noln.net for more content. Follow NOLN on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.