The NOLN Podcast

Financial Foundations of Franchising (with Kelly Tope of FullSpeed Automotive)

Whether you are a new franchisee or have been one for some time, there are many moving parts to consider. Finances, of course, play a role.
Furthermore, factors such as inflation can have an impact on components of the automotive space. But navigating financial landscapes as a franchisee doesn't have to be a solo endeavor. 
Kelly Tope is senior director of franchise development at FullSpeed Automotive, working directly with Grease Monkey, SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service, and Kwik Kar brands.
She joins the show to talk about finances and franchising at a high level. What are some things for franchisees, new and old, to keep in mind? What is the franchise setup like at FullSpeed? Why is financial footing important? 
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People are the Solution (with Shawn Gilfillan of Automotive Magic and Magic Lube & Rubber)

As the New Jersey-based shop owner of Automotive Magic and Magic Lube & Rubber, Shawn Gilfillan has seen every side of running a business in this industry.
Technical know-how is a must, but there is another component that he's zoomed in on: the human element. The practice of developing soft skills is important to a business and its team. 
Enter: Magical Solutions. This is Shawn's program that focuses on those soft skills—leadership, culture, and goals—through consulting and apprenticeship. Shawn joins the show to walk through what Magical Solutions has to offer auto shops in greater detail, and how people are at the center of it all. 
For more business insights from Shawn, check out "A Tale of Two Services—In One" from the May 2024 issue of NOLN.
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Focus on the Vision (with Costa Kapothanasis of Costa Oil - 10 Minute Oil Change)

This summer, it was announced that Costa Kapothanasis bought out Costa Franchising LLC shareholders, which means he now has full ownership over the Costa Oil brand, which includes over 50 Costa Oil - 10 Minute Oil Change stores as well as Costa Oil Performance Filtration and Costa Motor Oils.
Costa joins the podcast to outline what franchising has looked like for the brand and what the future holds for continued growth with the oil change-only model. 
To learn more about Costa and Costa Oil - 10 Minute Oil Change, check out his 2023 NOLN Operator of the Year profile.
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Set Goals, Get Results - Part 2 (with W. Scott Wheeler of Automotive Consultants Group, Inc.)

In the second part of this two-part series for the podcast, W. Scott Wheeler of Automotive Consultants Group, Inc. continues the conversation on setting goals, strategizing KPIs, achieving profitability, and other business practices.
For more from Scott, check out the first part of this interview series. Scott was also featured in an April magazine story for NOLN called "Cultivating Employee Goals." 
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Set Goals, Get Results - Part 1 (with W. Scott Wheeler of Automotive Consultants Group, Inc.)

W. Scott Wheeler is motivated by helping others. He started Automotive Consultants Group, Inc. in 1999 fueled by boots-on-the-ground experience that showed him what shop owners really need help with: the elements that make up running and managing a business in this industry. 
Goal-setting is part of Scott's outlook on business practices, and in April 2024 he was featured in a NOLN story called "Cultivating Employee Goals". In the first part of this two-part series for the podcast, Scott talk about this idea in more detail and shares what motivates the work he does with Automotive Consultants Group, Inc. 
To hear more from Scott check out the second part of this interview, coming soon to the podcast. 
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Plan for Strategic Growth (with Steve Isom of Stonebriar Auto Services LLC, a Jiffy Lube franchisee)

Stonebriar Auto Services LLC, a Jiffy Lube franchisee, recently opened its 100th store location. Stonebriar has experienced an impressive rate of growth in a relatively short period of time, having opened its first location in late 2019. 
Steve Isom, executive vice president at Stonebriar, joins the show to spotlight the milestone location in Valdosta, Georgia, as well as the Stonebriar approach to overall business and team success. 
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Meeting the Automotive Aftermarket's Most Pressing Needs (with Jay Woodall of Interstate Batteries and AACF board member)

This episode of the podcast comes from NOLN's sibling publication for repair shop owners, Ratchet+Wrench.
Ratchet+Wrench Editor Chris Jones is joined in conversation by Jay Woodall, general manager national accounts retail/branded at Interstate Batteries. Jay is also a board member of the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation. 
Chris and Jay discuss what AACF is and what AACF does to support individuals in the automotive aftermarket and their families during difficult times. 
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Bronco Lube is Jiffy Lube's Franchisee of the Year

Each year, Jiffy Lube recognizes a franchise by bestowing the "Franchisee of the Year" title upon an operator and their operation. Recently, South Carolina-based Bronco Lube was given the 2023 honor. 
Owner Chad Weisbeck joins the show to discuss the recognition and highlight the work that Bronco Lube is doing. 
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From 'Green Pea' to Great Leader - Part 2 (with Grease Monkey Franchisee Aleisha Hendricks)

In the second part of this two-part series for the podcast, Aleisha Hendricks joins the show. Aleisha is a co-owner of a Grease Monkey location in Farmington, New Mexico. She shares her motivations, the dynamics at her shop, and her perspective as a woman in a male-dominated field. 
This episode picks up where the first installment left off. Listen to the first part of this series to hear more from Aleisha. 
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From 'Green Pea' to Great Leader - Part 1 (with Grease Monkey Franchisee Aleisha Hendricks)

In the first part of this two-part series for the podcast, Aleisha Hendricks joins the show. Aleisha is a co-owner of a Grease Monkey location in Farmington, New Mexico. 
She shares how she got started in this industry, how things are run at her shop, and her approach to leadership. 
Look for the second part of this interview, coming soon to the podcast. 
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Do you know an outstanding quick lube operator? Nominate them for the 2024 NOLN Operator of the Year Award!