The NOLN Podcast

Failure Isn’t Fatal (with Chris Messer and Mike Jones)

In the first episode of our “Endeavor to Discover” interview series, leadership and failure are the topics of conversation as Mike Jones, president and master trainer at Discover Leadership Training, joins Chris Messer, executive vice president of the Transportation Group at Endeavor Business Media, NOLN’s parent company.
Jones, who works with small- to medium-sized business owners and their teams on evolving to improve, explains why failure isn’t fatal. If you’ve ever uttered the phrase “failure is not an option,” this conversation is especially for you.
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Going 'Full Speed Ahead' on Growing the Grease Monkey Brand (with Ron Stilwell)

FullSpeed Automotive President Ron Stilwell joins the NOLN Podcast to discuss the growth of the company’s Grease Monkey brand. Stilwell shares insights on how FullSpeed is mapping the expansion of Grease Monkey into new markets and the role its “store of the future” model is playing in that development.
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How Mental Health Affects Business Decision Making (with Margaret Light)

Margaret Light, a licensed marriage and family therapist with Equilibrium Therapy Services, explains the impact of mental health on decision making for business leaders. She also offers some tips for shop operators and managers who have a tendency to be either too optimistic or too pessimistic in their work, and she also offers thoughts on bouncing back mentally after making a bad business decision.
>> Download the 2025 NOLN Operator Survey Report
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It All Adds Up: Inventory Management Best Practices (with Jim Harrington)

Jim Harrington, executive vice president at Victory Lane Quick Oil Change, is this week’s guest on the NOLN Podcast. Harrington, a 30-year veteran of the quick lube industry, shares tips for how operators can better manage their inventory. In this discussion, Harrington highlights the benefits of good inventory management, and he  explains what can go wrong when stock isn’t properly tracked. Harrington also discusses how Victory Lane’s inventory management practices have evolved as the company has grown, and he sheds light on how technology has helped along the way.
>> Now on NOLN.net: Jim Harrington offers quick lube operators more tips for controlling their costs
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Get on Target with Omnichannel Marketing (with Jeff Tremper)

Jeff Tremper, senior vice president of Throttle CRM Service Reminders, shares insights on developing an omnichannel approach to marketing and why it’s important to craft consistent messaging across your different marketing channels. He also discusses best practices for using email and SMS messaging to connect with customers, the value of online customer reviews, and the reasons why traditional (non-digital) marketing is seeing a resurgence.
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Conquering the Car Count Conundrum (with Tyson Daniels)

Tyson Daniels, an Idaho-based Grease Monkey franchisee with shops in five states, joins the NOLN Podcast to discuss how his shops are navigating the challenges of declining car counts that many operators are facing. Daniels also dives into how new technologies are increasing efficiency for his locations, and he notes opportunities for improvement that are often missed by quick lube operators. 
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Awards, Industry Guides, Recalls and New Products: Catching Up on NOLN Headlines

From recent awards announcements to vehicle recalls and new products, there is plenty happening in the quick lube industry. This week’s episode of the NOLN Podcast puts a spotlight on news we’ve recently reported on and stories you may have missed.
Here are the headlines we’re diving into:
iFLEX 2025: PAMA Recognizes Annual Award Winners
Valvoline Inc. Names Kevin Willis as New Chief Financial Officer
D. Power Report Shows Increased Satisfaction in Quick Oil Change Service
Take 5 Oil Change, Valvoline Make Entrepreneur’s Fastest Growing Franchises List
Nissan to Eliminate Complimentary Maintenance Plan for Vehicles
Groove Technologies Releases Universal Cabin Air Filter System for Auto Shops
Highline Warren Becomes Exclusive Filter Supplier for Mobil 1
Audi Q5 SUV Models Recalled Because of Potential Oil Leak
Trust Acquires Three Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers Shops
Automotive Lift Institute Releases 2025 Edition of Vehicle Lifting Points Guide
Chapel Hill Tire Launches Annual Free Oil Changes for Teachers Initiative
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Predictive Maintenance as a Competitive Advantage (with Nick Haase)

On the heels of iFLEX 2025 at The Car Wash Show, NOLN catches up with one of the event’s exhibitors, Nick Haase, co-founder of MaintainX, a maintenance and work execution software firm. Haase discusses why having a great maintenance strategy is a competitive lever, what operators can learn from unplanned downtime data, and how they can shift into a more proactive mindset with regards to their operational maintenance needs.
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>> Submit a nomination for the 2025 NOLN Operator of the Year Award

PAMA Goes to Washington for Its First Advocacy Day (with Towner French)

Towner French, Managing Director at Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, joins the NOLN Podcast to discuss the Preventative Automotive Maintenance Association’s first Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., where members met with legislators and agency officials to share their perspectives on Right to Repair and other proposed legislation. French also explains the value of these in-person meetings, the long-term strategy behind them, and the importance of building ongoing relationships with lawmakers.
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>> Submit a nomination for the 2025 NOLN Operator of the Year Award

Should Your Shop Add an Oil Evacuation System (with Jeff Cox)

Jeff Cox, executive director of the Automotive Maintenance & Repair Association, joins the NOLN Podcast to provide a crash course on oil evacuation systems, which allow shops to remove old oil without touching a drain cap. He also explains why these systems are becoming more popular and how to determine whether your shop would benefit from adding one. Jeff then provides questions operators should ask vendors when trying to pick out oil evacuation equipment for their store and outlines how you should explain the service to customers who come in for an oil change.
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>> Submit a nomination for the 2025 NOLN Operator of the Year Award