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High Gear Podcast

High Gear Podcast

High Gear Auto Podcast

Step into the driver’s seat of success with the High Gear Podcast, where powerful conversations with exceptional shop owners fuel insightful discussions. Created by Ryan Burton, a seasoned broadcaster and the visionary behind Leads Near Me, and co-hosted by Thomas Hays, VP of Leads Near Me and former host of Success Leaves Clues: An Automotive Industry Podcast, each episode of the High Gear Podcast is a journey into the heart of automotive entrepreneurship. On the show, you’ll hear from various voices in our industry sharing their expertise and strategies for thriving in today’s competitive automotive market. We believe that auto repair shop owners are not just entrepreneurs, but multifaceted individuals with diverse interests and aspirations. Our podcast reflects this belief, offering a dynamic blend of practical insights and personal development wisdom to help you accelerate towards your goals. Beyond business, the High Gear Podcast explores the holistic journey of shop ownership, delving into topics such as personal growth, leadership, health, marketing, exercise, software, and beyond.
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Top 10 High Gear Podcast Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best High Gear Podcast episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to High Gear Podcast for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite High Gear Podcast episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

In this episode of the High Gear Podcast, we’re thrilled to feature Justin Rae, Founder and CEO of Cinch, as he takes the stage at the High Gear Conference 2024 in Atlanta. Tune in to hear Justin’s compelling insights on “Using Customer Data to Your Benefit.”

Discover how to harness the power of data to elevate your customer relationships, streamline operations, and drive business growth. Justin dives deep into the future of AI and automation in the auto repair industry, explores predictive analytics, and shares practical strategies to turn data into a competitive advantage.

Whether you’re looking to improve retention marketing, enrich customer interactions, or future-proof your shop, this episode is packed with value you won’t want to miss!

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High Gear Podcast - The Real Story on AI in Google Ads
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01/03/25 • 6 min

In this episode of the High Gear Podcast Ryan Burton takes a deep dive into the intersection of artificial intelligence and Google Ads. As one of the leading voices in Google Ads for auto repair shops, Ryan shares invaluable insights on:

• How Google’s long-standing AI capabilities have evolved over time

• The current limitations of AI in managing campaigns, especially in industries like auto repair

• Why human expertise remains crucial to ensure campaign success

• How to avoid falling for AI-driven sales pitches that overpromise and underdeliver

If you’re navigating the world of AI and digital marketing, this episode will help you separate the hype from reality and make better decisions for your business.

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High Gear Podcast - The Million Dollar Month with Todd Hayes
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03/26/23 • 32 min

In this episode of Near Me Radio "The Million Dollar Month" Todd Hayes reflects on 30+ years in the auto repair business. Todd is the COO of 6 shops that do $30M in annual revenue. One of the shops Todd works with is the highly successful Adams Automotive in Houston, Texas the shop that regularly does $1M in monthly revenue. Todd tells us his thoughts on how the shop accomplishes these astronomical numbers, he also talks about his training from Houston, Texas.

Link for Training with Todd: https://www.autoshopanswers.com/signup

Near Me Radio is sponsored by Leads Near Me a marketing company for auto repair shops https://leadsnearme.com/and APAC ATI which can be found at https://apacati.org/

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ATLANTA, GA—The first-of-its-kind High Gear Auto Repair Marketing Conference, presented by Leads Near Me ®, gets underway November 29 through December 1, 2023, at the Atlanta Airport Marriott.

“Repair shops will be marketing for their share of $58.7 billion in repair industry revenue in 2024,” says Ryan Burton, owner of Leads Near Me ®. “Getting customers, getting cars into shops is the most important thing any repair shop does, which makes marketing the most important part of your business.”

“Owners often don’t spend enough time on marketing or understand how to do it properly,” Burton adds. “We are going to do this conference over two or three days, digging into this, to help auto repair shop owners better understand, make decisions with their chosen marketing company, and help them better execute their current marketing efforts.”

The conference focuses on everything from Google to direct mail, to television and radio advertising, customer relationship management, networking, social media marketing— everything that affects an auto repair shop’s marketing, including marketing to up-and-coming EV owners, and using tech like AI as a marketing tool.

“Marketing is the most important thing you can do for your business. Without customers you have nothing. So, marketing effectively is critical. This conference is the first of its kind to arm repair shops with a clear plan of how to specifically market in 2024 and beyond.”

The High Gear Auto Repair Marketing Conference will dive deeply into every aspect of auto repair marketing, explain succinctly how it is done, and how to look at success metrics.

Auto repair shops plan their marketing late each year for the following year. The High Gear conference’s media experts will walk attendees through how to grow their business into a high- trust, high-visibility local brand.

“At the end of the day, it’s about how you can spend half the money and get twice the results,” Burton says.

“We want repair shops to learn how to truly qualify where their leads come from,” says Burton. “It’s not enough to be operationally sound, have manicured grounds and a nice building. If you can’t convert leads into customers, you waste valuable marketing budget.”

Conference attendees will range from mom-and-pop shops with limited marketing resources to multi-shop owners with larger marketing budgets who want to get the highest ROI for their dollars in both market knowledge and in finding and keeping customers.

“John Wanamaker once said, “‘Half my advertising spend is wasted; the trouble is, I don’t know which half.’” That was true then; it’s just as true now, says Burton. In fact, some experts tout it as being worse—that 63 percent of advertising spend is wasted. Either way, the issue of wasted money is there.”

The High Gear conference will synergistically teach auto shop owners how to get the most out of their marketing efforts and their budgets, covering all intersections of business, branding and marketing in the auto repair shop niche. That intersection is success.

“This event will be like nothing you’ve seen before,” Burton adds. “It will be only marketing and we will finally demystify it. It takes knowledge, creativity, and discipline to make it work. I’ve been in the business 32 years and my team is top tier in their respective fields. The dissemination of the collective knowledge we’ve gathered over the years as well as of the High Gear speakers will give auto repair shops practical marketing knowledge to successfully increase car counts and their revenue for 2024.”

Registration will open soon for the High Gear Auto Repair Marketing Conference. Tickets and special room rates will be released soon. Get updates at highgearconference.com

About Leads Near Me:

Leads Near Me, a 2023 Google Premier Partner, is a digital marketing agency for Auto Repair Shops. They have become known for their ability to Effortlessly Increase Car Count (TM). Leads Near Me combines many years of experience, proprietary Google Ads software and a thirst for getting better every day to help auto repair companies grow their shops. With hundreds of shops in 43 states and Canada, Leads Near Me is uniquely qualified to help shop owners dramatically grow their revenue. Leads Near Me manages $10M+ annually in Google ad revenue for auto repair shops and has become one of the fastest growing marketing companies for auto repair.

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Welcome to "Near Me Radio", the ultimate podcast destination for auto repair professionals. Every episode promises enlightening conversations, tailored insights, and a peek into the dynamic world of automotive repairs.

In this exclusive episode, we're gearing up for the High Gear Auto Repair Marketing Conference with our "Speaker Series". Join your host, Ryan Burton, as he welcomes a true Media Heavyweight, Steve Jones. Steve is a Professional Keynote Speaker, SVP Radio @ Stingray, and Author of marketing books Brand Like a Rock Star and Start You Up.

A perfect blend of music, passion, and business prowess, Steve is not just a media magnate, but a figure whose life resonates like a well-composed tune. His early connection with music, particularly the captivating sound from Billy Joel's "Glass Houses", set the stage for a life deeply intertwined with rhythms, melodies, and business savvy.

After a stint as an aspiring musician, destiny channeled Steve into the world of radio, where he found his true calling. Not just content with mastering the media landscape, Steve's foray into the realms of business insights and music led to his seminal work, "Brand like a Rockstar". This book sheds light on the nuances of transforming ordinary customers into loyal fans, using principles drawn from the world of rock and roll.

In our special episode, prepare to embark on a captivating journey. Explore Steve's deep understanding of branding and relive some of his most cherished concert memories, including awe-inspiring marketing moments from Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen and Foo Fighters.

Join us and be a part of this harmonious blend of business insights and musical anecdotes with the incredible Steve Jones. Tune in now!

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High Gear Podcast - The Right Choices with Rob Choisser
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06/02/23 • 41 min

Introducing "The Right Choices": A Journey from Mobile Diagnostic Business to Multi-Location Success.

Join Ryan Burton on the latest episode of Near Me Radio's podcast, "The Right Choices," as he sits down with automotive professional Rob Choisser, owner of a thriving auto repair shop. In this engaging conversation, Rob takes us back to the early days of his business and shares his remarkable journey from a solopreneur with a mobile diagnostic service to the proud owner of a brick-and-mortar facility.

Rob vividly describes the transition he underwent in 2013 when he moved into his current building after years of it being vacant. The process involved extensive renovations, from pouring new concrete floors to setting up new electrical systems. March of 2014 marked a significant milestone as Rob officially opened the doors to his shop in Davidsonville, celebrating the first decade in business.

Reflecting on those initial months, Rob recalls the unique challenges of shifting from a mobile business to a physical location. The dynamics completely changed as he transformed from a one-man show to a business owner with employees. Insurance, workers' compensation, liability—all these factors demanded his attention. He no longer had the flexibility to accommodate personal schedules, but his customers understood the purpose behind the new operating hours and continued to support him.

Ryan and Rob delve into the financial aspects of the early days, highlighting the dedication and determination it took to establish a solid foundation. Rob's technician's departure to work for Tesla right before the move-in presented an unexpected hurdle. Nevertheless, he learned the importance of building a talented team and charging appropriately for services, a lesson that shifted his mindset from being a technician to becoming an entrepreneur.

The conversation then fast-forwards to the present, with Rob revealing the impressive growth of his business. In 2022, his shop generated over $1.7 million in revenue, thanks to a dedicated and efficient team. With this success, Rob shares his plans for a second location, which is currently in the works. He discusses the challenges of starting a new shop and emphasizes the importance of thorough research, strategic decision-making, and team empowerment.

Listeners will be captivated as Rob candidly shares his experiences and offers valuable insights to single shop owners considering expansion. His story serves as a reminder to always be prepared, even in the face of adversity, and to recognize the right opportunity when it presents itself.

Tune in to "The Right Choices" on Near Me Radio to gain inspiration, learn from Rob Choisser's journey, and discover how to navigate the exciting path of expanding an automotive business.

Near Me Radio is sponsored by Leads Near Me a Marketing company for Auto Repair Shops https://leadsnearme.com/and APAC ATI which can be found at https://apacati.org/

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High Gear Podcast - The Auto Repair Artist with Dave McClung
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07/10/23 • 41 min

Welcome to Near Me Radio, where automotive professionals gather to explore the fascinating world of auto repair. In this captivating episode, titled "The Auto Repair Artist with Dave McClung," your host, Ryan Burton, takes you on a thrilling journey alongside Dave McClung, owner of Autobahn Automotive.

Dave's captivating story begins with an unexpected twist. Before he became an esteemed figure in the auto repair industry, Dave was a musician who faced a series of car troubles during his daily commute to college. What started as a necessity soon transformed into a passion for fixing cars. As his skills grew, people began recognizing his expertise and offering him payment for repairing their vehicles. Dave's dedication led him to change his major and pursue formal education in auto repair.

Unsatisfied with the practices of large chain stores, Dave yearned for a more transparent and customer-centric approach. This burning desire for excellence motivated him to establish his own repair shop, Autobahn Automotive. His vision was clear: to personally select and install high-quality parts, communicate directly with customers, and provide them with clear explanations of the repair process.

Autobahn Automotive's humble beginnings saw the opening of a small 2500 square foot shop in an industrial park. With Dave at the helm and a small team of technicians, the focus was on delivering exceptional repairs and ensuring customer satisfaction. However, the journey didn't stop there. Dave's unwavering dedication to improvement led him to analyze every aspect of the business. This introspection and attention to detail paved the way for a move to a more visible location, occupying a smaller yet strategically designed 1800 square foot shop.

The evolution of Autobahn Automotive continued as Dave's commitment to excellence paid off. The current location, situated in an affluent town, reflects his unwavering pursuit of perfection. From the moment customers step inside, they are greeted by an ambiance that evokes luxury and comfort. Pristine white floors, fragrant floral scents from wax melts, and meticulous attention to every detail create an unparalleled experience for clients.

Under Dave's visionary leadership, Autobahn Automotive has experienced tremendous growth. From generating a modest revenue of $190,000 in its first year, the shop now boasts an astonishing $3.2 million in annual sales. With the recent addition of two more lifts, Autobahn Automotive now houses six two-post lifts and a lime rack. The team has expanded to include six skilled technicians, a dedicated quality control specialist, two service advisors, a store manager, an in-house bookkeeper, a parts manager, and a talented social media expert who ensures the shop's online presence remains vibrant and engaging.

As you immerse yourself in the episode "The Auto Repair Artist with Dave McClung," expertly guided by Ryan Burton, you'll witness the transformation of a passionate musician into an industry-leading automotive professional. Prepare to be inspired by Dave's tireless pursuit of excellence, his commitment to transparency, and his unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction. Near Me Radio invites you to embark on this enlightening journey, where every episode unravels a new layer of automotive expertise and fuels your passion for the art of auto repair.

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High Gear Podcast - Turning Tragedies Into Triumphs with Mason Bragg
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03/24/23 • 38 min

In "Turning Tragedies Into Triumphs" episode #3 of Near Me Radio a podcast for automotive professionals, Mason Bragg from Gulf Breeze Automotive & TurnKey Auto Repair in Gulf Breeze, Florida talks about going from $465,000 a year to $4,200,000 per year in revenue (10X growth) and doing so through serious adversity, including the tragic death of his 20 year old son Brandon. Mason shows us that even through the toughest times a shop owner succeed. "Turning Tragedies Into Triumphs" shows us we can rise to any occasion or any circumstance, both in business and in personal life.

Near Me Radio is sponsored by Leads Near Me a marketing company for auto repair shops https://leadsnearme.com/and APAC ATI which can be found at https://apacati.org/

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High Gear Podcast - The Song That You Sing With Thomas Hays
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03/22/23 • 36 min

In episode #2 "The Song That You Sing" Ryan Burton talks to Thomas Hays the Director of Technology & Director of Enrollment at Shop Fix Academy, he is also the host of Success Leaves Clues: An Automotive Industry Podcast. Thomas talks about his podcast, Shop Fix Academy and how to tune in to the "song you are singing" as a company.

Near Me Radio is sponsored by Leads Near Me a Marketing company for Auto Repair Shops https://leadsnearme.com/and APAC ATI which can be found at https://apacati.org/

*Find Success Leaves Clues: An Automotive Industry Podcast here: https://slcautopodcast.com/

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In this special episode of the High Gear Podcast, we bring you the audio from Carrie Lynn Rodenberg’s keynote session at the High Gear Conference 2024, held on November 15th.

Carrie, the CEO and Founder of Turnkey Marketing, shares her expert insights in “Millionaire Maker: Marketing Cheat Sheet”, a session packed with strategies to help auto repair shop owners elevate their marketing efforts and drive growth.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to apply marketing psychology to connect with customers and increase results

• The importance of building a “marketing web” for consistent visibility

• Practical steps to increase car count and revenue

With over a decade of experience and $250 million in managed client revenue, Carrie’s advice is a game-changer for shop owners looking to thrive in today’s competitive market.

Listen now and take your business to the next level.

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FAQ

How many episodes does High Gear Podcast have?

High Gear Podcast currently has 39 episodes available.

What topics does High Gear Podcast cover?

The podcast is about Marketing, Management, Podcasts and Business.

What is the most popular episode on High Gear Podcast?

The episode title 'Turning Tragedies Into Triumphs with Mason Bragg' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on High Gear Podcast?

The average episode length on High Gear Podcast is 38 minutes.

How often are episodes of High Gear Podcast released?

Episodes of High Gear Podcast are typically released every 3 days, 5 hours.

When was the first episode of High Gear Podcast?

The first episode of High Gear Podcast was released on Mar 1, 2023.

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