Gearbox Podcast

Hosted by Jimmy Purdy

Leisure AutomotiveInterviews guests

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Episodes

105

Latest episode

May 2026

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About the show

Welcome to The Gear Box Podcast—the ultimate pit stop for those looking to break into the auto repair business, grow their shop, and navigate the daily grind of the industry. Thinking about opening a shop? Struggling to increase profitability? Wondering what it really takes to thrive in a competitive market? We tackle the tough questions, break down real-world challenges, and share insider tips from industry experts, seasoned shop owners, and those turning wrenches every day. From leadership strategies to game-changing innovations, we’re here to help you shift gears and stay ahead of the curve. Buckle up—it’s going to be a ride! 🚗🔧 #AutoRepair #ShopSuccess #TheGearboxPodcast

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 21, 2026Episode 1051 hr 17 min

Mileage May Vary: Leadership Under the Hood

In this episode, Jimmy Purdy sits down with Dawn Sloas, host of Mileage May Vary and Buckaroo Bob for an honest, unfiltered conversation about leadership, shop culture, training, and the future of the automotive industry. From managing younger technicians and building stronger teams to balancing accountability with empathy, the trio dives deep into the real struggles shop owners face every day.They tackle everything from employee development and communication to imposter syndrome, coaching, technician shortages, and what it really takes to create a workplace people want to be part of. With plenty of laughs, real-world stories, and hard-earned wisdom, this episode is packed with insight for shop owners, managers, technicians, and anyone passionate about building a better industry

May 8, 2026Episode 1041 hr 2 min

From One Shop to Eight: The Future of Auto Repair Acquisitions with Mango Automotive

In this episode of Gear Box Podcast, Jimmy sits down with Jesse from Mango Automotive to talk about scaling auto repair businesses, shop acquisitions, leadership, and the changing future of the automotive industry. Jesse shares how Mango Automotive grew from a single acquisition to eight locations across the Southwest, what she looks for when buying shops, and why culture, accountability, and mindset matter more than flashy business tactics.The conversation dives deep into private equity, industry consolidation, technician shortages, SOPs, leadership burnout, imposter syndrome, and how shop owners must evolve personally if they want to grow professionally. They also explore how AI and automation could reshape the future of automotive repair—and why adaptability will separate thriving shop owners from those left behind.Whether you’re a one-shop operator dreaming of expansion or just trying to survive the daily grind, this episode is packed with real-world insights on growth, systems, hiring, and building a business that can scale beyond the owner.

April 22, 2026Episode 1031 hr 16 min

No BS Shop Talk: What It Actually Takes to Build a Shop- with Andrew Klement

In this episode, it’s a real, unfiltered conversation about what actually happens when you go from turning wrenches to running a shop. We dig into the early chaos of opening, hiring struggles, bad decisions, wins, losses, and everything in between.This one covers it all—free diag, building a sales process, dealing with customers, paying technicians what they’re actually worth, and the reality of trying to grow something from nothing. Nothing scripted, nothing polished—just two shop owners talking through what’s working, what’s not, and what they’re learning in real time.If you’re in the industry and tired of hearing theory from people who don’t live it… this is for you.

February 18, 2026Episode 1021 hr 4 min

Breaking the Cycle: Negativity, Sales Mastery & Reinvention in the Auto Industry with JK Walker

In this episode, we sit down with JK Walker—owner of a thriving mobile auto repair business and founder of a mail-order ECM company specializing in Chrysler vehicles. We dive into the culture of negativity in the auto industry, how it holds shops back, and the powerful sales processes that separate struggling businesses from thriving ones. If you’re serious about growth, mindset, and building something different, this episode is for you.

December 24, 2025Episode 10154 min

Live from AAPEX 2025: David Boyd from call inbound on the importance of communication

David Boyd from call inbound- an automotive specific VOIP phone service company- is back on to drop more knowledge of the importance of communication from AAPEX 2025!

December 17, 2025Episode 10054 min

Live from AAPEX 2025: Mike with Corvette Pacifica talks about how Tariffs are affecting parts.

Mike runs a parts distribution warehouse for Corvette in our hometown, Corvette Pacifica, he comes to AAPEX every year to find new suppliers, He talks about how Tariffs are affecting his business and some of the issues he has run into with keeping quality his number one priority.

November 26, 2025Episode 991 hr 7 min

Live from AAPEX 2025: Arun Coumar on What’s Next in the Bay

Arun from Driven auto care is Back! And Straight from the AAPEX floor, we sit down to cut through the hype and spotlight what actually moves the needle in 2025—smarter diagnostics, cleaner workflows, and people-first processes. Fast, practical takeaways you can bring back to the shop Tomorrow.

November 19, 2025Episode 9849 min

Live from AAPEX 2025: Moe & Lalo Shift the Conversation

The man, the myth, the legend, Lalo stops back in after a long Hiatus and is joined by Shift'n gears own service manager Moe, and what better place to catch up then at AAPEX, we talk Shop performance, culture, and tech adoption—how to turn this year’s show buzz into measurable wins in your bays.

November 5, 2025Episode 971 hr 7 min

Wrenches, Wisdom & the Reckoning- With Kevin Brown from Repair shop reckoning

In this episode of The Gear Box Podcast, Jimmy sits down with Kevin Brown — shop owner, creator of Repair Shop Reckoning, and one of the loudest voices calling for real talk in the auto repair world. Together, they dig into the truth behind shop culture, leadership, AI in the bay, and why knowing your numbers beats chasing the next silver bullet. It’s raw, funny, and packed with lessons every shop owner needs to hear.

October 29, 2025Episode 9651 min

From Wrenches to Wealth: Building a Business That Outlives You

In this powerful episode of The Gearbox Podcast, Jimmy Purdy sits down with financial advisor and exit strategist Matt DiFrancesco to talk about the one thing most shop owners never plan for—what happens after the grind. Matt shares insider strategies on how blue-collar business owners can transform from being trapped in their business to leading it with freedom and purpose. From building true business value to creating generational wealth, this conversation is packed with real talk, practical tools, and mindset shifts every shop owner needs to hear.

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