Beyond the Wrench

From Med School to Founding Tekmetric: Lessons in Leadership

Sunil Patel shares how his path from medical school to shop owner to Founder and CEO of Tekmetric shaped his approach to leadership. He discusses how a personal shop struggle inspired Tekmetric, why staying focused on your vertical drives success, and the leadership lessons he’s learned building a platform for automotive repair shops nationwide. Watch

2025-10-22T08:06:15-05:00Beyond the Wrench|

Hiring Under 18: Lessons From a Shop That Does It Right

John Perez, Sr. Director of Talent Acquisition at Sonic Automotive, shares how they built a junior apprenticeship program for students under 18. From earning executive buy-in to keeping kids safe in the shop, John breaks down how they’re developing the next generation of technicians by starting earlier than most. Watch the Full Episode  Show

2025-10-15T08:12:44-05:00Beyond the Wrench|

Inside the Evolving SEMA Show 2025

Tom Gattuso, Vice President of Events at SEMA, shares a behind-the-scenes look at planning the SEMA Show 2025. He talks about how the show continues to evolve, what goes into making it run smoothly, and his best advice for first-time attendees. Watch the Full Episode  Show Notes About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay,

2025-10-08T07:50:29-05:00Beyond the Wrench|

Milwaukee Pipeline Series: A Look at the New Impact Wrench & Ratchet

Eric Rusch, Director of Product Marketing at Milwaukee Tool, breaks down two exciting new products technicians will love—the M12 FUEL™ Subcompact Impact Wrench and the M12 FUEL™ Gen 2 Ratchet—live at the Milwaukee Pipeline 2025 event. He shares key product features, how Milwaukee Tool has evolved to meet industry needs, and why it’s so rewarding

2025-10-01T07:40:57-05:00Beyond the Wrench|

Milwaukee Pipeline Series: Solving Shop Lighting Challenges

Jason Isaacs, Director of Product Marketing at Milwaukee Tool, dives into shop lighting—how Milwaukee Tool develops durable products, key lighting solutions for technicians, and advice on the best lights for those just starting their careers. Watch the Full Episode  Show Notes About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay, jayg@wrenchway.com Guest: Jason Isaacs, Milwaukee Tool

2025-09-26T15:05:08-05:00Beyond the Wrench|

Milwaukee Pipeline Series: Transitioning From Technician to Shop Owner

Recorded live at Milwaukee Pipeline 2025, Chris Enright—Founder & Owner of Enright Automotive and content creator—shares his journey from technician to shop owner and the lessons learned along the way. In this episode, we dive into making the transition from tech to owner, the ROI of technician training, the power of clear communication, and more.

Milwaukee Pipeline Series: Hand Tools Designed with Technicians in Mind

Recorded live at the Milwaukee Pipeline 2025 event, Leah Balto, Group Manager of Product Marketing at Milwaukee Tool, joins host Jay Goninen to walk us through Milwaukee’s latest hand tool kits, explain how the team studies technicians in real-world settings to inspire smarter innovations, and share how Milwaukee Tool is investing in solutions that support

2025-09-26T15:05:09-05:00Beyond the Wrench|

When Service Advisors Put Technicians First, Everyone Wins

Rena Rennebohm, CEO of Empowered Advisor, shares why shops thrive when service advisors put technicians first. With years of experience coaching advisors, Rena explains how stronger collaboration between advisors and technicians leads to better shop culture and performance. She also dives into challenges such as high service advisor turnover, the lack of respect advisors often

2025-09-02T15:40:15-05:00Beyond the Wrench|

Leading with Accountability & Influence

In this episode, Dave Anderson, President of Learn to Lead, gives leaders actionable strategies for handling tough situations while earning trust and respect. He shares practical advice on holding even high-performing team members accountable, making confrontation conversational, and avoiding the loss of credibility. Watch the Full Episode  Show Notes About the Episode Host: Jay

2025-09-02T15:39:53-05:00Beyond the Wrench|

Turning Wrenches for the Secret Service

Lenny Fumarolo shares his journey from working in NASCAR to becoming a Protective Armored Specialist for the United States Secret Service (USSS). He breaks down how others can follow in his footsteps, what daily repairs and maintenance look like in such a high-security role, and how tools, uniforms, and the overall environment differ from typical

2025-09-02T15:39:11-05:00Beyond the Wrench|
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