Navigated to Episode 229 - Small Town Shop Challenges and Big City Solutions With Connor Tracy & Elijah McMillan

Episode 229 - Small Town Shop Challenges and Big City Solutions With Connor Tracy & Elijah McMillan

August 11
1h 14m

Episode Description

Get registered for the ASTA Expo 2025 at the Raleigh Convention Center: https://geni.us/ASTA2025

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2025

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Make sure you mention: CTISUMMER to get FREE data migration!


If you're ready to make a real change in your shop's success, join Shop Marketing Pros' Plan With the Pros workshop this October to connect with them and other shop owners. You'll leave with your entire year for 2026 planned out.

Click here to register: https://geni.us/PlanWithThePros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into one sleek, digital platform.


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In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Connor Tracy and Elijah McMillan at VisionKC 2025. Elijah shares the unique challenges of operating an auto repair shop in a rural community with just 2,500 households and discusses his considerations for relocating to a larger market. Connor and the hosts discuss the common pitfalls shop owners face when expanding or acquiring existing businesses, emphasizing the importance of due diligence and understanding capital outlays. The group also explores evolving marketing strategies and the growing role of technology—like AI-driven analytics—in helping shops attract and retain customers.

00:00 Potential Shop Relocation Doubtful

05:57 Financial Consultant Exposes Shop Fraud

15:00 "Rejected Skullet Idea"

18:34 From Hobby to Profession

23:02 "Unexpected Walgreens Encounter"

28:12 Houston Hip Hop: Lean Culture

35:34 Faulty Fuel System Issues

43:30 Shop Relocation Strategy

45:12 Christmas Tree Fleet Operations

49:32 AI Call Conversion Analysis

57:18 Optimizing Appointment Attendance Revenue

01:01:32 Tool Effectively Analyzes Customer Feedback

01:06:18 Trampoline Park Conference Blunder

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