Jason Eich is a multi-location auto repair shop owner based in Evansville, Indiana. After spending more than two decades in a corporate career, Jason made an unexpected leap into independent auto repair ownership; a move that eventually led to operating multiple successful shops. Drawing from his background in leadership, discipline shaped by his time in the Marines, and hands-on experience scaling operations, Jason brings a grounded, real-world perspective on what it truly takes to grow an auto repair business.

In this episode…

Growth is often the goal for shop owners but knowing how to grow an auto repair business beyond a single location is where many hit a wall. Expansion isn’t just about opening another shop or increasing car count. It requires a fundamental shift in leadership, mindset, and structure.

Jason Eich explains that real growth begins when owners stop forcing the same systems everywhere and start building operations that fit their local markets. From customer loyalty and geography to staffing and traffic patterns, Jason shares why understanding market dynamics is critical when scaling an auto repair business.

On this episode of Gain Traction, Mike Edge sits down with Jason Eich to unpack the transition from operator to owner. Jason outlines the leadership changes required to grow sustainably, why developing managers is non-negotiable, and how having hard conversations early creates clarity and accountability. His insights offer a clear roadmap for shop owners who want to grow faster without sacrificing culture or stability.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[01:09] Jason Eich’s background and path into auto repair ownership

[04:23] How a casual conversation led to buying his first auto repair shop

[07:33] What surprised Jason most about the auto repair industry

[08:48] How Jason’s Marine Corps experience shaped his leadership style

[11:59] Why running a shop isn’t always about fixing cars

[13:52] Jason’s perspective on right to repair and access to OEM data

[17:25] How Jason approaches growth beyond two locations

[20:03] The mindset shift from operator to business owner

[22:48] The leadership principle Jason lives by

[23:54] The best way to handle hard conversations as an owner

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Jason Eich LinkedIn
• Eich Brothers Automotive Website
• Dartt Automotive Website
• Tread Partners
• Gain Traction Podcast on YouTube
• Gain Traction Podcast Website
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn

Quotable Moments:

• “Growth doesn’t mean being in every bay, it means building people you trust.”
• “Cars don’t fix themselves, and neither do problems in your business.”
• “If you want to scale, you have to stop forcing one system everywhere.”
• “Leadership means owning the outcome and having the hard conversations.”
• “Structure and accountability are what make growth sustainable.”

Action Steps:

1. Evaluate your readiness to scale: Ask whether your shop can operate without you in the day-to-day.
2. Build managers before expanding: Growth stalls quickly without leadership in place.
3. Adapt systems to local markets: Geography, loyalty, and traffic patterns matter.
4. Have hard conversations early: Clarity prevents bigger problems later.
5. Shift from operator to owner mindset: Work on the business, not just in it.

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