Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled

Kim Walker’s flying solo on this one, and she’s got a fire-in-her-belly message for every shop owner still sleeping on email marketing. This isn’t your typical “email tips” episode, it’s a storytelling breakdown of one jaw-dropping, beautifully built email from Mission Mercantile that had Kim hooked, clicking, and even podcasting about it.

She breaks down what made this email a masterclass in branding: from a killer subject line (“Not Cheap… But Worth Every Penny”) to irresistible storytelling, handcrafted visuals, call-to-actions in all the right places, and brand language that oozes trust and legacy.

If you’ve let your email marketing fall to the wayside, this episode is your wake-up call. Kim lays out why email isn’t dead, it’s just being underused. She challenges shop owners to rethink the way they write emails, stay top-of-mind with customers, and deliver real value (not just deals).

Don’t miss this breakdown. You’ll walk away inspired to write emails your customers actually want to open.

Show Notes with Timestamps

• Introduction and Sponsor Shoutouts (00:00:10) Kim introduces herself, mentions Brian's absence, and gives sponsor shoutouts.
• Email Marketing Comeback & Shop Plans (00:01:19) Kim discusses the resurgence of email marketing in auto repair shops' plans for 2026.
• Discovery of Mission Mercantile (00:02:21) Kim shares how she found Mission Mercantile while searching for a high-quality leather backpack.
• Purchase Experience & Customer Service (00:05:34) Kim describes her purchase, a product issue, and Mission Mercantile’s excellent customer service.
• The Impactful Email Arrives (00:06:44) Kim details receiving the November 6th email, its subject line, and her immediate reaction.
• Email Storytelling & Visuals (00:07:56) Kim analyzes the email’s storytelling, visuals, and how it addresses customer needs.
• Call to Action & Product Details (00:10:05) Kim explains the email’s calls to action, product quality descriptions, and lifetime guarantee.
• Brand Voice & Mythical Customer Care (00:11:29) Kim highlights the brand’s unique voice, “mythical customer care,” and how it resonates with her.
• Sponsor Messages (00:12:35) Sponsor messages for Shop Boss and App Fueled are presented.
• Testimonials & Social Proof (00:14:36) Kim discusses the use of customer testimonials and how they reinforce the email’s message.
• Black Friday Teaser & List Segmentation (00:16:08) Kim describes the email’s Black Friday promotion and how it segments the audience.
• Differentiators & American Made Focus (00:17:19) Kim notes the email’s emphasis on differentiators, including being American made and customer care.
• Personal Impact & Email Retention (00:18:33) Kim shares how the email influenced her to stay subscribed and even consider future purchases.
• Advice for Shop Owners on Email Marketing (00:19:41) Kim gives actionable advice to shop owners about effective email marketing strategies.
• Closing Thoughts & Contact Info (00:21:58) Kim wraps up, offers to share the email, invites topic suggestions, and promotes the Facebook group.
• Outro and Network Promotion (00:23:09) Kim and the network promote other shows and the podcast app, closing the episode.

How To Get In Touch

Join The Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind Group on Facebook

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled

There’s a lot you can ignore in marketing, but legal compliance isn’t one of them. Especially when a quiet policy change in California nearly stripped shops of their ability to track marketing ROI overnight. This episode dives into the legalities of call recording, AI evaluations, tracking numbers, and the kind of red tape that can blindside your business if you’re not paying attention. Brian Walker sat down with David Boyd from Inbound at AAPEX to talk through what’s happening, what’s coming, and how to protect your shop without sacrificing performance. If you’ve ever used call tracking, AI analysis, or just assumed “someone else is handling that,” you need to hear this.

Listen in and make sure you’re not one policy update away from a lawsuit.

Show Notes with Timestamps

• Introduction and Conference Setting (00:00:10) Brian introduces the guest, David Lloyd, and discusses the conference atmosphere at AAPEX.
• California BAR Regulation on Phone Numbers (00:02:01) Discussion of California’s Bureau of Auto Repair rule on using only registered phone numbers in advertising.
• Implications and Confusion Around Enforcement (00:04:30) Exploring the impact of the regulation, confusion among advertisers, and lack of clear communication from BAR.
• Staying Informed and Advocacy (00:06:16) Importance of involvement in advocacy groups and staying updated on regulatory changes, especially state-by-state.
• AI and Legal Uncertainty in Call Evaluation (00:08:18) Rapid AI development, legal gray areas, and the use of AI to evaluate recorded calls.
• Call Recording Laws and Best Practices (00:09:19) Explanation of two-party consent laws, best practices for call recording, and new privacy concerns with AI evaluation.
• One-Party Consent States and Third-Party Evaluation (00:11:37) Uncertainty about notification requirements in one-party consent states when AI or third parties evaluate calls.
• Employee Notification and Documentation (00:15:46) Advising shop owners to inform employees about call recording and document consent in employee handbooks.
• AI, Data Privacy, and Business Risks (00:16:54) Concerns about AI handling personal data, privacy risks, and the need for responsible AI use in business.
• Personalization and AI Data Collection (00:19:47) How AI personalizes responses, collects user data, and the potential for identity exposure.
• Establishing an AI Use Policy (00:21:07) Recommendation for businesses to create and enforce an AI use policy signed by all employees.
• Vendor Relationships and Regulatory Awareness (00:22:43) Encouragement to maintain open communication with vendors and stay aware of legal and regulatory changes.
• Podcast Network App Promotion and Closing (00:23:44) Promotion of the Automotive Repair Podcast Network app and closing remarks.

How To Get In Touch

Join The Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind Group on Facebook

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Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled

Josh Parnell’s story isn’t your typical rise to success narrative. It’s one of faith, perspective, and the kind of leadership that’s forged through humility and hard lessons. From dreaming of becoming a filmmaker to serving as an Air Force cop in Minot, North Dakota, to climbing the ranks at Christian Brothers Automotive, Josh’s journey is filled with turns only God could have scripted.

In this episode, Brian Walker sits down with Josh to uncover the man behind Limitless Leadership. They dig into what shaped him, how the Air Force taught him about attitude and effort, and why leadership, at its core, is a skill that must be practiced daily. Josh opens up about marriage, fatherhood, emotional regulation, and the lessons that counseling and faith have taught him about self-awareness and service.

You’ll also hear how he helps shop owners become better communicators, leaders, and coaches through his Limitless Leadership Blueprint and why “people before process” is more than just a saying for him.

This conversation is real, raw, and packed with wisdom for anyone leading a team, running a shop, or trying to grow into the person they’re called to be.

🎧 Listen now to hear how Josh Parnell is helping leaders across the auto repair industry move beyond limits and learn what it truly means to keep leading well.

Show Notes with Timestamps

• Introduction and Sponsor Acknowledgement (00:00:10) Brian introduces the podcast, guest Josh Parnell, and thanks sponsors.
• Josh’s Early Life and Aspirations (00:02:00) Josh discusses growing up in Louisiana and Texas, his filmmaking dreams, and attending University of North Texas.
• Military Service and Lessons Learned (00:02:53) Josh shares how he joined the Air Force, became a military police officer, and learned about attitude and effort.
• Stationed in North Dakota and Perspective (00:04:29) Josh talks about being stationed in Minot, North Dakota, and the importance of perspective and mentorship.
• Family Background and Upbringing (00:07:01) Josh describes his move from Louisiana to Texas and his upbringing in Houston.
• Leadership at Christian Brothers Automotive (00:09:02) Josh explains his leadership journey at Christian Brothers Automotive and the transition to leadership coaching.
• Hardest Leadership Lessons Learned (00:11:18) Josh discusses the challenges of being coachable and learning from feedback during his time at Christian Brothers.
• The Value of Coaching and Counseling (00:13:54) Josh and Brian talk about the importance of coaching, counseling, and personal growth.
• Sponsor Messages (00:14:43) Sponsor advertisements for Shop Boss and App Fueled.
• Limitless Leadership Blueprint Course (00:16:41) Josh introduces his online leadership course and its three modules: self-leadership, communication, and team leadership.
• Communication and Counseling in Leadership (00:19:31) Discussion on the impact of communication, counseling, and mental health in leadership and personal life.
• Vulnerability and Emotional Regulation (00:23:21) Josh emphasizes vulnerability, journaling, and emotional regulation as key leadership skills.
• Limitless Leadership Podcast Milestone (00:24:44) Brian congratulates Josh on surpassing 100 podcast episodes and discusses podcast longevity.
• Favorite Podcast Episodes (00:25:28) Josh shares his favorite podcast episodes and memorable guests.
• Best Leadership Definitions from Guests (00:26:47) Josh reflects on the best answers to "What is leadership?" from his podcast guests.
• Josh’s...