Kaylee Felio, the dynamic and relatable host known as "the parts girl," steps out from behind her usual interview format for a heartfelt solo episode. In this candid conversation, Kaylee shares her personal journey of balancing motherhood, sales leadership at PartsEdge, and life’s messy realities—yes, even poopy diapers in between Zoom calls! She dives into the unique pressures of running sales and marketing for a growing business, the “imperfect balance” of work and life, and what it truly means to operate with an owner’s mindset—even if you don’t own the company.

Kaylee also recounts memorable client stories and unexpected wins, like landing a referral-driven client from a webinar she thought had flopped due to a time zone error. This episode is a must-listen for anyone leading from the trenches in fixed ops, juggling the demands of family and career, or craving a little honest encouragement on their own journey.

--------------------------------------------

This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Our strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com

--------------------------------------------

Takeaways

1. There’s no perfect work-life balance

2. Operate with ownership

3. Don’t fear missteps

   
   

Chapters

00:00 – Kaylee’s solo debut: nerves, encouragement, and mindset pep-talk

01:28 – Juggling leadership, marketing, motherhood, and the illusion of balance

02:17 – Candid stories: webinar listening, diaper changing, and parent guilt

03:01 – Running things “like you own it”: misconceptions and reality at PartsEdge

03:38 – Fix Ops Roundtable highlights, parts managers getting out to network

04:06 – ChatGPT assists with self-interview questions; the chaos of back-to-school

05:15 – Lessons from Kaylee’s mom: gratitude and emotional support

06:47 – Unexpected wins: client referral story from a “flopped” webinar

08:04 – Client signs up live in the meeting—unique experiences in sales

08:40 – Closing thoughts: The messy, rewarding journey of growth at PartsEdge

Kaylee Felio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl

Website: https://www.partsedge.com

Today, Kaylee Felio interviews Sheila Pogue, who shares her journey from working in restaurants to becoming a parts manager and eventually transitioning to a vendor role at Dealer OMG.

Together, they take on one of the industry’s big conversations: why fixed ops is treated like the “redheaded stepchild” of dealerships, and how better marketing, internal buy-in, and creative partnerships can help change that. Sheila draws on her deep boots-on-the-ground experience to share practical strategies for getting buy-in from decision-makers, why being vendor-savvy pays off, and the overlooked potential of accessories and wholesale parts.

If you’re looking for real talk and actionable ideas to empower your parts team—and maybe a laugh or two about dealership life—this episode delivers. Whether you’re on the counter, in the GM’s chair, or working to support the automotive world, Kaylee and Sheila’s conversation will remind you why the parts department is really the flywheel that keeps the dealership engine running.

--------------------------------------------

This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Our strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com

--------------------------------------------

Takeaways

1. Fixed ops drives dealership success.

2. Customer service is a key focus.

3. There are many opportunities within fixed ops that dealerships often miss.

   
   

Chapters

00:00 Mentorship and Success in Dealership

03:35 Transitioning to Remote Work

07:19 Strategizing Dealer Operations Relationships

11:14 Meta Founder Recalls Early Recruitment

13:48 Passion for Automotive Client Support

18:00 "Unique Store Branding Focus"

19:41 Maintaining Customer Engagement in Auto Sales

24:36 Boosting Service Revenue Strategies

26:44 "Maximize Budget with Petty Card"

30:35 Dealership Leadership and Inventory Changes

35:17 PartsEdge: Streamlining Parts Management

36:45 "Direct Approach to Self-Solutions"

42:06 NCM Bender 20 Group Overview

42:59 Vetted Vendor Association's Impact

Kaylee Felio sits down with Christian Lafferty and Cliff Honeycutt from the Chris Collins Group—industry thought leaders, coaches, and co-hosts of the Parts Hold Podcast. Kaylee, Christian, and Cliff dive deep into the evolving dynamics of dealership fixed operations, uncovering what makes parts managers uniquely equipped for leadership, how to break down dealership silos, and why embracing new sales channels like Amazon is a must for forward-thinking auto dealerships.

Along the way, they draw thought-provoking parallels between parenting and leadership, highlight the power of exceptional customer experiences, and unpack the shifting dynamics of fixed operations.

Blending industry insights with personal stories, offering a well-rounded look at today’s automotive world and the exciting opportunities ahead.

--------------------------------------------

This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Our strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com

--------------------------------------------

Takeaways

1. Parts managers: the unsung heroes driving dealership success

2. Strong parts–service teamwork boosts performance

3. Parts departments hold untapped sales potential

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

01:41 Meet the Hosts: Christian and Cliff

03:29 The Importance of Parts Managers

06:29 Bridging the Gap: Parts and Service Collaboration

11:12 Understanding the Parts Department's Role

14:33 Positive Trends in the Industry

19:58 Parenting and Management: Similarities Explored

24:07 Opportunities in the Automotive Industry

26:10 Wrestling Memories and Industry Insights

28:14 Amazon's Impact on the Automotive Industry

31:57 The Evolution of Customer Experience

34:02 Fixed Operations: A Growing Focus

38:51 Creating Raving Fans and Generational Value

41:14 Fun Questions and Hidden Talents

Like what you hear? Review the show for us: https://ratethispodcast.com/ratethepartsedgepodcast

Kaylee Felio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl

Website: https://www.partsedge.com