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Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Auto Care\n\nBrad Updegraff's transition from a general service technician to a visionary business owner of 6 NAPA Gold Certified locations is a story of dedication and strategic planning. Discover the milestones and the speed bumps he encountered along the way.\n\nBrad Updegraff, Dave's Ultimate Automotive, 6 locations, Austin, TX.\n\nShow Notes\n

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• Watch Full Video
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• Learn more about NAPA Auto Care Gold Certified and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care
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• Transition to the automotive field (00:01:55)\xa0Brad's transition from managing a pizza delivery company to becoming a general service technician in a small gas station repair shop.
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• Seizing the opportunity (00:05:06)\xa0The unexpected opportunity that led Brad to become a partner in 2012 and the risks and steps involved in his journey.
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• Building a successful partnership (00:06:15)\xa0The partnership with a former homebuilding executive and the successful merging of their expertise for store growth and development.
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• Learning the business side (00:07:25)\xa0Brad's learning curve in understanding the business side, seeking help, and investing in personal and business development.
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• Challenges in growth and expansion (00:10:52)\xa0The challenges in advertising, customer base, and geographical analysis that impacted the decision to halt further expansion.
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• Recruitment and training strategies (00:12:29)\xa0Brad's recruitment strategies, including internal referrals and partnerships with local vocational schools for technician training.
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• Promoting the industry to youth (00:14:32)\xa0The need for industry professionals to promote the technical nature of the automotive industry to young people and engage with vocational schools.
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• Advisory Board Representation (00:17:10)\xa0Importance of representation on advisory boards for independent dealers and community colleges.
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• Community Involvement and Giving Back (00:18:13)\xa0Support for charitable foundations, including Make-A-Wish and suicide prevention organizations.
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• NAPA Gold Certification (00:21:28)\xa0Benefits and significance of achieving NAPA Gold certification for automotive businesses.
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• Engagement in Training (00:23:18)\xa0Strategies for encouraging staff to participate in training and the value of owner involvement.
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• Perpetual Learning and Magic Makers (00:27:16)\xa0The importance of perpetual learning, the concept of "magic makers," and the impact on the organization.
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• Employee Retention and Team Building (00:29:55)\xa0Strategies for retaining employees, team building, and celebrating milestones within the organization.
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• Work-Life Balance and Store Visits (00:32:02)\xa0Balancing work and personal life, commitment to family, and the importance of store visits for management.
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• Intuition and Common Sense (00:33:14)\xa0The importance of intuition and common sense in business decisions and management.
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• Succession Planning (00:34:12)\xa0Discussing internal succession planning and opportunities for employees to grow within the company.
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• Industry Challenges and Opportunities (00:34:53)\xa0Cyclical nature of the industry, market correction, and fighting for market share.
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• Market Trends and Customer...