CAR WASH The Podcast: Recent Episodes

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As Benny's Car Wash celebrates its 75th anniversary, ICA Editor-in-Chief Rich DePaolo sits down with Justin Alford, CEO of Benny's Car Wash and Past President of the International Carwash Association, for an insightful conversation about the evolution of the car wash industry. Justin reflects on the key themes emerging from The Car Wash Show 2026, including the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, the changing investment landscape, rising construction costs, and the continued importance of independent operators.

Drawing on three generations of family leadership, Justin explains why people—not technology or profits—remain the foundation of Benny's success. He shares the remarkable history of Benny's, discusses the company's newest location in Baker, Louisiana, celebrates his father Ben Alford's induction into the Baton Rouge Business Report Hall of Fame, and offers thoughtful advice for operators navigating today's increasingly complex marketplace. The conversation concludes with Justin's passionate support for the International Carwash Association and its critical role in protecting and advancing the industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Benny's Car Wash celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2026, marking three generations of family ownership and leadership.
• Artificial intelligence is becoming an everyday business tool, helping operators improve reporting, decision-making, hiring, and operational efficiency.
• Rising construction costs have dramatically increased the financial risk of developing new car wash locations.
• Independent operators continue to play a vital role in the industry despite the growth of private equity and regional chains.
• Exceptional customer service, consistent wash quality, and employee care remain the biggest competitive advantages for smaller operators.

Episode Notes:

In this episode, Rich DePaolo sits down with Benny's CEO Justin Alford, a third-generation operator and Past President of the International Carwash Association, to discuss the company's remarkable legacy and the future of the professional car wash industry. From artificial intelligence and rising construction costs to the challenges facing independent operators, Justin shares practical insights gained from decades in the business. He also reflects on Benny's newest location in Baker, Louisiana, honors his father Ben Alford's leadership, and explains why putting people first has been the foundation of Benny's success for three generations—and why it will continue to drive the company forward for years to come.

(1:11) Join ICA Editor-In-Chief Rich DePaolo as he chats with a Past ICA President – now CEO of Benny’s Car Wash - Justin Alford.

(1:45) Celebrating 75 years in Business – Benny’s is a mainstay in the industry. Justin talks about his personal takeaways from the recent 2026 Car Wash Show

(4:45) What topics do operators discuss when they meet at a show like Car Wash?

(6:44) How about the costs to build/run a new wash?

(7:54) How would Justin describe the current start of the car wash industry?

(10:35) Is this still a good industry for the smaller washes and how do they compete with the larger-regional companies?

(13:02) Richard Enning was just inducted into the 2026 Car Wash Hall of Fame. Justin talks about why he was such a worthy honoree.

(16:43) What did it take to hit the 75-year milestone? What will it take for another 75 years? Justin shares the family history and that of Benny’s.

(19:32) Justin talks about his father Ben Alford – his 2026 induction into Business Report Hall of Fame and what he wants people to know about his dad!

(20:59) Justin talks about Benny’s new location in Baker, LA.

(25:15) What special plans do they have for the 75th Anniversary celebration?

(26:40) And how about those LSU Tigers?!

(28:32) Justin’s final words in support of the ICA!

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The car wash industry is evolving rapidly, but according to Jeff Pavone, Founding Partner of Amplify Capital Group, and Chris Jenks, Amplify Partner and CEO, the fundamentals have never been stronger. While higher interest rates and changes in private credit have lengthened deal timelines, investor appetite remains strong, with nearly half a billion dollars in Amplify-led transactions completed during the first half of the year alone. They also discuss why successful operators are shifting their focus from rapid expansion to operational excellence, disciplined growth, and long-term value creation.

Key Takeaways

Amplify puts operators first. The firm's mission is to level the playing field by representing operators' interests while helping them maximize long-term business value through education, strategic guidance, and fair transactions.

The market hasn't slowed—it has matured. Transactions are still happening at a significant pace, but buyers are conducting deeper due diligence and taking a more disciplined approach to acquisitions.

Operational excellence is now the primary driver of value. Investors are rewarding businesses with strong operations rather than simply large numbers of locations.

Membership programs continue to prove resilient. Subscription customers remain highly loyal, helping operators weather economic uncertainty and softer retail traffic.

Industry consolidation is accelerating. The largest operators are expanding strategically by strengthening existing markets instead of pursuing growth solely for scale.

Independent operators can still thrive. Community involvement, exceptional customer experience, and differentiated service give smaller operators advantages that larger chains often cannot replicate.

Artificial intelligence is becoming a practical business tool. AI can automate reporting, analyze operational data, identify trends, and free management teams to spend more time improving customer experience.

Good data leads to better decisions. Understanding KPIs, customer behavior, and operational performance is becoming increasingly important for both growth and future business valuation.

The outlook remains optimistic. Despite economic uncertainty, Jeff and Chris believe the industry is entering another active period of investment, acquisitions, and long-term growth for well-run operators.

(:23)Kendra Johnson sits down at ICA Headquarters with Jeff Pavone, Founding Partner of Amplify Capital Group and Chris Jenks, Amplify Partner and CEO

(2:09) Jeff talks about the “why” of Amplify.

(2:43) Chris Talks about operator first vs. opportunity first

(3:57) People say the market has slowed down. Jeff talks about this point of view and what’s surprised him most in the market this year.

(6:54) With the movement in the credit shift – Kendra asked about the appetite for investment.

(8:38) Jeff identifies one of the biggest lessons learned

(9:52) Chris talks about value creation and his biggest surprise and new tunnels vs. reloads

(12:30) Operational excellence – who is Jeff keeping his eye on? And, why he thinks we’re at the single best time of alignment between buyers and sellers.

(16:50) Are some of the regions coming up surprising Jeff?

(18:22) What are retail customers telling us today that they weren’t telling us a year ago?

(20:33) What are the things popping up that make Jeff so optimistic about the car wash industry?

(23:11) Chris talks about what shifts he’s seeing that might be a signal for things to come.

(24:00) What about fragmentation?

(26:36) How does a smaller site operator succeed?

(28:31) How can companies use AI to be more successful?

(33:33) Jeff talks about what “good” looks like.

(32:26) Crystal ball ideas from both Jeff and Chris…let’s look forward.

(35:02) And Chris adds…as far as activity in the next year…”buckle up”!

(32:12) Both Jeff and Chris address the amount and accuracy of information…and how Amplify helps people learn what’s meaningful.

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What does it take to transform a struggling car wash into a thriving business—and then successfully double in size within a year? In this episode of Car Wash Exchange, host Rich DiPaolo sits down with Jonathan Roldan, co-owner of Brightside Car Wash, to discuss the lessons he's learned since acquiring and revitalizing his first location before expanding to a second.

Drawing on his background as a U.S. Army veteran, Jonathan explains how military leadership principles, disciplined operating systems and a culture of leading by example have shaped Brightside's rapid growth. He shares why success depends on building systems instead of relying on one person, how preventive maintenance and standard operating procedures have become the backbone of his operation, and why customer memberships are critical to long-term stability.

Beyond operations, Jonathan discusses his commitment to serving the Naperville community through Brightside's "Wash With a Purpose" initiative, which donates a portion of membership sales to local nonprofits selected by customers. He also shares his long-term vision for Brightside University, a program designed to help military veterans transition into successful careers—and eventually business ownership—within the car wash industry.

Whether you're an owner looking to scale, an entrepreneur considering the industry, or a veteran searching for your next mission, Jonathan offers practical advice on leadership, planning, teamwork and building a business with purpose.

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Key Takeaways

· Scaling requires systems, not superheroes. Jonathan explains why operating multiple locations demands standardized procedures, clear documentation and strong training rather than relying on one person.

· Military leadership translates well to business. Principles like accountability, preventive maintenance, teamwork and leading by example have become the foundation of Brightside's culture.

· Community creates customer loyalty. Brightside's "Wash With a Purpose" program allows customers to support local nonprofits while purchasing memberships, strengthening both customer relationships and community impact.

· Memberships provide stability. After experiencing every season in business, Jonathan says recurring memberships help offset weather-related fluctuations and create predictable revenue.

· Leadership means earning respect. Jonathan believes leaders should never ask employees to do work they aren't willing to do themselves, regularly working alongside his team.

· Veterans have valuable business skills. Leadership, discipline and work ethic make veterans strong candidates for careers in the car wash industry, and Jonathan hopes to build a pathway for them through Brightside University.

· Do your homework before buying a car wash. Jonathan stresses researching demographics, traffic patterns, equipment condition, maintenance history and financial performance before making an investment.

· Build a team that complements your strengths. No owner excels at everything, making trusted advisors and skilled team members essential for sustainable growth.

· Always maintain access to capital. Unexpected expenses are inevitable, making financial reserves a necessity rather than a luxury.

· Growth is fueled by purpose. As Brightside celebrates its first anniversary and second location, Jonathan remains focused on serving customers, supporting his community and creating opportunities for others.

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What does it take to scale from a regional operator to one of the industry's fastest-growing car wash companies? On this episode of Car Wash Exchange, Rich DiPaolo sits down with Dan Pittman, Chairman and CEO of Summit Wash Holdings, to explore the strategy behind Summit's remarkable expansion—particularly its rapid growth in New Jersey.

Founded in 2021, Summit Wash Holdings has quickly become one of the nation's largest express car wash operators, with more than 100 locations across multiple states. Rather than chasing growth for growth's sake, Summit has focused on building a scalable organization rooted in culture, operational systems, data intelligence and talent development.

Dan explains that the company's headline-making acquisition of 22 New Jersey locations in less than a year was actually the result of more than three years of preparation. That groundwork included investing heavily in employee training, building a sophisticated "data lake" that integrates operational, financial, marketing and customer information, and creating processes capable of rapidly integrating acquisitions.

You’ll hear why Summit viewed New Jersey as an overlooked opportunity despite its permitting challenges and fragmented ownership, how patience ultimately led to acquiring CJ's Car Wash, and why culture remains the foundation of every growth decision. Dan also shares how Summit balances discipline with aggressive expansion, the importance of hiring "humble, hungry and smart" team members, and why flexibility, trust and strong relationships have been just as critical as financial analysis in the company's success.

Whether you're managing a single location or planning your next acquisition, this conversation offers valuable insights into building an organization that can grow without sacrificing its culture.

Episode Notes:

Rapid growth doesn't happen overnight—it happens through years of preparation.

On this episode of Car Wash Exchange, Rich DiPaolo welcomes Dan Pittman, Chairman and CEO of Summit Wash Holdings, to discuss how one of the industry's fastest-growing operators built the foundation for explosive expansion. Summit Wash Holdings has grown to more than 100 locations by focusing on scalable systems, intentional culture and disciplined acquisitions. Dan shares the lessons behind the company's successful New Jersey growth strategy, why investing in people and data came long before rapid expansion, and how Summit continues to identify opportunities while staying true to its values. It's an inside look at the leadership principles driving one of the industry's most ambitious growth stories.

(1:35) Dan talks about the years of dramatic growth for Summit Wash. Think of Culture, Systems and Talent that are all scalable!

(5:39) What did Summit see in the New Jersey market that they felt it was an untapped market and a great opportunity?

(7:44) Dan tells the story of the acquisition of CJ’s Car Wash.

(9:28) How did the on-the-ground systems they implemented work for them?

(11:05) Learn about Summit’s commitment to culture and what that actually means…humble, hungry, smart! Also, be fast and flexible!

(12:54) Hear about their data lake and what they do with the information they have.

(14:18) Dan walks us through an example of having to make tough choices in selecting sites

(17:20) What other places are under consideration in addition to New Jersey?

(18:28) What did the growth pace reveal about Summit, and would they do it again or differently?

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At The Car Wash Show 2026 in Nashville, Kendra Johnson sits down with Carl Howard, Founder and CEO of GenrRev and owner of Autobell Car Wash, and Sam Short, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of GenrRev, to discuss the future of technology in the car wash industry.

Born from years of frustration with legacy systems, GenrRev was created to address common operator challenges such as expensive hardware, system downtime, disconnected software platforms, and customer experiences that fail to meet modern expectations. Drawing on Carl's decades of operational experience and Sam's background in hospitality technology, the pair explain how today's consumers expect the same seamless convenience they receive from brands like Starbucks, Uber, and Amazon.

The conversation explores how operators can eliminate friction, simplify technology stacks, improve membership management, gain real-time operational insights, and create a better experience for customers and employees alike. Carl and Sam also explain why innovation isn't simply about adopting new technology—it's about solving real operational problems, improving efficiency, and making life easier for everyone involved.

Whether you're a single-site owner or a large multi-location operator, this episode offers practical insights into how cloud-based technology, operational intelligence, and customer-first thinking can help drive growth, reduce complexity, and position your business for the future.

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On this episode of Car Wash Exchange, we’re joined by Dee Ann Turner, former Vice President of Talent at Chick-fil-A and a leading voice in organizational culture and people development.

With more than three decades of experience helping shape one of the most recognized service cultures in business, Dee Ann brings a powerful perspective on what it really takes to build—and sustain—a high-performing team. She shares why most organizations overcomplicate culture, and how focusing on just three core elements can transform both employee engagement and customer experience.

From hiring for character to creating “second mile” service moments that customers never forget, this conversation is packed with insights tailored specifically for car wash operators navigating today’s workforce and customer expectations.

If you’re looking to strengthen your team, improve retention, and create a culture that truly sets your business apart—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Key Takeaways

1. Culture isn’t complicated—most businesses just overcomplicate it.

2. Purpose drives performance.

3. Hire for character, not just skill.

4. Owners are the Chief Culture Officers.

5. Hospitality exists—even without people.

6. “Second mile service” creates loyalty.

7. Culture shows up most when things go wrong.

8. Avoid the “fad of the month” trap.

9. Be transparent and involve your team.

10. Great culture reduces turnover—and fuels hiring.

(2:50) Dee Ann talks about her time at Chick-fil-A and how culture can be done right. And the three parts that make up a remarkable culture. Choose a meaningful purpose – Have a challenging mission – Demonstrate the core values.

(5:19) Why are these three parts important to today’s car wash culture?

(6:22) Is there any reason for an owner/operator to not be transparent?

(7:40) What’s the difference between what’s being invested in and what’s being delivered? And what does hospitality look like when there are no people on site?

(10:31) What does the 10-minute hiring conversation look like? Start with character.

(13:00) What separates a team that rises to the occasion from a team that falls apart? Being remarkable…. Hear stories of “being remarkable”!

(17:03) Dee Ann tells a personal story of her car and why it means so much to her.

(18:12) What’s “first mile” and “second mile” service?

(19:05) What’s a common mistake that leaders make in trying to create culture?

(21:18) At one point when does culture become difficult to scale?

(23:16) What are two or three things that signal to the team that the leader is serious and committed to culture?

(25:11) How is the car wash business the same as Chick-fil-A?

(26:58) What’s Dee Ann most looking forward to at The Car Wash Show?

Come hear Dee Ann speak at this year’s Car Wash Show!

Find out more about The Car Wash Show happening on May 11 -13, 2026

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We all know a clean, dry, shiny car isn’t enough anymore. In today’s competitive car wash landscape, the real question is—what makes a customer choose your wash, stay loyal, and spend more?

In this episode of ICA’s Car Wash Exchange, we dive into new data that answers exactly that.

Host James Risley is joined by Laura Moriarty, Creative Director at National Car Wash Solutions, and Bob Klein, Director of Research at ICA, to explore a custom Pulse Intelligence study on branded chemistry—featuring Armor All, Rain-X, and Black Magic.

What they found is striking: customers are willing to pay more, drive farther, and even switch car washes based on trusted brands. This isn’t just perception—it’s measurable behavior.

If you’re looking for real ways to differentiate your wash, increase revenue, and strengthen customer loyalty, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Key Takeaways

• 66% of consumers say brand-name chemistry matters
• Customers will pay ~$3 more per wash for branded chemistry
• Drivers are willing to travel up to 10 minutes farther
• 61% of members would upgrade for branded offerings
• 52% of non-members would consider switching washes
• Branding isn’t just marketing—it directly impacts revenue, retention, and acquisition

(1:23) What challenge did NCS have when they reached out to ICA?

(2:18) Why was this research important today?

(2:52) why did NCS Choose to reach out to ICA?

(3:58) Bob gives an overview of the project and what ICA needed to do.

(4:35) What did the research look like – Bob lays out the problem and process.

(5:44) What stood out in the survey’s results? Laura walks through the numbers.

(10:00) Was there anything that surprised Laura about the results?

(11:05) Bob goes deeper into the results.

(11:50) What did NCS do with the results – how did they leverage them?

(14:02) Bob talks about more of the specifics about how the data was used with Pulse Custom Intelligence.

(15:20) Laura talks about the biggest value the study provided.

(16:23) What was it about Pulse Custom Intelligence made working with ICA and Bob the right decision?

(19:18) James talks more about this study and ICA Pulse Custom Intelligence

For more information on NCS go to https://ncswash.com/branded-chemistry/.

Reach out to Bob Klein at bklein@carwash.org for more information on Pulse Custom Intelligence

Find out more about The Car Wash Show happening on May 11 -13, 2026

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In this episode of ICA’s Car Wash Connections, host Kendra Johnson sits down with sit down with Josh Taylor CMO of OptSpot and Jenny Beadle Marketing Specialist at Micrologic to talk about the opportunity most operators are missing - retail customers who come a few times a year—and then disappear.

Together, they break down how a simple, well-executed loyalty program can transform those anonymous transactions into trackable, repeat behavior—and why connecting that program to SMS marketing is the key to making it actually work.

They unpack the real purpose of a loyalty program (hint: it’s not discounts), the massive financial upside of increasing visit frequency, and how connecting loyalty with SMS marketing creates a powerful, automated growth engine.

From real revenue numbers to common mistakes operators make, this conversation is all about practical, actionable strategies you can implement right away—no matter what tech stack you’re using.

Whether you’re running one location or scaling multiple sites, this conversation delivers a clear, practical blueprint to capture more data, drive more visits, and unlock revenue you’re currently leaving on the table.

(1:01) Meet Josh Taylor and Jenny Beetle

(2:05) What is the conversation that the industry isn’t having about membership and loyalty programs?

(3:33) What are the tech things that operators just aren’t using…even though they already have it?

(4:30) Loyalty is more than just showing us…Josh explains what operators are really doing. You can’t grow what you can’t see.

(7:56) Jenny explains the operator and customer experiences.

(9:54) Kendra and Josh talk about the components of a great loyalty program.

(12:24) What kind of revenue is actually being left on the table by operators? Josh explains.

(14:14) Jenny talks about some of the hurdles operators face when they create a loyalty program.

(15:43) Josh walks us through a good loyalty program with attainable goals.

(18:15) Jenny talks about why it’s so important to lean into an SMS program.

(19:24) Josh shares the stats for text message marketing. 98% are opened! 90% are read in the first three minutes with a 40% redemption rate.

(21:40) Josh explains how to maximize a 160-character SMS message.

(25:02) What’s a connected system and how does it work? Jenny explains.

(27:40) Hear about the creation of the OptSpot and Micrologic partnership.

(29:40) Jenny talks about how the Micrologic team reacted to this partnership.

(31:34) How does an operator start a relationship with OptSpot and MicroLogis and what should they be thinking about in the conversation with them? Make sure your program is legal and effective!

(34:35) Final thoughts? Jenny says consider going from reactive to proactive. And Josh adds if you do your program right your system will enable you to see more cars and more revenue.

Find out more about The Car Wash Show happening on May 11 -13, 2026

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Behind every smooth, efficient car wash is a complex ecosystem of motors, pumps, controls, and data working quietly behind the scenes. In this episode of ICA’s Car Wash Connections, host Kendra Johnson sits down with Tim Hider of Mitsubishi Electric Automation to unpack how those systems come together—and why control, data, and reliability matter more than ever for today’s car wash operators. From variable frequency drives and internal PLCs to predictive maintenance, networking, and embedded AI, this conversation explores how decades of industrial automation experience are shaping the future of the car wash industry. Tim also shares Mitsubishi Electric’s long history in harsh industrial environments, its deep involvement in the car wash space, and what operators should consider as they plan for growth, efficiency, and uptime in 2026 and beyond.

About Mitsubishi Electric Automation
Mitsubishi Electric is a global industrial technology leader with more than 100 years of history. Mitsubishi Electric Automation, the industrial automation arm of the company, has operated in North America for over 40 years and has supported the car wash industry for more than two decades. Known for high-quality variable frequency drives, PLCs, HMIs, networking solutions, and motion control technologies, Mitsubishi Electric focuses on durability, precision, and long-term reliability—especially in demanding, wet, and harsh environments like car washes. While the Mitsubishi name spans many industries, Mitsubishi Electric Automation specifically designs and manufactures the industrial components that serve as the “brains and nervous system” behind automated operations.

About Tim Hider
Tim Hider is Industry Marketing Manager at Mitsubishi Electric Automation. He brings more than 15 years of experience in automotive automation engineering and has spent the past 10 years with Mitsubishi Electric. His background bridges high-precision automotive manufacturing and the evolving needs of the car wash industry, where automation, data, and uptime are increasingly critical. Tim works closely with OEMs, distributors, and operators to apply proven industrial technologies to real-world car wash challenges.

(3:24) Tim explains how all the electronic components come together behind the scenes.

(4:41) Tim goes back 100 years to explain Mitsubishi’s history and involvement in the car wash industry where they have been active for more than 20 years.

(6:12) Car wash sub-systems? Tim explains what they all are and what they do.

(8:55) A carwash is a series of systems. Tim explains several of the technologies that makes this all work together. Learn about internal PLC and PID

(11:10) It’s all about giving the operator control – Tim talks about some of the issues related to this and how it helps the team running the car wash.

(14:40) What can operators look to do to improve their business in 2026?

(16:02) Learn about the history of Mitsubishi’s history in this industry.

(17:35) What are the compelling reasons to dive into the Mitsubishi products?

(18:58) What impact does AI have?

(21:30) What’s IGBT? Tim explains!

(23:54) Tim talks about networking and explains why Mitsubishi is a “motion house”!

(26:08) What should an operator do with all of the data the get from these systems? Well…it depends!

(28:22) What can operators expect from the rare instance of failure?

(30:23) Why choose Mitsubishi Electric? Hear the elevator pitch!

Find out more about The Car Wash Show happening on May 11 -13, 2026.

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In this episode of ICA’s Car Wash Connections, host Kendra Johnson sits down with leaders from Solve Industrial Motion Group to tackle one of the most critical — and often overlooked — drivers of uptime and profitability in a car wash: bearings and power transmission components. Guests Rob Schoenherr, VP of Sales, and Ryan Linke, Regional Vice President, break down how the harsh realities of the car wash environment impact component life, why failures happen, and what operators can do to move from reactive fixes to smarter, predictive maintenance strategies.

Solve Industrial Motion Group specializes in bearings, power transmission, and motion control solutions, with a strong focus on total cost of ownership and real-world performance. Their approach blends product innovation, such as car-wash-specific bearing designs, with hands-on field service and engineering support aimed at extending component life, reducing maintenance labor, and keeping washes running when it matters most. Drawing on decades of industry experience — including firsthand ownership of tunnel car washes — Rob and Ryan share practical insights, real success stories, and actionable guidance operators can use to protect revenue, avoid downtime, and get more cars through the wash.

(3:23 Rob explains what bearing and transmission components play in a car wash…and why they’re important.

(5:05) What type of maintenance do bearings require?

(6:07) Why do bearings fail?

(6:59) What type of unexpected bearing failures have Rob seen?

(8:34) How does the car wash environment affect a smooth bearing operation?

(9:55) What are common types of bearing failures?

(10:59) Are there predictive maintenance items an operator can take to prevent failure?

(12:05) What solutions are available to ease bearing operation?

(14:15) Rob talks in-depth about the factors that drive bearing R & D and manufacturing.

(16:20) Hear about the measurable benefits in a few success stories.

(18:09) They talk “lifetime” of use.

(18:44) what other products does Solve provide for their customers?

(21:37) Learn about the services of the SOLVE field sales/service team.

(22:33) Go to www.solveindistrial.com for more information.

Find out more about The Car Wash Show happening on May 11 -13, 2026

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In this episode, ICA CEO Eric Wulf sits down with economist Alex Chausovsky, Director of Analytics at The Bundy Group - a business intelligence and analytics firm that helps organizations anticipate change, manage risk, and identify opportunity through data-driven insights, for a clear-eyed look at the U.S. economy and what business leaders should be paying attention to right now. Alex breaks down today’s uneven economic reality through the lens of a K-shaped economy, where growth, opportunity, and pressure are not being felt equally across industries or income groups.

The conversation explores how industrial and consumer sectors are diverging, why spending remains resilient despite inflation fatigue, and what jobs data, consumer debt, housing, and interest rates reveal about where the economy may be headed. From AI-driven infrastructure investment to the challenges facing younger workers and middle-income households, Alex helps translate complex data into practical insights for operators, investors, and leaders trying to make informed decisions in a highly uncertain environment.

(:40) How is the US Economy doing right now? Alex breaks this into two parts and talks about a K-shaped economy.

(4:45) Jobs, debt and wages. Alex weighs in on each of these, where things are right now and how they could affect future spending. Alex quotes the Consumer Spending Panel Report and the K-Shaped economy.

(12:55) Eric asked about job concerns for recent graduates and their concerns about entering the job market.

(16:12) What other consumer events and choices might influence on spending…such as mortgages. (70% are on ARM’s right now). Also learn about the Fed’s different interest rates and how they influence the economy.

(20:55) Eric asks if the economy is currently building toward growth.

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In this episode, ICA SVP of Growth Kendra Johnson sits down with Kyle Doyle, Vice President at Salespath, to discuss what separates high-performing frontline sales teams from those that struggle—especially in the car wash industry. Salespath is a sales enablement and coaching platform built specifically for frontline teams, integrating point-of-sale data, performance tracking, and AI-powered coaching tools to help operators improve consistency, accountability, and conversion rates at the site level.

Kyle shares how simple, repeatable sales scripts, consistent coaching, and data-driven insights create muscle memory for frontline employees, reduce sales fatigue, and improve the customer experience. The conversation explores the critical role of site managers in reinforcing best practices, how small behavioral improvements compound over time, and why even modest gains in conversion rates can drive meaningful revenue growth.

(1:40) Kyle talks about the indicators he’s seeing in the marketplace that identifies the difference between the high and lower performers. Scripts and practice sessions are key. Let’s also talk about muscle memory!

(5:20) What are the four important components of a good script? Warm greeting, explain value, validate, make the offer.

(7:46) Learn how to validate customer choices.

(8:50) Kyle explains coaching and what it looks like for the operator and site managers.

(13:00) Learn about how to hold weekly sales meetings and how make them effective.

(16:10) Kyle explains how consistent practice of small behaviors compound and have great results.

(16:57) Learn the 36-month value of a member vs. the value of a retain customer and the difference that small conversion rates can make.

(17:46) How does someone get started with Salespath?

(19:20) What is Kyle seeing in the shifts in culture from those who are working on a sales system?

(21:26) How do you begin to layer in Salespath and make it actionable?

(23:40) How often does Salespath check in with clients using Salespath

(26:30) Join Kendra and Kyle in future episodes for updates on sales tips and trends

Listen to the full episode at carwashmagazine.com and subscribe to ICA for timely data, trusted insights, and business intelligence built for the car wash community.

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In this episode, ICA CEO Eric Wulf sits down with a living legend of the car-wash world: Henry Dubinsky, founder of Waterway Carwash and the newest inductee to the Car Wash Hall of Fame. Named among the industry’s greatest, Dubinsky joins a long line of pioneers whose innovations shaped the way America washes cars.

Henry reflects on a storied career — from law school and a stint at a major accounting firm, to the unlikely path that led him into the car-wash business. He shares how Waterway evolved from its humble beginnings in a St. Louis suburb in 1970 to become a respected, multi-state operation.

(1:00) Henry begins with his story…where he grew-up and how he got into the carwash business. Hear his story about law school, working for Arthur Anderson and how this pointed him on the road to the car wash business.

(4:26) What were his businesses’ clear points of differentiation? And hear about his third-generation employees.

(6:09) How did Henry navigate working with family…and having his son Bob work with him? What advice would he offer to families in similar situations?

(7:55) How have Bob’s business ideas evolved? Learn about The Clean Car Club membership program.

(10:55) How had the industry evolved since Henry’s involvement? And how does Hanry maintain a sense of closeness with his employees?

(12:55) What are some of the charitable groups Henry spends his time supporting?

(14:10) He talks about his early days with the ICA and some of the key decision points he’s seen shape the industry.

(15:45) What advise does Henry have for private investors wanting to get into the industry? Would he do it again today and why?

(18:04) What were henry’s thoughts as he accepted the ICA Award?

Listen to the full episode at carwashmagazine.com and subscribe to ICA for timely data, trusted insights, and business intelligence built for the car wash community.

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In this episode of Conversations With ICA, ICA CEO Eric Wulf sits down with ICA Research Director Bob Klein for a deep dive into the Q3 2025 state of the car wash industry, consumer behavior, and economic trends. Together, they explore how today’s market dynamics—rising costs, shifting customer expectations, and a changing economy—are shaping the way both retailers and suppliers approach growth, customer experience, and long-term strategy.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The “headline” trends defining the current state of the economy and their impact on car wash consumer behavior
• Why customer fatigue may be more perception than reality
• How retailers can balance value-driven customers with experience-focused business models
• The emotional and behavioral differences between subscribers and retail customers
• What data tells us about optimism and market confidence in the post-COVID era
• The outlook for retailer and supplier sentiment heading into 2025
• Key indicators and research areas ICA is watching for in the year ahead

Episode Highlights

(1:05) Eric invites Bob to provide his “headline” for the current state of the economy and how this effects people’s wanting to go to a car wash.

(2:56) Eric questions the existence of “customer fatigue” in washing their cars. Bob talks about where the retailer’s focus is today…enriching the customer experience with differentiation.

(5:57) With a customer focus on value and a retailer focused on experience…can the two co-exist? Bob addresses the critical nature of a good experience.

(8:53) Is this customer experience an investment for all customer types – subscribers and transactional/retail?

(12:19) The percentage of subscribers who look forward to their washes is notably larger that a transcriber customer. What can be be done to increase this transcriber experience? Bob explains the three types of customer cohorts – acquaintances, friends and lovers – and how to communicate with each.

(15:30) On the retail side the data shows that optimism has declined. Bob explains why following record growth rates during Covid.

(18:42) What are the concerns retailers have about over-saturation? And yet, retailers are still very optimistic about the potential growth in subscriptions.

(20:20) What about supplier sentiment? Bob addresses this can cost-of-goods and the state of the economy.

(23:15) What key points will Bob be watching as future indicators in Q4 2025? Bob is actually excited about customers’ future intended behavior and the emotions they are feeling. Look for abundant attitudinal research.

That was a segment from the latest in Conversations with ICA. If you want to hear the full version, visit car wash magazine dot com to listen for free. While you’re there, subscribe to ICA to always receive the latest stories, insights and research from the International Carwash Association.

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In this episode of Conversations with ICA, Kendra Johnson SVP Growth - ICA talks with Derrick Burton Creative Design Supervisor DRB/Suds and Tasha Luttrell Account Coordinator DRB/Suds to explore what it really means to create a VIP experience in the car wash industry. SUDS is DRB’s marketing and data insights division that provides actionable analytics, creative strategy, and customized marketing solutions to help car wash operators grow memberships, increase customer engagement, and fine-tune their business performance. By turning data into strategy, SUDS empowers operators to better understand and serve their customers.

Together, Derrick and Tasha dive into how car wash operators can elevate their customer journey through thoughtful design, organization, and authenticity—ensuring their brand stands out in a crowded market.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What defines a true VIP experience—and why it matters for your brand.

• How exclusivity can backfire if not carefully balanced.

• The role of design and marketing in shaping the customer experience.

• Steps to get started creating your own VIP program.

• How SUDS leverages data and insights to enhance customer relationships and drive growth.

Episode Highlights

(1:08) Derrick kicks off the conversation by defining a VIP experience. The three points paramount t this is being true to your brand, being novel/unique and personal.

(4:25) Why is being too exclusive possible detrimental?

(5:48) How does the design and marketing of the VIP experience effect the customer?

(8:40) Why should an operator go through the process of creating a VIP experience?

(9:36) What are the best placements for the customer experience…what’s important? Start with being organized and clean in your overall presentation.

(13:53) What are the steps to get started on a VIP experience? Derrick walks through the steps.

(14:40) Tasha reiterates being true to your brand and being part of a neighborhood.

(15:45) And now…what’s unique about SUDS?

(16:57) Derrick adds that SUDS has an amazing amount of data they share with their customers

(18:47) Kendra summarizes the conversation and points out the memorable points from the conversation.

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In today’s express tunnel environment, your point-of-sale system isn’t just how you process transactions—it’s your operational heartbeat. From managing memberships to powering reporting and capturing customer data, it runs the show. But the biggest results appear when your POS connects seamlessly with other systems like license plate recognition, CRM platforms, tunnel controllers, and marketing automation tools. Integrations transform a simple gate scan into a churn alert, a personalized upsell, or a perfectly timed win back offer—without anyone lifting a finger.

In this episode, Kendra Johnson, SVP of Growth at the International Carwash Association, talks with two experts from Rinsed: Braxton McKee, Senior Content Marketing Manager, and Jon Murphy, Team Lead for Car Wash Infrastructure. Together, they break down why POS integrations are non-negotiable, how they influence membership and marketing strategies, and what operators risk if they don’t connect their systems.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What a modern, well-integrated POS system looks like under the hood
• Why integrations are critical for today’s high-volume express washes
• How POS data drives membership marketing and retention strategies
• The difference between a connected POS and a siloed one
• Common mistakes operators make when marketing without POS integration
• The biggest risks operators face if they don’t integrate their tech stack

Episode Highlights

(:30) Meet Braxton McKee, Sr. Content Marketing Manager at Rinsed.

(1:45) Now meet Jon Murphy, Team Lead at Rinsed and learn the unique perspectives he brings to the table.

(2:45) What does a modern, well-connected Point of Sale System look like?

(3:53) How does Braxton position data integration and use?

(5:20) What are some real-time applications for this data?

(7:03) Has it been proven that using data will move the needle on what matters to operators?

(8:03) How does this data interactivity affect the back of the hours? Tunnel controls, 3rd party camera systems and POS.

(9:46) What are the two biggest barriers faced in using data? Layering data and expense.

(11:49) What’s the biggest risk of NOT integrating?

(12:55) What’s the biggest risk for the mid-tier operator?

(15:20) Look forward to more insights from Rinsed coming soon!

Be sure to join ICA at Roadmap, November 3–4 in Dallas, TX, for two days of learning across Sales, Marketing, HR, and Operations. Registration is open now at carwashroadmap.com.

Listen to full episodes at carwashmagazine.com and subscribe to ICA for timely data, trusted insights, and business intelligence built for the car wash community.

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In this episode of Conversations with ICA, Kendra Johnson SVP Growth - ICA sits down with Alison Amira, Senior Director of Product for Engagement Solutions at DRB - a leading provider of technology solutions in the car wash industry, specializing in point-of-sale (POS) systems, tunnel management software, and business optimization tools. Established in 1984, DRB serves a diverse range of car wash operators, from single-site businesses to large multi-location chains.

Alison brings extensive experience helping car wash operators leverage technology to drive revenue, grow memberships, and reduce churn. They discuss the challenges the industry faced in 2024, current operational pressures, and strategies for success in the latter half of 2025.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Key challenges the car wash industry faced in 2024 and today
• How disconnected technology can affect revenue and customer experience
• Strategies for driving retail sales, growing memberships, and reducing churn
• Practical ways operators can use data and technology to make better decisions
• Trends and tools that will shape the customer experience in the second half of 2025

Episode Highlights

(:49) Going back to 2024, What were some of the challenges the car wash industry faced? Higher interest rates, labor pressures, membership churn and rising cost of goods to start.

(3:45) Fast forward to today, what pressures are operators facing now?

(4:57) What are the front lines facing technology wise? These are both challenges AND growth!

(6:30) Ali talks about dashboards and how mismatched data reports can affect sales.

(10:42) Ali addresses three critical pillars …revenue, membership and churn.

(14:00) What are some of the modern strategies available to market to customers and prospects? SMS vs. email! Make it easy to say yes…AND say no!

(17:33) How are operators addressing churn both voluntary and involuntary?

(20:46) What does Alison encourage operators to focus on the latter half of 2025? Look for customer apps!

Be sure to join ICA at Roadmap, November 3–4 in Dallas, TX, for two days of learning across Sales, Marketing, HR, and Operations. Registration is open now at carwashroadmap.com.

Listen to full episodes at carwashmagazine.com and subscribe to ICA for timely data, trusted insights, and business intelligence built for the car wash community.

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In this episode, Kendra Johnson, SVP of Growth at the International Carwash Association, sits down with Bethany Adams, Associate Director of Marketing & Strategy for Villanova University’s Graduate Programs in Human Resource Development. With more than 15 years of experience across small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, and higher education, Bethany brings a unique and practical perspective on the evolving role of HR.

She is an educator, strategist, and consultant whose passion lies in helping organizations cultivate authentic engagement, develop leaders at every level, and align culture with business goals. At Roadmap 2025, Bethany will lead a workshop on recruitment, retention, and the critical shift in how organizations think about employee expectations.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why today’s workforce requires a new approach to leadership and engagement
• How HR strategy differs across small businesses, corporations, and higher education
• The concept of “leading the leader” and why it matters now
• Practical ways to make engagement part of everyday culture
• Common strategies that miss the mark and how to rethink them
• How to use creativity in solving day-to-day challenges through “Action Labs”
• What the future of employee check-ins might look like

Episode Highlights

(1:00) Working with small businesses, Fortune 500 companies and now higher education gives Bethany a unique perspective on the role of HR. She explains the finer points of her perspective.

(1:49) Why is it timely to learn about leading the leader? It’s the societal shift! She outlines the new employee expectations and how she will address these in her workshop at this year’s Roadmap conference.

(4:30) What are a couple of the areas Bethany will cover? She will highlight how to action and strategize engagement and how to create culture and make this a part of your strategy. Think emotional intelligence!

(7:50) So, what strategies aren’t working? Well, engagement and what it really means regarding the responsibility of the organization to create an atmosphere that allow people to be engaged. It doesn’t always have to be big…sometimes a simple check in is powerful.

(10:47) What is the “Action Lab” portion of her workshop? It’s about thinking creatively about problems you face during the day and how to solve for them.

(13:12) What does Bethany find powerful going forward? She talks about the future “check-in”.

Seats are limited for Bethnay’s November 3rd workshop at Roadmap – so sign up today!

Join ICA at Roadmap, November 3–4 in Dallas, TX, for two days of learning across Sales, Marketing, HR, and Operations. Registration is open now at carwashroadmap.com.

Listen to full episodes at carwashmagazine.com and subscribe to ICA for timely data, trusted insights, and business intelligence built for the car wash community.

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In this episode ICA Senior Vice President/ Growth Kendra Johnson sits down with the leadership team Adam Trien – CEO/CTO, Dylan von Kleist VP of Marketing and Sales and Matt Osher CFO and Head of Data Analytics from AMP, a technology company focused on helping car wash operators thrive through data-driven insights, customer engagement tools, and innovative app-based solutions.

Adam, Dylan and Matt share the story of how AMP’s app was developed, the challenges and game-changing moments that shaped its growth, and how the company has partnered with NCS to further expand its reach.

The conversation highlights how AMP leverages the massive amount of data it collects—turning numbers into meaningful, actionable insights for operators. From customer behavior and demographics to marketing strategies and loyalty programs, the team discusses how their reports are designed to answer the real-world questions operators face every day.

Episode Highlights:

• How the AMP app was created and the pivotal moments that drove growth
• The impact of becoming a partner with NCS
• What AMP does with the data it collects—and how operators benefit
• Key findings from the report, including volume trends by region and demographics
• How AMP connects data to make it relevant and useful for operators
• Insights into customer behavior: generational differences, gender-based patterns, and loyalty program value
• Practical tips for leveraging AMP reports to improve marketing and reduce churn
• The future promise of the car wash industry and AMP’s role in it

This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how technology and analytics are shaping the next generation of success for the car wash industry.

Listen to the full episode at carwashmagazine.com and subscribe to ICA for timely data, trusted insights, and business intelligence built for the car wash community.

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In this episode, Kendra Johnson SVP Growth at ICA sits down with Cormac Acevedo Lean Coach at Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI) – a nonprofit education, publishing, research, and conference organization dedicated to advancing lean thinking and practice across industries - for a preview of what he and his team will share at this year’s ICA Roadmap in Dallas. Cormac draws from his experience at the Lean Enterprise Institute to explain how lean principles can help car wash operators solve problems, improve processes, and create stronger, more resilient businesses.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why lean problem-solving is essential for car wash operators navigating today’s fast-paced environment.
• The critical difference between solving problems (reacting to issues) and solving for improvements (changing the process for the better).
• Why the ability to problem-solve is more valuable than ever in an industry facing workforce, supply chain, and operational challenges.
• The concept of “learn by doing”—why success doesn’t come from practice alone, but from experimenting, applying, and adjusting in real time.
• A preview of how Cormac and his team will help Roadmap attendees not only learn lean principles but also apply them to daily operations.
• An introduction to practical problem solving: what it is, its components, and how to make it part of everyday management.
• A breakdown of PDCA (Plan–Do–Check–Adjust), how it drives continuous improvement, and why it’s a cornerstone of lean thinking.

Episode Highlights

• (1:22) Best practices car wash operators need to adopt now
• (2:45) Problem-solving vs. process improvement explained
• (4:10) Why strong problem-solving skills are mission critical
• (6:22) “Learn by doing” and why it matters
• (9:27) How the LEI team will help audiences at Roadmap
• (12:09) What “practical problem solving” looks like in operations
• (14:40) PDCA and how it drives continuous improvement

Join ICA at Roadmap, November 3–4 in Dallas, TX, for two days of learning across Sales, Marketing, HR, and Operations. Registration is open now at carwashroadmap.com.

Listen to the full episode at carwashmagazine.com and subscribe to ICA for timely data, trusted insights, and business intelligence built for the car wash community.

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In this episode, Kendra Johnson ICA SVP/Growth sits down with Josh Taylor, CMO at OptSpot. Josh provides a preview of his session at this year’s Roadmap event in Dallas.

In this episode, Kendra Johnson speaks with Josh Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer at OptSpot a leading customer engagement platform designed to help car washes connect with customers through automated text, email, and loyalty solutions. Josh offers a preview of his upcoming Roadmap session in Dallas, where he will share how the Story Brand Framework can transform the way car washes communicate with their customers.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The fundamentals of the Story Brand Framework and why it matters for car wash marketing
• How shifting the focus from your business to your customer builds stronger connections
• Practical strategies you can implement immediately to simplify your messaging
• What to expect from Josh’s interactive session at Roadmap Dallas
• How clear storytelling makes marketing easier and more effective for operators

Episode Highlights
(1:20) Defining the Story Brand Framework and its importance in helping car washes stand out in a crowded market.
(4:50) Why positioning the customer as the hero creates more impactful messaging.
(8:15) Preview of actionable takeaways from Josh’s Roadmap session and how attendees can apply them right away.
(12:30) What to expect during the interactive presentation at Roadmap Dallas.
(15:23) Josh shares his ultimate goal: making life easier for operators when it comes to marketing their car wash.

Join ICA at Roadmap, November 3–4 in Dallas, TX, for two days of learning across Sales, Marketing, HR, and Operations. Registration is open now at www.carwashroadmap.com.

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In this episode, ICA SVP of Growth Kendra Johnson sits down with renowned sales strategist Colleen Francis—President and Founder of Engage Selling Solutions and a featured speaker at ROADMAP 2025, happening November 3–4 in Dallas, Texas.

Colleen brings powerful insights into how car wash operators can attract more customers, deliver better experiences, and differentiate themselves in a rapidly evolving market. She explores:

• Why building trust is more critical than ever as consumers’ confidence in themselves continues to shift
• The changing landscape of competition, from traditional rivals to unexpected disruptors
• The critical difference between selling and helping and the concept of making the customer’s life easier.

You'll also discover what truly makes a car wash stand out:

• Being recognized and personally greeted
• Delivering fast, comfortable, and accurate service
• Making a meaningful impact in your local community
• Offering a distinct specialty that customers remember

Colleen shares practical local marketing strategies—especially through social media—and how to position your wash as a trusted, go-to destination.

Don’t miss Colleen’s full session at ROADMAP 2025
Dallas, TX | November 3–4

Listen to the full episode at carwashmagazine.com and subscribe to ICA for timely data, trusted insights, and business intelligence built for the car wash community.

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In this special episode, recorded live at the April 2025 Car Wash Show, International Carwash Association CEO Eric Wulf is joined by industry leaders Pete Nani (CEO, True Blue Car Wash/Circle K), Jesse Wurth (CEO, National Carwash Solutions), and Jessica Zazworsky (Owner, Bubble Barn Car Wash). Together, they explore the critical question:

How do you differentiate yourself and your

business in today’s competitive environment?

Eric sets the stage with an industry-wide look at key data:

• Store performance trends

• Unit growth and market saturation

• Consolidation and sale/leaseback dynamics

• Shifts in consumer sentiment and investor activity

The conversation shifts to what matters most to operators now. The panel dives into:

• Data-driven decision making

• Customer needs and pain points

• The importance of staff training and culture

• Strategies for member conversion and loyalty

• Predictive maintenance and the growing impact of AI

They also examine how evolving workforce expectations are reshaping hiring, training, and retention strategies—especially as a new generation enters the labor force.

The episode wraps with key takeaways on where operators should be focusing next—and an open forum where audience members pose questions to the panel.

Listen to the full episode at carwashmagazine.com and subscribe to ICA for more industry insights!

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In this episode we bring together Remus Pop (Partner, Concept Reply), Luke Bame (Sr. Director, Ascentek and Reliable Plus), and David Meffe (SVP Sales, OnLogic) to discuss a powerful new solution redefining predictive maintenance in the car wash industry. Discover how next-generation technology is transforming the car wash experience.

This isn’t just another OEM tool—this is a manufacturer-agnostic, collaborative innovation designed to give operators more control, reduce downtime, and harness real-time data like never before.

Episode Highlights

• The Why Behind the Innovation

Luke lays the foundation for this partnership-driven solution, created to give all operators—not just those tied to one manufacturer—access to predictive insights.

• Hardware that Drives It

Remus explains how Concept Reply brought the solution to life and why OnLogic hardwarewas the right fit. Built for tough environments, their edge gateway enables remote access and avoids excessive cloud dependency.

• Technology Built for the Real World

David discusses the need for highly configurable tech that stands up to the heat, moisture, and vibration found in everyday car wash operations.

• Industry 4.0 in Action

Remus defines Industry 4.0 as “connecting assets within a factory and delivering them to the people who can act on them the fastest”—a critical function for car washes managing high traffic and tight margins.

• Why This Matters to Operators

The payoff: up to 95% more uptime, fewer surprises, lower liability, and reduced costs. Down the road, aggregated data may even personalize wash recommendations for each vehicle.

Learn more at www.carwashofthefuture.com

Listen to the full episode at carwashmagazine.com and subscribe to ICA for more industry insights!

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Join International Carwash Association CEO Eric Wulf in a quick but powerful conversation with Alex Chausovsky, Director of Analytics and Consulting at Bundy Group, as they unpack key insights from the Q2 2025 Pulse Report.

Alex shares how a broader “erosion of life satisfaction” is shaping consumer sentiment—and what that means for the car wash industry. From interest rate uncertainty to unchanged subscription cancellation intent, Alex explains how current economic trends are creating a lag between how people feel and how they act.

What’s behind the Fed’s balancing act? How does consumer sentiment truly align with economic behavior? Get the expert breakdown in this insightful short.

Listen to the full Pulse Report episode at carwashmagazine.com and subscribe to ICA for timely data, trusted insights, and business intelligence built for the car was community.

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"It’s the whole totality of the experience and how we treat our customers to show that they’re valued.”

Eric Wulf, CEO of the International Carwash Association (ICA), and ICA Research Director Bob Klein discuss the findings of ICA’s 2025 Q1 Pulse Report, covering the health of the industry, customer satisfaction, and the balance between price and wash value for car wash customers.

Top 5 Episode Highlights:

• The Health of the Consumer Drives the Health of the Industry – Eric and Bob discuss howcustomer sentiment and behavior shape industry growth, with pricing dissatisfaction often offset by strong perceptions of value—especially among subscription customers.
• The Price vs. Value Perception – Car wash owners must recognize theemotional side of pricingand focus on thetotality of the customer experienceto show value. The conversation draws insights fromQuick Service Restaurants (QSRs)likeChick-fil-A, where customer engagement plays a key role in perceived value.
• Subscribers Who Become Transactors: A Retention Opportunity – 54% of former members continue washing their vehicles at the car wash where they previously had a membership, providing an opportunity foroperators to re-engage and build long-term loyalty.
• Loyalty Programs: A Disconnection Between Customers and Operators – The Pulse Report has asked about loyalty for nine years, and customers consistently cite loyalty programs as a key retention driver. However,operators do not prioritize them, signaling a missed opportunityto strengthen customer relationships.
• Industry Growth & Supplier Outlook – Projections for year-end growthincreased slightly from 5% to 6%, with6 in 10 retailers increasing prices in 2024. Meanwhile, supplier optimism has softened, withforecasted growth of 5%, and their top concerns remainhiring, rising costs, and employee retention. To counteract these challenges,suppliers are investing in training and helping car wash owners enhance customer value.

Eric and Bob begin the conversation by examining theoverall health of the car wash industry, which is closely tied to consumer sentiment. They emphasize that whilecustomers may resist price increases, strong value perception—especially among subscribers—helps mitigate dissatisfaction.

The discussion then shifts tohow car wash owners should interpret the Pulse Report’s price/value findings. Eric and Bob stress thatcustomer experience is in the operator’s control. They highlighthowQuick Service Restaurants (QSRs), like Chick-fil-A, focus on hospitality and engagement to reinforce customer loyalty—a model the car wash industry can learn from.

Bob also references an article he authored in the2025 Q1 issue of Car Wash Magazine, which explores thefive key principles used by the QSR industry to enhance the value proposition and customer experience.

The episode also covers the behavior ofsubscribers who become transactors, noting that54% of former members continue to use the car wash where they had a subscription. This presents a valuable opportunity for operators to create a dialogue with past members and encourage repeat business.

For the past nine years, the Pulse Report has surveyed both customers and operators about loyalty strategies. The data shows that customers strongly value loyalty programs, yet operators do not prioritize them, highlighting a gap in retention efforts.

On the growth and supplier side, there is a slight uptick in year-end growth projections from 5% to 6%, and 6 in 10 retailers increased prices in 2024. Looking ahead, the Q2 issue of Car Wash Magazine will explore 12 key factors businesses should consider before implementing price increases.

Supplier sentiment, however, is less optimistic, with a softening outlook despite a projected 5% increase. The top three concerns for suppliers remain hiring, rising costs, and employee retention. To stay ahead, suppliers are focusing on training initiatives and working to help car wash operators deliver stronger customer value.

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Sarah Mellinger AI Implementation Strategist with OnLogic joins host Kendra Johnson, , International Car Wash Association Senior VP of Growth, for an adventure into the amazing world of AI and how it will shape the carwash of the future. They cover everything from predictive maintenance to AI-powered chatbots—and why this technology isn’t as intimidating as it sounds.

• Who is OnLogic & Why Do They Matter?
  OnLogic is a global industrial computer manufacturer that specializes in highly configurable PCs designed to survive extreme environments—think heat, cold, moisture, and constant vibration. Since car washes operate in tough conditions, these durable computers are ideal for keeping systems running smoothly.
• AI & Automation Are Already Changing the Game
  AI is no longer just a futuristic concept; it’s already making car washes smarter and more efficient. From predictive maintenance to optimizing chemical usage, automation helps business owners cut costs, reduce downtime, and improve customer experiences. AI-driven systems can even detect when something is about to break down—before it happens.
• Why Now is the Right Time to Invest in AI
  AI isn’t a passing trend—it’s the next step in the evolution of car wash technology. The industry is built for scale, and AI makes it easier to expand while maintaining efficiency. The key is starting small: running a proof of concept allows business owners to test AI solutions and refine them before going all in.
• Debunking AI Fears
  Many people worry that AI will replace jobs or take away human control, but Sarah reassures us that this isn’t the case. AI is simply a tool that helps businesses run better, freeing up employees to focus on more valuable tasks. Think of it like any other technological advance—people were once skeptical of automatic car washes, too!
• How to Get Started with AI in Your Car Wash
• Identify your goals—are you looking to improve efficiency, reduce maintenance issues, or enhance customer experience?
• Start with a prototype. Test AI solutions on a small scale before rolling them out across your entire operation.
• Work with a partner to estimate costs and determine ROI. Most businesses see results in about three months.
• Keep an open mind! AI isn’t about replacing people—it’s about making operations smarter and more efficient.

Sarah also highlighted some of the most exciting ways AI is already transforming car washes:

• Predictive Maintenance – AI-powered sensors can track vibrations, chemical usage, and water levels, helping to identify equipment failures before they happen.
• AI-Driven Cameras – These systems can scan vehicles before and after washing, detecting obstructions and identifying damage.
• Chatbots for Troubleshooting – If a machine goes down and no staff is on-site, AI-powered chatbots can diagnose and even fix certain issues remotely.

Sarah emphasized that the most successful businesses start with a strategy—identifying a few key use cases before expanding AI adoption.

Sarah’s final piece of advice: Keep an open mind and surround yourself with the right people to help make AI work for you. Check out www.carwashofthefuture.com for more information

The car wash industry is evolving fast, and AI is playing a huge role in shaping its future.

Want to hear more? Listen to the full episode at carwashmagazine.com and subscribe to ICA for the latest industry insights!

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Today’s guest is someone who knows a thing or two about business growth and profitability—Mike Michalowicz the entrepreneur behind three multimillion-dollar companies and the bestselling author of Profit First, Clockwork, The Pumpkin Plan, and his latest book, All In. He’s also been a small business columnist for The Wall Street Journal and a business makeover expert on MSNBC. These days, he travels the world helping entrepreneurs simplify their businesses, grow sustainably, and—most importantly—avoid burnout.

His mission? To lift the weight off the entrepreneurial spirit.

In this episode, Mike sits down with Kendra Johnson, International Car Wash Association Senior VP of Growth, to talk about practical, no-nonsense ways car wash owners can streamline their business and set themselves up for long-term success. You’ll learn:

Simplifying Business Finances – Car wash owners often feel overwhelmed by the numbers, but Mike’s NFN (Now, Future, Next) model cuts through the noise and makes managing finances easier.

Smart Hiring & Employee Retention – Finding and keeping great employees is critical. Mike shares why hiring for the right reasons is key and how business owners can:

• Give employees authority and control so they take ownership.
• Personalize the experience (like putting their names on a company truck) to boost engagement.
• Initiate knowledge—the more employees know, the more invested they become.
• Provide psychological equity, which makes employees feel valued beyond just a paycheck.

The Power of Recognition – Not all employees want recognition the same way—Mike explains how to tailor it, so it actually means something to your team.

Training & Growth – Striking the right balance between employee contribution and personal growth leads to a stronger, more committed team.

Identifying Your Best Customer – Here’s a surprising truth: your best customer might not be who you think! Mike breaks down:

• Why you shouldn’t just trust what customers say—trust their wallets instead.
• How to evaluate if a customer is truly valuable to your business.
• The intersection of customer value and your excitement—the sweet spot for business success.

Customer Retention Strategies That Work – Want to keep customers coming back? Mike shares why subscriptions are a game-changer.

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In this episode of (insert podcast name here) host Josh Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer at OptSpot, sits down with Donald Miller, CEO of StoryBrand, to discuss how car wash owners can transform their marketing strategies by clarifying their messaging. Miller explains how businesses can position themselves as guides rather than heroes in their customers' journeys. The conversation covers actionable strategies for increasing customer engagement, boosting retention, and driving revenue.

Josh Taylor is a marketing strategist dedicated to helping car wash owners grow their businesses through automated customer retention and engagement tools. As a certified StoryBrand expert, he specializes in turning complex marketing messages into simple, high-converting campaigns.

Donald Miller is a New York Times bestselling author and marketing expert who has helped brands like Ford, Chick-fil-A, and Intel clarify their messaging and increase revenue. His books include Building a StoryBrand, Marketing Made Simple, and How to Grow Your Small Business. Through StoryBrand, he has helped thousands of business owners cut through the noise and connect with customers.

Key Takeaways

The StoryBrand Framework: Shifting Your Messaging

• Donald Miller explains how most businesses make the mistake of positioning themselves as the heroinstead of the guide.
• Customers want to be the hero of their own story—your brand should support and empower them.
• When your messaging focuses on solving customer problems, it builds trust and increases sales.

Affirmation Calls to Action: Go Beyond “Join Now”

• Standard Calls to Actions like "Sign Up" or "Buy Now" aren’t enough.
• Affirmation Calls to Action reinforce the transformation customers will experience, making them more likely to take action.
• Example: Instead of “Join Today,” try “Start Driving a Cleaner Car Today.”
• Affirm why washing their car with you was a good idea

Value Stacking: Make Your Offer Irresistible

• Clearly communicate why your car wash is worth choosing.
• Layer multiple benefits in your messaging—price, convenience, time savings, and customer experience.
• The more value you highlight, the more compelling your offer becomes. Tell your customer’s story, not yours. It’s not the car wash they want…it’s the clean car.

Clarity is Key: Make Your Marketing Simple

• If your messaging is confusing, you’re losing customers.
• Keep your marketing clear, concise, and repeatableso customers instantly understand what you offer.

Training Your Team: Messaging Consistency Matters

• Your team needs to use the right language when talking to customers.
• Miller suggests using a simple incentive, like giving team members a dollar each time they use the new messaging.
• The goal: Create a unified, effective brand voice across all customer touchpoints.

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As a part of an ongoing series called The Training Experts, this episode features ICA Chief Learning Officer, Claire Moore and Jonathan Delicate, Director of Training at Mr. Clean Car Wash. Jonathan shares his insights on how to effectively implement training programs across multiple locations using innovative tools and strategies.

Key Takeaways:

• Jonathan’s journey into training at Mr. Clean Car Wash began with his hiring as a General Manager. A crucial part of Jonathan’s success has been using an LMS platform to deliver training across the company's multiple sites in Georgia and Florida. He emphasizes the importance of tracking progress and ensuring employees complete the necessary training modules.
• Faced with a previous eight-month training void when he took over, Jonathan began by focusing on entry-level employees and moved up to management-level training.
• To engage employees, Jonathan introduced a fun, sports-themed approach with The Mr. Clean Huddle, featuring short training videos that cover essential procedures. This has made learning more interactive and accessible for all team members.
• One of Jonathan’s standout innovations is placing QR codes on every piece of equipment in the car wash tunnel. Employees can scan these codes to instantly access training videos related to specific equipment, offering on-demand learning.
• When asked what advice he’d give to those starting out in training, Jonathan’s response was clear: Be patient.

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In this insightful episode of Car Wash The Podcast, host Matt DeWolf is joined by Deborah Jasper, Founder and CEO of Mindset Digital. Deborah shares her expertise on how businesses can capture and hold the attention of today’s consumers—who often decide in just 8 seconds whether a message is worth their time! From building better customer experiences to effective employee retention strategies, Deborah provides actionable insights you can use immediately to level up your communication and business growth.

Key Takeaways:

• The 8-Second Rule. Deborah highlights the importance of grabbing attention fast, emphasizing that mobile-friendly, personalized, and easy-to-skim content is key to engaging today’s consumers.
• Jasper reveals strategies to “recruit” employees and reduce turnover, including how to keep messaging clear and relatable using a three-point checklist from Mindset Digital.
• Deborah breaks down the “curses” that can hinder effective messaging and discusses how gamification can be a fun and effective tool for keeping employees engaged.
• Jasper talks about the role of AI in business growth, offering examples of how artificial intelligence can streamline operations and enhance customer experiences.

Reach out to Deborah Jasper at Jasper@mindsetdigital.com for more insights.

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In this episode, host Matt DeWolf sits down with Jack Stratton, a Retail Trend Spotter, to discuss the evolving landscape of customer expectations and how businesses can adapt to stay ahead. But first, what exactly is a retail trend spotter? Jack breaks it down—explaining how he uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative data to identify fundamental shifts in consumer behavior that businesses can apply to their everyday operations.

Key Insights:

• Luxury Expectations of Modern Customers

Stratton identifies a major trend in today’s consumer behavior: customers are increasingly expecting luxury experiences, even if it means splurging on things they may not be able to afford. He refers to this as the polarized customer—someone who is willing to pay for premium experiences, regardless of their financial status.

• The Power of Subscription Services

Learn the key to successful subscription models and how customers are now purchasing these services both online and in-store. Jack emphasizes the importance of being available across all channels and touchpoints—the key to driving consistent, positive customer interactions.

To connect with Jack Stratton, you can find him on LinkedIn via Insider Trends: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/insider-trends/⁠

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Join Car Wash The Podcast as they sit down with Devario Parson, Sales Director, and Tyler Slaughter, CEO/COO of Camel Car Wash, during The Car Wash Show in Nashville. This heartfelt episode highlights the power of community, support, and the human side of the car wash industry.

Key Moments:

• A Life-Changing EventJust a day after the birth of his first child, Devario received devastating news—his home was on fire. His first call? Tyler Slaughter, who immediately stepped up, providing Devario’s family with a hotel stay, clothing, and essential supplies to help them rebuild. As Tyler says, “There’s nothing more important than people. It’s not a requirement in all companies, but it is in ours.”

• Community at the CoreListen as Devario and Tyler share their story, recounting how their Camel Car Wash community—comprised of family, co-workers, and friends—came together in a time of need. This powerful conversation took place in front of an audience that included their extended Camel family, amplifying the message of unity and support.

• More Than Just Car WashingDiscover what makes Camel Car Wash more than just a business—it's a community built on compassion, care, and a commitment to each other.

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In this second episode of a two-part series, International Car Wash Association CEO Eric Wulf speaks with Jim Davis, a professor of corporate strategy at Notre Dame and now Utah State University. Together, they offer an exclusive preview of Davis's upcoming study, set to be unveiled at ROADMAP, DESTINATION: PROJECTIONS on December 13.

The conversation begins with ICA's interest in The Consolidation Curve, which led to Davis’s research on consolidation within the car wash industry, and expanded to explore industry saturation. In this episode, listeners get a sneak peek at Davis's key findings, including the difference between consolidation and saturation, their critical importance for business owners, and their impact on both operators and consumers. Davis delves into how these trends intersect to shape the industry, offering insights valuable for strategic planning and operational decision-making.

Beyond the data and formal presentations, Davis highlights the invaluable networking and informal "hallway conversations" that bring this research to life and make it actionable. For Davis, these “confluence of factors” can ignite transformative ideas and strategies for the future. There’s no better place to plan for your business’s future than at ROADMAP. Secure your seat today! carwashroadmap.com/register

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In this kickoff episode of our two-part series, International Car Wash Association CEO Eric Wulf sits down with industry leaders Robert Dubinsky, CEO of Waterway Car Wash, Curt Hutchins, CEO of Sonny’s Enterprises, and John Lai, CEO of Mister Car Wash.

These experts share their perspectives on emerging trends, crucial factors for strategic planning, and which practices may no longer serve the evolving car wash industry. Get a front-row seat to this insightful Q&A session, and hear practical takeaways on how to stay ahead in a rapidly shifting market.

Join top car wash organizations like Waterway, Sonny's, and Mister Car Wash at ROADMAP: DESTINATION PROJECTIONS—the premier event for industry professionals on December 13 in Austin, TX. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders and gain essential insights for the road ahead. Reserve your spot now at carwashroadmap.com/register.

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In this episode of CAR WASH The Podcast, ICA Chief Learning Officer Claire Moore is joined by Alexander C. Pullen, HR Consultant with the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). Together, they discuss the importance of a robust people strategy and preview DESTINATION: PEOPLE at ROADMAP on December 11th.

Pullen, a seasoned HR professional with over a decade of experience, shares his expertise in helping organizations create better workplaces. He provides valuable insights into why continuous learning is critical in industries like car washing, where organizations and employees constantly evolve.

Key Takeaways:

Learn More:For additional details about DESTINATION: PEOPLE at ROADMAP, visit: carwashroadmap.com/people

• Pullen emphasizes the critical role that a solid people strategy plays in any organization’s foundational success. He highlights how, at ROADMAP, we will focus on key aspects of the talent lifecycle—recruitment, engagement, retention, and offboarding.• Future leadership needs are a key area of discussion in the car wash industry. The program will help attendees identify tools to lead and grow their teams while also guiding succession planning to ensure an organization is ready for the future.• They preview what a hands-on workshop looks like at ROADMAP where attendees can build their own custom talent strategies. The goal? Practical applications that you can take back to your workplace and implement immediately.

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Join International Carwash Association Chief Learning Officer Claire Moore in a conversation with a marketing expert and a headline speaker at ROADMAP at DESTINATION 1: PEOPLE, Jay Baer, New York Time bestselling author, 5x multimillion-dollar entrepreneurial founder and trusted brand advisor to over 700 companies, including 40 of the Fortune 500.

In this episode, Jay delves into the power of combining customer experience with customer acquisition, highlighting the importance of retaining current customers while actively attracting new ones.

Key Takeaways:

• Customer Experience Meets Acquisition
  Jay discusses how businesses can harness the net present value of customers by encouraging word-of-mouth marketing, where current customers share their positive car wash experiences with friends. The key? Give your customers a compelling story to tell.
• Subscription Model Impact
  Learn how subscription models influence revenue, and why the "customer experience engine" often isn't about the product you sell, but the experience that comes with it.
• ROADMAP Projections
  Attendees can look forward to Jay’s presentation where he’ll dive into how to take subscription models to the next level.

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Chart your course to ROADMAP with International Carwash Association Senior Vice President/Growth Kendra Johnson as she chats with ICA’s Chief Learning Officer Claire Moore and Chief Experience Officer Kim Vinciguerra, to dive into the car wash industry’s newest event happening this December in Austin, Texas.

Moore outlines the growth and sophistication of the industry as the driving factors in the buildout of ROADMAP and this new event is completely different than what is currently available to car wash professionals. The evolution of operations and specialization of marketing and HR leaders drives the content and solutions at DESTINATION: PEOPLE.

Vinciguerra outlines the difference between ROADMAP and The Car Wash Show, why the timing is critical for kickstarting 2025 before April and highlights what attendees will see at DESTINATION: PRODUCTS. Brand new trends will be on display, such as AI in license plate recognition or motor control centers, and product launches from chemistry to sales training are just a few hot topics to be showcased in Austin.

How will this event feel different from the others? Idea exchange is prioritized, solutions and successes are used to highlight the problems products and services solve alongside designed opportunities to network with car wash peers.

Your Destination for PEOPLE, PRODUCTS and PROJECTIONS all await you at ROADMAP on Dec. 11-13, Austin, TX. https://carwashroadmap.com/

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Description: Join CAR WASH Magazine Editor-in-Chief Shaneen Calvo as she explores the innovative world of modular construction with experts from Genesis Modular Car Wash Building Systems:

• Bruce Arnette – Owner
• Sean McGovern – CEO
• Charlie Zimmermann – National Sales Manager

This episode complements an article in the Q2 issue of CAR WASH Magazine, “On the Fast Track,” and takes a deep dive into how modular builds can dramatically reduce construction time, simplify permitting, and offer customizable options for car wash developments.

Key Takeaways:

• Modular Construction ExplainedLearn how Genesis’s modular systems are built like "Lego blocks," enabling parallel construction. The vertical build takes place off-site, while the foundation and other prep work happen simultaneously on location, cutting build time by up to 75%.
• Customization OptionsExplore the most popular customizations, from tower height to tunnel length, and the wide range of systems Genesis can produce in a year.
• Efficiency and Experience
  Genesis brings 35+ years of experience to the table, guiding customers to value-engineer projects. Their focus is on ensuring the best return on investment by optimizing the construction of the car wash building itself.Hear about some of their most memorable projects and how they were able to provide customized solutions.

Why Modular?

Modular construction offers:

• Time Savings: Significantly reduced build time.
• Customization: Flexible designs tailored to customer needs.
• Parallel Construction: On-site prep and off-site building happen simultaneously.

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Join us for this special episode recorded at The Car Wash Show in Nashville, TN (May2024), where ICA Chief Learning Officer, Claire Moore, sits down with Stephanie Mak, Talent Acquisition Manager at Summit Wash Holdings, and Jay Iraheta, Southeast Regional President at Summit, to discuss the transformative “ElevateHER” program.

Key Takeaways:

• What is ElevateHER?

o Goal: To provide women in the car wash industry the opportunity to grow into management and corporate roles within a traditionally male-dominated space.

o Approach: The program begins by building trust and safety among participants, then accelerates into developing self-esteem and self-awareness.

o Focus Area: Currently active in the Southeast, with plans to expand to Summit's four other regions.

Learn More:

• Learn more about the success stories from Summit Wash Holdings’s ElevateHerprogram by following the progress of participating car wash leaders on their LinkedIn page: Summit Wash Holdings LinkedIn

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In this episode of CAR WASH the Podcast, International Carwash Association CEO Eric Wulf is joined by Alex Chausovsky, a seasoned market researcher and analyst with over 20 years of expertise in economics, business cycles, and industry-specific trends.

The episode explores the ICA’s Q3 research survey, shedding light on year-end retail growth projections within the car wash industry. Eric and Alex break down current market dynamics and unemployment trends and analyze the Federal Reserve's reactions. They also explore the potential impact of the upcoming election on consumer spending and how these factors might influence the car wash sector.

Key highlights include:

• Consumer Spending: Despite rising consumer debt levels, spending remains steady, though there's noticeable hesitancy, particularly among younger demographics (39 and under). Credit card delinquencies are up, yet auto loan delinquencies have slightly decreased from the previous quarter.
• Economic Outlook: Alex Chausovsky provides strategic advice for car wash owners on navigating these economic uncertainties, leveraging insights to optimize business performance.
• Election Impact: While elections are a significant event, Chausovsky emphasizes that the US economy's size and resilience often mitigate election-related concerns, advising industry players to focus on what they can control.

Join Eric Wulf and Alex Chausovsky on December 13, Projections Day, at the 2024 Roadmap event (https://carwashroadmap.com/register).

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In this episode, listen as guest Keith Moye, VP and GM for OPW Vehicle Wash Solutions (a Dover Company), highlights the importance of offering collective solutions to help customers meet their goals and streamline operations. Moye shares examples of inorganic and organic strategies to support the growing car wash industry, such as OPW Vehicle Wash Solutions’ acquisition of Transchem Group, and the need to implement innovative technology across existing processes.

Hosted by Kendra Johnson, Senior Vice President of Business Development for the International Carwash Association, this engaging episode provides insight into the current state of the car wash industry and highlights the importance of developing purpose-driven growth strategies to holistically support customers.

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In this episode, hear from Joey Coleman, award-winning speaker and New York Times bestselling author, as he delves into the importance of customer experience in the car wash industry. For more than twenty years, Joey has helped organizations retain their best customers and employees - turning them into raving fans via his entertaining and actionable keynotes, workshops, and consulting projects.

In this engaging episode, you’ll learn why customer service is considered the last great differentiator in driving success for your car wash location. Learn how to create a unique and distinct experience that your customers will love. You’ll also hear Coleman explain why employee experience is crucial for driving the success of your business.

This episode is sponsored by DRN, a car wash industry leader in capturing drive by traffic and fueling new leads.

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In this episode, Allie Voiselle, TrainingDirector for Benny’s Car Wash shares her insight into implementing acomprehensive training program across multiple car wash sites. A formerelementary and middle school teacher, Voiselle talks about how her backgroundin education prepared her to create training programs using backwards designand effectively use an LMS (Learning Management System) to support employeelearning opportunities.

Hosted by Claire Moore, Chief Learning Officer forthe International Carwash Association, this engaging episode provides insightinto the difference between training and education. You’ll leave theconversation with expert tips for creating training plans to build a learningculture within your car wash organization.

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In this episode, we chat with Kyle Doyle, CEO and founder of Ignite Wash. Doyle shares his experience in the car wash industry and walks us through the journey that led to the recent acquisition of Ignite Wash by Rinsed.

Hosted by Kendra Johnson, Senior Vice President, Business Development for International Carwash Association, this insightful episode with leave you with practical tips to better train your onsite team, increase membership, and navigate the acquisition landscape across the car wash industry.

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The International Carwash Association’s Hall of Fame Award was first presented in 1962 to car wash operator and inventor, Jimmy Butts.

Since that time, the award has continued to honor titans of the car wash industry. We’re talking about true innovators and leaders - those who have left an indelible mark across the industry. Today’s episode honors our 2024 inductee, Lamar Beck of GooGoo Express Car Wash.

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"Superfans are loyal, engaged customers who are going to advocate on your behalf. They're more likely to go back and tell their friends about you. But here's the thing about superfans: you don't buy them. This is not about if you can run the right ad or find the right people online and target them with the right thing. You create them.

Superfans are created one experience at a time."

Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and the bestselling author of Creating Superfans: How To Turn Your Customers Into Lifelong Advocates. This week, Hodak joins Matt DeWolf to discuss how you can use engaging experiences to create customers who market for you.

Hodak was a keynote speaker at The CAR WASH Show™ 2024 in Nashville. For more information visit: brittanyhodak.com

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License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology is used broadly across industries, from loss mitigation for lenders to recognizing the vehicles of wash members in the car wash space.

In 2009, DRN Data entered the loss mitigation space working with lenders, banks, credit unions, and insurance agencies to find cars that needed to be repossessed. Soon they realized that LPR could be used for lead generation in the car wash space as well.

Pointing cameras at the street, DRN Data's technology recognizes license plates that drive past the wash and matches that information to the VIN of the car. This data provides the wash owner with more than one hundred marketing attributes for each person zooming by.

Senior Executive Director for DRN Data, Noel Peña, sat down with Shaneen Calvo, Director of Media & Editorial for International Carwash Association (ICA), at The Car Wash Show 2024 in Nashville. In this episode, you’ll hear the story of DRN Data's 180-degree repositioning and entry into the car wash industry.

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At The Car Wash Show 2024, Claire Moore, Chief Learning Officer for International Carwash Association, interviewed several learning and development leaders in the car wash industry. We look forward to sharing these conversations throughout our 2024 podcast season.

In the first interview of our learning and development series featuring training experts, Destiny Baker, Director of Training for Mammoth Holdings, tells us about her path to a learning and development (L&D) role in the car wash space. She shares excellent insight into the importance of training programs for car wash organizations and highlights Mammoth Holding's leadership training program.

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Doug Cross, Business Manager for the Australian Car Wash Association, joins Eric Wulf, CEO, International Carwash Association (ICA), and Kendra Johnson, VP of Business Development, ICA, for a conversation about the upcoming opportunities at the Car Wash Show Australia 2024.

Cross breaks down what is happening in the vibrant and evolving Australian Car Wash market, and he highlights what you can expect from the Car Wash Show Australia happening August 13-15, 2024.

It might be time to plan your trip to Australia. If nothing else, Doug Cross said your drinks are on him. See you in Sydney!

For more information, visit carwashshowaustralia.com.au.

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The Car Wash Show 2024 in Nashville was a huge success! With record-breaking attendance and a sold-out exhibition floor, the event exceeded expectations. This year’s show featured engaging events including live presentations at the Pitch theater, the Hall of Fame celebration, The Big Bash, Innovation Alley, and much more.

With all these amazing things happening throughout the show, it’s sometimes easy to overlook some of the small and wonderful stories happening at the same time.

In this episode, Mark Bell, producer for CAR WASH the Podcast, takes a mic onto the show floor to hear a few stories from people who have been coming to the show for a very long time. He also catches up with show first-timers to hear about their experiences. Additionally, we’ll share two stories focused on the ways in which the show and the car washing industry have changed lives.

For a full recap of the Car Wash Show 2024, visit: thecarwashshow.com.

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The Car Wash Show 2024 in Nashville is just ten days away! It will feature the most exhibitors we've ever had, the largest square footage, and it is sold out!

Claire Moore, ICA's chief learning officer, is here this week to reveal some of the opportunities you may not know about along with a few tips and tricks to stay organized and get the most out of the show.

This year we are also excited to have a podcast studio built into the LEAD booth on the show floor. We are inviting you, our listeners, to come and share your stories. Our theme is “Stories of Impact,” so we are gathering stories about how organizations have made an impact on you or your community or what has made an impact on your organization. Come visit us in booth #823!

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We are going behind the brand with Qual Chem. Joseph Moldovan, founder and managing director, and Ryan Molinelli, VP of Sales, join us to pull back the curtain on the company's history and to discuss their new graphene product: NanoHex.

We discuss the story of Qual Chem's founding, how they maintain company culture now, and the reasons for adding this new offering to their lineup. NanoHex also represents a new approach to research and development. We explore the unique methods they employed to hone NanoHex and how it will affect their product development moving forward.

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"The most important thing on a remodel is that you go big .... it's really important that you don't just put lipstick on the pig."

If you are considering remodelling your wash, there are many questions you need to answer before you begin. What amenities do you want to add? What is your budget? Is a remodel going to be less expensive than starting over?

John Roush, CEO of Express Wash Concepts, has remodelled countless washes since the ’90s. He joins us to talk about the do's and don'ts of revitalizing your wash.

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When it comes to investing in your people, staff training is where it’s at. It even took the top spot in the Q1 ICA Pulse survey. In fact, 49% of those surveyed shared that they are planning on spending more on training in 2024 and 50% about the same as last year – leaving only 1% that were planning on decreasing their spending in this category.

While we've seen an influx of learning and development professionals in this industry, there are a few companies that have made training a priority for many years.

Hoffman Car Wash in New York is a great example. Today we are talking with Walt Hartl, Vice President of Learning, about Hoffman's training history, their culture of learning, and advice for bolstering new training programs.

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Could understanding the trends of the U.S. economy make you a better car washer? It might.

In this episode, Eric Wulf, CEO of International Carwash Association, and Alex Chausovsky check in on the current state of the U.S. economy and how to understand, define and interpret it to make more strategic business decisions. Chausovsky delves into three metrics — the health of the consumer, the cost of inputs and the cost of capital — and gives his advice on economic indicators we should be watching in the short term and free resources to do so.

Chausovsky is an economist by trade and for several years he has spoken at The Car Wash Show on topics ranging from economic cycles to workforce development. He is also a contributor to the International Carwash Association's quarterly research paper, The Pulse Report.

To hear more from Alex Chausovsky, join us at The Car Wash Show 2024 in Nashville, on May 13-15: ⁠https://thecarwashshow.com/

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Membership models and unlimited clubs have become the norm in the car wash industry, but the methods by which we convert visitors to members are mostly restricted to face-to-face in-person sales. This week on the show we explore the question: Could customers join our membership programs online... and could they even do it without even having visited our wash?

Marcus Sheridan is a New York Times Official Web Guru, owner of a successful digital marketing agency and author of the book "They Ask, You Answer." Sheridan joins us to discuss what digital campaigns and strategies could lead to online conversions. Along with those campaigns, he explains the kind of information we need to be ready to provide on our sites and platforms and what steps you can take to improve your digital presence today. Armed with these tools, your wash can be a digital David in an industry of Goliaths.

Hear more from Marcus Sheridan at The Car Wash Show in Nashville, May 13-15: www.thecarwashshow.com.

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The future of work is not only difficult to predict, it is the wrong question to ask. The question we should be asking instead is: How do we build an incredible team that can help us get to whatever the future of work looks like?

Eric Termuende, author of "Rethink Work" joins us with a bold suggestion. He shares that the best solution to talent acquisition and preparing for the ever-changing work landscape is investing in the quality of your work environment for your current employees.

Termuende says the keys are to build trust, remove friction, and create a culture of experimentation, and he provides some practical tips for each.

Hear more from Eric Termuende at The Car Wash Show in Nashville, May 13-15: www.thecarwashshow.com.

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Continuing our content theme from last week, we have another conversation around artificial intelligence. Brian Sathianathan, co-founder of Iterate.AI, joins us to talk specifically about AI in the car wash space.

Iterate.AI works with companies across many industries including several big car wash and convenience store brands. Sathianathan offers unique ways AI can be used in your wash like pay stations, maintenance and managing inventory. He also addresses the security risks around customer data and the best ways to start implementing AI in your wash.

You can read more about Iterate.AI in the Q1 issue of CAR WASH Magazine, which ships on March 28 to ICA members.

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Our guest is Terry Brock, who just celebrated his 40th year as a Marketing Advisor. He joins us to talk tech trends which, let's face it, are mostly AI these days.

Brock shares with us some thrilling use cases for AI in the carwash space as well as some input on common concerns.

Every new technology has brought with it some fear. Brock reminds us that from discovering fire to inventing airplanes each advancement in technology has introduced danger that we have mitigated with regulation.

Will you lose your job to AI? Probably not but as Brock says: you might lose it to a human that understands and deploys AI better than you.

This episode will get you closer to implementing AI solutions in your wash and staying ahead of the technological curve.

More information on Terry Brock can be found at: https://terrybrock.com/

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Danka Dubak, director of marketing for AVW Equipment Company, joins us to go behind the brand and discuss the trends AVW is seeing in the industry from a supplier's point of view.

AVW is a family-owned business that just celebrated 51 years in operation and Dubak is the third generation. As suppliers, part of AVW's job is both anticipating and tracking shifting trends within the industry.

The trends Dubak discusses in this episode fall under the umbrella of customer experience. How can a detailing belt, squirt guns, play spaces for children, indoor vacuums, and coloring books influence the comfort of your customer? Tune in to find out.

For more information on the "megawash" from Car Wash Magazine: https://www.carwashmagazine.com/stories/rise-of-the-megawash

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Tony Sposit always wanted to be a paramedic. And after high school that is exactly what he did. But in between his 24-hour paramedic shifts, he decided he wanted to find more work (he claims he was driving his wife crazy around the house).
When the Frenchtown-Monroe Auto Wash opened near his home, he became an attendant loading cars into the wash. A year later he is now the assistant general manager at that location as well as running the PR for all five of their wash locations — and has earned the nickname “The Monroe Car Wash Guy.”

Sposit joins us to talk about what it was like to change roles so quickly. We also talk about the skills that transfer over from being a paramedic to car washing and the unique experiences he has injected into his wash including a live-streamed TikTok radio show on Saturdays from inside the wash.

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If you’ve found yourself wondering about how you can better motivate today’s employees … or how to level up your spaghetti … you’re in luck. Our guest, Joe Mull, has some hard truths and expert tips about both in, surprisingly, the same conversation.

Mull, the author of Employalty (plus several others) and host of the podcast Boss Better Now, joins us to share his expert knowledge on better management to inspire high performance and commitment in your workplace. You will walk away from this episode as a better boss. We are sure of that.

You can find out more about Joe at www.joemull.com.

Did you like this episode? Joe Mull will also be a speaker in Nashville at The Car Wash Show 2024. Register now at https://thecarwashshow.com/

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If you attended The Car Wash Show in 2023, you undoubtedly saw Quick Dry’s booth with pink carpet. Jonathan and Lindsay Wiles, who run the family-owned business, called it the ugliest booth at the show. But the carpet was to bring awareness to a great cause.

In October of 2023, Quick Dry launched its Go Pink! campaign. They sold pink towels to participating customers and donated a portion of the proceeds ($10,000!) to Hospice of the Piedmont and Breastcancer.org. Many of their customers were also involved in fundraising projects that revolved around the pink towels.

The Wiles join us to talk about the idea for the campaign, the hurdles to make it happen, how they will make it better for 2024, and the humanizing effect that a program like this can have on your view of business.

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This episode closes out season three of CAR WASH the Podcast. We spent some time playing clips from some of our favorite shows from the season and discussing what is coming up next year from the International Carwash Association.

The episodes we discussed in order of appearance can be found at these links:

Season 3, Episode 1: Gleam Car Wash Colorado Pt. 1

Season 3, Episode 12: Honoring Car Washing's Greatest

Season 3, Episode 26: Bringing Car Washers Together in Europe

Season 3, Episode 18: So You Want to Sell Your Wash

Season 3, Episode 14: Get Uncomfortable

Season 3, Episode 3: OmniX patents new AI

Thank you for listening to season three of our show! Please follow and review on your podcasting platform of choice. We are looking forward to seeing you in 2024!

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Claire Moore of the International Carwash Association, Justin Salisbury of Breeze Thru Car Wash, and Michael Schultz of Rich's Car Wash joined Matt DeWolf in an informative live panel at the Car Wash Show™ 2023 in Las Vegas.

They discuss talent engagement, investing in your workforce, and how to effectively let employees know their personal worth and impact on the company.

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In early November of 2022, Jeff Pavone was on the show to talk about what was happening in the car wash industry in a two-part episode called The Great Market Reset.

A year later, Pavone is back with his insight on the industry from his perspective as a founding partner of Amplify Car Wash. We discuss the recent market pause, trends moving forward, the added professionalism in the space, and the trends owners should consider to stand out.

Host: Matt DeWolfGuest: Jeff Pavone, Amplify Car Wash Advisors

Episode Summary:

This episode of "Car Wash the Podcast" features Jeff Pavone, a recurring guest, discussing the dynamic shifts and future trends in the car wash industry. The conversation revolves around the industry's rapid growth, market changes, and the impact of external factors like interest rates and inflation.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Industry Evolution:
2. Jeff reflects on the industry's journey from rapid expansion to a more measured, profitable approach.

3. Discussion on the "great pause" of 2023 and factors influencing it: rising interest rates, inflation, and credit accessibility.

4. Operational Strategies:

5. Emphasis on being great operators with a focus on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and efficiency.

6. The trend towards building car wash companies, not just car washes, highlighting the importance of infrastructure and team.

7. Market Trends and Challenges:

8. An exploration of market saturation and its impact on even the most successful operators.

9. The need for innovation and differentiation in an increasingly competitive market.

10. Technological Advancements:

11. The role of technology in enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.

12. Predictions for future innovations including AI and robotics in car wash operations.

13. Advice for Small Operators:

14. The importance of understanding market dynamics and buyer expectations.

15. Adapting to technological advancements and using data effectively for customer retention and business growth.

16. Industry Outlook for 2024:

17. Optimism about market stabilization and controlled, intelligent growth.

18. Expectations of increased deal-making and strategic expansions by major players.

19. Personal Growth and Business Ethics:

20. Jeff emphasizes the importance of being generous and community-focused, both personally and professionally.
21. The role of building strong relationships and being a valuable part of the community for business success.

Closing Thoughts: Matt and Jeff conclude with insights into the future of the car wash industry, stressing the need for adaptability, smart growth strategies, and the potential for more creative and innovative approaches in the coming years.

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Claudia Moldovan Crea, CEO and Jessica Price Easter, Director of Marketing join us to go Behind the Brand with Qual Chem.

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Marketing is all about spending money to (hopefully) make money. The trick is knowing where to focus that spend.

This week we are playing you a panel, recorded live at the Car Wash Magazine Live Studio at the Car Wash Show™ 2023 in Las Vegas. Levi McClendon of OptSpot, Nick Rodia of Sgt. Clean Car Wash, and Sam Sousa of All American Car Wash joined host Matt DeWolf to discuss trends they are seeing as the best ways to spend a marketing budget. From YouTube to community engagement and fundraising there is certainly something to take home and try out from this conversation.

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This episode is all about people and is applicable to much more than the car washing community. Justin Salisbury, president of Breeze Thru Car Wash joins us to talk about how Breeze Thru Car Wash has maintained its culture as they have grown to 12 locations. He defines culture, gives great tips on coaching, discusses building trust, balancing staff development and profitability, and the importance of failure. Plus a brief aside on kid’s baseball teams. You are going to enjoy this one.

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The Car Wash Show Europe was held in Amsterdam two weeks ago and we sent a member of the podcast staff to report on the goings on there. He is back this week to play some of those conversations and chat with Matt about his experience at the show.

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This week Matt DeWolf is handing the mic over to four very capable speakers who were gathered at the Car Wash Show Europe in Amsterdam last week.

Eric Wulf of the International Car Wash Association along with Bryan Madderson of the Car Wash Association in the UK, Thomas Drott of the Federal Association of Gas Stations and Commercial Car Washes in Germany, and Erik Stern of BOVAG in the Netherlands spoke at a round table presentation on the state of the industry in each of their regions.

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This is a conversation for managers by managers.

Iona Kearney of Speedy Sparkle Wash, John Sproul of Camel Express Car Wash, and Shad Valle of Metro Express Wash joined us to discuss their personal management successes, failures, and ideologies.

This panel was presented live at the Car Wash Magazine Live Studio at the Car Wash Show™ 2023 in Las Vegas.

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So you collect some data but don't know what to do with it? You collect no data and don't know how to start? You don't know how to get more information from your customers? You want to turn your data insights into a more personalized relationship with your customers?

In this episode, we bring you a panel with exactly those insights. Kacy Erdelyi of Spark Car Wash, Anne Mauler of Soapy Joe's Car Wash, and Dylan Von Kleist of Amp, join us to discuss how they are using data, and what they are looking forward to building in the future.

This panel was presented live at the Car Wash Magazine Live Studio at the Car Wash Show™ 2023 in Las Vegas.

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We are continuing our conversations with vendors who will be headed to the Car Wash Show Europe one month from now! In this instalment, we chatted with Jean de Negri. Negri oversees International Sales for Coleman Hanna Car Wash Systems.

Jean de Negri told us about his amazing path to Colman Hanna and the importance of regrouping face-to-face at the show.

The Car Wash Show Europe 2023 is in Amsterdam, on September 21 & 22. We will continue to air interviews with exhibitors previewing the exciting things on display at the September show.

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We are continuing our conversations with vendors who will be headed to the Car Wash Show Europe one month from now! In this instalment, we chatted with Nate Wellens. Wellens is the Distributor Sales Support & International Sales Representative at Washworld.

The Car Wash Show Europe 2023 is in Amsterdam, on September 21 & 22. We will continue to air interviews with exhibitors previewing the exciting things on display at the September show.

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This week we bring you an important conversation between Dorielle Birnkrant COO/CMO of PetroCal Associates and Megan Ragsdale COO of Soapy Joe's. Ragsdale is also the founder of Risky, Inc and the author of the book: "Risky Women".

Birnkrant interviewed Ragsdale about her book, women in leadership, and the benefit of diversifying your company's leadership teams.

This conversation was recorded live from the Car Wash Show™ 2023 in Las Vegas.

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In this episode, we discussed the Car Wash Show Europe with Robert Andre. Andre is the Senior Vice President of Innovation at Sonny's The Car Wash Factory.

The Car Wash Show Europe 2023 is in Amsterdam, on September 21 & 22. This is the first of several interviews we will air with exhibitors previewing the exciting things that will be on display at the September show.

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So you are thinking of selling your wash? 

In this episode, we bring you a panel that could not be more informative on the subject. In 2022 Zips Car Wash bought Jet Brite with the assistance of Amplify Car Wash Advisors. Dave Dalesandro the former owner of Jet Brite, David Miller of Zips, and Jeff Pavone of Amplify join us to talk about the process, decision-making, and experience of selling and buying. 

This panel was presented live at the Car Wash Magazine Live Studio at the Car Wash Show™ 2023 in Las Vegas.

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Dan Gingiss is a customer experience expert, who believes that a remarkable customer experience can be your best marketing.

Gingiss argues that in car washing the wash itself isn't that different from location to location. "People want to drive away with a clean car that isn't scratched". That makes the product difficult to compete on, so the area where one needs to stand out is in the customer experience.

Gingiss joined us to discuss how we can show our employees what good customer experience looks like, allow them to bring their personalities to work, handle customer reviews, and build a subscription service so good that people won't even look at the price.

Dan Gingiss was a keynote speaker at the Car Wash Show™ 2023 in Las Vegas.

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Sarita Maybin is a keynote and inspirational speaker. Maybin shows her audiences how to transform uncomfortable conversations into constructive communication. With real stories, real solutions and a relatable presence, she breaks down barriers to reveal how to work together better.

In this episode Mayin shares with us tips on language to use in conflict, how she decides to confront an issue, and how to address a frustrated customer for a productive result.

Sarita Maybin was a speaker at The Car Wash Show™ 2023 in Las Vegas.

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Jason and Claire Cunningham are the husband and wife team behind Big Splash Car Wash and Spotless Wash Solutions. They are, as many in the car wash space, scrappy entrepreneurs. What sets them apart, and why we are telling you their story,  is a step further than that. They approach car washing with innovative technology. Technology that they have both adopted from other industries and invented themselves. Innovations that are so good, other people are buying them. We bring you this episode from their newest Big Splash site in Colorado.  

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Sterling Hawkins is an author, investor and entrepreneur, and most importantly the founder of the #NoMatterWhat movement. In short, Hawkins shows people how to achieve the results they want regardless of the circumstances.

In this episode Sterling tells us his story of going from a multi-billion dollar startup to collapse and coming back to launch, invest and grow over 50 companies, and the lessons he has learned from it.

It turns out that getting results comes down to pushing past your comfort zone and limiting beliefs. Hawkins' book "Hunting Discomfort: How to Get Breakthrough Results in Life and Business No Matter What" will take you through 5 steps to first discover discomfort within yourself and then move through it to get the results you’ve been looking for. In this episode, we discuss a few of those steps.

Sterling Hawkins was a speaker at the Car Wash Show™ 2023 in Las Vegas.

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Alex Chausovsky is the Vice President of Analytics and Consulting at the Miller Resource Group. He is a highly experienced market researcher and analyst with more than twenty years of expertise across subjects including economics, industrial manufacturing, automation, and advanced technology trends.

In this episode, Alex provides some big-picture analysis of the state of the economy, job market, and labor trends with new generations coming into the workforce.

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We are taking a break from your education and improvement this episode. This one is more about honoring two people who are by all accounts, already excellent car washers and amazing people…. But we bet it rubs off on you.

At the Car Wash Show 2023 in Las Vegas, Manuel “Manny” Lozano of Lozano Car Wash and Frank Dorsa of Classic Car Wash were both honored as the newest inductees into the Car Wash Hall of Fame. It is really exciting to tell the story of these two car-washing legends together because they both accomplished amazing things. Industry-defining firsts, stuff that changed the game forever, but they did it in such different-almost opposing ways. Even more interesting is that they pulled off these feats in the same market. Ostensibly they were competitors, but my favorite piece of the entire story, and the most car wash thing about all of this …. is that they are long-time great friends.

ICA President Justin Alford, Frank, Manny, and several more voices join us to tell the story of, and honor, these two car-washing greats.

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CEO and co-founder Austin Esecson joins us to go Behind the Brand at Rinsed.

This episode of our show was recorded at the Car Wash Magazine Live Studio at the Car Wash Show™ 2023 in Las Vegas.

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President Kipp Kofsky and Business Development Director Mike Gordon join us to go Behind the Brand at Arcadian Services.

This episode of our show was recorded at the Car Wash Magazine Live Studio at the Car Wash Show™ 2023 in Las Vegas.

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Mike Yamin joins us to go Behind the Brand at Gallop Brush Co.

This episode of our show was recorded at the Car Wash Magazine Live Studio at the Car Wash Show™ 2023 in Las Vegas.

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We bring you an episode from the final day of The Car Wash Show 2023 in Las Vegas. ICA President Justin Alford and CEO Eric Wulf chat about the state of the car wash industry. They recap the show and talk about what they think is coming up in the future.

This episode is the first show from The Car Wash Show this year and will be followed by three episodes featuring our ICA Champions beginning tomorrow!

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Kim Vinciguerra, ICA's Chief Experience Officer stopped by to chat about The Car Wash Show 2023 in Las Vegas. The show is coming up next week May 8-10.

Kim told us about some of the new aspects of the show including late-night events to help network, more vendors on the trade show floor than ever before, revamped education opportunities, and two new awards. She also told us what we can expect from the Hall of Fame celebration, Big Bash, and Car Wash Magazine Live Studio. Download the app, get your walking shoes, do your stretches, stay hydrated and we will see you next week in Las Vegas!

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The labor market is changing and there's a new generation that we're trying to employ and retain and attract in our businesses. And on the flip side, we're trying to find ways to make really strong connections with our teams and customers.

Smiley Poswolsky is here to discuss that on this week's episode. Smiley is a speaker at the upcoming Car Wash Show in Las Vegas May 8-10. 

Smiley is a Workplace Belonging Keynote Speaker and author of "The Quarter Life Breakthrough", the "Breakthrough Speaker", and "Friendship, in the Age of Loneliness". Smiley's expertise is data-driven insights and practical tools that will help you attract and retain top talent, build highly connected hybrid teams, engage the multigenerational workforce, create a culture of belonging, and lead what he is calling "The Great Reconnection."

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This week we had a great conversation with Shep Hyken, one of our excellent speakers at the show coming up May 8-10 in Las Vegas.

Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert and the Chief Amazement Officer of Shepard Presentations. He is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and has been inducted into the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement in the speaking profession. 

His articles have been read in hundreds of publications, and he is the author of Moments of Magic®, The Loyal Customer, The Cult of the Customer, The Amazement Revolution, Amaze Every Customer Every Time, Be Amazing or Go Home, The Convenience Revolution and I’ll Be Back. He is also the creator of The Customer Focus™, a customer service training program which helps clients develop a customer service culture and loyalty mindset. 

Our conversation today is around just that. How can we make our operations better through the customer experience?

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This episode comes from a great conversation with Kacy Erdelyi of Spark Car Wash and Nick Rodia of Sgt. Clean on our most recent CAR WASH Magazine Live panel. 

Every month we speak with experts in the industry on a topic and share it with you. This month we discussed retention and online conversions. New customers are great, but how do we keep the ones we’ve got? And can we convert potential new customers who aren’t at our car wash sites?

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This week's episode is an industry update on the new patent that OmniX Labs have secured for their real time analysis of security video footage.  Anoop Kanthan, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder of OmniX Labs, talks us through the decision to get a patent, exactly how their product works, and his predictions for the AI landscape moving forward.  

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This is part two of our series on Gleam Car Wash in Denver. If you have not listened to part one we recommend you start there!

In part two we hear again from owner and operator Emilie Barrata alongside the voices of other employees at Gleam and their philanthropic partners. This episode focuses on Gleam as a wash and its culture. We get a look into their inclusive hiring program, dedication to the environment, and work in the community. 

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After a brief planning break CAR WASH The Podcast is officially back! for the first installment of season 3 we are bringing you a two-part series on Gleam Car Wash in Denver Colorado. In this first episode, we are telling you the story of Emilie Barrata who owns and operates Gleam. She tells us about her journey into car washing, the lessons she has learned from starting a car wash from scratch, and her perspective on being a woman in the car wash industry. 

Next week Thursday we will continue with part 2 focusing on the many amazing things about Gleam as a wash and organization. 

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Season 3 is upon us! We are excited to announce that we are back with new episodes next week, Thursday, February 23rd. Season three begins with a two-part episode about Gleam Car Wash in Denver. We can't wait for you to hear it. 

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This is part two of a conversation with Jeff Pavone, partner at Amplify Car Wash Advisors. Jeff is back on the podcast to fill us in on the merger and acquisition landscape in the car wash industry with trends, predictions, data, and expert insight into the current (and future) market. 

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This week’s episode was so jam-packed with insight, we needed two weeks to share it with you. This is part one of a conversation with Jeff Pavone, partner at Amplify Car Wash Advisors. Jeff is back on the podcast to fill us in on the merger and acquisition landscape in the car wash industry with trends, predictions, data, and expert insight into the current (and future) market. 

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AMP Car Wash Membership Platform Co-founders Dennis Dreeszen and Adam Trien join us to share their origin story. We go behind the brand to discuss how they developed an app for Autowash into a multi-tenant app, where the brand is today, where they want to go, and the honeymoon destination of the founders.

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NFTs in the car wash space? We have a bonus episode for you discussing just that. Anne Mauler of Soapy Joe’s Car Wash joins us to talk about their recently NFT campaign, why and how they did it, and the result so far. 

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NFTs in the car wash space? We have a bonus episode for you discussing just that. Anne Mauler of Soapy Joe’s Car Wash joins us to talk about their recently NFT campaign, why and how they did it, and the result so far. 

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This week on CAR WASH the Podcast we bring you our monthly conversation with CAR WASH Experts. Each month a panel of experts discuss a topic. This week it is how to build a culture to transcend generations

We are joined by Justin Alford of Benny’s Car Wash, Bill Martin of Metro Express Car Wash, and Tom Hoffman Jr. of Hoffman Car Wash. We discuss how to create a business that will outlive the people who built it.

This conversation was recorded at the CAR WASH Show in Nashville

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We have a very exciting update about the future of CAR WASH the Podcast. Tune in to hear more!

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This episode has a pretty simple description. We talk about what data you should be gathering and the best way to leverage it. That is it. Our guest this week is Neil Hoyne, the Chief Measurement Officer at google, and author of “Converted: The Data-Driven Way to Win Customers' Hearts”. He compares business to everyday relationships, explains data’s role in decision-making, and even gives us an experiment to try. We also learn why our goal shouldn’t be to outrun the bear!

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This week we speak with Howard M. Shore. Shore is the Founder and CEO of Activate Group, a Bestselling Author, speaker, and serial entrepreneur. He talked with us about zeroing in on your customer, making decisions for them, and the importance of turning your current customers into raving fans. We get into the weeds on payment structures and membership plans and Shore uses the phrase “check your ego” in a conversation about growth. Shore was a speaker at the CAR WASH Show 2022 in Nashville.

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We bring you our monthly conversation with CAR WASH Experts. Each month a panel of experts discuss a topic. This week it is how to attract, retain, and train the next generation of workers

We are joined by George Hobson of Brown Bear Car Wash, Shaun Nordgaarden of Waterway Carwash, and Claire Moore of the International Carwash Association to compare notes on how we can make our washes an attractive choice to younger generations. After all, this isn’t your father’s car wash anymore!

This conversation was recorded at the CAR WASH Show in Nashville.

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In this episode, we hear from Bob Klein, ICA's long-time Research Director. Klein gives us insights on the ICA 2022 Consumer Study. We discuss what changed in the last years, and what hasn't. Klein talks trends and predictions on what will be important in the coming years. Most importantly we talk things that could improve customer satisfaction. If you don't run an easily accessible subscription model this episode might just change your mind!

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In this episode, we share a conversation with Josh Linkner. Linkner is an author, speaker, and expert on creativity. He shares ways we can shake up the normal way of thinking to boost our creative output, ways to help groups generate creativity, and how to make our organisations ones that reward new ideas!

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In this episode, we share a conversation with the recent ICA Hall of Fame Inductee Bill Dahm. To understand Bill Dahm’s story and legacy, however, you also need to understand the story of Crew Car Wash, The Dahm Family, and the people Crew and Bill have impacted along the way.  We hear from Bill, and the people at Crew this week plus his ICA Hall of Fame acceptance remarks at the Car Wash Show in Nashville.

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In this episode, we bring you our monthly conversation with CAR WASH Experts. Each month a panel of experts discuss a topic. This week it is data data data!

We are joined by Anne Mauler of Soapy Joe’s, Andy Agostini of Magnolia Wash Holdings, and Anoop Kanthan of OmniX to compare notes on how we can prioritize data…and what is possible once we have it!

This conversation was recorded at the CAR WASH Show in Nashville.

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In this episode, Jake Simpson joins us to tell a story that is a little bit different from what you have heard from our show. Simpson spoke to us from southeast Pennsylvania to discuss his small in-bay automatic and self-serve car wash and the challenges that come with washing cars in a very rural area. 

Simpson also tells us the story of an old Nascar that he bought and refurbished as a special way to promote the wash!

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In this episode, Chris Riddell, futurist, answers our many questions like: What changes did you see as a result of COVID? How comfortable is the public with companies using data? How should we use data? What can companies do to stay ahead of the tech curve? Will we ever be able to pay using our cars as a wallet? Tricks to identify the customer at check-in and..like…what is a futurist? 

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In this episode, Lt. Col Jason O. Harris joins us to tackle culture and team building. Harris takes his long time service as a U.S. Air Force Officer Special Operations Pilot and U.S.A.F. Academy Instructor and applies it to our work cultures. His tips help to make our washes trusting and attractive places to work. Plus we hear about the best variety of donut.

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In this episode of CAR WASH the Podcast Eric Wulf, ICA CEO talks with Rob Shesol of Splash Carwash China about how a bad car wash experience in Prague led him to open the first tunnel car wash in China and the incredible opportunity that has become. 

Shesol also discusses the role of the Chinese government and environmental solutions in Splash's success. 

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In this installment of CAR WASH Experts, we have an incredible conversation with our panel including Dorielle Birnkrant of PetroCal, Jessica Zazworsky of The Bubble Barn, and Mayra Chimienti of Mister Carwash about women in leadership in the car wash industry. This conversation was recorded in the CAR WASH Magazine Studio at the CAR WASH Show 2022 in Nashville.

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This week we are talking about community. In this episode, we are joined by Richard Belanger of Motor City Wash Works, Nick Rodia of Sgt. Clean Car Wash, and Mark Curtis of Splash Car Washes to discuss their community engagement. They talk about the causes they support, how they found them, how they leverage the support of the car wash community, and the impact they have on the community and within their own organizations. 

This conversation was recorded live in the CAR WASH Magazine Live studio at The Car Wash Show in Nashville 2022.

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This week's podcast is another panel episode with CAR WASH Experts answering the question: To Coupon, Or Not To Coupon?

We talk the who, how, where, what and why of intentional promotion and discounting, a few tips on retention and referrals, plus a few things you can do today to be better tomorrow. 

Thanks to Nick Lopez from Bubble Bath Car Wash, and Nicholas Rodia from Sgt. Clean Car Wash, and Anne Mauler from Soapy Joe's Car Wash for your expert knowledge! 

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This week on CAR WASH the Podcast™ we talk with Ben Nemtin. Nemtin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of What Do You Want to Do Before You Die? and a star of MTV’s highest-rated show on iTunes and Amazon called The Buried Life.

Nemtin’s message is one of radical possibility. We discuss how fulfilling your own goals and reserving time for yourself can help you show up better in business and in service to others.

If you’re left wanting more after this episode, you’ll be able to catch Nemtin as a keynote speaker at The Car Wash Show in Nashville!

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This week on CAR WASH the Podcast we are taking you behind the brand with EverWash who aim to be in their words: "the GrubHub of carwashing". We get the back story on how this brand started, what they're doing today, and where they're headed in the future. EverWash is amazingly powerful in opening up the opportunities for how we can all enhance our customer experiences and drive our conversions through the roof. Join us for this conversation with EverWash Founder Scott Caplan, and Chief Revenue Officer Scott Pashley as we hear from ... the Scotts.

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This week we talk with Hernani Alves, owner of Turbo Shine, Chief Motivational Officer of Balanced IQ and author of Balanced Accountability: Create a Culture of Ownership. Alves tells us the story of his career and the lessons he learned along the way. He shares lessons on how to use accountability in a positive way, how to create a company culture that promotes love and ownership, and how we can choose better words as leaders

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It is the last Thursday of the month so we are bringing you another installment of CAR WASH Experts. Each month we discuss a topic with a panel of experts in the industry. This conversation is centered around scaling your marketing efforts.

Tune in to hear Sam Sousa of All American Express, Beth Martin of Express Wash Concepts, and Jonathan Kierman of Super Star Car Wash discuss their marketing planning, vision, budget, execution, and how they leave room for great ideas from the communities they serve!

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We are bringing you another CAR WASH the Podcast™ episode from the field as we visit our second cold-weather location in the last few weeks! Jessica Zazworsky from The Bubble Barn tells us about her path to the industry, what it was like to go from a corporate career to the carwashing community, and her keys to success for someone starting out. 

We also discuss the Bubble Barn location and the technologies that allow them to wash lowriders, duallies, and even tow trucks! 

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This conversation with Andrea Vahl comes from the 2021 Car Wash Show. Vahl, digital marketing expert and co-author of "Facebook Marketing for Dummies" answers all our digital growth questions. Should I be investing in paid advertising? Which platform suits my message? How can I get the most bang for my buck? Tune in to find out.

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In this episode, we take you into the field for Crew Carwash's Grand Opening in St. Cloud, Minnesota. We speak to Sally Grant, Executive Vice President and Billy Schaming, President about the company's ethos and culture as well as several other team members who moved from Indiana to open this location. They discuss their experience during the expansion, the company culture that has kept them there, and how Crew Carwash is able to keep washing cars even on the coldest of days. 

In true Crew Carwash fashion, they have brought the community in St. Cloud along for the ride and were giving away top package washes for the weekend with the dollars going to Big Brothers Big Sisters. We also hear from Tina Johanning about that partnership and the impact of their donation. 

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This week, Mister Car Wash’s John Lai joins ICA CEO Eric Wulf to share how Mister Car Wash is approaching the industry now that they’re a publicly-traded company. Find out what’s different, and what’s staying the same on their journey.

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It’s the last Thursday of the month, so we’re treating you to a panel conversation with our car wash experts to talk “Menu Matters.” Tune in as we explore the good, the bad, and the ugly with our menus. We'll discuss some out of the box ideas with Anne Mauler of Soapy Joe’s, Nick Rodia at Sgt. Clean, and Jessica Price Easter from Qual Chem.

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We've got a fun conversation for you in this episode around LUV Car Wash and the explosive growth they've experienced. Turns out ... to grow quickly all you really need is LUV.

We chat with JT Thomson and Darren Skarecky about their path to today, and how all of their collective experiences have added up to this moment for them. It was meant to be.

This, friends, is a LUV story.

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In this episode, we had the chance to talk to Andy Agostini, one of the driving forces in the extreme growth happening under the Magnolia Wash Holdings organization. We hear about the organization's approach to building out their brands, creative ways they are segmenting the brands, and how they are working to maintain a people-first culture that makes people excited about a career in the professional car wash industry.

Originally founded in 2014 by Frank Bennett and Brooks Moye, Magnolia Wash Holdings is now on an accelerated growth trajectory being driven by rapid acquisition while the organization builds up its greenfield pipeline.

A and M Capital Partners created Magnolia Wash Holdings in December of 2020 with the combination of Express Wash and Oasis Express. The organization jump-started with 17 locations and spent the entirety of 2021 growing its portfolio to 52 locations across nine brands in six different states. 

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In this week's episode we catch up with Spot AI co-founder and CEO Tanuj Thapliyal. Thapliyal is bringing an entirely new perspective to the industry when it comes to what's possible with ... video as data. 

We know that all kinds of fascinating things are possible with our business if we leverage data, but what happens when we start thinking about the increasing number of video cameras in our business as data sources?

Get ready for an in-depth conversation that shares Thapliyal's path, what's possible when we change the way we think about video, and what we can all do to create better customer experiences.

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In this episode we talk to Jay Wyatt, Dr. Scott Spore and Joe Landin about the aggressive growth and outstanding commitment to community at Mighty Wash. 

Celebrating its 10th year in business, the organization has accelerated in the last couple of years and is creating something special.

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Erin Noonan joins us from G&G LED to talk about the evolution of LED lighting, and all the things that are possible with today's lighting technology. If you're looking for creative ways to differentiate your wash experience, and bring new life to your site, this is the episode for you.

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In a recent study, more than 76% of consumers use a professional car wash. But, only 39% know the name of their car wash. 

The question then, is how much does your brand matter? Is that a giant opportunity, or a huge waste of energy? Should you just slap car wash on your building and call it a day?

Listen in as we make a case for the importance of brand with Alivia Gleason from Mr. Shine, Justin Young from Splash in Arkansas, and Anne Mauler from Soapy Joe's.

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Get a look at what's new, and what you can expect, at this year's The Car Wash Show™ in Las Vegas, Nov. 15-17. Learn about some of the vendors on the floor this year, hear from ICA CEO Eric Wulf, VP of Partnerships Carrie North, and more as you get the inside scoop. 

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This week Natasha Toffoli joins us from Canada's Bubbles Car Wash to share her story. We'll discuss their indoor greeting and detailing area, hear how they have created a system without appointments, and learn why they created a second story detailing operation.

This story is all about service ... Full Service.

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Today we’ve got an exclusive conversation for you between ICA CEO Eric Wulf, and the newest Chairman and CEO of Mammoth Holdings, David Hoffman.

Hoffman was previously with Dunkin’ Brands as President, Dunkin’ U.S., overseeing all operations, marketing and development for the brand domestically. He was appointed to CEO in July 2018, where his responsibilities expanded to include Baskin–Robbins, as well as the international businesses of both Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins.

Prior to joining Dunkin’ Brands, Dave spent 22 years with McDonald’s Corporation, where he most recently served as President, High Growth Markets, an area that included China, South Korea, Russia and several additional European markets. From 2009 to 2015, he held various leadership roles as part of McDonald’s Asia Pacific Middle East Africa (APMEA), serving as President beginning in 2012 and overseeing the operations of 8,900 restaurants across 37 countries.

Enjoy this conversation as we hear about what Hoffman is excited for in this industry, and what he might be bringing with him from a strong retail pedigree to the car wash industry.

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We were in town to get ready for The Car Wash Show 2021, and stopped by Terrible's to see how Scott Horner is approaching the increasing competition in their business.

We talk unmanned tunnels, and a little in-bay action for you as we hear how this industry stalwart is staying relevant in their region.

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Today we're having a conversation with Amplify's Jeff Pavone around what’s happening in the industry, what people in the industry need to be ready for, and how we can make sure we’re all ready for the future. Plus, we go down a rabbit hole around the concept of growing, or exiting ... and what should you be doing? It's not an easy thing to work through, that's for sure.

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We've got a fun conversation planned for you this week with one of the scheduled speakers at The Car Wash Show in Las Vegas in November.

We're talking customer experience, and how today's consumer is changing, and what you can do to make sure you're keeping them at the center of your business.

Chip R. Bell is a renowned keynote speaker and the author of several award-winning national and international best-selling books on the customer experience. Ranked among the top keynote speakers in the world for seven years running by Global Gurus, Dr. Bell will leave you with the intel you need to move smartly forward with your organization.

He was a highly decorated infantry unit commander with the elite 82nd Airborne and a guerilla tactics instructor at the U.S. Army Infantry School. Dr. Bell holds graduate degrees from Vanderbilt University and the George Washington University.

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In today’s episode, we’re sharing a previously unheard interview from one of our visits to WaterWay Car Wash.

We chatted with Cathy Hemp, Marketing Manager, about her path to car washing, and what keeps her coming back every day … for more than 18 years. It’s a fantastic story about the power of a great company culture.

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What if your business could be positively positioned to hundreds of thousands of potential customers?

That’s the allure of influencer marketing. Attach your brand to someone who has a following, someone who is a trusted voice and ambassador.

In today’s show, we’re going to talk about ways you might be able to tap into that … and whether it’s something you should be trying to tap into.

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Richard Branson just successfully flew into space. He's not an astronaut. Let that sink in.  

That was a grand dream he had from his youth, and he spent a lot of energy, and had some luck along the way, to achieve it.  But guess what? Everybody has dreams, big and small. And today we're learning about a unique program in place at Valet Car Wash in Canada that is helping employees achieve their dreams.  

This program helps employees feel valued, trusted, and more engaged. It sets your business up to be a place of pride and value for your people.  It's all about giving people the practical skills they need, and the support system they may not otherwise have, to build them up for the long haul.  

Join Mike Black from Valet Car Wash and Murray Smith from Blue Canoe Consulting to hear how it all works.

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Today we’re getting into grand openings, or re-openings depending on what you’re up to with your business.

Fact 1: There is a recipe you should follow that will make grand openings easier for you, and beneficial for your business

Fact 2: Like any great recipe, the magic that will take you to the next level is in your ability to adapt, and season, and make it unique to you!

Today we have a phenomenal conversation for you with Beth Martin of Express Wash Concepts and Sam Sousa from All American Express. One of our guests is on 38 chambers of commerce, and another is experimenting with pre-sales for unlimited wash clubs.

Alright, for those of you who want quick information, and maybe not all of the things you’ll really need to be awesome … here’s the three step recipe for you for opening your wash to the public.

1. Give away free washes

2. Sign up Members

3. Give back to the community

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George Hobson from Brown Bear, Alex Paisner from ScrubaDub and Chris Presswood from Mammoth Holdings (Finish Line) share their tips and approaches to hiring to help you stand out in a challenging labor market.

Brown Bear has been in business for nearly 65 years and operates 49 locations in the Northwestern U.S.

ScrubaDub has been in business for 65 years and operates 20 locations in the Northeastern U.S.

Mammoth Holdings has 63 locations across the U.S. and has been in business since 2002.

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In this episode, we're talking to Megan Ragsdale, Chief Operating Officer for Soapy Joe's in San Diego. She's giving us keys to tapping into a giant population of potential candidates for your business - women.

Some 25% of women left the workforce during COVID, and now many will be looking to return. So what do we need to be doing to make sure our businesses are setup to attract, develop, and retain this audience?

Prior to the car wash industry, Ragsdale spent time with big companies like Sony as the Head of Innovation for the Research and Innovation Center and Head of Customer Experience and Marketing during a time when Sony was pushing their retail experience and has experience creating retail customer experiences, with other big companies you’ve heard of. She spent time consulting with Deloitte, she’s a certified coach, she’s been a change management expert, she knows how to get the best out of people and she’s just all around good people.

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In today’s episode, we’re talking to Caleb Box, from Red’s Car Wash in Alabama. Caleb took on a challenging renovation, and has turned the wash into an experience you just have to … well … experience.

This wash has light shows running into the evening hours to serve as marketing outside of business hours, and has a spectacular ceramic tunnel within the tunnel.

Caleb shares his lessons learned, and tells a fun story about how he knew he had to either pivot, or get out of the car wash business.

Enjoy this conversation from Episode 61 of Car Wash magazine live with Caleb Box of Red’s Car Wash.

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In this episode, we're helping you figure out exactly what you should be doing when it comes to churn in your unlimited clubs. How do you know what data to watch? What's normal? What's aspirational? How do you keep it down? Is discounting the only way to win-back customers?

We get into it with Jason Baumgartner from Suds Creative, Anne Mauler from Soapy Joe's, and Nick Lopez from Bubble Bath Car Wash.

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In this episode, we talk to Ryan Essenburg, President and Chief Innovation Officer of Tommy's and Andrew VanWylen Vice President of Engineering and Operations. We get some insight into the path Tommy's is taking from a franchise perspective, and why they think it's the right path forward for them.

We hear some of the origin story of this well-known industry name, and get a little peak into the future for this company focused on continuous innovation, and an operator-first mentality.

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In today’s episode, we’re talking with Luke Bathel from Rinse n Ride in Arizona. Luke owns 5 locations, and while he would love to keep growing the business, this isn’t a story about that kind of growth. For Luke, the passion comes in cultivating the Rinse n Ride team.

He comes at the business with a mission to serve and to lift people up, and to provide practical skills to those who work at Rinse n Ride to help make their lives better.

It’s all about culture, and community here friends. A culture focused on things like providing financial literacy programs to team members, and planting gardens at the washes to help provide access to healthy foods.

Here’s a recent conversation with Luke Bathel from CAR WASH Magazine Live Episode 58.

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We all know, that, In the last few years, the car wash industry has been growing and consolidating with increasing speed, and a big part of that has been the growing presence of private equity interests in the industry. And we’re seeing it on both the operator and supplier sides of the industry.

The reality though, is that the professional car wash industry does remain a highly fragmented industry. That means there is a lot of opportunity for companies looking to grow through acquisitions, opportunities for those in the industry who have built up strong businesses and looking for the next step in their car wash journey, and an opportunity for people to enter the industry.

Today, we’re going to share the story of Mammoth Holdings. Founded in 2002 by Gary Dennis and Chip Hackett, what started as a single self serve location is now a group of more than 70 washes across 14 brands, and presence in 10 states in the US. Since 2018 Mammoth Holdings has been backed by Red Dog Equity, but the business remains quintessential car wash.

Here’s their story.

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You want to spend less time, creating more valuable content, that drives customers to your business. Let's do it! Join our experts today to talk about which platforms you should be on, and how to manage the chaos.

Beth Martin from Express Wash Concepts, Sam Sousa from All American Express, and Wade Keith from Breeze Thru Car Wash join us to share their marketing knowledge!

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In this episode we learn how Willy Beumer made the choice to go cashless at his wash, and we get tips on how to double your unlimited monthly plan sign ups with a single small tweak.

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In this episode we’re talking to Tyler Slaughter from Camel Express. We get his personal story and we get great insight into how they keep their talent bench full and live by the mantra of two positions ahead.

Plus, get insight into Tyler’s commitment to process, team building, and giving back to the car wash industry.

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In this episode we get to sit down with Arcadian Services. Arcadian does several things in the car wash space, but today we’re going to focus on talking about chemistry, chemistry education and technology, and relationships. Kipp Kofsky and Mark Wells drop knowledge on us! 

We talk a lot today about customer experience, and how to enhance that and we often come back to talking about things like employees and their interactions, lighting, reducing pain points for customers. But chemistry really plays a pretty big role in that customer experience too. In fact, maybe the most important one in achieving clean, dry, shiny!

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In this episode, we get to hear from two experts who have gone through the Customer Journey Map creation exercise and are using it in their business.

If you're looking for ways you can better understand your customers, and better map the experience to those customers ... this is for you.

Customer Journey Maps give you a document that you can leverage in your brand framework to help everyone in your business stay on brand.

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In this episode of CAR WASH The Podcast, David Begin talks to Human Resources expert Claudia St. John at Affinity HR Group.In part 1, you get to hear about some of the changes you need to be mindful of. We get to talk about minimum wage increases and what that can mean for businesses. Plus increasing disparity among state labor laws is creating some migrations that are having impacts.

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In this episode of CAR WASH The Podcast, David Begin talks to Human Resources expert Claudia St. John at Affinity HR Group.

In part 1, you get to hear about some of the changes you need to be mindful of. We get to talk about minimum wage increases and what that can mean for businesses. Plus increasing disparity among state labor laws is creating some migrations that are having impacts.

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In this episode, we talk about all the ways you can sell more. Whether it's focusing on unlimited club memberships or more retail washes, these tips will change the game. We dive in on buyer and seller enablement to define those terms and provide insight you can use now!

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In this episode, David Begin and Scott Pashley talk about the origin of EverWash. Spoiler alert, EverWash comes at the business with multi-industry subscription sales experience. Plus, they'll dive in to big data conversations and how to leverage that data without leaving your customers uneasy.

Plus, the importance of staffing your pay stations in tunnel operations, and the potential for membership models in In-bay automatic operations.

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In part two of this this two-part episode of CAR WASH, The Podcast, David Begin talks with Mike Finger, CEO of Exit Oasis. Mike focuses on helping small business owners assess their business for sale and assist owners in getting the business ready for a potential sale. Mike and David talk about the pitfalls of selling a small business and some of the myths associated with owners who do not think about selling their business until it becomes too late. If you want more information about Mike Finger and Exit Oasis, visit www.exitoasis.com

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In part one of this this two-part episode of CAR WASH, The Podcast, David Begin talks with Mike Finger, CEO of Exit Oasis. Mike focuses on helping small business owners assess their business for sale and assist owners in getting the business ready for a potential sale. Mike and David talk about the pitfalls of selling a small business and some of the myths associated with owners who do not think about selling their business until it becomes too late. If you want more information about Mike Finger and Exit Oasis, visit www.exitoasis.com

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Co-hosts David Begin and Matt DeWolf wax nostalgic about childhood shows and tennis ball cannons ... and they also cover a few key elements to processing cars. Spoiler alert ... keys are consistency, process, training, and good chemistry.

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Brad Mewes joins David Begin on this episode to talk about the new PPP process and how businesses can best take advantage of the opportunities available. Mewes is the founder of Covid19Loans.org, a company that helps secure Loan Forgiveness for business owners whose business has been affected by COVID-19.

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In this audio version of our weekly video program, we jump headfirst into some interesting findings from the latest ICA Consumer Study. We gathered a panel of experts to share their thoughts on how to attract (and retain) more customers. Anne Mauler at Soapy Joe's, Wade Keith from Breeze Thru, and Sam Sousa from All American Express are in the hot seat!

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In this episode of CAR WASH The Podcast, we share the audio only version of The State Of Things with ICA CEO Eric Wulf and ICA President Ken Littrell.

We get a great look at what's coming in 2021, how the Association pivoted and what it's been working on in absence of The Car Wash Show. Plus, a giant ball of excitement around looking forward to The Car Wash 2021 in Las Vegas!

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David Begin and Matt DeWolf turn their attention to the future to talk all things 2021. Take a ride with us as we explore what habits may stick, and what the future is going to look like.

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In this episode, David Begin and Matt DeWolf work through a few key learnings for business owners, and human beings, from 2020.

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In this episode, we throwback to an audio interview recorded outside The Car Wash Show trade show floor in 2019. Doug Stephens, one of the speakers at The Show, talks to us about the importance of creating enhanced customer experiences that help you stand out in an increasingly competitive market. 

Living up to his Retail Prophet name, Stephens' insights carry weight today, so you don't want to miss this gem!

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In this episode, we dive in to best approaches for handling online reviews, along with a lively discussion around Yelp, and some insight into where these marketing experts are spending their digital dollars today.

Join Beth Martin from Moo Moo Express Car Wash, Sam Sousa from All American Express Car Wash and Nick Lopez of Bubble Bath Car Wash for this lively discussion!

If you're interested in the sample Beth shares in this episode, it can be downloaded here!

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Warren Davis from Stinger Chemical joins David Begin to share the story of how Stinger Chemical got started. Not familiar? You're in luck!

We get into paint technology changes in today's automobile and have a robust conversation around softer clear coats, the increased ability to correct and clean, and the increased longevity of car wash products. We'll also spend some quality time talking ceramics. You're welcome!

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Reuven Birnkrant, CEO of PetroCal Associates, joins David Begin to share insight and expertise in all things car wash finance. We dive in to the nuance that comes with financing your next car wash project. Historically low financing rates and strong credit terms are available in today's market creating a favorable environment for expansion and growth opportunities.

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We had the chance to talk with Michael Timmer from WashU in Illinois about his love of belt conveyors, his double tunnel operation in Burbank with a truly innovative video queueing softrware, and we hear a great story of turning potential negative customer interactions into repeat customers.

WashU operates four locations in Illinois, with plans to continue expansion.

What makes WASH U a revolutionary new car wash experience? * We provide an exceptional clean. * We think GREEN. We use environmentally responsible sustainable technology that uses a fraction of the water and power of traditional car washes. * It’s fast and easy – from the easy-on conveyors without the need for guide rails to the free vacuum stations. * We use American-made technology. * We’re locally owned and operated. We live in the Chicago area and are proud supporters of the communities we serve.

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We had the opportunity to visit with Stuart Williams of Mr. Clean just before the company accelerated its growth in 2020. Big things are planned for this well-known consumer brand. Listen in to hear what they're upto.

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Check out this SPECIAL EDITION marketing panel as we talk about consumer habits changes, traffic patterns and cutting through the noise! Plus, a rousing game of Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down and what it's like to start an unlimited program in 2020! Thanks to Sean McBride, Wade Keith and Anne Mauler for joining Matt DeWolf in this episode!

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From pine straw and sanitation to car washing, Tyler McClure shares his path to the industry and the story behind Fire Station Express in Georgia.

McClure's site features a beautiful Fire Station theme complete with a light show and a dark tunnel that really pops. And al built with the love and labor that comes from being your own contractor.

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Join us for part 2 of our conversation with Dave Edwards!

Dave Edwards joins CAR WASH, The Podcast to discuss how he implemented a weather station at each of his washes and other fun ways to market his Self-Serve and In-Bay Automatic washes.

We’ll hear his story of how he got into the industry from the retail and residential construction industry, and why he loves a good underdog story.

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Dave Edwards joins CAR WASH, The Podcast to discuss how he implemented a weather station at each of his washes and other fun ways to market his Self-Serve and In-Bay Automatic washes.

This conversation is sure to get the creative energy flowing around how you can invest in existing properties with good bones, reinvigorate your local economy and continue to add profit centers that make an impact in these markets.

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Hear the rest of the conversation with Brian Krusz. 

Krusz has a penchant for taking on a challenge. He's gotten into a habit of acquiring tough locations and building successful washes out of them.

In one case, Krusz took a location and literally flipped it around completely, and converted the Quick Lube Bays into his Pay Stations.

Krusz spends time talking to us about his path to the industry, the challenges and rewards of building a successful wash through acquisition.

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Brian Krusz has a penchant for taking on a challenge. He's gotten into a habit of acquiring tough locations and building successful washes out of them.

In one case, Krusz took a location and literally flipped it around completely, and converted the Quick Lube Bays into his Pay Stations.

Krusz spends time talking to us about his path to the industry, the challenges and rewards of building a successful wash through acquisition.

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We get the full story of General Manager A.J. Bornhorst's path to the industry in this episode of CAR WASH, The Podcast.

An avid automobile enthusiast, Bornhorst goes out of his way to make the experience a positive one for customers at the high-end hand wash.

Get the full story, and get insight into what turned a job into a career for this car wash professional.

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Gleb Tsipursky, an Internationally-renowned thought leader in Disaster Avoidance, joins David Begin on this episode.

Hear Tsipursky share insight into different biases that are playing into how we work our way through disasters. It's an enlightening conversation that will help you in the long term.

If you're looking for more on ways you can prepare your business for the future, check out his latest book. 

Resilience: Adapt and Plan for the New Abnormal of the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic.

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In this continuation from episode 148, we hear from Dave Edwards from the Pennsylvania Car Wash Association and Stefano DiPietro a meteorologist who has taken a different approach to the car wash forecast.

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In this episode, we hear from Dave Edwards from the Pennsylvania Car Wash Association and Stefano DiPietro a meteorologist who has taken a different approach to the car wash forecast.

And we'll spend some quality time talking micro climates, and impacts to car washing!

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In this episode, we get to hear a fantastic story about the impact we can have in the lives of others. For several years, Motor City Wash Works has hosted an open house event and auction, raising money for charity. Specifically, they've raised more than $750,000 for St. Jude.

Listen in as we talk to Rich Belanger and Jim Utterback from Motor City, and Mike Hull from St. Jude. Learn how you can make a difference and save lives.

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In this continuation of Episode 145, David Begin and Curtis Wade discuss considerations around adding a Self-Serve or In-Bay to your washing business, including the implications of adding Beer Keg Nozzles with the 25 degree conical stream, balancing the pressure vs. coverage.

We also talk vacuums and more on this episode of CAR WASH, The Podcast.

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In part 1 of a two-part episode of CAR WASH, The Podcast Curtis Wade, VP of Sales for Oasis Car Wash Systems joins David Begin to share why In-bay Automatics and Self-Serves are as alive as ever.

"It's stronger now than it's been in several years," Wade said.

Hear the story of this more than 40 year old car wash business.

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In this two-part episode of Car Wash, the Podcast, David Begin visits with Sara J. Ross, Chief Vitality Officer at BrainAMPED in Toronto, Canada. Sara has spent her career as a researcher in the field of emotional intelligence and works with fortune 500 companies and executive leaders to understand how their personal vitality effects every aspect of their organization.

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In this two-part episode of Car Wash, the Podcast, David Begin visits with Sara J. Ross, Chief Vitality Officer at BrainAMPED in Toronto, Canada. Sara has spent her career as a researcher in the field of emotional intelligence and works with fortune 500 companies and executive leaders to understand how their personal vitality effects every aspect of their organization.

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In this Episode of CAR WASH The Podcast, David Begin visits with Bob Klein, Chief Strategy Officer with Blue Chip Worldwide. In this 3-part podcast, David and Bob discuss different aspects of the 2019 ICA Consumer Study. Bob give insights on the data that is useful to owners and operators and specific advice on what they can do to improve their operations. If you are interested in acquiring these reports go to https://www.carwash.org/for-operators/research/car-wash-consumer-study.

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In this Episode of CAR WASH The Podcast, David Begin visits with Bob Klein, Chief Strategy Officer with Blue Chip Worldwide. In this 3-part podcast, David and Bob discuss different aspects of the 2019 ICA Consumer Study. Bob give insights on the data that is useful to owners and operators and specific advice on what they can do to improve their operations. If you are interested in acquiring these reports go to https://www.carwash.org/for-operators/research/car-wash-consumer-study.

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In this Episode of CAR WASH The Podcast, David Begin visits with Bob Klein, Chief Strategy Officer with Blue Chip Worldwide. In this 3-part podcast, David and Bob discuss different aspects of the 2019 ICA Consumer Study. Bob give insights on the data that is useful to owners and operators and specific advice on what they can do to improve their operations. If you are interested in acquiring these reports go to https://www.carwash.org/for-operators/research/car-wash-consumer-study.

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In the Episode of CAR WASH The Podcast, Matt DeWolf interviews Justin Salisbury, Operations Manager of Breeze Thru Car Wash, located in Colorado and Wyoming. Matt and Justin talk about the importance of developing people in the car wash. Justin talks about the importance of developing employee in other areas of their lives. Justin talks about how failure is an integral part of the Breeze Thru mission and how they turn it into learning and growth opportunities for their employees.

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In this episode of CAR WASH The Podcast, David Begin visits with Alex King, Senior Value Consultant with Slack, a workplace collaboration platform company. Alex talks about how Workplace collaboration tools, such as Slack dramatically improves the communications of organizations, increases workplace efficiencies and can be the tool that improves the overall culture of an organization.

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In this Episode of CAR WASH The Podcast, David Begin visits with Ryan Cook, General Manager and Vice President of Sales for Diamond Shine, A division of Sonny’s Holdings. David and Ryan discuss the importance of developing and executing a quality car program for your wash. Ryan and David talk about the challenges and opportunities in developing a culture where car quality is paramount and some ways to help employees understand why car quality is so important.

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In this Episode of Carwashing, the Podcast, David Begin visits with Ryan Cook, General Manager and Vice President of Sales for Diamond Shine, A division of Sonny’s Holdings. David and Ryan discuss how car wash chemistry has come a long way in the past 5 years and how the car wash owner and customer have benefited from the innovations. Ryan talks about the importance of a cohesive chemistry program to deliver quality and to create the optimum car wash experience.

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In this second part episode of Car Wash, The Podcast, Co-Host David Begin and Matt DeWolf discuss the concept of normal vs. the new normal and how the current pandemic is changing the way business methods are changing at a pace that could not be achieved before the pandemic. They also talk about how carwash owners and managers need to look for the changes that are happening in the industry and how to take advantage of the opportunities it is providing to those who are paying attention.

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In this Episode of Car Wash, The Podcast, Co-Host David Begin and Matt DeWolf discuss the concept of normal vs. the new normal and how the current pandemic is changing the way business methods are changing at a pace that could not be achieved before the pandemic. David and Matt discuss how the brain manages change and some examples of radical business changes we have already seeing.

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Hear how one car wash owner in Georgia transitioned from a sales advisor to owning his own wash.

Mathew Stoner shares his path into the industry, including the successes he's seen with California Hand Wash in Johns Creek, Ga. 

This wash's volumes are heavy on high end vehicle in the affluent area outside of Atlanta, and the additional profit centers, like it's high end ceramic application, make business boom.

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Join Matt DeWolf for the audio version of one of his Facebook live sessions! He goes through some tips and tricks on how carwash owners can handle COVID-19 in a smart and effective way. Sara Ross joins the podcast to talk about how you can still work efficiently, but not trade in any life or fun living time to work hard. Jimmy Branch also joins the show ands gives the perspective of a carwash owner during these strange times. Join us for a discussion of leadership and teamwork with Carwash, the Podcast!

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In this Episode of Carwash, The Podcast, David Begin visits with Claudia St. John, CEO of Affinity HR Group and discusses the unique issues that carwash owners and managers deal with during this pandemic. Claudia reviews some of the government programs that are available to carwash owners and managers and what to do if you have employees or family members of employees who might be ill. If you are interested in the services that Affinity HR provides, visit them at https://affinityhrgroup.com/.

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In this Episode of Carwash, The Podcast, David Begin visits with Claudia St. John, CEO of Affinity HR Group and discusses the unique issues that carwash owners and managers deal with during this pandemic. Claudia reviews some of the government programs that are available to carwash owners and managers and what to do if you have employees or family members of employees who might be ill. If you are interested in the services that Affinity HR provides, visit them at https://affinityhrgroup.com/.

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In this episode of Car Wash the Podcast, Matt DeWolf interviews Mark Philipp. Mark Philipp worked for 35 years with Compaq, HP and Dell in the technology industry selling hardware across a large territory. But, after plenty of unpleasant experiences with the TSA and one too many overloaded planes, he decided it was time to make a change.

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In this episode of Carwashing, The Podcast, David Begin interviews Levi McClendon, CEO of Optspot. Optspot is a text marketing company focused on the carwash industry. Optspot helps carwash owners and managers increase the frequency of communications with their customers and talks about how Optspot can help owners build a loyal customer base.

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In this Episode of Car wash, The Podcast, Co-Hosts Matt DeWolf and David Begin discuss some of the practical things you can do and should be doing right now to manage your carwash in this pandemic crisis. Car Wash owners and managers should think about completing projects and task that have been on the “back burner” and how to especially use this time for “quality thinking time” to improve your overall car wash strategy for the future.

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In this Episode of Car Wash the Podcast, Co-Host David Begin and Matt DeWolf say goodbye to The How of Carwashing and hello to Car Wash the Podcast. David and Matt talk about the reasons behind changing the podcast name and format and how teaming up with Car Wash Magazine will provide superior content, interviews, and conversations. We appreciate all of the input that our listeners have given us over the years and we look forward to taking the podcast to the next level.

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A COVID-19 Information and Discussion for Small Business Owners with Henry Lopez and David Begin. Basic information to help you deal with the coronavirus impact on your small business. In this episode of The How of Business podcast, Henry and David share some facts, resources, examples and ideas on how to deal with and prepare for the impact of the corona virus pandemic on your small business.

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In this episode of the How of Carwashing, David Begin talks about the components of Crisis Management and how Crisis Management should be an integral part of your car wash planning and training. David gives some practical steps and shares cleaning training from White Water Express wash and how they are dealing with the Coronavirus.

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In this episode of The How of Carwashing David Begin and Matt Dewolf sit down with Ken Littrell and Eric Wulf of the International Carwash Association. Ken and Eric talk about how they answered vendor questions and how they helped vendors to the best of their ability. They talk about what decisions were made and what struggles they had with cancelling the ICA Show

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How to build your personal brand with Melva Robertson. She shares her personal story & how she helps her clients develop their personal branding.

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How do you plan on budgeting for your small car washing business? Learn to market on a budget for small car wash owners with Melissa Forziat. She shares tips and techniques to manage your marketing strategy and tactics.

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In this episode of The How of Carwashing, Matt Dewolf from Car Wash Magazine interviews Phil D’ Matt D'Agostini of Utah Auto Spa and talks about the opportunities and challenges of an owner of a self serve and In-Bay Automatic (IBA) car wash.

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Systems & tools to stay organized and productive as a small business owner with Henry Lopez. Henry shares his thoughts and tips on personal productivity, including the systems and tools he uses to stay organized and on task. To achieve success as an entrepreneur, you must stay organized and highly productive. The key is to find the tools and systems that work for you, and then use them consistently. Then evolve your system for organization over time to continue improving your personal productivity.

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Sacrifice – what are you willing to personally sacrifice to become your own boss and start your first business? If you are already in business, what are you willing to sacrifice further to grow it? Henry Lopez shares his thoughts on the kind of sacrifices that, based on his entrepreneurship experience, you have to be willing to make in order to succeed as a small business owner – particularly when launching your first business.

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Henry shares a recommended process and approach for firing or terminating a poor performing employee. The process should include a verbal documented warning, one or more written warnings with specific guidance, a possible suspension without pay, and then a firing the employee. Keeping a bad employee too long usually has a detrimental impact on our small business culture. Be sure to get the advice of an employment attorney before applying any of these practices.

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In this part 2 episode of The How of Carwashing, David Begin visits with Randy Wingert and Erika Fey from JBS Industries. David and the group talk about the evolution of chemicals in the car wash industry and how a good chemical program can enhance your wash quality and your bottom line. The group also talks about the history of the carwash industry and some interesting ideas on where it’s going.

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In this episode of The How of Carwashing, David Begin visits with Randy Wingert and Erika Frey from JBS Industries. David and the group talk about the evolution of chemicals in the car wash industry and how a good chemical program can enhance your wash quality and your bottom line. The group also talks about the history of the carwash industry and some interesting ideas on where it’s going.

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In the Episode of The How of Carwashing, David Begin discusses how business and individuals who plan on success in the future will need to say “No” more often. By focusing on both what we want to do and be and more importantly, what we don’t want to do and be, we give ourselves the clarity and bandwidth to be successful and achieve the goals we desire both personally and professionally.

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In this new year episode of The How of Carwashing, David Begin discussed the use of metrics in the carwash and how good metrics can drive performance. David talks about the elements of good metrics and common mistakes that mangers make with metrics.

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In this episode of The How of Carwashing David and Henry sit down to discuss the benefits of being a student of human resources. Explore new ways to better your small business team. What traits should you look for in a potential employee? How can you diffuse a toxic work environment? David and Henry talk about finding the right people to add to your team and how those people can better your business. When you are confident in your team, you team will be confident in their work!

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Developing great Team Players for your Small Business with Walt Brown. He is the author of “The Patient Organization" and the textbook for the 7 Question 7 Promise Framework. Walt shares his entrepreneurial story, and how he helps his clients with attracting, engaging, empowering and retaining great team players to build a dream small business.

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On this part 2 episode of The How of Carwashing, David continues his conversation with Matt McCulloch to discuss systems within a small car washing business! How can Mosaic help you to better understand your customers in the car washing industry? Matt McCulloch goes over the main functionality points of the POS System Mosaic and talks about how it can help you organize your car wash so it can operate with no problems!

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On this episode of The How of Carwashing, David sits down with Matt McCulloch to discuss systems within a small car washing business! How can Mosaic help you to better understand your customers in the car washing industry? Matt McCulloch goes over the main functionality points of the POS System Mosaic, and talks about how it can help you organize your car wash so it can operate with no problems!

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In this episode of the How of Carwashing, David Begin sits down with Joe Trodden of Mindsets Experts to talk about mindsets of entrepreneurs! What are the benefits of having goals as an entrepreneur? How can enhancing your communication skills better your small car washing business and your employees? Find out how tweaking your business rules can empower and inspire your staff. Joe Trodden discusses the benefits of understanding yourself first so you can better understand your small business!

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In this part 2 episode of The How of Carwashing, David Begin continues his conversation with Rob Stephenson about belt technologies within your small car washing business! How can belt technology improve your carwash and customer experience? What are things you need to check and look out for when investing in a belt for your car wash. David and Rob go over all the details you need to make the right choice for your car washing business!

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In this episode of The How of Carwashing, David Begin talks with Rob Stephenson about belt technologies within your small car washing business! How can belt technology improve your carwash and customer experience? What are things you need to check and look out for when investing in a belt for your car wash. David and Rob go over all the details you need to make the right choice for your car washing business!

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In this episode of The How of Carwashing, David Begin talks with Anoop Kanthan, Co-Founder of OmniX Labs about their exciting new technology for car wash owners and operators. By using a carwash’ s existing video cameras and though the use of machine learning and AI algorithms, omniX labs can automatically give you insights into your business that will help you and your management team manage and run your wash more effectively.

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In this episode of The How of Carwashing David sits down with Riley Babcock of talentReef to talk about Human Resource systems within your small business! Making your carwash environment employee friendly will help you get the best out of your employees. Riley shares how mobile friendly telentReef is and how it helps to customize your employee's access to trainging, preformance management and connecting with the employer. See how talentReef can transofrm your small carwashing business!

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In part 2 of this episode of the How of Car Washing, David Begin interviews Matt Brunk, District Manager of Car Wash Express, USA. Matt and David continue to discuss the culture transformation of Wild Blue Car Wash over the past 1.5 years before the sale and talk about the tools and methods used to create a high-performing team that served the customer.

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In this Episode of the How of Car Washing, David Begin interview Matt Brunk, District Manager of Car Wash Express, USA. Matt and David discussed the culture transformation of Wild Blue Car Wash over the past 1.5 years before the sale and talks about the tools and methods used to create a high-performing team that served the customer.

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Motivating & leading Millennial employees in your small business, with Chris Tuff. Chris is an entrepreneur and author of "The Millennial Whisperer: The Practical, Profit-Focused Playbook for Working With and Motivating the World’s Largest Generation". Chris shares his experience, insights and practical tips to help us better manage and lead our millennial workforce.

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Our 100th Episode! – In this Episode of the How of Carwashing, David Begin and Henry Lopez celebrate the milestone of producing the 100th episode of the How of Car Washing. David and Henry discuss their favorite and most popular past episodes and talk about how the podcast has transformed over the past 2.5 years. A big thanks to all of our listeners and sponsors who supported us, and we look forward to the next 100 episodes.

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Selling our car wash business with Henry Lopez & David Begin. Henry and David announce and discuss the recent sale of the highly successful exterior-express car wash business, Wild Blue Carwash, with three locations in Colorado. They share highlights of how and why they decided to sell this small business, the emotions associated with the sale, the process they followed, and what’s next for each of them.

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In this episode of the How of Carwashing, David talks about the differences between standards in a Car Wash organization and the expectations managers and owners have of those standards. David discusses highlight from Amazon’s Jeff Bezos’s 2018 shareholder letter and how Amazon thinks about and implements high standards. If you struggle with standards (too high or non-existent) this podcast will give you some practical tips to manage your standards.

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Trade Shows for small business with industry veteran Chris Kappes. Chris is the founder and Chief Operating Officer at Exhibitshub – a technology company transforming the exhibiting experience. He shares his entrepreneurial story, including why he decided to become his own boss, and then provides his insights and tips on how to get the most from a trade show or other event for your small business.

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In this episode of the How of Carwashing, David Begin talks about the value of gratitude and thankfulness and how we can apply these timeless principals in the car wash environment. David also talks about how you can take a day that’s not working for you and with a few simple techniques, quickly change your mindset into one that makes you feel fantastic and gives you energy to serve your team and your customers.

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In this Episode of the How of Carwashing, David Begin interviews his operations manager, Matt Brunk about the recent shutdown performed at one of the sites. David and Matt contrast this shutdown with one conducted last year and give listeners tips and tricks to make the shutdown go as smooth as possible.

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In this episode of the How of Carwashing, David Begin interviews Adam Anderson, an entrepreneur, consultant, trainer, author and cyber security expert. He shares his background, from dropping out of college to launching his own security consulting business. Adam discusses the state of cyber security and the challenges that all businesses, large and small face in today’s online world. Adam shares practical and easy to implement tips & advice on how to avoid cyber-crime at our carwash facilities.

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In this Episode of the How of Car Washing, David and Henry discuss the challenges of leadership in the car wash environment and the characteristics of good leaders. David and Henry use excerpts the book from John C. Maxwell, “How Successful People Lead.” David and Henry talk about the 5 Levels and how owner and managers should focus on the essential elements of leadership and how leadership training and development always creates the best performing teams.

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In part 2 of this episode of the How of Carwashing David sits down with Claudia St. John and Lisa Ritchie to discuss all things Human Resources and recruiting for your carwash. They go over topics like recruiting Millennials, keeping employees engaged, and how to effectively communicate with your carwash employees. Claudia and Lisa talk about how important it is as a manger to connect with your employees so you can lead them in the direction you want to take your small business.

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In this episode of the How of Carwashing David sits down with Claudia St. John and Lisa Ritchie to discuss all things Human Resources and recruiting for your carwash. They go over topics like recruiting Millennials, keeping employees engaged, and how to effectively communicate with your carwash employees. Claudia and Lisa talk about how important it is as a manger to connect with your employees so you can lead them in the direction you want to take your small business.

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In this episode of the How of Carwashing, David Begin starts a new series called “Profiles in Carwashing” where he interviews car wash owners, operators and managers who are making an impact in our industry. Our first interview is with Brian Krusz with the Sgt Clean car wash chain based in Ohio. Brian shares with us his journey into the car wash industry and how his military background has given him the tools he needs to develop his employees into leaders.

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In this episode of The How of Carwashing, David Begin and Henry Lopez sit down and talk about way to combat overwhelm. How can eating right and exercise help you fight burn out? What benefits does keeping a planner for your business do? David discusses how only picking 3 goals to complete for the day can help you feel more accomplished and relaxed. Henry goes over how check lists help him stay organized and make sure he doesn't forget anything important.

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In this episode of The How of Carwashing, David Begin interviews Dean Savoca, Founder of the Savoca Performance Group based in Denver Colorado. Dean’s has extensive experience helping world class organizations like the Broadmoor Hotel and Northwestern Mutual insurance build teams that are aligned to the company’s vision and culture. Dena explains how great teams are created and the pitfalls of dysfunctional teams.

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In this Episode of The How of Carwashing, David Begin talks about the issue of “Fringe Time” and how fringe time can be a silent killer of productivity. David discusses the importance of using fringe time and some techniques on how you can get started on the projects and goals you have been putting off.

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Is being in a business partnership the right move for your small business? In this episode of the How of Carwashing, David Begin and Henry Lopez revisit the topic of partnerships in small business. They go over what kinds of challenges small business owners have to overcome while in a partnership. David and Henry also go over what benefits a partnership brings! This special episode was released on our sister podcast, The How of Business and is applicable to carwash owners too!

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In this episode of the How of Carwashing, David Begin and Henry Lopez discuss the importance of a “partnership” mindset with your local distributor and the elements of a successful partnership. David and Henry also discuss the challenges that face distributors and how you, as a carwash owner and operator can help your distributor remain successful and be your ally.

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In this episode of the How of Carwashing, David Begin discusses his experience with employee evaluations and how this tool can be used to increase the likelihood of an employee becoming successful at your carwash. Monitoring and increasing the number of one on one’s (1:1) with your employees will create a culture of accountability and allow you to address the issues that are associated with new employee development.

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In this episode of the How of Carwashing, David Begin gives his perspective on the 2019 Car Wash Show and the major themes and takeaways presented at the Nashville TN event. David reviews how the carwash world is changing for both owners, operators and even carwash suppliers. David also gives you some takeaways to help you plan and prepare for the changes that are coming to our industry.

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Why is my car not dry? In this episode of the How of Carwashing, David Begin visits with Aaron Green, CEO of Focused Car Wash Solutions based in Denver Colorado. David and Aaron discuss the issues associated with newer equipment configurations and faster tunnel speeds and the effect on our ability to dry cars. Aaron shares his experience with the role that chemistry plays in drying cars some ideas on optimum configurations for blower units and the use of flash dryers at the end of the tunnel.

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How do I know if it’s your car? In this episode of the How of Carwashing, David Begin visits with Aaron Green, CEO of Focused Car Wash Solutions based in Denver Colorado. David and Aaron discuss what they think will be the winner between RFID (chip) and LPR (license Plate Recognition) technologies for the unlimited club program and customer tracking .

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What does the Carwashing industry look like on other continents? Executive Director of the International Car Wash Association (ICA), Eric talks about ICA’s recent work with the Chinese car wash association and the partnership agreement forged between the two associations. Eric also give his observations on the Car Wash industry in China and how we can learn new ideas from countries that are able to technologically “leapfrog” developed countries that are burdened with existing infrastructure.

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We love to get together as car washers! In this episode of the How of Carwashing, David Begin talks with Eric Wulf, the Executive Director of the International Car Wash Association (ICA). Eric gives a sneak preview of the upcoming 2019 ICA Car Wash show and talks about the new and exciting educational and networking opportunities taking place. Eric also talks about the other upcoming ICA meeting and show events for 2019, so get out your calendars and make your networking and education plans for 2019.

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“The buck stops here” is a famous quote from President Harry Truman. He was famous for taking responsibility for what happened during his administration. David Begin talks about how as owners and manager we are 100% responsible for what happened at the car wash, whether its good or bad. If we are willing to take 100% responsibility, we gain a freedom to review the origin of the problem and how we can prevent the problem next time.

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So, you achieved your goals and you’re still unhappy? It’s a common problem amongst high achieving individuals. In this episode, David Begin speaks with Joan Sotkin of Prosperity Place. Joan Sotkin helps business owners and managers determine what values are important to them personally and how to incorporate those values into their professional life. This episode is not your typical car washing podcast and applies to everyone who strives for success.

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What about the Details? In the Episode of the How of Car washing, Industry expert and consultant Prentice St. Clair talks about how automotive detailing has changed over the years and how the advances in automotive paint technology, polished and sealants have contributed to easier and better finished for vehicles. Prentice talks about the three-step process for detailing the exterior of a vehicle and how carwash owners can take advantage of express detailing as an added profit center for their business.

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What about the Details? In the Episode of the How of Car washing, Industry expert and consultant Prentice St. Clair talks about how automotive detailing has changed over the years and how the advances in automotive paint technology, polished and sealants have contributed to easier and better finished for vehicles. Prentice talks about the three-step process for detailing the exterior of a vehicle and how carwash owners can take advantage of express detailing as an added profit center for their business.

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If you want a high performing carwash that lets you sleep well at night and one that your customers love, documented processes are the key. In this episode, David talks about why written processes and procedures are so important for the car wash team and how it translates to a consistent remarkable customer experience. David breaks down how to create written processes easily and quickly and how to make it part of the culture of the car wash organization.

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Women working at your carwash could be your greatest asset! Claire Moore, Chief Content Officer of the International Car Wash Association (ICA) talks with David Begin about the recent Women Leadership Experience, held this past November in Chicago. Claire discussed the topics and presentations of the event and how carwash owners and managers should consider the unique advantages that women bring to the marketplace and to your carwash operation.

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What is the foundation for a good preventive maintenance program? David gives a “Quick Talk” discussion at the 2019 Southwest car wash show in Arlington Tx. David discusses the importance of the everyday task list that carwash employees use to inspect, adjust and tune equipment so that we minimize the number of unexcepted equipment repairs and replacements that sap carwash uptime and maintenance expenses.

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You want all three, but you can only pick two! David and Henry discuss the concept of the “Project Triangle or the “Iron Triangle” and how it applies to the carwash industry. While we all want to be good, fast and cheap, the forces of running a business day to day will allow you only two of these. Knowing what you are good at and more importantly, what you are not good at or what you don’t plan to be good at will clarify your offering to your customers and your team.

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Does your team clearly understand what you want?  David Shares his management journey with team expectations. David explains how unspoken and unmet expectations are the silent killers of high performing teams.

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You, your customers, and your employees should share the same happy place. David Begin shares where his happiest place on Earth is located in his carwash. David goes over how to make your happiest place your employee's happiest place as well. What things should your employees be looking for while a car is in the tunnel? He explains why customers find happiness at the end of the tunnel and how to make sure that your final product lives up to your carwash standards.

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Bevin is an Industrial Hygienist with Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. In this two-part series, Bevin discusses the different types of OSHA inspections and what to do if you encounter an OSHA visit. She also talks about the typical problem areas that carwashes encounter during OSHA inspections. Bevin also give carwash owners some guidance and tips in starting and developing a carwash safety program.

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Bevin Luna, Industrial Hygienist with Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. Bevin talks about OSHA consultation services that other organizations provide throughout the country and how car wash owners and managers can take advantage of this free service. Bevin also discusses the different types of OSHA inspections and what to do if you encounter an OSHA visit. She also talks about the typical problem areas that carwashes encounter during OSHA inspections.

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In this episode of the How of Carwashing, we visit with Jimmy Starnes, the CEO of Starnes and Associates and a Partner with Mammoth Holdings, a car wash chain located in Atlanta GA. Jimmy shares his knowledge and insights about business coaching. Jimmy shares insight on how Life planning and coaching to lead a small business owner to success. He coaches individuals to corporation teams and strives to help them be organized and find success.

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How does your past performance help you build future goals? David Begin shares some of the lessons learned and taught by his Coach Dan Sullivan. As you start the new year with lofty goals, it's important that you review your past performance to see how far you have come. Progress can only be seen if you look backward and not forward. Only looking forward at your future goals and the ideal situation will ultimately bring frustration and unhappiness, since your goals keep moving. David talks abut Dan Sullivan’s concept of the moving “Horizon” and the “Ideal” and how the concepts don’t really exist. Measuring your progress backwards is motivating and energizing and will propel you forward to achieve more in the future.

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90% of small business are unsellable. Considering selling your wash? Mike Finger, the founder of Exit Oasis joins us on the show. Mike shares strategies on how to let go and what to consider when selling your business. When will you be ready? What costs may a small business owner face? Is your business even sellable? Mike has your answers with a simple approach to help small business owners. Mike also shares his personal journey and how he founded Exit Oasis. 

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you start, operate and grow your car wash business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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The Carwash Customer, delivering a consistent experience for the three types of car wash customers with Jimmy Starnes. Jimmy is the CEO of Starnes and Associates and a Partner with Mammoth Holdings, a car wash chain located in Atlanta, Georgia. Jimmy shares his knowledge and insights about car wash customers. Jimmy shares how they trained their management team to recognize the three different types of car wash customer and how to address each type. Jimmy also shares what the average car wash customer is looking for and how a consistent experience is the key to success.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you start, operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Managing Young Employees with Bruce Tulgan. Bruce is an internationally recognized expert on young people in the workplace and one of the leading experts on leadership and management. Bruce is also a best-selling author, including “Not Everyone Gets a Trophy: How to Manage the Millennials”. Bruce shares his insights on managing Millennials and other young employees in our car wash businesses.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you start, operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the car wash business with David Begin. David shares the KPIs he believes are important to track and monitor to measure your business performance and for planning. He breaks it down by the different stakeholders of your car wash business, and provides practical examples. A Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is a measurable metric that shows you how effectively you are achieving key objectives for your car wash business. Effective car wash operators and owners use KPIs at multiple levels to evaluate their success and grow their carwash business.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you start, operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Tax Law Update with Diane Gardner, a Certified Tax Coach and an expert at helping small business owners take full advantage of the tax laws. She shares specific examples of how the recent changes to the tax law will impact your car wash business this year, and what you can do to take advantage of the changes and avoid potential issues. As a certified tax coach, she offers a FREE tax analysis for those interested in finding out if they are overpaying their income taxes.

Henry Lopez is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you start, operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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SBA lending for the car wash business with Mandy Kuxhausen. Mandy is an expert on Small Business Administration (SBA) lending and a Business Development Officer at TBank. We chat about everything related to SBA loans - from the different SBA lending programs available to the basics of credit worthiness - as an option for financing your car wash business. Mandy’s comprehensive background in all facets of the SBA process, origination, structuring, processing, closing and credit underwriting gives her a diverse array of capabilities to pull from to get a carwash transaction funded.

Henry Lopez is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you start, operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Protecting your car wash business from cybercrime with Adam Anderson. Adam is an entrepreneur, consultant, author, trainer and cyber security expert. He shares his background, from dropping out of college to launching his own business. He also shares extremely valuable tips & advice on how to avoid cyber crime in our car wash business. Adam’s previous books "Small Business Cyber Security" and "Built to Survive" have helped to position him as the leading expert in the field. His new book, "The Monster Within" takes that knowledge to the next level, helping businesses around the world combat cyber crime.

Henry Lopez is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you start, operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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All about brushes, cloth and other car wash media with Ted Yamin Jr. Ted is one of the owners of Gallop Brush which was founded by his father. His family has been in the car wash industry since the 1950s. Ted shares his valuable insights on everything related to brushes and cloth – from the benefits of the different materials to how to detect when a brush needs to be replaced.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you start, operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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HR for your car wash business Part 3. This is part 3 of a 3-part series on the topic of Human Resource. In this series we interview Claudia St. John, a human resource professional, author, and the founder of Affinity HR Group. In this Part 3 of the series Claudia and David discuss overtime pay, employment law, the value of employee bonuses versus base pay, using other recruitment and retainment incentives, and hiring veterans.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you start, operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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HR for your car wash business Part 2. This is part 2 of a 3-part series on the topic of Human Resource. In this series we interview Claudia St. John, a human resource professional, author, and the founder of Affinity HR Group. In this Part 2 of the series Claudia shares the impacts of regulations (federal, state and local), minimum wage laws, the opioid epidemic, other challenges with finding qualified workers, marijuana laws, and the need for a valid and updated Employee Handbook for your carwash. She is the author of the book “Tips for Improving Collaboration and Building Trust.”

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Human Resources for your car wash business Part 1. This is part 1 of a 3-part series on the topic of Human Resource. In this series we interview Claudia St. John, a human resource professional, author, and the founder of Affinity HR Group. In this Part 1 of the series Claudia shares her personal background and the challenges she faced with transitioning from the corporate world to starting her own business. David and Claudia also chat about the changes in the workplace since the 2008 recession, dealing with a tight labor market, working with Millennials, and the importance of shared values at your car wash business. 

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you start, operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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David shares his recent remarkable experience attending the Masters Golf Tournament. David and Henry chat about the experience and how we can apply some of the observations to our small businesses. How do we deliver remarkable experiences for our car wash customers?

David Begin and Henry Lopez are the hosts of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – dedicated to help you start, operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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A “Green” car wash – how and why with Rob Madrid. Rob is an entrepreneur and experienced car wash industry professional. He shares his interesting background, and the benefits of operating a "green" or environmentally friendly car wash and how they market and communicate this focus to their customers. Rob is the co-owner of Gleam Carwash in Denver, Colorado. He also founded Wash Guru, which offers services to people looking to open carwashes and operators looking to grow existing car wash businesses.

Henry Lopez is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you start, operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Fixing a problem compared to actually solving the problem. In a small business, we are constantly challenged with problems that must be addressed. For various reasons, we often rely on quick fixes as opposed to truly addressing the root cause or problem. How can we improve this to improve efficiency and productivity in our small businesses?

David Begin and Henry Lopez are the hosts of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – dedicated to help you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Car Wash Business Appraisals with Jeff Key. Jeff Key is an appraiser and principal with the Herron Companies. Jeff shares his experience and knowledge of the car wash industry and how property and business appraisals are used in the process of developing, selling or buying a car wash business. 

Henry Lopez is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Business Systems to grow your car wash business with Marina Darlow. Marina is an engineer by training, but a small business owner by choice. She has a passion for systems and helping small business owners implement systems to improve and grow their companies.

Henry Lopez is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Water Savers Program for the car wash industry. Claire Moore, the COO of the International Carwash Association (ICA), introduces and shares the value and benefits of the Water Savers Program for your car wash business. WaterSavers is a recognition program from the ICA designed to help professional car washes promote their environmentally responsible business practices.

Henry Lopez is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Redeveloping a historic car wash site with real estate developer Dan Kassel. This is part 2 of David Begin’s conversation with Dan. Dan is a real estate developer, home builder and founder and CEO of Clearwater Communities. Dan is currently re-developing a historic car wash site, first built as a full-serve wash in 1961, in Southern California. Dan is planning to have this historic wash site reopen as an exterior express wash by the end of the year.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Redeveloping a historic car wash site with real estate developer Dan Kassel. This is part 1 of David Begin’s conversation with Dan. Dan is a real estate developer, home builder and founder and CEO of Clearwater Communities. Dan is currently re-developing a historic car wash site, first built as a full-serve wash in 1961, in Southern California. Dan shares his background, his initial interest and introduction to the car wash industry, and how he has learned about the how to build and operate a car wash. He also shares the regulatory process he has had to navigate as part of this historic landmark redevelopment project.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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2018 Car Wash Show Preview with Eric Wulf, CEO of the International Carwash Association (ICA) and David Begin, co-host of The How of Carwashing podcast. They discuss and preview the up-coming 2018 Car Wash Show in Las Vegas - the must-attend event for car care professionals. There are countless reasons to attend The Car Wash Show 2018. Whether you're looking to discover new products on the 160,000 square foot trade show floor, network with over 8,000 industry professionals or gain new insights from experts at one of over 70 education sessions, there's something for everyone! Grow your business, conquer challenges and join the community of industry professionals at the largest car care event in the country. The Car Wash Show Dates: April 25 - 28, 2018. Learn more at the ICA website: carwash.org.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Developing Critical Thinking Skills to grow your car wash business with David Begin and Henry Lopez. How to help your team develop better critical thinking skills to help you grow your car wash business. The discussion includes the root causes of why this skill is often underdeveloped, and specific tips and techniques - including the 3-2-1 technique - to help you and your staff develop and improve critical thinking skills.

David Begin and Henry Lopez are the hosts of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – dedicated to help you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Business Exit planning and preparation with Randy Long. Randy is a small business owner, financial planner, attorney, consultant and author. He shares his life experiences and valuable insights on planning and preparing for your car wash business exit. Randy is CEO of Long Business Advisors, creator of the BraveHeart Planning Process and author of the book, “The BraveHeart Exit, 7 Steps to Creating Your Family Business Legacy”. His unique business perspective, built upon an extensive background of more than 30 years of experience in law and finance, enables him to help business owners build and transition or sell their business, allowing them to create a family business legacy.

Henry Lopez is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Time Management & Prioritizing skills with David Begin and Henry Lopez. How to use the “Three Things” technique to help you get more done and grow your car wash business. David Begin is a serial entrepreneur, co-owner of Wild Blue Carwash with three locations in Colorado, past President of the International Carwash Association, and co-host of The How of Carwashing podcast show. Henry Lopez is a serial entrepreneur, co-owner of Wild Blue Carwash in Aurora, Colorado, and co-host of The How of Carwashing and The How of Business podcast shows.

David Begin and Henry Lopez are the hosts of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – dedicated to help you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Private Equity impact on the carwash industry, and preparing to sell your business with Brad Mewes. Brad is a Principal with Supplement Mergers & Acquisition Advisory and an expert in mergers and acquisitions. Brad shares his background and personal journey. He also shares unique insights and perspective on the impact of private equity on the carwash industry and how to plan and prepare to sell your wash business.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Emerging vehicle technology impact on car wash vehicle damage claims with Eric Wulf, CEO of the International Carwash Association (ICA). We had the opportunity to record Eric’s presentation at the recent Splash event in New Orleans, entitled "Where is that button?". He shares valuable insights on vehicle damage claims and emerging vehicle technologies that pose challenges to car wash operators.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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All about water with Bryant Ruder. This is part 2 of David Begin's conversation with Bryant Ruder, a car wash industry veteran and expert, and General Manager of SoBrite Technologies. He shares valuable information about water and water usage for carwashes.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Benefits of joining a car wash association, with Kristy Babb - Executive Director of the Western Carwash Association. Co-hosts David Begin and Henry Lopez also discuss the benefits of association membership. Kristy shares her feedback on the recent Splash event, information about the Western Carwash Association, and the benefits and amenities of association membership.

David Begin and Henry Lopez are the hosts of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – dedicated to help you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Safety Planning for your carwash with David Begin. David shares tips & advice on developing and implementing a Safety Plan for your car wash business. David Begin is an entrepreneur, the Managing Partner of Wild Blue Car Wash, and the co-host of The How of Carwashing podcast. This episode includes a presentation David Begin delivered at the 2017 Splash! event on Safety Planning, and additional insights and tips from David and co-host Henry Lopez. Do you have a mindset and culture of safety at your carwash site? Do you have a Safety Plan and a Safety Communications plan?

David Begin and Henry Lopez are the hosts of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – dedicated to help you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Belt Conveyor car wash technology with Bob Schaefer. Bob is a carwash industry veteran and responsible for sales and support at Automatic Vehicle Wash (AVW). He shares an overview of conveyor belt technology, his feedback on the Splash! 2017 event, and the impact of industry consolidation. David and Bob share specific points to consider with belt conveyors, including cost of installation and maintenance, retrofitting at an existing car wash, and impact on vehicle throughput.

David Begin and Henry Lopez are the hosts of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – dedicated to help you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Training – part 4 of our series on Hiring employees for your car wash business. David & Henry focus on the Initial Employee Training part of the hiring process. Having a thorough and systematic process results in better employees, reduced employee turnover, and the ability to deliver remarkable customer service at your wash. Topics and questions addressed include: What is your process for initial employee training at your wash? Do you a have an Employee and Operations Planning? It's critically important that you have an attorney review your Employee Manual, and be sure that it covers the legal items relative to your specific state. The basic components of an effective training program for your car wash business: The Vision, Safety, Operations, Customers Service, and Management Skills (for shift leaders and site managers). How do you manage the training process? E-learning platforms are now more common and affordable. We are working on creating and offering an on-line, self-paced, on-demand learning solution for the car wash industry - more details coming soon!

David Begin and Henry Lopez are the hosts of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – dedicated to help you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Highlights from the 2017 Splash! carwash conference, an International Carwash Association (ICA) event, with David Begin. David conducts brief interviews on the show floor with various car wash industry experts, operators and leaders. David also shares additional insights on this event. This episode of The How of Carwashing podcast includes brief conversations with Jimmy Starnes with Wash Me Fast, James Anderson with Vantage LED, Chris Wingate with Complete Signs, Jeff Wizer with ICS, Ryan Cook with Diamond Shine, Danka Djordjevic with AVW, and Wayne and Daisy with Benny's Car Wash.

David Begin and Henry Lopez are the hosts of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – dedicated to help you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Carwash industry trends part 2, with Eric Wulf and David Begin. Eric is CEO of the International Carwash Association (ICA). He discusses current trends in the carwash industry with co-host David Begin. The International Carwash Association (ICA) is the nonprofit trade group representing the retail and supply segments of the car wash industry in North America and around the globe. Topics discussed include: The future of the car washing business. Industry Consolidation - what is the potential impact on my carwash business? Standardization - process, systems and more for carwashes. Auto Technology and Autonomous Vehicles.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Carwash industry trends with Eric Wulf and David Begin. Eric is CEO of the International Carwash Association (ICA). He discusses current trends in the carwash industry with co-host David Begin. The International Carwash Association (ICA) is the nonprofit trade group representing the retail and supply segments of the car wash industry in North America and around the globe. Topics discussed include: Mega trends in the Carwash Industry; History of the car washing; Is a car wash an impulse or convenience purchase? New sources of capital fueling expansion in the industry; What do the Dutch know about the carwash customer experience?

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Insurance needs for your carwash, part 2 (Liability Umbrella Policy, Accident Damage Claims, Maintaining your insurance policies), with Sam Furno. Sam is a carwash industry veteran and expert in the carwash insurance business. Sam shares his experiences with the car wash industry, insights on the insurance industry, and practical tips & advice for insuring your car wash business. Sam is a former Northern California full-service car wash owner, is Vice President of the Western Carwash Insurance Agency (WCIA), a division of Wells Fargo of California and a Partner of the Western Carwash Association. He specializes in car wash business insurance: Property & Casualty, Workers' Compensation and other insurance programs. This is part 2 of our interview with Sam, focusing on Liability Umbrella Policies, Accident Damage Claims and maintaining your insurance policies.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Insurance needs for your carwash, part 1, with Sam Furno. Sam is a carwash industry veteran and expert in the carwash insurance business. Sam shares his experiences with the car wash industry, insights on the insurance industry, and practical tips & advice for insuring your car wash business. Sam is a former Northern California full-service car wash owner, is Vice President of the Western Carwash Insurance Agency (WCIA), a division of Wells Fargo of California and a Partner of the Western Carwash Association. He specializes in car wash business insurance: Property & Casualty, Workers' Compensation and other insurance programs.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Avoiding & Handling Accidents at your carwash with Pete Ness. Pete is an entrepreneur, carwash industry veteran, and CEO of NoPileups. He shares his interesting personal journey, his experiences and stories from his many years in the car wash business, and his latest solution to help carwash operators avoid accidents - NoPileups. “It’s not just the damage claims, it’s the customer experience that matters,” explains Pete.

Henry Lopez is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Autonomous Vehicles and the impact on the car wash industry, with Derek Kaufman. Derek is an automotive and transportation industry veteran and expert. He shares information from a recent study conducted for the International Carwash Association, and his insights on automotive technologies - including autonomous vehicles - and the impact on the car wash industry. Will the emergence of autonomous vehicles result in less or more cars being washed?

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Autonomous Vehicles, Millennials, Fractional Ownership, and more – and the impact on the car wash industry, with Derek Kaufman. Derek is an automotive and transportation industry veteran and expert. He shares information from a recent study conducted for the International Carwash Association, and his insights on automotive technologies - including autonomous vehicles - and the impact on the car wash industry. Will the emergence of autonomous vehicles result in less or more cars being washed?

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Water Reclaim System – what is it and how does it work to help your carwash conserve and reuse water? What is reclaimed water? Bryant Ruder, a car wash industry veteran and expert and General Manager of SoBrite Technologies, is our guest. He shares valuable information about water reclaim systems for carwashes.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Automotive technology and the impact on the car wash industry with Derek Kaufman. Derek is an automotive and transportation industry veteran and expert. He is responsible for Schwartz Advisors operations platform and project support. He shares information from a recent study conducted for the International Carwash Association, and his insights on automotive technologies and the impact on the car wash industry.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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On-Boarding - from what happens to the first day the new carwash employee shows up at the wash site, to the proper and legal documentation required. David Begin and Henry Lopez continue their podcast series on the topic of hiring great employees for your carwash business. Having a thorough and systematic process results in better employees, reduced employee turnover, and the ability to deliver remarkable customer service for your carwash customers.

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Chemicals and chemical delivery systems for your carwash with Kenneth Peebles. Kenneth is a carwash industry veteran and currently the Midwest Tunnel Manager for Blendco Systems. He shares his background in the carwash business, and his insights and actionable tips for managing your chemicals and chemical delivery systems.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Benefits of learning how to delegate effectively to help you manage and grow your carwash business. David Begin and Henry Lopez discuss and explore this topic of delegation. Why are we hesitant to delegate? Perhaps because we think we can do it better than anyone else. We understand best what we want and the results we are looking for, and truth is, sometimes we are "best" at it. But to grow your car washing business and have time to enjoy your life, you must learn to delegate effectively.

David Begin and Henry Lopez are the hosts of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – dedicated to help you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Visibility Marketing for your carwash business, with David Avrin. David is The Visibility Coach and founder of Visibility International.  He is an international speaker, author and business branding and marketing expert. In this episode, David shares his tips & advice on visibility marketing for the carwash business. “If you want people to be interested, you have to be interesting.”

Henry Lopez is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Understanding your local water utility – part 2. Frank Kinder is a senior conservation specialist for Colorado Springs Utilities Water Services Division in Colorado Springs, CO. In this two-part interview, David & Frank discuss the operation of a municipal utility, including how they deliver water and electricity to their customers. Their discussion includes water usage and conservation, and the impact on a carwash operator.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Understanding your local water utility. Frank Kinder is a senior conservation specialist for Colorado Springs Utilities Water Services Division in Colorado Springs, CO. In this two-part interview, David & Frank discuss the operation of a municipal utility, including how they deliver water and electricity to their customers. Their discussion includes water usage and conservation, and the impact on a carwash operator.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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During the last Splash! conference, David Begin had an opportunity to conduct brief interviews on the show floor with various car wash industry experts. This episode combines those short and informative interviews. David asks about the top issues facing the carwash operator today. Guests include Eric Wulf, Brian Guetz, Willy Vidakovich, Heath Pomerantz, Richard Belanger, and Jaime Harris.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Water sources, types of water and their usage, and water reclaim systems. Tony Vertin is the CEO of Ver-tech Labs, and a carwash industry expert. Tony shares his extensive knowledge of the carwash business, including an in-depth discussion of water chemistry and water reclaim systems.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Marketing your car wash business Online and through Social Media. Henry Lopez and David Begin discuss the topics and how they have used it to promote their small businesses, including their carwash businesses. Do you need a website? What is SEO? Is it worth my time and money to promote my wash on Social Media?

David Begin and Henry Lopez are the hosts of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – dedicated to help you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Ideation - the process of creating and developing new business ideas. How do you develop new business ideas, and then how do you prove and execute that idea to develop and grow a successful carwash business?

David Begin and Henry Lopez are the hosts of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – dedicated to help you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Chemical delivery systems for carwashes, and other insights on operating a successful carwash. Jaime Harris is an entrepreneur, and the co-founder, President and CEO of carwash equipment manufacturer Hydra-Flex. Jaime summarizes the history of his carwash equipment manufacturing business, and shares his knowledge of chemical deliver system equipment.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Entrepreneurship skills with Dan Sullivan. Dan is an entrepreneur, speaker, business coach and the founder of Strategic Coach. He shares valuable insights on entrepreneurship, and introduces several skills that all car wash owners and entrepreneurs can develop to increase success in business and in life. Concepts and skills discussed include discovering and focusing on our “Unique Abilities”, the “ABC” model for prioritization, and the “4 Cs”.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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The competitive landscape in the carwash industry. During the recent 2017 Annual SCWA Convention & EXPO in Arlington, Texas, organized and conducted by the Southwest Car Wash Association, David Begin conducted a "Quick Talk" on the topic of growing competition in the carwash industry. David offers insights, experiences, and tips for dealing with increasing competition in the car wash business.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Carwash Equipment Trends and Technology discussion with Chris Andersen. Chris is the President and CEO of Mark VII. Mark VII is the North America subsidiary of WashTec AG of Germany, the world's leading provider of innovative solutions for all aspects of vehicle washing. Over 1,700 employees in more than 70 countries shape the future of the car wash business. Their products, processes and solutions offer carwash operators and end customers alike outstanding results and experiences.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show –helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Hiring tools & techniques to help you hire the right employees for your carwash. Our guest is Steve Gaudreau, an entrepreneur, author, experienced carwash industry expert, trainer, consultant, and the co-founder of Brink Results - a training and consulting firm that assists clients in obtaining measurable results in their training, hiring, and management practices.  Steve shares valuable insights on the hiring process for car wash operators.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show –helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Operational Efficiency in a car wash operation is critical to growth and consistency. How do you manage all of the tasks and projects that need to be completed in order to minimize downtime at your carwash? David and Henry share their knowledge and experience applying systems, including checklists, forms and other software tools, to drive efficiency in a carwash business.

David Begin and Henry Lopez are the hosts of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Is your distributor a partner? Distributors can add significant value to your carwash business. Beyond the distribution of wash equipment and supplies, a distributor partner can help you with building and operating a successful car wash. Shane Wells has significant experience and background in the car wash industry, and is the co-owner of Hi-Performance Wash Systems. Hi-Performance Wash Systems is the largest car wash distributor and supplier in the Rocky Mountain region, specializing in providing car wash equipment and supplies.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show –helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Selling or transferring your carwash business. How to plan for the best carwashing business exit with Ronald V. Chernak.   Ron is a business owner, attorney, CPA, real estate broker, business broker and owner of The FBB Group - a business brokerage based in Colorado. Ron shares valuable tips and advice to help you prepare to exit (sell, transfer, transition, etc.) your carwash business. From how to prepare your wash for the best possible sales price, to selecting the right team to help you sell, Ron shares insights on the entire business exit process.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show –helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Small business bookkeeping and accounting with Paul Nelson, CPA and founder of Nelson & Company, P.C.. Paul shares general tips and advice on legal business entity types, recommended bookkeeping and accounting practices for your carwash business, how to avoid fraud and embezzlement, tax return preparation, and considerations for the possible sale of your carwash.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show –helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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The 5 Factors of Cleaning a car, introduction to carwash cleaning chemicals, managing and calibrating chemicals, and other tips & advice for wash operators. Ryan Cook is Managing Director of Business Development at Diamond Shine. He has over 20 years experience in the carwash industry in various capacities. He shares his in-depth knowledge of the carwash chemicals business, and of overall operations of a successful carwash. From the basics of wash cleaning chemicals, to the five factors of cleaning, this episode will be of value to all carwash owners, operators and managers.

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show –helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Screening employee applicants for your car wash business. This part 2 episode is focused on how to screen prospective car wash employees. Topics include how we use tools to receive and screen applications, what we look for in the application or resume, and interviewing methods. Hiring employees for a carwash business is a continuous process.

David Begin and Henry Lopez are the hosts of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – dedicated to help you operate and grow your carwashing business (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Carwash business discussion with Aaron Green. Aaron is an entrepreneur with many years of experience in the car wash industry, and President of Focused Carwash Solutions.  He covers a broad range of topics related to operating a successful car wash business; from mistakes to avoid, to the mindset he believes results in entrepreneurial success. He also explains the concept of "The Value of Zero", and to "always remember how hard it was to start."

David Begin is the host of this episode of The How of Carwashing show –helping you operate and grow your carwashing business. (TheHowOfCarwashing.com)

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Recruiting employees for your car wash business. This part 1 episode is focused on how to recruit prospective car wash employees. Topics include job postings and advertisement, recruiting methods, and defining your ideal employee.  Subsequent episodes on hiring will cover the entire process of screening, on-boarding, training and retaining employees.

David Begin and Henry Lopez are the hosts of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – dedicated to help you operate and grow your carwashing business.

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David Begin & Henry Lopez introduce the show and themselves. The How of Car Washing is a weekly podcast for car wash business investors, owners, operators and managers. If you are looking for actionable advice, tips and techniques to help you operate and grow your carwashing business, this is the podcast show for you! In each episode we either discuss a business topic, or we interview another owner/operator or a carwash industry professional. Our episodes are typically 35 to 45 minutes in length, and the show is hosted by David Begin and Henry Lopez who share the knowledge and experience they have acquired over their corporate and business ownership careers. New episodes are released on Wednesday mornings, and we always strive to deliver value to entrepreneurs, business owners, operators and managers in the car wash industry.

David Begin and Henry Lopez are the hosts of this episode of The How of Carwashing show – dedicated to help you operate and grow your carwashing business.