Kristen Criswell, Author at Shop Owner Magazine
Matt’s Automotive Day of Service

Every year on Black Friday, consumers across the country get up at the crack of dawn and flock to their favorite stores in the hopes of landing bargain-basement holiday deals. At Matt’s Automotive Service Center in Fargo, North Dakota, however, the day after Thanksgiving has a different purpose.

Would You Want To Wait At Your Shop?

“There was no waiting room,” my husband recently complained to me. He had just spent his morning off waiting at a local repair facility as his car got an oil change and had its 90,000-mile routine maintenance performed, says Kristen Criswell, editor of Shop Owner magazine.

Episode 2: Setting Up an Apprentice Program

Episode 2 of Talking Shop with Shop Owner magazine explores how one shop is tackling the technician shortage head on. Dwayne Myers, president and CEO of Dynamic Automotive shares how his shop’s apprentice programs work. Sponsored by Snap Finance. This podcast is also available through several podcasting apps.  Click these links to access the show

Environmentally Friendly Automotive Repair

Some people scoff at the environmentally friendly movement
thinking it’s just a fad, or something that’s “hippie.” But, that’s quite
the contrary. Globally there has been an insurgence of consumers
who are seeking out sustainable companies and products.

Spring Cleaning: Not Just For The Home

Who says spring cleaning has to be something you just do at your house or in your yard? Give your business a bit of sprucing this spring and feel the difference it can make, says Kristen Criswell, editor of Shop Owner magazine.

Shop Profile: Rawcliffe’s Service Center

Not many businesses can boast that they’ve been around for more than a century. Rawcliffe’s Service Center in Hampden, Maine, is one of the few shops across the country with that prestigious distinction.

Mighty Auto Pro: Raising The Bar For Automotive Service

Owner Bill Hill has set a standard with his business that all other repair facilities should strive to emulate. Beyond excelling at customer service and offering top-notch vehicle repair, Mighty Auto Pro has raised the bar in service excellence by going above and beyond the call of duty, each and every day.

How Are You Helping Your Customer?

The way we shop and the way we consume is evolving. We live in a world where convenience is king. The automotive repair sector isn’t immune from this evolution, says Kristen Criswell, editor of Shop Owner magazine.

Interstate Auto Care: Creating 5-Star Customer Experiences

Purchasing your first car is a milestone. For Bill Nalu, his experience was full of lessons that would shape his career. He learned about listening to advice, the consequences of actions, and eventually, auto repair. Today, Bill owns and operates Interstate Auto Care in Madison Heights, Michigan.

Phone Spoofing: A New ‘Robocall’ Trend May Impact Your Shop

Your phone rings. The caller ID displays a number you don’t know, but it’s local so you answer it. Then, a robocall commences. Using local numbers is a new way phone scammers are hoping to get callers to answer. But, how do these automated calls get local numbers? Often, they are spoofed from businesses or individuals.

Brakes For Breasts

Brakes for Breasts is hosted each October by several independent repair facilities (IRFs) nationwide. The fundraiser not only supports breast cancer research directly (by supporting vaccine research), it also helps bring customers through a repair facility’s doors, says Kristen Criswell, editor of Shop Owner magazine.

Video: Retaining Customers

It is more expensive to find new customers than to keep existing ones. Here are a few tips to get your customers coming back in to your shop.