I lose sleep when this happens — and it’s killing your shop

I have to get something off my chest.

Back in 2017, I was invited into a small conference room in Burbank, CA to speak to a group of shop owners about digital marketing.

After the presentation, this generous group of shop owners invited me into their 20 group, showed me how this industry really works, and trusted me enough to hire my small company for digital marketing.

A few months later after working directly with a half dozen shops from that group, I realized that marketing wasn't their real problem. They were drowning trying to find and keep technicians.

So we tried things. Hundreds of things. Some worked. Most failed. But over years of testing, the Technician Find process got better and better.

Here's what I know now: The process works. It's worked hundreds of times for hundreds of shops.

But I still lose sleep when a shop we work with doesn't make a hire. I take it personally. It bothers me in a way that probably isn't healthy.

And after thinking long and hard about whether to post this, I realized—what's this community even for if we're not being honest about what's working and what isn't?

SO HERE'S WHAT REALLY PISSES ME OFF

👉Shops that hire us, then appoint a busy or disengaged manager to coordinate hiring. Someone who has a dozen priorities higher on their list than hiring.

👉Shops that hire a consultant, then don't return phone calls, emails or take our advice.

👉Shops that don't follow up on applications within 24 hours.

👉Shops that don't leave multiple messages when a candidate no-shows—then give up.

👉Shops that never ask for referrals from every single person they interview.

SOME SHOPS ASK IF I OFFER GUARANTEES

I tell them I'd love to. The problem? I don't know if they can hold up their end of the bargain.

Here's the truth no one wants to say out loud: Hiring is a partnership, not a vending machine.

We've worked with shops that roll up their sleeves and consistently hire within 2-3 weeks. It's like clockwork and it's beautiful to watch.

We've also worked with shops that sit back, fold their arms, and wait for a unicorn to walk through the door.

That doesn't work. It's never worked. It will never work.

Even with great sourcing, shops leak hires because of:

→ Slow response times

→ Inconsistent screening

→ Weak offer presentation

→ Zero no-show prevention

→ No structured interviews

We compiled dozens of strategies to make applicant sourcing more effective over the past 7+ years.

But none of them matter if the shop won't engage.

I put my heart and soul into this business. And when a shop signs on, half-asses their part, then walks away saying "this didn't work"—without putting in any real effort—it makes me furious.

Not because of the money. Because of the waste.

Great technicians are out there. I see thousands of them looking at our ads on social media every day.

They're not actively job hunting, but they're open to something better.

And when a shop blows its chance because of slow follow-up or a lukewarm interview, that tech moves on to someone else's opportunity.

You don't lose technicians because of the market. You lose them because of the moment.

The shops that win at hiring treat it like they treat their best customers—with urgency, attention, and intention.

SO HERE'S MY ASK TO THIS COMMUNITY

If you're working with ANY recruiter, consultant, or hiring tool—whether it's us or someone else—show up. Be the partner that makes the system work.

And if you've ever been frustrated with your hiring results, ask yourself honestly: Did you hold up your end?

That's the post I wasn't sure I should write. But I'm glad I did.

6:02

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