Victory Lane CEO Justin Cialella stopped by the EndeavorB2B podcast booth at AAPEX 2025 to offer his takeaways from the big industry trade show in Las Vegas and also discuss developments with Victory Lane. The company recently relaunched a location in Farmington Hills, Michigan—formerly its oldest franchise—after acquiring it as a corporate store. To re-introduce the shop to its community, Victory Lane held a massive grand re-opening that included more than $23,000 in products given away and Cialella himself getting into the pits to work on 53 oil changes. In this episode, Cialella also offers insights into Victory Lane’s expansion plans and explained how the company is looking to grow with the right partners, focusing on market opportunity and alignment with company vision. Other topics discussed: leveraging technology to improve operations and ongoing industry advocacy efforts. *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts  iHeart Radio Spotify 

In this edition of our Endeavor to Discover series, Chris Messer and Mike Jones are joined by Randy O’Connor of D2D Development for a discussion on cultivating an outcome-focused mindset. Messer, Jones and O’Connor discuss the benefits of aligning teams around shared goals instead of individual beliefs, turning commitments into actions, and shifting from passive effort to measurable impact. *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts  iHeart Radio Spotify 

Hiring an administrator can free up managers to get back to focusing on big-picture tasks. Peter SuciuRead by Brittany Duncan https://www.noln.net/running-a-shop/human-resources/article/55305677/bring-in-the-admin

Extended producer responsibility laws, which make producers financially and operationally responsible for managing their products and packaging at the end of their life cycle, are on the rise in states across the U.S. David Lawes, CEO of the Lubricants Packaging Management Association powered by Interchange 360, joins the NOLN Podcast to explain the ramifications of EPR laws for quick lube operators. *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts  iHeart Radio Spotify 

Auto Care Association’s Mark Bogdansky offers listeners a preview of the major updates for this year’s AAPEX in Las Vegas, including changes being made to the show floor to improve navigation, make it easier for distributors to find suppliers in specific categories, and help exhibitors connect with interested buyers. Bogdansky also discusses strategies being implemented to keep buyers on the show floor longer, and he previews the keynote address that will be delivered by hockey hall of famer Wayne Gretzky. *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts  iHeart Radio Spotify 

Chris Messer and Mike Jones are back for another installment of the “Endeavor to Discover” series. This month, they speak on the power of adopting an “I will” attitude. Jones explains why common phrases such as “I think I can,” “I’ll try,” and “I hope” are actually powerless and reflect low commitment, as they express potential, but not purpose or action. Messer and Jones explore how to build confidence, resilience, and follow-through by using decisive and empowering statements, like “I will.” The discussion also dives into leadership cultures, specifically how the mind-set of “under-promise, over-deliver” is inauthentic, and that leaders should commit fully to winning, with a strong sense of personal accountability and clarity of purpose. *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts  iHeart Radio Spotify 

With the SEMA Show just over a month away, Tom Gattuso, SEMA's vice president of events, stops by the NOLN Podcast to set the scene in Las Vegas. Gattuso shares what's new at this year's SEMA Show, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the multi-year process needed to plan out a SEMA event. Lastly, Gattuso offers up some tips for how SEMA Show attendees can make the most of their time on site. *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts  iHeart Radio Spotify 

Ruben Ortega Jr., director of inside sales at Service Champ, stops by to discuss how the tool needs of quick lube shops, along with common tool-related questions he receives from operators. Lastly, Ortega offers up some practical advice for managing your shop tools while operating on a tight budget. *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts  iHeart Radio Spotify 

In this month’s installment of the “Endeavor to Discover” series, Chris Messer and Mike Jones are talking about leading from the front lines and why leadership isn’t about titles—it’s actually about ownership, vision, and leading by example. Messer and Jones also explain why true leaders lead from the front and why every team member should see themselves as “the” leader in their role. *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts  iHeart Radio Spotify 

Jason Lyon, chief operations officer for Benny’s Car Wash, recently was announced as the association president for the Preventative Automotive Maintenance Association’s 2026-27 term. This week, he took time to speak with us about his goals for PAMA, from better understanding the association’s membership to growing its education and training initiatives. Lyon also discusses how Benny’s is relying on community engagement and personal interactions to grow its customer base and overcome the challenge of guests going longer between service visits. >> Now on NOLN.net: PAMA Announces 2026-2027 Officers, Board of Directors *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts  iHeart Radio Spotify 

Are you a manager or a leader? Do you know the difference between the two? In this episode of our “Endeavor to Discover” series, Chris Jones, executive vice president of EndeavorB2B’s Transportation Group, and Mike Jones, president and master trainer at Discover Leadership Training, discuss how leaders follow up and follow through—setting specific outcomes and making sure projects are moving forward and not just waiting until the deadline. Messer and Jones also share a key tip that will help your business operate at a higher level. *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts  iHeart Radio Spotify 

Doug Zarkin has two decades of experience in retail and brand marketing, but he’s a newcomer to the quick lube industry. Zarkin was hired as the new chief marketing officer for Take 5 Oil Change earlier this summer, and he describes the way in which he has observed Take 5 lube techs working as “nothing short of a symphony.” Zarkin shares what appealed to him about joining Take 5, what he has been able to carry over from his marketing experience with health and wellness brands, and the role of marketing as Driven Brands looks to grow the number of Take 5 locations across the U.S. *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts  iHeart Radio Spotify 

In the first episode of our “Endeavor to Discover” interview series, leadership and failure are the topics of conversation as Mike Jones, president and master trainer at Discover Leadership Training, joins Chris Messer, executive vice president of the Transportation Group at Endeavor Business Media, NOLN’s parent company. Jones, who works with small- to medium-sized business owners and their teams on evolving to improve, explains why failure isn’t fatal. If you’ve ever uttered the phrase “failure is not an option,” this conversation is especially for you. *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts  iHeart Radio Spotify 

FullSpeed Automotive President Ron Stilwell joins the NOLN Podcast to discuss the growth of the company’s Grease Monkey brand. Stilwell shares insights on how FullSpeed is mapping the expansion of Grease Monkey into new markets and the role its “store of the future” model is playing in that development. *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts  iHeart Radio Spotify 

Margaret Light, a licensed marriage and family therapist with Equilibrium Therapy Services, explains the impact of mental health on decision making for business leaders. She also offers some tips for shop operators and managers who have a tendency to be either too optimistic or too pessimistic in their work, and she also offers thoughts on bouncing back mentally after making a bad business decision. >> Download the 2025 NOLN Operator Survey Report *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts  iHeart Radio Spotify 

Jim Harrington, executive vice president at Victory Lane Quick Oil Change, is this week’s guest on the NOLN Podcast. Harrington, a 30-year veteran of the quick lube industry, shares tips for how operators can better manage their inventory. In this discussion, Harrington highlights the benefits of good inventory management, and he  explains what can go wrong when stock isn’t properly tracked. Harrington also discusses how Victory Lane’s inventory management practices have evolved as the company has grown, and he sheds light on how technology has helped along the way. >> Now on NOLN.net: Jim Harrington offers quick lube operators more tips for controlling their costs *** Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts  iHeart Radio Spotify 

Jeff Tremper, senior vice president of Throttle CRM Service Reminders, shares insights on developing an omnichannel approach to marketing and why it’s important to craft consistent messaging across your different marketing channels. He also discusses best practices for using email and SMS messaging to connect with customers, the value of online customer reviews, and the reasons why traditional (non-digital) marketing is seeing a resurgence. Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts  iHeart Radio Spotify 

Tyson Daniels, an Idaho-based Grease Monkey franchisee with shops in five states, joins the NOLN Podcast to discuss how his shops are navigating the challenges of declining car counts that many operators are facing. Daniels also dives into how new technologies are increasing efficiency for his locations, and he notes opportunities for improvement that are often missed by quick lube operators.  Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice:  Apple Podcasts  iHeart Radio  Spotify 

From recent awards announcements to vehicle recalls and new products, there is plenty happening in the quick lube industry. This week’s episode of the NOLN Podcast puts a spotlight on news we’ve recently reported on and stories you may have missed. Here are the headlines we’re diving into: iFLEX 2025: PAMA Recognizes Annual Award Winners Valvoline Inc. Names Kevin Willis as New Chief Financial Officer D. Power Report Shows Increased Satisfaction in Quick Oil Change Service Take 5 Oil Change, Valvoline Make Entrepreneur’s Fastest Growing Franchises List Nissan to Eliminate Complimentary Maintenance Plan for Vehicles Groove Technologies Releases Universal Cabin Air Filter System for Auto Shops Highline Warren Becomes Exclusive Filter Supplier for Mobil 1 Audi Q5 SUV Models Recalled Because of Potential Oil Leak Trust Acquires Three Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers Shops Automotive Lift Institute Releases 2025 Edition of Vehicle Lifting Points Guide Chapel Hill Tire Launches Annual Free Oil Changes for Teachers Initiative Subscribe to The NOLN Podcast on your platform of choice: Apple Podcasts iHeart Radio Spotify

On the heels of iFLEX 2025 at The Car Wash Show, NOLN catches up with one of the event’s exhibitors, Nick Haase, co-founder of MaintainX, a maintenance and work execution software firm. Haase discusses why having a great maintenance strategy is a competitive lever, what operators can learn from unplanned downtime data, and how they can shift into a more proactive mindset with regards to their operational maintenance needs. *** >> Submit a nomination for the 2025 NOLN Operator of the Year Award