Hire Better. Keep People. Communicate Smarter in Your Shop
Sara Fraser knows the auto repair world inside and out—and she’s not afraid to call out what’s holding shops back. In this episode of Blood,...
automotive repair
From Pump to Profit: Al Wright’s Journey to Shop Ownership
Meet Al Wright, who owns John's Automotive in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Al shares his journey in the automotive industry, from starting out as a gas...
From Wrench to Strategy: Cecil Bullard on Profitable Auto Repair Shops
Cecil Bullard has worn every hat in the shop—from technician to teacher to trusted advisor. In this episode of Blood, Sweat and Business, he...
The Numbers Behind Auto Repair Tech: PJ Leslie of Tekmetric
Fresh from the VISION Conference, PJ Leslie of Tekmetric joins Blood, Sweat & Business to talk about the data-driven future of auto repair. In...
Riches in the Niches
In this episode of the Blood, Sweat, and Business podcast, business owners get to hear from Andrew Parrish of Alternative Tax Solutions. The...
How Al Oramas Grew His Auto Repair Shop by Stepping Out of the Bay
In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Business, we sit down with Al Oramas to talk about one of the biggest mindset shifts an auto repair shop owner can...
Brin Kline on Culture, Diagnostics, and Leadership in Auto Repair
Brin KlineofAssured Auto Worksjoins Blood, Sweat & Business to share what makes his shop stand out in a crowded industry. From diagnostic precision...
Colten Ramsay on Growing an Auto Repair Business from Scratch
In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Business, Colten Ramsay, founder of Ramsey Repair, shares the honest truth behind building an auto repair business...
How Coaching Transforms Automotive Shops with Jennifer & Jimmy
In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Business, we’re joined by Jennifer Hulbert, shop owner and coach, and Jimmy Lea, VP of Business Development—both...
Kim Hickey on Industry Networking and the ATI SuperConference
Get ready to feel inspired! In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Business, we talk with Kim Hickey, Director of Client Fulfillment at Automotive...
Dave Hinz on Leading a Business After 17 Years as a Technician
After 17 years as an automotive technician, Dave Hinz made the leap into entrepreneurship—and never looked back. In this episode of Blood, Sweat &...
Mike Hagi on Hiring Smart and Growing a Family Business
There’s a fine line between modernizing your business and staying true to what made people love it in the first place—especially in a family-run...
Eric Joern
Eric is a graduate of Columbia College of Missouri with a degree in accounting and joined Kaizen in 2013. He is a licensed CPA and business advisor.
Small business runs deep for Eric. Coming from generations of entrepreneurs, he understands what it takes to build, run, and grow a company because he’s lived it.
Before stepping fully into accounting, Eric spent years getting his hands dirty. From working with concrete to managing an automotive service department, he’s been on the front lines of business. That experience shapes how he approaches his work today, helping business owners improve profitability, tighten operations, and make smarter decisions.
Eric now leads Kaizen’s automotive focus, working with top auto repair shops across the country. His background as an Automotive Service Advisor, combined with strong industry relationships, allows him to bring practical, real-world insight to his clients.
Outside of work, Eric enjoys live music, hands-on projects, and spending time outdoors with his wife and their two dogs. He’s also a dedicated Chicago sports fan and will take any chance he can get to see the Bears, Cubs, Bulls, or Blackhawks live.
John Chiappetta
John is a CFP® professional and licensed financial representative who focuses on helping clients plan for a strong, sustainable financial future. He works closely with individuals and families to think through long-term decisions, weigh tradeoffs, and build plans that actually hold up in real life.
Family is a big part of John’s world. His wife, Helen, shares that entrepreneurial drive and runs a family diner in Antioch, IL. Being part of a small business household gives John a firsthand understanding of the challenges and rewards that come with it. Together, they have two children, Nico and Gianna.
On his days off, John stays active with pickleball, golf, and the occasional pickup football game. He also makes the most of Kenosha’s lakefront, often taking long walks along the beach and catching sunrises over HarborPark.