Giving Cookies
Joshua Taylor
Content Creator, Wellness Advocate, Technician Champion, Husband, Father, Podcast Host, FixedOPS Marketing Midfielder, DiCoSo Affiliate, Data Engineer, Mechanic, and Motorcycle Rider
"Give a Cookie, Get a Pie" - Travis Caldwell
In this episode of The Wrench Turners Podcast, Travis Caldwell brings us an inspiring story of grit, growth, and giving back. With over a decade in the automotive trade, Travis shares the invaluable lessons he’s learned—from mentors who taught him the nuances of the business to the challenges that built his resilience. For anyone striving to grow in this industry, Travis’s journey is a reminder that true success combines skill, patience, and a commitment to continuous learning.
TL;DR Key Highlights
Mentorship’s Lasting Impact
Travis credits much of his success to mentors who taught him not just technical skills but also how to navigate shop culture. He reflects,
“I think and wish that most techs could have a guy like that… to just show you the business.”
For anyone starting out, finding a mentor can be transformative. For leaders reading this newsletter, there has not been 1 episode aired to date where a Successful Mechanic did NOT have a career-shaping Mentor (myself included).
Persistence in the Face of Challenges
One of Travis’s early experiences at Porsche highlights the power of persistence. Assigned to repair a first-generation Cayenne with a persistent throttle body fault, he and his foreman spent three months troubleshooting the issue. Despite replacing both the throttle body and the DME (engine control unit), the car still wouldn’t start. Finally, after countless hours, they discovered the root of the problem—a mismatched part number on the DME.
While exhausting, this experience taught Travis the importance of patience, thoroughness, and checking every detail. These hard-won lessons became essential skills he relies on to this day, underscoring how tough jobs can build resilience and expertise over time.
The Right Fit: Team and Environment
In an industry built on camaraderie, Travis emphasizes the importance of finding the right workplace. He advises techs to prioritize a supportive team and good leadership over other perks:
“It’s a brotherhood… make sure you find a leader that you want to work for.”
ANNOUNCEMENT
We’re thrilled to announce a new affiliate partnership with DiCoSo GmbH, a leader in automotive digitalization solutions that bring real impact to fixed operations. DiCoSo’s innovative fixed operations products, like the Digital Job Card and Vehicle Localization modules, are designed to optimize efficiency in service departments. The Vehicle Localization module, in particular, helps technicians save valuable time by precisely tracking vehicles across the lot, even in challenging conditions like after snowfall. Case studies show this feature can save an average of 8 minutes per repair order (RO), freeing up technicians to focus more on their work and less on vehicle retrieval.
Additionally, DiCoSo's Digital Sales Assistant (DSA) integrates e-commerce, point-of-sale, marketing, and operational functions to enhance the overall customer experience, showcasing DiCoSo’s comprehensive approach to dealership support. With over 240 clients across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the USA and more than 50,000 electronic price tags installed, DiCoSo has become a trusted provider in automotive digitalization.
This partnership aligns with our commitment to bringing valuable solutions to Service Leaders, Technicians, and Service Advisors, enhancing efficiency and productivity across the board. To learn more about how DiCoSo’s solutions can benefit your service team, book a time to discuss it with us.
Check out DiCoSo Here: Digital Communication Solutions GmbH
Interactive Scenario: You’re interviewing at a shop with great pay but notice team friction. What do you prioritize?
A) Take the role for the pay.
B) Ask about team dynamics.
C) Decline the offer and keep looking.
D) ...another option???
Leave your answer in the comments!
Customer Service
Now running his own shop, Travis has learned the importance of patience with customers, even when their concerns seem minor. His motto,
“Give a cookie, get a pie”
emphasizes that small gestures build loyalty. Treating customers with respect can lead to lasting business relationships.
Balancing Work and Life
After experiencing burnout from working seven-day weeks, Travis stresses the importance of setting boundaries:
“Mental health and physical health is the key… Don’t let this industry kill you.”
Finding balance is essential for long-term happiness and productivity.
Shop Economics: Work Smarter
Travis’s mentor emphasized that understanding shop economics is foundational to a successful career in automotive service. It’s not just about technical skill but about grasping the inner workings of the business—how jobs are prioritized, what drives profitability, and the value of efficient customer interactions. By learning how a shop operates financially and strategically, technicians can make smarter choices that align with the business’s goals and their own career growth.
This knowledge helps techs manage their workload effectively, prioritize high-impact tasks, and communicate confidently with customers, fostering trust and repeat business. It also allows them to make more informed decisions about which skills to develop and how to advance in ways that not only boost their value to the shop but also increase their earning potential and job satisfaction.
Tune in to The Wrench Turners Podcast to hear more from Travis Caldwell. Packed with lessons, this episode offers actionable insights for any tech aiming to grow in the trade.
And remember:
Negative Pushes, Positive Pulls, and always clean your toys before you put them away.
If you’d like to be a guest on the podcast, or sponsor the show, reach out to me at joshua@justworkhard.com