Cindy Barlow didn’t come up through the shop like most of us. She came from a ranch, where if something broke, you fixed it. Then she spent years in politics - real politics, the kind with late-night meetings and people tugging from every direction. She has the patience of someone who’s sat through a thousand committee hearings and still believes progress is possible. When she told me that story, I laughed because it’s the most Cindy thing you’ll ever hear - steady, capable, and already thinking about how to make it better. She didn’t have an automotive background when Jim Mathis called and asked her to come work for WyoTech. But that’s the thing about Cindy - she’s not afraid to jump into something she doesn’t already know. She told him she’d already decompressed from politics and was ready to get started. That ‘yes’ turned into her calling. When she first walked through the halls of WyoTech, there were only a handful of students. Most people would have seen a problem. Cindy saw a foundation. She saw what the place could be if someone built the right bridge between the classrooms and the companies desperate to hire. And she did it. Seven years later, a thousand students walk through those halls every quarter, and more than three thousand employers are actively recruiting them. When Cindy talks about what’s been built, she talks about people, not the outcome. That tells you everything you need to know about how she leads. Cindy doesn’t just talk about fixing our technician shortage. She’s busy working on ways to rebuild the bridge between classrooms and careers. And she’s doing it with the same grit she learned on the ranch and the same steadiness she carried through politics - that mix of faith and fire that makes people lean in and believe again. The Gap She’s Determined to Close Everyone talks about the technician shortage like it’s this big unsolvable crisis. But when you listen to Cindy, you start to see it differently. She doesn’t call it a hiring problem. She calls it a communication problem. Somewhere between the classrooms and the shops, the message has gotten scrambled. Schools are teaching skills. Shops are desperate for people. And somehow, they’re still not talking to each other. That’s the gap Cindy Barlow is closing. When she joined WyoTech, there were only twelve students. Twelve young people trying to learn a trade in a place that used to be full of life and motion. She saw what it could be, and she got to work building the bridge back to industry. Today, WyoTech has nearly a thousand students starting every quarter. That’s not a typo - every quarter. And those students don’t walk out into the world with uncertainty hanging over them. They walk out with opportunity. Because Cindy brought the industry back in. Over three thousand employers have come to recruit from WyoTech - not through a job board or a recruiter, but face to face. They come because Cindy makes the introductions that change lives. She says it simply: “I serve both sides.” To her, that’s not a slogan. It’s the whole mission. The students are her responsibility. The employers are her partners. And she believes the only way the trades survive is if both sides stay connected. Cindy’s not waiting for a new policy or a national campaign to fix it. She’s out there, every day, doing the quiet work that keeps those connections alive - helping a student find a job, helping a company find their next technician, helping education and industry finally speak the same language again. The technician shortage isn’t as big as we’ve made it. We just need more people like Cindy Barlow willing to build the bridge. The Calling - Not Just a Job Cindy didn’t set out to work in automotive education. She’s the kind of woman who says yes when something feels right, then figures the rest out along the way. When she came to WyoTech, she thought she was stepping into a challenge. What she didn’t expect was to find her life’s work. It wasn’t the engines or the classrooms that hooked her - it was the people. The students who walked in unsure of their future and walked out knowing exactly what they were capable of. The women who never thought they belonged in a shop until someone like Cindy showed them they did. She still remembers the first time a student came to her with that mix of fear and hope and asked, “Where should I go? Who should I work for?” She didn’t hesitate. She already knew who to call. That’s where Cindy’s gift really lives - in the way she connects people, not just to jobs, but to purpose. She calls it baptism by fire. I see it as belief in action. Because when she talks about her students, her whole energy shifts; she is passionate. This isn’t a role she’s playing. It’s a calling she’s living out loud. That same heartbeat is what she brings to AWiA. Her belief that opportunity should never be out of reach - that scholarships, mentorship, and access can change the course of a woman’s life just as easily as they’ve changed so many students at WyoTech. Cindy doesn’t chase titles or headlines. She chases transformation - the kind that ripples through classrooms, shops, and boardrooms alike. Rebuilding the Pipeline - One Partnership at a Time If you want to understand what bridge-building really looks like, watch Cindy’s calendar. Every day, she’s meeting with new partners - from dealerships and corporate recruiters to independent, family-run shops that just need one more good tech to keep their doors open. She coordinates career fairs, sits on advisory boards, and checks in on students who’ve already graduated to see how they’re doing. There’s nothing flashy about it. It’s steady, intentional work. Relationship by relationship, she’s rebuilding the pipeline the industry keeps saying is broken. And she’s doing it from a home office in Wyoming. That’s the part that really intrigues me. While some people think remote work means pulling back, Cindy uses it to stretch further. Her reach isn’t limited by location - it’s multiplied by it. She can spend one morning on a call with a manufacturer in Michigan and the afternoon talking to a high school teacher in Texas about starting a CTE program. It’s the kind of work that doesn’t make headlines, but it changes the map. And somehow, in between all of that, she still finds time to show up as a board member for AWiA. She brings her insight to our conversations about scholarships and school partnerships, reminding us that the connection between education and industry has to start long before a woman ever steps into a shop. Then, when her laptop closes, she heads outdoors to her outfitting business, Antelope Creek Outfitters LLC. - guiding hunters, mentoring women and men on self-reliance, and proving that leadership doesn’t always look like a boardroom. Sometimes it looks like boots in the dirt and a woman who just keeps showing up. Cindy Barlow doesn’t chase balance - she builds it, the same way she builds everything else in her life, intentionally, one partnership, one student, one steady step at a time. Fixing the System That Failed the Trades Cindy doesn’t sugarcoat it. When she talks about education in this country, her tone changes. And it isn’t anger - it’s urgency. “Our public education system has failed our students,” she told me. And she’s right. Somewhere along the way, the trades got pushed to the sidelines. Funding meant for hands-on programs is too often rerouted into administration. Guidance counselors - who used to help students plan their careers - now spend most of their time helping those same kids survive high school. And the few who still talk about the trades often do it like it’s a consolation prize instead of a career path. That’s not acceptable. Cindy’s challenge to schools is simple: Show them the ladder. Don’t throw them to the wolves. She believes we need to guide students toward the trades - especially young women - with the same intention we use to guide them toward college. Help them see the path. Introduce them to mentors. Invite them into the shops. Show them what a career in automotive, diesel, or collision can really look like. And she’s not waiting for permission to do it. She’s already building resources that connect schools directly with industry using databases of employers, programs, scholarships, and contacts - a living bridge between classrooms and careers. That’s where AWiA comes in. Cindy’s passion for rebuilding that connection lines up perfectly with our mission to reach young women earlier - to make sure they see themselves in this industry long before anyone tells them they can’t. We both believe the fix starts with access. Not just funding, not just lip service - access. Cindy doesn’t want another generation of girls to graduate without knowing there’s a place for them here. And neither do I. The system might have failed the trades, but the women rising inside it - women like Cindy - are proving it’s not beyond repair. The Women Who Prove What’s Possible If you really want to see what Cindy’s work looks like, don’t watch her. Watch her students. There’s Jillian from Alaska - the first in her family to go to school. She showed up at WyoTech with big dreams and a bigger determination to prove she belonged. She rose to the top of her class, earned the respect of her instructors, and had employers lining up to hire her. Then there’s Katie from Wyoming - the one who loves old Ford trucks. She earned a scholarship through the Jessi Combs Foundation and built her own shop from the ground up. On any given day, you can find Katie out in a field of weathered pickups, picking the next one she’s going to bring back to life. Jillian and Katie are just two examples, but their stories carry something universal - proof that when you give women a chance, they don’t just take up space. They build empires out of it. That’s why Cindy gets emotional when she talks about scholarships. To her, they’re not handouts. They’re launchpads. They’re the difference between a dream that stays in your head and one that starts in your hands. The Jessi Combs Foundation shares that same belief. If you don’t already know, Jessi was a WyoTech grad who broke records and barriers on the salt flats before losing her life chasing the title of the fastest woman on wheels. Her legacy isn’t just about speed - it’s about courage. The courage to step into a shop, pick up a tool, and say, “I can do this.” Cindy carries that torch forward. She sees in her students the same grit that drove Jessi - that same spark that keeps the trades alive. And that’s why this work matters. Because every young woman who finds her footing at WyoTech, every scholarship that opens a door, every story that gets told, is one more piece of proof that the future of the trades isn’t male or female. It’s capable. It’s already happening. The Culture Shift - From “Man’s Job” to Meaningful Work Cindy grew up with six brothers, which explains a lot. She learned early that hard work doesn’t care who’s holding the wrench. You either get it done or you don’t. So when she stepped into a field that’s still mostly male, she didn’t see barriers. She saw opportunity. She laughs when she says it, but there’s truth in her favorite line - “You can still make cookies and fix cars.” It’s her way of reminding people that femininity and strength aren’t opposites. You can be capable without having to prove it, and you can lead without losing the softness that makes you who you are. That’s how she shows up in every space she’s in - calm, steady, confident, but with a warmth that puts people at ease. It’s why students trust her. It’s why shop owners listen when she talks. Cindy doesn’t see herself as breaking barriers. She sees herself as doing the work. And that’s exactly the cultural shift we need. Because this industry isn’t about men’s work or women’s work. It’s about meaningful work - work that builds things, repairs things, and restores pride in what we make with our hands. Excellence doesn’t wear a gender. It wears grit. It wears grace. It wears the quiet confidence of women like Cindy Barlow who prove that you can lead with both strength and heart - and the world will be better for it. Faith, Family, and Grit For all the hours Cindy pours into her work, she’s the first to remind you that balance isn’t a myth - it’s a discipline. “You’re no good to your job if you’re no good to yourself,” she told me once. It’s one of those lines that sticks, not because it sounds nice, but because you know she’s lived it. She’s learned how to close the laptop at five, take the vacation, and let herself rest. When she steps away from work, she really steps away. That space to breathe is what brings her back with fresh ideas and renewed purpose. Her faith runs quiet but deep. It’s what steadies her when the work feels heavy, what reminds her that the results aren’t all hers to carry. And then there’s her family - her grandkids, her dogs, her life out on the land. They’re her anchor points, the places she comes home to. And then, there’s the other side of Cindy most people don’t know - she owns a big game outfitting company called Antelope Creek Outfitting. She’s one of only a few active women outfitters in the entire state of Wyoming. Out there, she teaches women self-reliance - how to trust their instincts, how to handle the elements, and how to take care of themselves and their families. That part of her life isn’t separate from her work. It’s all connected. Whether she’s leading a student toward a career or a hunter into the wilderness, her message is the same: you are capable. Cindy’s balance doesn’t come from having it all figured out. It comes from choosing, every day, to give her best where she is - to her faith, her family, her work, and herself. That’s the kind of grit that doesn’t just get things done. It keeps you human while you do it. Legacy and the Long Game Ask Cindy what legacy means, and she’ll tell you it’s not about being remembered. It’s about leaving things better than you found them. She believes legacy is built in the day-to-day - in the way you treat people, in the standard you set, and in the opportunities you leave behind for others to grow into. She’s not interested in building something that depends on her. She’s training others to take the reins, to lead, to carry the work forward. Because a bridge only matters if people keep crossing it after you’re gone. You can see her legacy in motion every time a student walks across a stage, every time a shop owner hires a new graduate, every time a young woman picks up a wrench and sees herself in this industry for the first time. Cindy’s influence doesn’t end when the career fair wraps up or the meeting closes. It keeps moving - through every student, every employer, every partnership she’s helped create. She’s built her life around connection - connecting classrooms to careers, people to purpose, and passion to possibility. And in doing that, she’s given all of us a model for what real leadership looks like. Cindy Barlow isn’t waiting for the next generation to find their path. She’s paving it - one student, one partnership, one bridge at a time. With gratitude and grit, ~Melissa “Birdie” Patterson brings 29 years of shop-tested experience to her work as an organic marketer and transition strategist for the automotive industry at www.BirdsiSocial.com. She carries forward The Maylan Method - real leadership, clear communication, and culture that lasts.

The Mirror Moment You’ve felt it. That quiet tension in a room full of women. Same goals. Same drive. Same fire for what we do. But instead of ease, there’s a little static in the air. We smile. We complement. We trade a few kind words. But under the surface, something else hums. Comparison. It’s subtle. Nobody says it out loud. But it’s there in how we measure each other - who’s leading, who’s getting attention, who’s “further ahead.” Why do we do that? Why do we keep competing when collaboration could take us all further? The truth is that most of us were raised in a culture of scarcity. Somewhere along the line, we learned there’s only room for one woman at the table. That if someone else gets the spotlight, ours fades. So we protect our place instead of opening the circle. We talk about women supporting women, and I believe we mean it. But too often, we don’t fully trust each other enough to follow through. Not because we don’t care, but because this pattern was built long before us. It’s cultural. It’s habitual. And maybe that’s the first truth we have to face if we’re ever going to rebuild the sisterhood. This isn’t judgment. It’s honesty. Because until we name it, we can’t change it. Where the Cracks Start We didn’t create this pattern, but we’ve been living inside it for a long time. Most of us grew up watching women fight for one seat at the table. The message was clear: there’s only room for one of us, so guard your spot. Keep your head down. Don’t share too much. We were taught to compete for approval, not community. To be the best woman in the room, not the one who made room for more. And somewhere along the way, being called “the exception” started to sound like a compliment. But that kind of praise is a trap. It isolates us. It teaches us to measure success by how far we’ve pulled ahead - not by how many we’ve pulled up. What if success didn’t have to be a solo climb? What if it could be shared - the kind where one woman’s win lights the path for the next? Because that’s where the cracks start to close, not when we compete for the top, but when we build the staircase together. The Lesson from María Fernanda María Fernanda Erazo Gallegos saw it firsthand. She noticed how hard it was for women in her field to truly trust each other - even when they were fighting the same uphill battles in a male-dominated industry. The irony wasn’t lost on her. They were all trying to earn respect in a space that rarely gave it freely, yet still hesitated to lean on one another. Then something shifted At an AWiA event, another woman, our very own coordinator, Tiffany Scherado, did something simple but rare. She followed through. She said she’d help, and she did. No agenda. No half-promises. Just action. That small gesture cracked something open for María Fernanda. It was the first time she’d seen what real sisterhood in this industry could look like - women who actually show up for each other. It wasn’t loud or performative. It was steady. And it changed her. Because support isn’t a slogan, it’s a practice. It’s answering the email. Making the introduction. Showing up when it counts. It’s proving with your actions that you meant what you said. That’s what rebuilding the sisterhood looks like - one follow-through at a time. The Hidden Cost of Competition When we compete instead of collaborating, nobody wins. We burn so much energy trying to prove we belong that we forget to build what’s next. We hold our ideas tighter, guard our progress, and tell ourselves it’s protection - but really, it’s fear. I’ve felt that fear up close. There’s a woman in my professional circle who smiles in meetings and trades pleasantries, but behind the scenes, it’s a different story. I’ll hear about dinners after they’ve happened, jokes made “in good fun” as I walk into the room, overhearing quiet digs disguised as humor. Once, after a speaking engagement, she looked me straight in the eye and called me a name I won’t repeat - then later denied it ever happened. It took me a while to understand what was really going on. It wasn’t about her, and it wasn’t about me. It was about the story we were both handed - the one that says there’s only room for one woman at the table, so the safest way to survive is to keep the others out. That’s the hidden cost of competition. It doesn’t just bruise feelings. It builds walls. And while we’re busy proving ourselves, the next generation is watching. They see us standing alone and think that’s what success looks like. They learn that to rise, you have to do it solo. But that’s not leadership - that’s survival. And survival keeps us small. Competition can sharpen us - but comparison shrinks us. Collaboration is what multiplies impact. It’s what builds momentum that no single person can create on her own. Because when one woman opens the door, it doesn’t just let her through - it lets the light spill out for everyone. And maybe that’s where the healing starts - when we finally stop guarding the door and start holding it open. How We Rebuild Here’s the good news - this isn’t too far gone to fix. We can rebuild the sisterhood. But it starts small, in the day-to-day moments that show what kind of women we want to be for each other. Name it We can’t heal what we won’t say out loud. The only way to break old habits of competition is to call them what they are - fear and scarcity dressed up as ambition. Naming it doesn’t make you weak. It makes you aware. And awareness is where change begins. Celebrate without comparison Another woman’s win doesn’t threaten yours. It expands what’s possible for you. Her success is proof that there’s room for more - and when you cheer her on, you remind the room that there’s space for everyone. Follow through Support isn’t something you post about. It’s something you practice. It’s consistent, not convenient. Send the message Make the call Do what you said you’d do That’s how trust grows. Build bridges, not silos Introduce her. Recommend her. Repeat her name in the rooms she’s not in. The most powerful thing we can do is talk about each other in the right spaces - the ones that make a difference. Clean our own house Before we can fight the external battles, we have to fix the mistrust between us. The judgment. The quiet competition. The side-eye that keeps us separate. This isn’t about blame - it’s about building something stronger together. What would our industry look like if women trusted each other as much as we trust our own grit? Maybe that’s the question we start asking at every table we sit at from here on out. The Bigger Vision AWiA was built for exactly this - a space where connection replaces competition. Where collaboration isn’t rare, it’s the norm. It’s a place where women like María Fernanda remind us that strength isn’t about standing alone. It’s about standing together. Her story isn’t the exception - it’s the invitation. When one woman follows through, it changes what’s possible for all of us. It reminds us that the glass ceiling isn’t the only barrier worth breaking. The invisible walls between us matter too. Because when we link arms instead of cross arms, we stop waiting for permission. We start building the future we’ve been asking for - one shared win, one open door, one act of follow-through at a time. That’s what rebuilding the sisterhood really looks like. The Challenge and the Hope Before we can break the glass ceiling, we have to stop cutting each other on the shards. Rebuilding the sisterhood doesn’t start with slogans or panels. It starts right here - in how we show up for the women beside us. ~ Send the text ~ Share the contact ~ Cheer loudly ~ Follow through Because when women choose collaboration over competition, we don’t just rise - we lift the whole damn industry with us. And that’s the kind of legacy worth fighting for. Amazing Women in Automotive Every day, I meet women in this industry who are breaking new ground - not just by turning wrenches or leading teams, but by choosing to lift the people around them. That’s what Amazing Women in Automotive is all about - connection over competition. Real stories. Real growth. Real women who show up for each other and prove that strength shared is strength multiplied. If you’re part of this industry, you’re part of this movement. Keep telling your stories. Keep cheering for the women beside you. Keep rebuilding the sisterhood one act of follow-through at a time. We invite you to join us at AmazingWiA.com! With gratitude and grit, ~Melissa “Birdie” Patterson brings 29 years of shop-tested experience to her work as an organic marketer and transition strategist for the automotive industry at www.BirdsiSocial.com. She carries forward The Maylan Method - real leadership, clear communication, and culture that lasts.

Neuroinclusivity in the Bays

Let’s be honest. If you're an independent shop owner, you probably wear more hats than a mannequin in a western wear store. One minute, you're managing payroll. The next, you're explaining to a customer why a 6-month-old tire is bald (spoiler alert: it’s not your fault). By 4 p.m., you’re elbow-deep in QuickBooks, trying to remember what “reconciliation” even means. You’re not lazy. You’re not unmotivated. You’re just maxed out. And the truth is, if you don’t learn to delegate, burnout isn’t just a possibility. It’s a guarantee. "But no one can do it like I do..." I’ve heard it. I’ve said it. It’s the classic line of a burnt-out owner-operator stuck in the daily grind. And I get it. You’ve built your business with your own two hands. You’ve got a standard. A pace. A feel. And letting go of control feels like a risk. But here’s the kicker: holding on to everything is the bigger risk. Because when everything depends on you, everything can fall apart because of you. What happens if you get sick? Or you need a break? Or, heaven forbid, you want to take a Friday off without your phone buzzing every 15 minutes? This isn’t just about freedom. It’s about building a business that can breathe without you. One that works with you - not only because of you. Signs You're Headed for Burnout Let’s do a little self-check. If any of these sound familiar, it might be time to hit pause and take a closer look at how you’re leading: You're constantly putting out fires instead of planning ahead You skip lunch more often than not You don’t trust your team to handle anything without you You wake up already exhausted Your to-do list never ends- it just rearranges itself You secretly fantasize about selling everything and opening a taco stand in Cabo (no judgment) Burnout doesn’t always show up as a meltdown. Sometimes, it creeps in like a slow leak. Quiet. Dangerous. And if you're not paying attention, it'll flatten you. Delegation Isn’t Dumping - It’s Developing Here’s what most people get wrong: Delegation doesn’t mean handing off the junk you don’t want to deal with. It means training someone to succeed. You’re not just giving tasks - you’re growing people. One of Maylan’s favorite truths was this: “You didn’t buy a business. You bought a job - if you have to be there all the time.” And he was right. The real test of your shop isn’t what happens when you’re there. It’s what happens when you’re not. When you delegate well, you do three big things: You free up your time for leadership. Strategy. Vision. Growth. That’s your job - not counting oil filters. You build team confidence. People want to know you trust them. Give them a lane, and they’ll learn to drive it. You protect your peace. There’s no badge of honor in burnout. You can't lead on empty. What Should You Delegate? Glad you asked. Here’s a quick list of what you can start letting go of - without letting go of quality: ✅ Daily Operational Tasks Parts ordering Scheduling Inventory checks Drop-off/pick-up coordination ✅ Customer Communication Follow-up calls and reminders Review responses Social media comments and DMs ✅ Marketing Posting to social Replying to messages Updating your Google Business Profile Blog writing (hi, that’s us!) ✅ Admin Payroll prep Receipt filing Email sorting Look, you don’t have to give it all away at once. Start with one thing. See how it goes. Then try another. “But What If They Mess It Up?” They might. That’s part of the process. Delegation requires patience, coaching, and expecting a few bumps along the way. You’re not just offloading work - you’re investing in your people. When someone drops the ball, you don’t snatch it back and say, “Forget it - I’ll do it myself.” You teach. You adjust. You lead. That’s how real businesses grow. Not through perfection, but through progress. Delegate with Purpose: 5 Quick Tips Let’s make this practical. If you’re ready to dip your toe in the delegation pool, start here: 1. Pick the Right Person Give the task to someone whose natural strengths match the work. Don’t give data entry to your tech who can't sit still. 2. Be Crystal Clear Vague instructions = disappointing results. Take 10 minutes to clearly explain the goal and the steps. Bonus points if you write it down or record a short video. 3. Set a Follow-Up Time Don’t just toss the baton and run. Schedule a check-in. It keeps you both accountable. 4. Encourage Ownership Let them know you’re trusting them - and you’re not hovering. Give room to figure things out. 5. Praise Progress, Not Perfection If they got 80% right and missed a few details? That’s still a win. Celebrate effort, guide improvement. The Long Game: From Owner to Leader Imagine this... It’s 4:30 on a Thursday. You’re not stressed. Payroll is handled. Marketing is humming. Phones are ringing - and someone else is answering them. You’re sipping coffee, reviewing next month’s goals, maybe even planning a real weekend away. That’s not a fantasy. That’s what delegation makes possible. You didn’t start your shop to become its prisoner. You started it to build something lasting. Something that could support your family, serve your community, and give you freedom. But freedom doesn’t show up when everything’s perfect. It shows up when you let go of what’s holding you back. So today, ask yourself: What am I doing that someone else could do - with training Then make a move. Because if you don’t delegate, you will burn out. And your shop - your team - needs more than your hands. They need your mind. Your vision. Your leadership. You can build a business that runs without burning you out. And if you’re ready to get the ball rolling but not sure where to start? Shoot us a message, and we’ll help you find your first delegation win!:)

Let’s start with a quick gut-check: When was the last time you Googled your own shop? Not to see if the internet still knows you exist, but to actually look at your listing, your photos, your reviews, your hours. At how a brand-new customer might see you for the very first time. For a lot of shop owners, the answer is... “uh, maybe never?” That’s a missed opportunity. Because when someone types “auto repair near me,” your Google Business Profile (GBP) is front and center. It’s the front porch to your shop online - and if it’s a mess, outdated, or missing altogether, you’re not just invisible. You’re losing cars before they ever pull in the lot. So, let’s fix that. Here’s a practical, no-fluff checklist of local SEO tips to help your Google listing actually work for you - and bring in the right customers without spending a dime on ads. 1. Claim It. Own It. Keep It Updated. First things first; make sure you’ve claimed your Google Business Profile. If you haven’t done that yet, stop reading and go do it right now. Seriously. We’ll wait. Once you’ve claimed it, don’t just “set it and forget it.” Your profile needs regular check-ins. ✅ Are your hours current? ✅ Is your phone number correct? ✅ Do you have holiday hours scheduled? ✅ Have you added a short, clear description that explains what kind of shop you are and who you serve? If your listing still says “Call for hours” or has a blurry photo from 2023... we can do better. 2. Use Keywords, But Keep It Human Google scans your profile for keywords to help decide when to show your shop in search results. That means your business description, services, and even photo captions can all give you a little ranking boost—if you write them with intention. 🚫 Don't keyword-stuff like a robot. ✅ Do include phrases like: “Auto repair in [your city]” “Brake repair specialists” “Family-owned diesel mechanic” Write like a real person talking to a customer. Because that’s who it’s for. 3. Photos That Actually Show Who You Are Here’s where most shop listings fall flat: the visuals. They either don’t have any photos, or they upload 37 shots of valve covers and timing belts. (I get it. You’re proud of your work. But customers aren’t trying to hire a parts catalog.) What they do want to see: The front of your building (so they recognize it when they drive by) Your team in action (bonus points for smiles!) Your waiting area A couple clean, finished cars Any family-friendly or unique touches (mascot dog? community board? donut day?) Aim for at least 10 solid photos. Update them every few months so your listing feels alive - not forgotten. 4. Get Those Reviews Flowing (and Respond to Them All) Reviews aren’t a “nice to have.” They’re trust currency. Most people aren’t clicking on a shop with two stars and no responses. And they’re not going to trust a place with perfect 5.0 stars and only three reviews from the owner's family members either. You want steady, recent, real reviews; and yes, you can ask for them. 📢 Pro tip: Train your team to spot the “thank you” moments in customer conversations. That’s when you say: “We really appreciate that. If you have a minute, would you be willing to share that in a Google review? It helps more than you know.” And once that review goes live? Always respond, even if it’s just “Thanks so much for the kind words, we loved working on your Jeep!” Got a negative review? Don’t panic. Breathe. Reply calmly, own what’s real, and show you care about making it right. That response says more to future customers than the bad review ever could. 5. Use Posts to Stay Fresh Did you know you can post updates directly to your Google listing? Most shops don’t use this feature, but it’s free, visible, and helps show Google that you’re active. You can post: Seasonal specials Holiday hours Customer shoutouts Blog links (like this one!) Reminders like “Book early before school starts” Keep it short, visual, and relevant - just once a week is a great rhythm. 6. Answer the Questions Before They’re Asked There’s a “Q&A” section on your profile where people can ask questions... and anyone can answer them. Here’s the hack: Ask your own FAQs and answer them yourself. Example: Q: Do you work on diesels? A: Yes! We specialize in diesel repair, including Ford Powerstroke, Duramax, and Cummins systems. Now, when someone types “diesel mechanic near me,” guess who just got a visibility bump? You. Wrapping It Up Google isn’t magic. It’s math, strategy, and consistency. And your shop doesn’t need to outspend anyone - you just need to show up smarter. 📍 Claim your profile 📷 Keep it updated with real photos ⭐ Build review momentum 🛠️ Post weekly, answer questions, and use keywords like a human You’ve already built a business people can trust. Let’s make sure your Google listing reflects that. Need help writing your listing? Want me to audit it with fresh eyes? That’s what we do. 👋 Drop us a message and let’s make sure your shop is getting found first- organically, authentically, and in a way that actually works. #BirdsiSocial #LocalSEO #GoogleBusinessTips #AutoRepairMarketing #ShopLeadership #FixCarsGrowBusiness #BirdieSays

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