The Shop Owner's Blueprint

With Melissa 'Birdie' Patterson of Bird's iSocial - January 13, 2026

Every strong shop is built on a blueprint. Not a guess, not a streak of luck, but a clear understanding of what the business needs at each stage of growth. The Shop Growth Blueprint is a one hour webinar created for owners who want more clarity, more control, and more confidence moving into the new year. In this class, we walk through the real evolution of a shop. The early survival stage. The messy middle where systems and communication start to matter. The maturity stage where leadership, delegation, and culture either lift the business forward or quietly hold it back. At every point in the journey, we explore the habits, decisions, and support networks that help a shop grow stronger. You will learn what your shop needs now, how to reduce overwhelm with clearer structure, and which actions create the biggest results with the least friction. This class blends practical tools with the human side of owning a shop so you can step into the new year grounded and focused. If you are ready for a simpler, steadier way to run your business, this blueprint is your starting point.

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Networking Unlocked

With Jeffrey Nott of 1 Week, 1 Thing - February 10, 2026

Part of your marketing for your business should be networking. Yes, networking, getting out in the community and meeting people. The most successful shop owners do so. But one should have a plan. In this workshop you will learn the key things that a successful networker uses to be memorable and increase business. Your presenter, Jeffrey Nott, is considered by his peers as one of the top networkers and connectors around. Jeffrey will be sharing his tips and tricks so you too can become a star networker yourself!

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Talent Tactics: Interviewing and Hiring for Today's Workforce

With Sara Fraser of Auto Ignite Management - March 10, 2026

In today's dynamic job market, standing out in your hiring efforts is crucial for success. This course equips you with the skills to excel in recruitment by understanding modern workforce expectations, crafting compelling job ads, and mastering strategic interviewing techniques. Learn to effectively attract and retain top talent, ensuring your organization thrives in a competitive landscape.

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Before the Customer Says Yes: How Trust Is Built Long Before the Repair Is Approved

With Melissa 'Birdie' Patterson of Bird's iSocial - April 14, 2026

Many shop owners believe the sale happens at the service counter. In reality, the decision often happens much earlier. Today's customers compare shops quietly online, interpret signals about professionalism and expertise, and form expectations before the first phone call ever takes place.

In this session, we'll explore the hidden factors that shape customer trust before the conversation even begins. From internal shop culture to digital first impressions to how repair recommendations are communicated, the strongest businesses create confidence long before the repair is approved.

If selling feels harder than it used to, the answer may not be better scripts - it may be understanding when trust actually begins.

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14 APR AT 11 AM PST - 12 MST - 1 CST - 2 EST on Zoom

The Human Engine: Why People Power the Performance of Your Shop

With Melissa 'Birdie' Patterson of Bird's iSocial - May 12, 2026

If you haven't figured out how to lead your team differently or improve communication inside your shop, you're not behind. You're right on time. You've learned people by working with them in real conditions. What you haven't been given is a clear framework for why certain moments feel more challenging than others. This seminar offers that clarity without criticism.

Together, we'll look at your shop through the lens of practical psychology so you can understand what's happening under the surface: how emotions spread, how stress shapes communication, and why certain behaviors repeat. You'll see the patterns, the pressure points, and the human systems that drive performance. By the end, you'll have a clearer picture of what your team needs, a more confident approach to communication, and simple tools you can use right away to strengthen culture and reduce stress. This hour isn't about working harder. It's about leading with clarity and building a workplace where people and performance can thrive.

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12 MAY AT 11 AM PST - 12 MST - 1 CST - 2 EST on Zoom

What I learned about success in raising an Olympic Athlete

With Jeffrey Nott of 1 Week, 1 Thing - June 9, 2026

Getting to be a successful athlete is much like running a business. It is not only discipline and hard work, but one must have other things in place to be successful. In this workshop you will learn the tools athletes use to compete at the highest level and how to apply them to your business. You can win gold if you follow the program. Jeffrey will be sharing his experiences of working with his daughter who competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

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9 JUN AT 11 AM PST - 12 MST - 1 CST - 2 EST on Zoom

The Mid-Year Tune-Up: Finding Your Spark When Your Gears Feel Stuck

With Melissa 'Birdie' Patterson of Bird's iSocial - July 14, 2026

By mid-year, even the best shops can hit neutral. The goals that felt exciting in January start to fade, the team's energy dips, and everyone's just trying to make it through the week. It's not burnout - it's a slump. In this energizing one-hour webinar, Melissa "Birdie" Patterson brings her signature mix of humor, heart, and shop-tested strategy to help you shift gears and reignite your drive. You'll learn how to reconnect your team to their purpose, reset your focus, and bring some fun back into the daily grind. This isn't just a pep talk - it's a tune-up for your leadership, mindset, and message. You'll leave with practical tools to refresh your energy, re-engage your crew, and finish the year with clarity and confidence - because sometimes, momentum just needs a little spark.

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14 JUL AT 11 AM PST - 12 MST - 1 CST - 2 EST on Zoom

More Than Numbers: The Emotional Risks Lurking in Every Business Decision

With Natalie Paris & Christine West - August 11, 2026

Discover 3 ways to strengthen your culture and boost profit with alignment that lasts. Designed for automotive business owners who desire to lead a shop people want to work for and customers want to come back to.

Natalie Paris
Founder of Three Rivers Bookkeeping
She combines deep financial expertise with a strategic mindset to help small business owners—especially in the aftermarket auto world - achieve growth and peace of mind. Natalie is more than just a bookkeeper, she is a partner in your success, building clear financial roadmaps that align business goals with the lifestyle you set out to create.

Christine West
People Strategist and Founder of The Business MD
She's a powerhouse in emotional intelligence, human behavior, and communication. She helps business owners break free from unconscious dynamics that create limitations, communicate with clarity to get buy-in with their words, and set unshakable boundaries - so they can build thriving businesses without guilt, inner conflict, or emotional exhaustion. Her approach is bold, insightful, and results-driven, turning inner roadblocks into opportunities for growth.

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11 AUG AT 11 AM PST - 12 MST - 1 CST - 2 EST on Zoom

Reclaiming Our Potential: How Curiosity Unlocks Growth, Leadership, and Connection

With Rodger Bland - September 8, 2026

In today's fast-paced world, we're surrounded by information—but starved for curiosity. In business, leadership, and even personal relationships, we've become quicker to defend our point of view than to explore someone else's. This subtle shift impacts more than communication—it's quietly hijacking our potential.

In this engaging 60-minute webinar, Rodger Bland explores how curiosity acts as the driving force behind personal development, emotional intelligence, and workplace culture. You'll discover why curiosity naturally declines in adulthood, how certainty limits growth, and how simple curiosity-based questions can transform communication, problem-solving, and leadership.

Participants will learn practical, easy-to-use tools for reconnecting with their natural curiosity, improving conversations, deepening connection with teams, and expanding their own personal potential. Whether you're a leader, aspiring manager, or simply someone committed to growth, this session will challenge assumptions, spark insight, and open new possibilities. Come ready to rethink how you think—and to rediscover the potential waiting on the other side of curiosity.

Rodger Bland is a speaker, educator, and long-time leader in the automotive transmission industry, serving as a featured presenter for ATRA, TCRA, and training events across North America. Known for his warm, relatable teaching style, Rodger combines workplace experience, emotional intelligence research, and practical tools to help professionals grow personally and professionally. His signature presentations—including Are We Having Fun Yet?, Reclaiming Our Potential, and What's Working?—blend personal development with real-world leadership insights tailored for the automotive aftermarket. Rodger is also a contributor to GEARS Magazine and a key voice in ATRA's management and leadership training initiatives, including their VTS program. His mission is simple: help people communicate better, lead with greater emotional awareness, and unlock their potential by reconnecting with one powerful, often forgotten skill—curiosity.

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8 SEP AT 11 AM PST - 12 MST - 1 CST - 2 EST on Zoom

Legacy in Motion

With Melissa 'Birdie' Patterson of Bird's iSocial - October 13, 2026

Legacy isn't something you leave behind - it's something you build every day. As the year winds down, this is the moment to pause, zoom out, and make sure the business you're building today leads to the future you actually want.

In this focused one-hour webinar, Melissa "Birdie" Patterson helps shop owners move from running day to day to leading with direction. You'll look back at what worked, face what didn't, and define the vision that will carry your shop into 2027 and beyond.

This isn't a retirement talk or a spreadsheet session - it's a practical conversation about purpose, priorities, and next steps. You'll leave with clarity, a short list of action items, and the confidence to lead your business on purpose - not autopilot.

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13 OCT AT 11 AM PST - 12 MST - 1 CST - 2 EST on Zoom

Motivation Through Discipline

November 10, 2026

There is a better way to get your employees to work with an adherence to company rules and policies on their own! The art of employee discipline without pain and struggle is in asking questions. Why not take the pressure off you, the owner, and place it where it belongs: on the offending employee. This technique will revolutionize your employee management.

Included in this presentation will be tips on finding and hiring better employees so you have fewer issues of discipline.

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10 NOV AT 11 AM PST - 12 MST - 1 CST - 2 EST on Zoom

The Art of Staging the Next Visit with DVI

With Craig O'Neill - December 8, 2026

Discover how to maximize the potential of Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVIs) beyond immediate sales. This course challenges auto-repair shops to rethink their approach: if images and videos in DVIs can drive informed buying decisions, why not use them to help clients make informed scheduling decisions?

In this session, you'll explore how to position DVIs as the most practical and impactful tool to secure future appointments and minimize slow periods. Learn about the top three retention mistakes many shops make and gain actionable strategies to correct them. Leave this course with fresh ideas to strengthen customer relationships and improve your shop's long-term success.

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8 DEC AT 11 AM PST - 12 MST - 1 CST - 2 EST on Zoom