Aftermarket All-Access

Dorman's Brian Matthias on closing the aftermarket's data-quality gap and where AI is actually showing up in the work

Imagine trying to sell a door handle and somehow making the case that yours is the absolute best on the market. My guest today does exactly that for a living, across one of the widest parts catalogs in the aftermarket.

Brian Matthias leads the content syndication team at Dorman Products, making sure the photos, digi...

What separates a good leader from a great one? My guest today says it comes down to how well you communicate—and how deeply you understand the people you're leading.

Dr. Dana Ñkaña is a business strategist, trainer, and columnist for Aftermarket Business World who has spent decades helping aftermarket suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors build stronger leaders and healthier organizations.

Dr. Ñkaña breaks down what emot...

He built 14 stores. Then he sold 10 of them—one by one—during one of the toughest economic downturns in modern history.

In Fearless to Courageous, James Baxter reveals the sleepless nights, payroll fears, and hard leadership decisions that reshaped his company—and why focusing on four strong stores made him more profitable than ever before.

If you’re an entrepreneur navigating growth, succession, or tou...

Imagine collecting 828 used batteries in four hours — from a drive-thru. My guest today helped make that happen. Joel Brady is vice president of marketing and communications at East Penn Manufacturing, one of the most recognized names in lead battery production and recycling.

On April 25, East Penn held its first-ever Power2Recycle drive-thru battery return event in Lyon Station, Pennsylvania — and the response blew awa...

Imagine being handed the job of introducing a brand with more than 100 years of history to a generation that's never heard of it — and pulling it off. That's exactly what my guest today has done.

Paul Montopoli is head of marketing for U.S. aftermarket at MANN+HUMMEL, the global filtration leader behind iconic American brand Purolator.

Paul's team walked away from Auto Care Connect in Atlanta in May with two Auto Care Associa...

A technician crashes two vehicles and causes $14,000 in damage. What would you do? My guest today chose to skip the punishment — and made an investment instead.

Louie Sharp of Sharp Auto Body joins hosts Chris Messer, VP of Transportation Group at EndeavorB2B, and Mike Jones, founder of Discover Leadership Training, for a conversation about one of the most counterintuitive ideas in leadership: that the thing holding you back ...

What if the real barrier to your success isn't the goal itself—but how you're thinking about it?

On this episode of Aftermarket All-Access, Chris Messer, vice president of transportation at Endeavor Business Media, and Mike Jones, president of Discover Leadership, jo...

In this episode, Dr. Kent MacDonald, president of Northwood University, sat down to talk about educating the next generation of automotive and aftermarket professionals. But first, he shared what it was like interviewing Wayne Gretzky — and how the hockey legend's philosophy of "skating to where the puck is going" applies directly to the automoti...

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What drives innovation in the automotive aftermarket? For Anuj Gupta, business line digital North America at ZF Aftermarket, it starts with curiosity and a willingness to spend time in the field discovering real problems.

In this episode, Anuj Gupta, business line digital North America at ZF Aftermarket, shares ZF's approach to innovation—grounded in customer research, diverse perspectives, and the philos...

Your trajectory isn't determined by how skilled you are — it's determined by how you think. In this episode, recorded at AAPEX, Chris Messer (executive vice president of Endeavor B2B's Transportation Group) and Mike Jones (founder of Discover Leadership Training) sit down to discuss the mindset shifts that separate thriving industry leaders from ...

What's really happening in the automotive aftermarket right now? Mike Chung, senior director, market intelligence at the Auto Care Association. He digs into the data to reveal the trends that matter most to shop owners and auto parts distributors.

In this episode, held at AAPEX, we explore tariff impacts on parts supply, inflationary pressures on consumer purchasing, and a surprising shift in tire buying habits: why consumers are t...

In this episode, Aftermarket All-Access host Chris Jones speaks with Courtney Pedler, founder and CEO of Autology Data Management Group and Chair of the Automotive Content Professionals Network, about the unsung work that keeps the aftermarket running smoothly. Starting her career in Salt Lake City as a parts delivery driver, Pedler spent 25 years working in data and content management before launching her own business—discov...

In Episode 5 of our Endeavor 2 Discover series, Chris Messer, Executive Vice President of Endeavor Business Media's Transportation Group, is joined by Mike Jones, President and CEO of Discover Leadership, along with special guest Randy O'Connor, Principal President of D2D Development (and self-proclaimed Chief Outcome Officer).

Today's focus is on the power of focusing on the outcome—a foundational principle that transforms h...

In this episode, host Chris Jones sits down with Steve Tucker, president of Automotive Parts Associates, to explore his journey from rebuilding his first car as a teenager to leading one of the automotive aftermarket's most important associations. Steve shares how his family's deep roots in the automotive industry shaped his philosophy of mentorship, hands-on leadership, and genuine care for...

In Episode 4 of our Endeavor 2 Discover series, Chris Messer, Executive Vice President of Endeavor Business Media's Transportation Group, is joined once again by Mike Jones, President and CEO of Discover Leadership.

Today's topic is all about the I Will Attitude. Chris and Mike explore how powerless words like "I think I can" lack the energy needed to truly overcome challenges, while "I will" creates the mindset and muscle memory o...

In this episode, Ted Hughes discusses what makes the AWDA Annual Conference, held November 2-3 in Las Vegas, one of the most important gatherings for warehouse distributors and suppliers in the aftermarket industry.

At its core are the one-on-one meetings—the lifeblood of the event—where suppliers and distributors connect directly to build relationships, negotiate partnerships, and drive real business outcomes. Ted walk...

In Episode 3 of our Endeavor 2 Discover series, Chris Messer, Executive Vice President of Endeavor Business Media's Transportation Group, is joined once again by Mike Jones, President and CEO of Discover Leadership.

Today's focus is on frontline leadership—what it truly means to lead from the front lines. Chris and Mike challenge the conventional wisdom around servant leadership. While it sounds good to lead from the back or ...

In this episode, Auto Care Association's Mark Bogdansky discusses the new changes coming to AAPEX 2025 that will transform how auto parts suppliers, manufacturers, and warehouse distributors experience this year's show.

You'll hear how the new product category floor segmentation makes it easier for distributors to find suppliers in specific categories, while helping exhibitors connect with interested buyers.

Mark talks about strate...