An AI Powered CRM for Auto Repair? with Kieran O'Brien - The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast

<p>Brian and Kim talk with Kieran O’Brien, founder of ShopGenie, an AI powered CRM for auto repair. </p><p><strong>Thank you to our friends at RepairPal for providing this episode. RepairPal’s Certified Network of shops are trusted by millions of customers each month. Learn more at </strong><a href="https://repairpal.com/shops" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>RepairPal.com/shops</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><ul><li>Introduction and Sponsorship (00:00:01 - 00:00:39) The speakers introduce the podcast and thank the sponsor, Repair Pal.</li><li>Kieran's Background (00:00:58 - 00:02:00) Kieran shares his story of starting his first business at 16, working in the automotive industry, and building a CRM with technology that established companies are not integrating.</li><li>Opportunity in CRM (00:02:55) Kieran discusses the opportunity he sees in the CRM side of the auto repair industry.</li><li>Starting a business at a young age (00:03:33) Kieran talks about how he started his first business at the age of 16 and how he found mentors in the automotive industry.</li><li>Alternative paths to success (00:05:21) The hosts and Kieran discuss the idea that college is not the only path to success and how apprenticeships are viewed differently in Europe.</li><li>Raising an entrepreneur (00:06:27) Kim talks about how her son grew up with two entrepreneur parents and how they have had discussions about his future and whether or not he needs to go to college.</li><li>Parents' reaction to Kieran's success (00:08:49) Kieran talks about the contention between him and his parents regarding his decision not to go to college and how his success in business changed their relationship.</li><li>The need to promote trade schools (00:09:24) Kieran discusses the need to change the narrative around college and promote trade schools to solve the problem of student loan debt and the technician shortage in the auto repair industry.</li><li>Sponsorship message from Repair Pal (00:10:11) The hosts thank Repair Pal for sponso