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Skinny Spending: The Leadership Discipline That Saves Your Shop [E257]
Episode 25711th May 2026 • Chris Cotton Weekly Blitz • Chris Cotton
00:00:00 00:15:02

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Quotes

  • “Capacity doesn’t create demand—demand earns capacity.”
  • “Hope is not a hiring strategy.”
  • “Keeping people you don’t have work for isn’t kindness—it’s avoidance.”
  • “Skinny spending is discipline, not fear.”
  • “Your business can’t breathe if you suffocate it with payroll.”
  • “Car count problems are usually process problems.”
  • “You don’t learn leadership when things go right.”
  • “Volume inconsistency exposes operational weakness.”

​In this episode, Coach Chris Cotton breaks down a real-world leadership moment from Firestone of Durango—over-hiring ahead of demand, navigating a sudden drop in car count, and making tough payroll decisions. Learn how to stay lean, improve operational discipline, and respond like a true leader when business shifts.

​Are you carrying too much payroll in your shop?

In this episode of The Weekly Blitz, Coach Chris Cotton shares a real situation from Firestone of Durango—what happened when hiring ahead of demand backfired, and how leadership decisions made the difference.

If your car count is inconsistent, your payroll is high, or you're feeling pressure… this episode is for you.

The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops.

Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo: https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/

Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/

If you would like to join their private Facebook Group, go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind

Connect with Chris:

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

www.autoshopcoaching.com

www.aftermarketradionetwork.com

940-400-1008

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoaching

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

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