Episodes
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Buckle up—because getting in the door is just the beginning! 🚗💨
In this episode, Cindy Lawrence sits down again with industry powerhouse Linda Barnette to talk about reaching the unreachable and turning tough objections into open roads. Together, they dive into the art of asking the right questions, setting the stage for a successful meeting, and presenting in a way that helps you win the deal.From overcoming roadblocks to fueling conversations that matter, this is your service-drive playbook for moving past “no” and steering straight toward “yes.”
Contact Linda Barnette
Phone: (561) 502-8407
LinkedIn: Click here to learn more about Linda Barnette🔑 How to reach the unreachable
🤝 Creating bonds that outlast contracts
🏗️ Designing dealerships—and relationships—from the ground up✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!
🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts — it really makes a difference!🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
📬 Mail us at [email protected]
🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on FacebookStay Curious: Coming Soon to a Dealership Near YOU!
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This week, Steve Schau joins Cindy to unpack how Fast Digital's QR-code menus, and e-business cards remove friction on the service drive
👉 Special Giveaway Alert! Steve is giving away 50 FREE e-business cards each powered with a custom landing page. The first 100 listeners who sign up will be entered into a special drawing—50 winners out of 100 entries. Do you feel lucky?
Plus, Steve announces the launch of ServiceAdvisor.com, a new LinkedIn-style platform exclusively built for and used by automotive service advisors—a new dedicated space for advisors to share wins, experiences, templates, and career opportunities without the ads and extra noise. If you manage a drive—or work on one—this is your tactical playbook for going from paper to pixel.
Steve Schau, President, Fast Digital
Fast Digital is one of the largest dealership service menu designers in the United States. Beside service menu designs, Fast Digital also provides QR code oil change reminder stickers, advisor e-business cards powered with custom landing pages and recently launched a new service advisor social media networking platform called ServiceAdvisor.com.
To see Steve service menu designs and other products please visit ServiceMenus.com
For more information contact Steve at:
Phone: 949-632-0316
Email: [email protected]✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!
🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts — it really makes a difference!🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
📬 Mail us at [email protected]
🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on Facebook
Stay Curious: Coming Soon to a Dealership Near YOU! -
Missing episodes?
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Not all road hazard protection is created equal—and the fine print can make or break your wallet. In this episode of On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence, we break down the differences between road hazard coverage and car insurance claims. From repair vs. replacement policies, to where coverage is honored, to why pricing with installation and protection matters—details are everything. We’ll also spotlight the big players like Dealer Tire and Tire Rack, who are helping dealerships turn tire programs into powerful tools for customer retention. Before you call in that claim, give us a listen and make sure you know your options.
✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!
🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts — it really makes a difference!🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
📬 Mail us at [email protected]
🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on FacebookStay Curious: Coming Soon to a Dealership Near YOU!
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This episode of On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence comes to you poolside from the Hyatt Centric in Key West—just steps from Mallory Square, where the crowd gathers each evening to cheer the sunset. We’re here for the second annual Steve Shaw Leadership Event, better known as his “Grateful Tour.”
This isn’t your typical retreat. Steve brought together the people who’ve shaped his journey—his very first customer who came in from Mexico and out of retirement, current fixed ops directors, his family, his web designer, and longtime friends.
Joining me is Steve’s brother, Bob Shaw, for his very first podcast appearance. Poolside, we talk about training just enough to write it off—but mostly we reflect on the gratitude, connections, and celebrations that make weeks like this unforgettable.
🔑 How to reach the unreachable
🤝 Creating bonds that outlast contracts
🏗️ Designing dealerships—and relationships—from the ground up✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!
🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts — it really makes a difference!🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
📬 Mail us at [email protected]
🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on FacebookStay Curious: Coming Soon to a Dealership Near YOU!
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🎧 Some people close deals. Others change the game entirely. In this episode of On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence, meet the powerhouse behind some of the nation’s most successful dealership transformations—Linda Barnette.
From high-stakes sales training rooms to the strategic table of mergers and acquisitions, and all the way to the concrete foundation of new dealership builds, Linda’s career has spanned it all. But ask her the real secret? It’s not about a flashy pitch or the bottom line—it’s about truly caring about the other person’s business like it’s your own.
Linda opens up about how she consistently connects with the so-called “unreachable” decision-makers, turning cold introductions into lifelong partnerships. Her approach isn’t about pushing demos—it’s about building authentic relationships that stand the test of time.
Contact Linda Barnette
Phone: (561) 502-8407
LinkedIn: Click here to learn more about Linda Barnette🔑 How to reach the unreachable
🤝 Creating bonds that outlast contracts
🏗️ Designing dealerships—and relationships—from the ground up✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!
🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts — it really makes a difference!🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
📬 Mail us at [email protected]
🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on FacebookStay Curious: Coming Soon to a Dealership Near YOU!
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This week on On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence, we’re jumping headfirst into another real-world convo about one of the industry’s biggest concerns: technician shortages.
What do you say when someone asks, "So, what do you do?" while waiting in line for a drink? Well, if you're in fixed ops, the answer might come with a side of exhaustion and a shot of truth.
Veteran techs are hanging up their wrenches, worn down by ever-changing technology and the toll it takes on their bodies. Meanwhile, younger talent is opting for cleaner tech jobs—ones that don’t require crawling under dashboards or twisting into pretzel-shaped positions to reach a bolt.
Let’s face it—car technology evolves faster than we can keep up, and unlike the human body (which thankfully hasn’t moved its organs around since the beginning of time), the makes and models change every. single. year.
So grab your drink and lean in—this episode's a toast to the hardworking technicians, the retiring legends, and the future of the bay. 🍻
And next time someone asks what we do? We’re IRS agents—just looking for our next contestant. 😉
🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
📬 Mail us at [email protected]
🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on FacebookStay Curious: Coming Soon to a Dealership Near YOU!
🔑 How to reach the unreachable
🤝 Creating bonds that outlast contracts
🏗️ Designing dealerships—and relationships—from the ground up✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!
🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts—it really makes a difference! -
And fittingly, this episode drops on August 5th—the same day Bertha rode into the early morning light to change history. 🌅 Don’t miss this ride through time, innovation, and unstoppable determination!
Picture this: it’s August 5, 1888. At dawn, Bertha Benz, 39 years old and fueled by fierce determination, quietly rolls her husband’s Benz Patent-Motorwagen out of their Mannheim home. With her teenage sons Richard (15) and Eugen (13), she launches a secret mission—no permission, no roads, no roadmap—to drive over 100 km to her mother’s home in Pforzheim.
Throughout this wild journey, Bertha tackled nearly every mechanical obstacle imaginable:
She refueled at apothecaries, buying the town's entire supply of ligroin—effectively the world’s first gas stations When the fuel line clogged, she used a hat pin to clear it; she wrapped a frayed ignition wire with her garter to insulate it; and she asked a shoemaker to affix leather brake-linings, inventing the first brake pads.She and her sons even pushed the car uphill where the 2.5‑horsepower engine couldn’t manage the incline on its ownIn doing so, Bertha didn't just launch an automotive industry—she launched the role of women in automotive innovation 🚗💪✨, reshaping perceptions and blazing a trail for future female pioneers. She later became the first woman inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame—in 2016, making her and Carl the first married couple so honored
🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
📬 Mail us at [email protected]
🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on FacebookStay Curious: Coming Soon to a Dealership Near YOU!
🔑 How to reach the unreachable
🤝 Creating bonds that outlast contracts
🏗️ Designing dealerships—and relationships—from the ground up✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!
🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts—it really makes a difference! -
🎙️In this episode of On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence, we dive into the question everyone in automotive is starting to ask: Is it real or is it AI? 🤔
Thuy from MIA joins us to talk about how their true conversational AI is transforming dealership sales and service—especially in BDCs and campus-store environments. MIA is not decision-tree based like so many others. It listens, responds, and engages like a real person—holding full conversations that drive results. 🤖🚗
We discuss how MIA is helping dealership teams:
🔹 Automate repetitive tasks like appointment-setting 📅
🔹 Free up talented staff for more productive, high-value work 💼
🔹 Improve customer engagement without sacrificing authenticity ❤️This isn’t about replacing people—it’s about letting AI handle the busy work so your team can do what they do best. 🧠💪
If you’ve ever wondered, “Is it live—or is it AI?” … this episode has the answer. 🎧🚀
Connect with Thuy Adomitis:
Email: [email protected]
Connect with Thuy: Click Here to Connect with Thuy
Click to Visit Mia Labs🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
📬 Mail us at [email protected]
🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on FacebookStay Curious: Coming Soon to a Dealership Near YOU!
🔑 How to reach the unreachable
🤝 Creating bonds that outlast contracts
🏗️ Designing dealerships—and relationships—from the ground up✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!
🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts—it really makes a difference! -
🎧 Some people close deals. Others change the game entirely. In this episode of On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence, meet the powerhouse behind some of the nation’s most successful dealership transformations—Linda Barnette.
From high-stakes sales training rooms to the strategic table of mergers and acquisitions, and all the way to the concrete foundation of new dealership builds, Linda’s career has spanned it all. But ask her the real secret? It’s not about a flashy pitch or the bottom line—it’s about truly caring about the other person’s business like it’s your own.
Linda opens up about how she consistently connects with the so-called “unreachable” decision-makers, turning cold introductions into lifelong partnerships. Her approach isn’t about pushing demos—it’s about building authentic relationships that stand the test of time.
🔑 How to reach the unreachable
🤝 Creating bonds that outlast contracts
🏗️ Designing dealerships—and relationships—from the ground up✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!
🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts—it really makes a difference!🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
📬 Mail us at [email protected]
🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on FacebookStay Curious: https://onthedrivesolutions.com/
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🎙️In this episode of On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence, I chat with the amazing Katy Wolda about the DISC personality model—a powerful tool that helps you connect better with customers and teammates, whether you're managing up, down, or across the service drive. 🚗🛠️
Originally developed by psychologist William Moulton Marston (who also created Wonder Woman! 🦸♀️), DISC breaks down personalities into four main types:
D – Dominance 💼: Direct, decisive, loves efficiency. Keep it short and factual.I – Influence 🎉: Social, enthusiastic, thrives on energy and connection.S – Steadiness 🤝: Loyal, calm, and prefers stability. A little patience and warmth go a long way.C – Conscientiousness 📊: Analytical, detail-oriented, and values precision. They want all the facts—presented thoughtfully.✨ Fun fact: Studies show teams that understand each other's DISC profiles are 42% more effective at reducing workplace conflict and increasing productivity. Why? Because they learn to speak each other’s language—literally.💡
Discover your DISC style, how to spot someone else's in under 30 seconds ⏱️, and how adjusting just a few words can lead to better outcomes, happier clients, and stronger team dynamics. 🙌
✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!
🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts—it really makes a difference!🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
📬 Mail us at [email protected]
🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on FacebookStay Curious: https://onthedrivesolutions.com/
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Dave Rodgers returns to talk about the double-edged sword of chasing metrics. While goals are critical for training and maintaining team performance, too much focus on the numbers can lead to shortcuts, misaligned priorities, and bad behavior. Together, we explore how reports should guide your attention—not define your success. Just like in football, the game is often won in inches. Tune in for real talk on balance, leadership, and the mindset it takes to train to maintain.
✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!
🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts—it really makes a difference!🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
📬 Mail us at [email protected]
🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on FacebookStay Curious: onthedrivesolutions.com
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This week on On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence, we sit down with Christy Cartaya, Vice President of Marketing and Brand Management at The Collection in Miami. Christy shares her unexpected journey from the fast-paced world of marketing into the elite tier of automotive retail—where brands like Ferrari, Audi, Porsche, and McLaren are part of her daily landscape.
What started as a twist of fate turned into a remarkable career, and today, Christy leads a powerhouse team at one of the most prestigious dealership groups in the country. Join us as we talk career shifts, leadership, luxury branding, and why a visit to The Collection isn’t complete without stopping by Michelin-rated Bachour for a sweet indulgence.
From marketing mastery to showroom sophistication—this episode is as refined as the cars Christy helps bring to life. Don’t miss it!
Host: Cindy Lawrence
Email: [email protected]
Website: onthedrivesolutions.com
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From fried wires (thanks, neighborhood squirrels 🐿️) to those “oops” repairs that don’t quite fit the warranty box, Cindy and Dave break down when dealerships step up—even if the coverage technically doesn’t.
Whether it’s a split bill, a friendly favor, or a behind-the-scenes push from your advisor, this episode reminds us that a loyal customer, a good attitude, and a weird accident can still earn you some love.
🔧 Under the Hood This Week:
What qualifies as goodwill (hint: it’s not magic—it’s strategy)In-warranty but not warrantable? Yep, that’s a thingWhy your advisor might just be your ride-or-die 🏁The CSI factor—being nice does pay offAnd why goodwill isn’t a guarantee... but it is a game-changerIf it’s good for the customer, good for the dealership, and good for the brand—it’s go-time. Buckle up. This one’s got heart, horsepower, and a few rodent-related surprises.
Host: Cindy Lawrence
Phone Number: 713.299.2435
Email: [email protected]
Website: onthedrivesolutions.com
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In this unforgettable true story, Cindy takes us back to her early 20s, working in a high-end automotive accessory shop where cash was common, characters were colorful, and one day… danger walked through the door.
When three suspicious men entered the store and tension filled the air, Cindy’s instincts kicked in. No transaction. No words. Just the weight of a moment — and a single code word: “Pineapple.” It wasn’t just a safe word. It was a lifeline.
Featuring the mysterious Mr. G (yes, he carried a submachine gun), this episode blends grit, guts, and a little old-school gangster energy with the kind of quick thinking that sticks with you for life.
🔑 Why you'll love this episode:
You'll laugh, you'll gasp, and you’ll never look at fruit the same way again.Host: Cindy Lawrence
Phone Number: 713.299.2435
Email: [email protected]
Website: onthedrivesolutions.com
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In this fun, fast-paced episode of On The Drive, I sit down with my good friend, fellow Delray Beach neighbor, and fellow podcaster Carolina Rush—a woman who’s bought over 20 cars and has the stories to prove it.
We chat about the real-deal relationship between customers and service advisors, the value of kindness, and how just saying thank you can be the best tip of all. Carolina shares a hilarious and eye-opening moment at a Jeep dealership involving a broken radio, a backup camera, and a surprising pricing decision:
“The person who quoted me wasn’t there, and the guy says, ‘I can’t think of one reason why we should charge her another $200.’”
And then came the pigeon.
Yes, “the pigeon on the drive”—and why you never want to be the first, the last, or any pigeon at all.We wrap with laughs, a shoutout to Carolina’s 15-year-old daughter (a.k.a. ET, the Instagram star), and a mutual realization: we definitely need to do a future episode on misconceptions in service.
So buckle up and come hang with us—because this one ends with a mic drop and a mad dash to a bar in three minutes.
I’ll see you, On The Drive.Who is Behind the Curtain: Cindy Lawrence
Call Me, Maybe @ 713.299.2435
If you have something to say à [email protected]
Curious: onthedrivesolutions.com
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In this episode of On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence, I sit down with automotive expert Dave Rogers to bust some of the most common maintenance myths. We dive into why earlier is better when it comes to service intervals—and how pushing it too far can cost you more in the long run.
We break down the conventional vs synthetic oil debate, including how some synthetic oils are thinner than cooking oil (yep, you read that right). What about those “lifetime fluids”? Dave asks the million-dollar question: whose lifetime—the warranty’s or yours?
You’ll also learn how a simple tire rotation can give you a smoother ride, better MPG, and extend the life of your investment. Plus, we clear up the confusion between normal vs severe driving conditions—because let’s be honest, most of us aren’t driving on a conveyor belt.
This is a must-listen for anyone who wants their vehicle to go the extra mile—literally. Buckle up!
Host: Cindy Lawrence
Phone Number: 713.299.2435
Email: [email protected]
Website: onthedrivesolutions.com
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In this week's episode, we sit down with Cate Ojala from Tekion, a relatively new DMS solution making waves in the automotive space. Cate isn’t just another software rep—she’s a seasoned pro with deep roots in fixed operations, and it shows in how she connects with dealers on a real level.
We dive into her bold approach to dealership sales, from AI-powered research on ownership and systems to her favorite strategy—the classic stop-and-knock. One such visit didn’t go as planned when the dealership took issue with a project her company had supported. But Cate didn’t back down. Her persistence, professionalism, and infectious energy earned her a meeting with the owner, and what started as a rejection turned into a powerful lesson in resilience.
This episode is a giggly, unfiltered chat about grit, grace, and not taking no for an answer—because as Cate puts it, “No doesn’t mean no. It means not yet.”
Join in to learn what the balls the size of Texas has to do with life—and why rockstars aren’t just born, they’re built and constantly reinventing themselves.
Host: Cindy Lawrence
Phone Number: 713.299.2435
Email: [email protected]
Website: onthedrivesolutions.com
Contact Cate Ojala
Phone Number: 603 - 969-7133
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cateojala/
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In another powerful episode of On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence, we’re hitting the gas on one of the most vital—and often overlooked—factors in dealership success: culture.
Joining Cindy is the inspiring Amy Davis, founder of Rise Above Life Coach, as they dig deep into what it really means to build and sustain a high-performance team environment. From the front lines of the service drive to the corner office, they explore the importance of putting the right people in the right seats, leading with empathy, and creating spaces where people genuinely want to show up.
You’ll hear raw stories, real solutions, and a few truth bombs—like why "fake happy" can do more damage than silence, how leadership drives retention, and how something as small as a balloon on your desk can speak louder than a bonus check.
This episode is a must-listen for GMs, service managers, advisors, techs—and anyone who’s ever asked, "Am I in the right seat?" Buckle up. It’s time to Rise Above and get On The Drive.
Host: Cindy Lawrence
Phone Number: 713.299.2435
Email: [email protected]
Website: onthedrivesolutions.com
Contact Amy Davis
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://riseabovelifecoach.com/
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In this high-octane episode, Cindy Lawrence reunites with her longtime mentor, industry icon, Steve Shaw. What starts as a nostalgic ride down memory lane turns into a masterclass on the "Pass or Fail" philosophy—Steve’s game-changing approach to customer communication, sales integrity, and turning gray areas into green lights.
From overcoming objections to ditching those fuzzy "recommendations" in favor of clear, confident guidance, Steve breaks it all down with humor, humility, and hard-earned wisdom. If you’ve ever fumbled through a multipoint inspection or wondered when encourage beats recommend, buckle up—this one’s for you.
Host: Cindy Lawrence
Phone Number: 713.299.2435
Email: [email protected]
Website: AtYourServcie-Drive.com
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This week, inspired by a powerful group discussion assembled by Dave Foy, I took to the microphone to reflect on my journey in the automotive industry. While I’ve been fortunate to work alongside supportive leaders who mentored and shaped my career, not every experience has been smooth.
In this episode, I share a few memorable stories of moments when customers pushed back—those challenging encounters that taught me just as much as the positive ones. These are the real stories from the service drive that so many of us can relate to.
Tune in for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at life in fixed ops!
Host:
Cindy Lawrence
713.299.2435
[email protected]
AtYourServcie-Drive.com - Show more
