DO IT FOR A LIVING

In this episode of Do It For a Living, we sit down for a followup with brothers Alejandro and Pablo Moreno, co-owners of Tandem Offroad. Their shop specializes in off-road truck builds and general maintenance, serving customers who demand both performance upgrades and reliable day-to-day service. The brothers share their journey of building a business together, the challenges of manufacturing their own products, and how they've grown their customer base in a competitive market. One of the biggest challenges they faced was manufacturing their own products without properly understanding their true costs. Like many small shops, they were pricing based on what felt right or what competitors charged, not on what it actually cost them to make parts when you factor in materials, labor, overhead, and time. We dig into how they discovered they were losing money on products they thought were profitable, the wake-up call that forced them to completely rethink their pricing strategy, and the systems they put in place to ensure every product they make actually contributes to the bottom line instead of draining it.   Find out more about Tandem Offroad at www.tandemoffroad.com Find out more about My Shop Assist at www.myshopassist.com Check out all our content at www.doitforaliving.net Thank you for listening and be sure to subscribe!

In this episode of Do It For a Living, we welcome back Zach Denney for a follow-up to his first appearance on episode 083. Back then, Zach was running Wholesale POwer (WHP), the US distributor for ECU Master, as a one-man operation out of an 1,800 square foot facility, hoping to hire his first employee. Fast forward to today, and he's now importing several brands including ECU Master, Verkline, and Delta ABS, as well as manufacturing harnesses and components to compliment those product lines. Zach shares how he scaled from solo importer to running a full team, the challenges of navigating COVID-era supply chain disruptions and tariffs, and how he's positioned his companies in an increasingly competitive aftermarket electronics market. We also dig into product development, dealer training, the shift toward standalone ECUs, and what's coming next — including advanced displays and GDI applications. We cover: Growing from a one-man show Building a team and defining employee roles Supply chain and tariff challenges Why everyone's moving to standalone ECUs Training and supporting your dealer network Order management systems and software stack The future of integrating modern tech into older platforms Check out ECU Master USA at www.ecumasterusa.com Check out Verkline at www.verkline.com Check out Delta ABS at www.deltaABS.com Find out more about My Shop Assist at www.myshopassist.com Check out all our content at www.doitforaliving.net Thank you for listening and be sure to subscribe!

In this episode of Do It For a Living, we sit down with two students from the University of North Texas Formula SAE team. This marks our first video episode and a new format where we explore the next generation of motorsports talent. Emily Gooden is the Operations Manager and Zach Warren is the EV Powertrain Lead - both are seniors studying engineering at UNT. Kevin, who has an FSAE background, discusses what it takes to run a student racing team with Emily, and put Zach's powertrain work to the test in a "Shark Tank" style technical challenge. Emily shares how she discovered FSAE, worked her way up to Operations Manager, and now leads a team of students with varying skill levels and commitment. She walks us through the design and build cycle from concept to competition, the biggest challenges facing the team including funding and recruiting, and how they handle setbacks as a group. Zach takes us deep into the EV powertrain system he's developed, explaining the problem they were solving, their design constraints around weight, cost, and manufacturing, and how they validated everything through simulation and testing. Kevin challenges Zach with tough questions about scaling the technology beyond FSAE, manufacturing at volume, identifying customers, and what's stopping commercialization. Both students discuss how the team balances proven designs against risky new innovations and what FSAE teaches that you can't learn in a classroom. Find out more about UNT Formula SAE at their website:  UNT Formula SAE.  instagram:   @meangreenracing email:  [email protected] Check out My Shop Assist at MyShopAssist.com for shop management software built for the performance and racing industry,  Come see us at the PRI show on December 11-13 - booth 4905 on the edge of Machinery Row in the Yellow Hall. Be sure to subscribe!

In this episode of Do It For a Living, I talk with Peter Aggapoglou, founder of Autosport Fabrication, about his deep roots in the motorsports industry. Before launching his own shop, Peter built his expertise working for several high-end European and race shops, honing his skills in fabrication, chassis setup, and race car development.  Peter also shares his challenges and solutions to running a business that caters to exclusively race cars. We dive into: His journey through prestigious race and performance shops before going solo The turning point that led him to start Autosport Fabrication out of necessity Lessons learned from working with top-tier teams and applying that knowledge to his own business If you're an aspiring fabricator, shop owner, or just love the business of racing, this episode is packed with insight. Tune in now! Check out Autosport Fabrication at : https://www.autosportfab.com/ on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoSportFab/ Find out more about My Shop Assist at www.myshopassist.com Check out all our great content for the Podcast at: www.doitforaliving.net  and on facebook at www.facebook.com/doitforaliving

In this episode of Do It For a Living, I sit down with Joseph Potak, host of the new HP Cult podcast. We talk about his journey in the high-performance world, including his history with Texas Speed and how he became an expert in LS engine building. Joseph shares insights from the several books he has written on building LS motors and swapping them into different vehicles, and what led him to start his own podcast. Along with the podcast, he has created a website to share his wealth of knowledge, and his desire to bring back automotive web forums. Whether you're an LS enthusiast or just love performance builds, this episode is packed with great stories and technical knowledge. Tune in! Check out his podcast on Apple:  HP Cult Podcast Spotify: HP Cult on Spotify Youtube: High Performance Cult HP Cult Website: https://www.hpcult.net/ Find out more about My Shop Assist at www.myshopassist.com Check out all our great content for the Podcast at: www.doitforaliving.net  and on facebook at www.facebook.com/doitforaliving