Can a Technician Become the Boss and Still Fight for Techs? with Josh Farris

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In this episode, Jeff is with Josh Farris, a Mini Cooper dealership technician from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to talk about diagnostics, dealership life, flat rate pay, and career growth. Josh shares his journey from working on a 1995 Lumina to gaining experience at independent shops, Volkswagen, Lexus, and Mini. They discuss electrical and CAN bus diagnostics, corrosion, warranty work, dispatching, advisor training, and the impact of low paying work on technician morale. The conversation also covers why technicians should be paid for DVIs and inspections, how tool costs can create unnecessary pressure, and why strong communication and integrity matter in automotive repair. Josh also shares his goal of moving into leadership so he can advocate for technicians while helping shops remain profitable.

Timestamps:

00:00 Why Diagnostics Matter

00:50 Podcast Intro and ASTA Trip

01:18 Josh Joins Mini Dealer Life

03:49 Mini Electrical Nightmares

04:52 Early Tinkering Origins

06:00 First Big Fix: Lumina

07:23 Apprenticeship and Licensing Path