Matt Hudson
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Associate editor for @OilLubeNews // Part of the 10 Missions Media network // Montanan
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Articles by Matt Hudson
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Several large-scale developments underway have the potential to generate momentum in one of Montana's slowest-growing large cities.
How two Montana companies led the creation of a domestically made hemp shirt Original
In 2020, a northcentral Montana hemp crop was harvested, beginning a trial run by two Montana companies to produce clothing without the material ever leaving the United States. kAm(96? E96 D9:CE 7:?2==J H6?E E@ >2C<6E =2DE J62C[ :E H2D AC@@7 @7 2 4@?46AE E92E 925 =@?8 D:?46 >@G65 @G6CD62D]k^Am kAmw6>A :D @7E6? 96=5 FA 2D 2 G6CD2E:=6 4C@A H:E9 2== D@CED @7 2AA=:42E:@?Di 723C:4D[ 9@>6 :?DF=2E:@?[ 6G6? 65:3=6 D665 @:=D[ E@ ?2>6 2 76H] qFE :E H2D :==682= E@ 8C@H @C 5:DEC:3FE6 96>A :?
Multi-million budget shortfall forces cuts at University of Providence in Great Falls
The interim president of the University of Providence in Great Falls last week told a small group of board members, alumni and major community stakeholders that the university’s future is uncertain and that the school stands at the beginning of a major restructuring effort to save the institution.
Multi-million budget shortfall forces cuts at University of Providence in Great Falls
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Multi-million budget shortfall forces cuts at University of Providence in Great Falls
The interim president of the University of Providence in Great Falls last week told a small group of board members, alumni and major community stakeholders that the university’s future is uncertain and that the school stands at the beginning of a major restructuring effort to save the institution. “There is a truth we must confront and a task we must embrace,” Caroline Goulet, who also serves as the university’s vice president of academic affairs, told the group.
"Homeless Island": Great Falls candidate says unhoused people could be tourist attraction
This story was originally published by the Montana Free Press. A Great Falls city commission candidate suggested earlier this week that the city’s unhoused population could be served by putting them in a single location as a money-making venture. “I think that there’s a completely untapped opportunity with, I guess, making the homeless issue into a homeless profit,” candidate Pete Anderson told the crowd of roughly 60.
"Homeless Island": Great Falls candidate says unhoused people could be tourist attraction
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Billings vet receives keys to new family home
After a long journey, Bo Reichenbach and his family are home. The 27-year-old former U.S. Navy SEAL celebrated the occasion on Tuesday, alongside his wife, Lacy, and their son, Landon. A large crowd of supporters also joined to see the Reichenbachs receive their new house, which had been built at no cost to the family.
Election day lines
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The archives saved from the Great Falls Tribune
When newspaper companies sell their buildings, the fate of their archives isn’t always secure. In Great Falls, volunteers saw historical material that needed to be saved.
Cascade County judge voids an election over administrative errors
GREAT FALLS — In May 2023, Elliot Merja urged Cascade County officials not to approve the election results of the Fort Shaw Irrigation District that took place earlier that month. Merja was a candidate, and he raised his concerns during the election canvass meeting. “Whether I win or not doesn’t matter to me, but this election was run as such a farce that it should not stand, and it can’t stand,” Merja said at the meeting.
Facing closure, Montana nursing home sues state health department Original
The Ivy at Great Falls, the state’s largest nursing home that faces closure due to a long record of quality issues, is suing the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) initiated the pending closure of The Ivy in June. The agency terminated The Ivy’s participation in the health care reimbursement programs after numerous inspections revealed unsafe conditions and lapses in patient care.
Quick Lube Q&A: Deanna Baumgardner of Employers Advantage
For every business owner, maintaining an organized workplace is essential to things running smoothly, but that is often easier said than done. Organization is not something that happens naturally but is a result of deliberate strategizing and planning.
Shop Look: Top Notch Oil Change of Kingston, New York
Operator: Chris Torres Staff size: 5 Shop size: 3 bays Chris Torres opened Top Notch Oil Change in July 2023, having transformed a shop that was originally built in 1980 by Jiffy Lube. In another previous life, the building was also owned by a Jeep Chrysler Dodge dealership. It was closed when Torres moved in. “We just rehabbed the building, cleaned everything up and got ‘er shined up and operating again,” Torres says.
Shop Look: Oilstop Salmon Creek
Location: Vancouver, Washington Shop size: 2 bays and a carwash tunnel Staff size: 10 on the oil change side and 10 for the car wash When the owner of a Havoline xpress Lube in the Vancouver/Salmon Creek area was looking to sell, Oilstop stepped in. Scott Hempy, CEO of Oilstop, explains that they met the shop’s former operator through Oilstop’s oil supplier, Chevron.
Shop Look: Lube X-press Eastlake of El Paso, Texas
Location: El Paso, Texas Staff Size: 9 Shop Size: 3 bays (1,750 square feet) The Lube X-press network was established by brothers Justin and Karlos Lazo with 10 locations in the El Paso area. The Eastlake shop opened in February 2022. Louie Chavez, director of operations for Lube X-press, says the Eastlake area of El Paso has grown in recent years. “We felt it would be a great idea to open a Lube X-press store out there, to be a part of that growing community,” Chavez says.
Masterful Management
“Teamwork makes the dream work” is something everyone has heard. Whatever the context is, the sentiment remains the same: When a team works well together, goals are achieved. Luke Self sees this idea in action every day. He owns Fast Lube in Ripley, Tennessee. His team operates much like a well-oiled machine, if you’ll pardon the pun.
Today's Service Successes
If you ever find yourself steering a ship, running a quick lube shop may not be the first thing on your mind. But guiding a ship to safety and overseeing a successful business are two tasks that share some commonalities. No one wants to feel lost at sea, either literally or figuratively. For quick lube service, this means keeping track of Key Performance Indicators and the day-to-day operational details that keep your ship afloat.
The Right Assets: Award Runner-Up Brian Morrison
When contacted by NOLN, Brian Morrison was close to opening his 12th store location—a former Jiffy Lube that was familiar to the new owner. “I used to operate that store when I worked for Jiffy Lube,” Morrison says. An operator like Morrison is bound to come across a coincidence like that. Prior to running his own franchise, Morrison had two decades of experience at Jiffy Lube, learning the ins and outs of the business.
Shop Look: Take 5 Oil Change of Reno, Nevada
Operator: Automotive Service Holdings Location: Reno, Nevada Size: 3 bays, 1,717 square feet Staff: 10-12 techs and a manager Franchisee Automotive Service Holdings has been diversifying its business, as well as its geographic reach. This was the second quick lube location for the Las Vegas-based company, bringing the brand to new territory. “It’s the first Take 5 in the Reno market and the second in the state,” says Chad Warner with the franchisee group.
The Power of Wordsmithing
Did Juliet have it wrong? When a young Juliet proclaims her desire for Romeo on that balcony, she denounces the nature of words when she proclaims, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Understanding her own desires, she downplays the family name of her lover. While she yearned for simplicity to obtain what she truly wanted, she did not truly understand how the words Montague and Capulet could cause such destruction in her life.
Are You Missing Out on Sales?
As the designs of cars have been changing over the years, our businesses are learning new ways to service various components of these changes. How many of you are out there looking into ways to service electric vehicles? How many of you are looking for extra revenue streams with add-ons for GDI engines and new A/C freon configurations? These are all great things to start getting into for future business.
The Building Blocks
The origin story for Bill Brown's shop is about as straightforward as it gets. He couldn't find a decent quick lube in his small town, so he started one. There's a lot more to the story, which you can read about in this month's profile. But with Brown's giving spirit as the building block, it's easy to see why he's seen success at his Grease Monkey location. He's quoted in the story as saying that he wakes up every day energized and happy. How many of us can say that?
The Keys to Culture
There’s a lot to be said about a strong foundation. After all, houses aren’t built on quicksand. Flowers don’t bloom from bent stems. Cars don’t run on empty gas tanks. Well-developed foundations help a building stay standing. They bring life to a garden, and they allow us to get where we need to go. When it comes to running a shop in the quick lube industry, foundations go beyond the physical sense. In an industry that is no stranger to navigating change, a solid base keeps things structured.
Inside 3M's new Skills Development Center
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2023 NOLN Operator Survey
Intelligent Service: What AI Could Look Like in Auto
Committed to Customers
What is a quick lube shop without its customers? Everyone knows the answer. Customers keep this industry running. This is something every shop has in common, but the makeup of each shop’s customer base can differ greatly. Elements such as location, demographics and community resources can all play a role in how a shop builds comradery with customers.
Customer Service Accelerated
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'Store of the Future’ Plans Unveiled at FullSpeed Conference
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The Electric Classroom
As shops grapple with vehicles changing and becoming more electric, finding technicians who are equipped to work on EVs becomes essential in a pool of talent that is already limited. NOLN spoke with with Troy Lachance, an instructor in the automotive program at White Mountains Community College in Berlin, New Hampshire, to talk about what technicians entering the workforce need to know and what is needed in the industry from the next generation.
Make It Fun
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Follow the Leader
He may have only been 3 years old at the time, but Russ Hotchkiss vividly remembers his first lemonade stand. “I learned at a very early age I could go out and … buy Country Time lemonade for a dollar that would make 50 glasses of lemonade,” Hotchkiss says. “I could sell each of those for a dime. So that would turn a dollar into five, and that bought a lot of Tootsie Pops.” For Hotchkiss, this memory represents more than just a childhood venture. It was the start of something bigger.
Drawing from Experience
Privacy Preference Center When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies.
Best Workplaces: SpeeDee Oil Change and Auto Service of Charlotte/Charleston
Home » Best Workplaces: SpeeDee Oil Change and Auto Service of Charlotte/Charleston Shop LifeFeature Stories SpeeDee Oil Change and Auto Service of Charlotte/Charleston Headquarters: Charlotte, N.C. Locations: 5 Staff: 62 Car count: 195 (network-wide) Avg employee tenure: 3 years A good many factors must come together in order to run a top-performing shop network. It takes the right people, a healthy market, and the right leader to make it in the quick maintenance business.
Navigating High-Stress Communication
Home » Navigating High-Stress Communication Running a ShopHuman Resources Whether you’re speaking to an angry customer, dealing with an insurer, or going over sensitive subjects with employees in the shop, it’s best not to jump into those conversations without preparation. There are times when it’s necessary to face issues head on, and a tough conversation is needed.
Navigating High-Stress Communication
Privacy Preference Center When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies.
Podcast: Creating Unforgettable Job Ads with Chris Lawson
Feb. 2, 2023—Crafting a quality job ad requires attention to detail as well as some time and effort. But at the end of the day, it's well worth it to attract the right talent to your shop. This episode of The NOLN Podcast comes from our collision repair sibling publication, FenderBender. Chris Lawson of Technician Find joins content director Matt Hudson to offer advice about executing effective job postings. Thanks to Valvoline for sponsoring this episode of The NOLN Podcast.
Another Shade of Service
Home » Another Shade of Service Shop LifeColumnists What’s the weirdest vehicle that has pulled up to your shop? Maybe it was some exotic car that required a quick oil order from the local distributor and a sneaky peek at a YouTube tutorial. Those kinds of service visits, and your teams’ reactions to them, are what separate the pros from the not-so-much.
Navigating High-Stress Communication
Home » Navigating High-Stress Communication Running a ShopHuman Resources Whether you’re speaking to an angry customer, dealing with an insurer, or going over sensitive subjects with employees in the shop, it’s best not to jump into those conversations without preparation. There are times when it’s necessary to face issues head on, and a tough conversation is needed.
Shop Look: Jimmy’s Express Car Wash & Quick Lube of Reno, Nevada
Home » Shop Look: Jimmy’s Express Car Wash & Quick Lube of Reno, Nevada Shop LifeShop Look Shop: Jimmy's Express Car Wash & Quick Lube Operator: Jimmy Schultz Location: Reno, Nevada Staff size: 7 full time; 2 part time Car Count: 51 Average Ticket: $76 Even in a busy Reno commercial area, Jimmy’s Express Car Wash and Quick Lube stands out. The building is simple, modern, and functional, with big and bold signage and plenty of drive-up space.
The Building Blocks of the Modern Shop
It’s an understatement to say that a lot has changed in the past decade of quick maintenance. Shops face the challenge of providing the same core service while keeping up with the evolving needs of vehicles and customers. So how do successful business owners navigate the changes? What lessons have they learned, and how are they steering their businesses into the future? These three—Justin Strickland, Jason Russ, and Scotti Lee—give us their take.
Seeing into the Future
Home » Seeing into the Future Shop LifeColumnists I generated the above image through Midjourney, an image-creation program powered by artificial intelligence. A user gives the program a text prompt, and within less than a minute you have a stylized image based on what the AI thinks you want.
Shop Look: Snappy Lube of Waynesville, North Carolina
Shop: Snappy Lube Location: Waynesville, N.C. Size: 3 bays Staff: 6-8 New Construction Snappy Lube saw an opportunity to dig deep into this North Carolina market and opted for fresh build. “It had been a while since we built a store, but the area we picked is an up-and-coming side of town,” says Tim Avery, director of operations. “Because we had a strong presence there, we wanted to get in there before anyone else could.” Avery says the process was exciting for him.
Focus on Your Future
I like an open-ended question. They’re short, simple, and you may get different responses, depending on who you ask. This is a tactic I use often during interviews for this magazine. It encourages the interview subject to give a thoughtful answer and describe why they feel that way. It can also open me up to different perspectives. This month’s feature story is based on an open-ended question: What makes a modern quick lube shop?
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