From the Magazine: A critical time of year

Preparing your shop — and yourself — for tire season

As we move into the latter half of August, many Canadians are soaking up the final weeks of summer. But for independent auto repair shop owners, this moment marks something else entirely: the critical lead-up to fall tire season.

By late September, demand climbs sharply. Clients start calling with urgency. Technicians will be stretched. And shop owners will be expected to keep everything moving with precision and professionalism.

August, therefore, isn’t the time to be in relaxation mode. It’s the time to refine, ready your team and ensure you’re mentally and operationally prepared for the busiest — and most profitable — season of the year.

And if you’re still navigating this alone, it may be time to consider mentorship or coaching to elevate your leadership and ease the burden. Here’s a thoughtful approach to making the most of these final summer weeks.

Late summer offers a rare opportunity — the time and space to prepare without the weight of peak-season pressure.

Reflect and realign

Look back at last year’s fall season. This is the time for honest reflection, followed by action.

Gather your team and invite their feedback. What went well? What created bottlenecks or tension? Were there scheduling issues? Inventory gaps? Communication breakdowns? Use those insights to fine-tune your processes and reset expectations.

If you find yourself without a sounding board for these decisions — or if you’re unsure how best to implement changes — a mentor can provide clarity, perspective and proven solutions from across the industry.

Optimize your operational flow

Late summer offers a rare opportunity — the time and space to prepare without the weight of peak-season pressure.

Ask yourself: Is your booking system designed for high volume and fast turnaround? Are your tire storage and retrieval systems clearly organized? Do you have adequate staffing or contingency plans in place?

Even minor inefficiencies can create major stress under load. Address them now. And if you’re unsure where to start, coaching support can help streamline these systems based on what’s working in other top-performing shops.

Prioritize team readiness and culture

Tire season places significant demands on your staff — not just physically, but mentally. A team that feels supported, aligned and confident will carry your business through the busiest weeks with professionalism and pride.

Start by reinforcing the basics: Clear protocols, proper lifting techniques and consistent break schedules. But don’t stop there. Foster a culture of communication and care. When your team knows they’re part of something well-led and forward-thinking, performance follows.

For example, host a short team check-in every Monday morning. Keep it to 15 minutes. Review the upcoming week’s priorities, acknowledge wins from the previous week and invite input on any workflow concerns. Even just asking, “Is there anything we can improve before the season ramps up?” signals to your team that their voice matters.

Over time, this small habit builds trust, accountability, and a sense of shared ownership in the shop’s success.

Your ability to lead effectively will determine how well your shop performs under pressure. This is the time to get ahead of the curve.

Invest in your own leadership capacity

Your ability to lead effectively will determine how well your shop performs under pressure. This is the time to get ahead of the curve. Review your fall goals, delegate wisely and give yourself space to focus on strategy, not just daily operations.

And if you’ve been carrying the full weight of leadership on your own, consider this: Even the most capable leaders benefit from outside perspective. A coach or mentor isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a commitment to growth.

An important time

This is more than just the end of summer. For shop owners, it’s the beginning of the most critical business ramp-up of the year. Now is the moment to lead with clarity, prepare with intention and invest in both your team and yourself.

But remember, clarity in thinking doesn’t come from being busy — it comes from space, reflection and self-awareness. If you’re constantly reacting, you’re not leading. You’re surviving.

It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about creating space for the right questions to emerge. Because high performance starts with clear leadership. And clear leadership starts with a healthy, focused mind.

Greg Aguilera is a director of IAC Canada, an organization dedicated to the management development of repair shops in Canada. He can be reached at greg@intautoconsulting.com.

This article originally appeared in the August 2025 issue of CARS magazine