Power does not always come from pushing harder. Sometimes in life and in business, the smartest move is to slow down so you can move forward with control, clarity, and intention. Just like a great driver, growth means looking ahead, preparing for the climb, and knowing when it is time to change gears.
Downshift With Tonnika
Claim This Podcastby Tonnika Haynes
33 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
Power does not always come from pushing harder. Sometimes in life and in business, the smartest move is to slow down so you can move forward with control, clarity, and intention. Just like a great driver, growth means looking ahead, preparing for the climb, and knowing when it is time to change gears.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
3/4/2026
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Recent Episodes
July 28, 2026
Benjie Burris's "Secret Weapon" for His Shop | Benjie and Kristy Burris - Ep 32
<p>Running a shop is hard enough—you don't need your software making it harder. 😂 If you're ready for more clarity, better organization, and a smoother experience for both your team and your customers, <a href="https://auto.tekmetric.com/4emLz4i">check out Tekmetric HERE</a></p><p>Consistency is key - heard that! But, consistency is HARD. That's why I gave up on trying and let the experts handle it. Detect Auto. Let them clean up your estimating process and raise your ARO - like they did for me! <a href="https://www.detectauto.com/">CLICK HERE TO BOOK A DEMO</a></p><br><p>In this episode, Tonnika Haynes welcomes back Benjie Burris, but this time he brought who we all wanted to hear the first time. The boss! Kristy Burris. Today, they get into what it means to build legacy in the automotive repair industry. They also cover the importance of apprenticeship programs and investing in young technicians to secure the industry's future. Tonnika also unpacks the real story behind shop culture—emphasizing that true wealth isn’t just KPIs, but the impact you have on your community and the next generation.</p><p><strong>Timestamps:</strong><br>00:00 The pressure to go to college—and the reality for grads<br>01:31 Why Benjie’s “secret weapon” changed the business<br>02:46 Doing the work vs. coasting through shop coaching<br>05:00 Kristy’s journey: from classroom to the family shop<br>09:11 The apprenticeship program and hiring local youth<br>13:00 Rethinking “special education”—everyone deserves a chance<br>16:05 The unseen brilliance in non-traditional students<br>18:28 Why degrees and diplomas aren’t the only path to success<br>20:07 Building up people, not just technicians<br>22:22 Real wealth: lessons you can’t measure in KPIs<br>24:45 Are today’s kids “lazy”? Busting myths about the next generation<br>27:44 The trap of chasing other people’s goals—set your own<br>32:34 How mentorship changes lives (and helped Benji calm down!)<br>36:03 Culture eats strategy for breakfast—here’s what REALLY matters<br>42:15 Mentorship in action: the new generation leading the shop<br>45:45 Lessons learned: why serving your community beats the bottom line<br>48:14 Don’t bring work home—making the family business attractive<br>51:10 Next-gen ownership: preparing your kids for leadership<br>55:05 Giving your staff tools that don’t come from a tool truck<br>57:00 Why feedback (and a good chicken wing) matter<br>59:10 It’s not smoke and mirrors—shop culture you can FEEL</p>
July 23, 2026
How to Build a Business While Raising a Family | Kassiady Markham - Ep 31
<p>You shouldn't have to play detective just to figure out what's happening in your own shop. 😂 If you're ready for all your shop's information in one place, <a href="https://auto.tekmetric.com/4emLz4i">check out Tekmetric HERE</a></p><p>Consistency is key - heard that! But, consistency is HARD. That's why I gave up on trying and let the experts handle it. Detect Auto. Let them clean up your estimating process and raise your ARO - like they did for me! <a href="https://www.detectauto.com/">CLICK HERE TO BOOK A DEMO</a></p><br><p>In this episode, Kassiady Markham joins Tonnika Haynes to share her journey of building Phase Two Automotive alongside her husband from the ground up. Kassiady opens up about the challenges of balancing motherhood, business ownership, and overcoming setbacks—including business failures and family health crises. She emphasizes the importance of coaching for growth, setting boundaries at work, and building generational wealth for their family.</p><p><strong>Timestamps:</strong><br>00:00 Kassiady introduction: therapy, humor, and owning half the company<br>01:02 Shop origins: EMT careers and turning a car hobby into a side hustle<br>04:08 From “side gig” to baby in the office—juggling kids and business<br>05:16 Struggles: marriage stress, foreclosure, and raising autistic children<br>07:00 When the first business collapsed and the comeback began<br>10:09 Taking a leap (again): Starting over with Phase Two Automotive<br>13:32 IRS threats and the decision to take full control<br>14:29 Stepping into leadership: Doing the books, HR, and payroll<br>16:36 Coaching with Elite: Solving problems, boundaries, and marriage tips<br>18:45 Why running a family business was the only way<br>20:01 Who’s in Kassiady corner when it gets hard? Support systems<br>23:30 How the team runs the shop (including her brother!)<br>25:38 The crucial role of coaching in unlocking new growth<br>27:20 The vision: generational wealth, success goals, and involving the kids<br>30:35 Lessons learned: “It’s not a bad life—just a bad day.”<br>32:01 Setting work boundaries and prioritizing family<br>34:19 Therapy as self-care; keeping the marriage strong<br>39:05 Parenting philosophies and supporting kids to adulthood<br>41:14 Leading as the only woman in the shop: standing firm<br>43:19 Customer confrontations and not backing down<br>44:50 Real advice for women running shops or helping husbands<br>50:39 Discounting, boundaries, and protecting the shop’s future<br>54:49 Giving back to the community—doing good when it matters<br>56:29 Expansion goals: property headaches and future shop dreams<br>60:08 Rapid fire: first car, dream car, entrepreneurship in one word<br>61:49 Biggest lesson: Wishing they’d started coaching sooner<br>62:13 Why she’ll never be without a business coach</p>
July 21, 2026
The Mistake That's Costing Your Shop Money | Nick Yannessa & Chi Wong - Ep 30
<p>Consistency is key - heard that! But, consistency is HARD. That's why I gave up on trying and let the experts handle it. Detect Auto. Let them clean up your estimating process and raise your ARO - like they did for me! <a href="https://www.detectauto.com/">CLICK HERE TO BOOK A DEMO</a></p><p>Anybody can run a shop. Building one that lasts? That's a whole different story. If you're ready to build smarter systems and a better experience for your team and customers, <a href="https://auto.tekmetric.com/4emLz4i">check out Tekmetric HERE</a></p><br><p>In this episode, Tonnika welcomes Nick Yannessa & Chi Wong to talk about how they started a auto repair shop. Nick brought up how he thinks it's dangerous to judge customers based on their car or background—presenting recommendations equally is key for success. They all discuss the importance of efficiency and processes, especially for one-person operations, with strategies ranging from shop layout to streamlined part sourcing. The discussion explored how relationships—whether through peer support, coaching, or personal connection with customers—can make or break both morale and business success.</p><p><strong>Timestamps:</strong><br>00:00 Growing up in the business, judging customers & learning not to assume<br>03:00 The wild origin story of a Philly-area repair friendship<br>07:00 Shop ownership journeys: from dealer frustration to Craigslist finds<br>13:15 Shop expansions, partnerships, and the big pains of growing fast<br>16:30 Management mistakes: Getting hurt by the wrong coaching advice<br>22:30 Why shop friendships (and roasting each other) drive real growth<br>26:00 Breaking out of the tech mindset — why process & sales skills matter<br>35:00 Single bay or big staff? How to thrive as a one-man show<br>41:30 Efficiency hacks: leg surgery for your shop layout<br>47:00 The power of batching tasks, double-dipping on equipment, and finding your warehouse<br>51:00 Bootstrapping a new shop, from free desks to Techmetric (or not)<br>59:00 Real-life sales training: How to pitch brakes and win trust<br>1:12:00 Dealership vs. Indie: Why premium service isn’t just about the brand<br>1:20:00 Body shop margins, insurance games, and why service rocks<br>1:33:00 The secret sauce: Making your shop unforgettable<br>1:39:00 Building trust over time (without a single DVI)<br>1:44:00 Health, happiness, and generational wealth—success beyond KPIs<br>1:46:00 Why driving a free CR-V might beat flexing a Cadillac<br>1:52:00 Building benefits for your people, and leveling up your future<br>1:58:00 Final rants and why you need to be the “dive bar” your customers love</p>
33 total episodes available
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