To celebrate the 100th episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis sits down with the wise and wildly entertaining Ray Sanders—a seasoned executive, pastor, entrepreneur, and all-around life philosopher. Together, they dive deep into purpose, legacy, burnout, faith, family, and what it really means to build a life worth remembering. Ray shares powerful insights on how to navigate transition, find fulfillment beyond hustle, and live in alignment with your true calling. This isn’t just a conversation—it’s a masterclass on how to build a life that matters.

Key Takeaways

1. Legacy doesn’t start at retirement—it starts right now.
   If you're thinking about your legacy, you're already behind. Every choice you're making today builds it.
2. Busyness is often a mask for brokenness.
   Many people hide behind hustle to avoid dealing with what’s really going on inside.
3. You can’t build something lasting without anchoring to purpose.
   Business success means little if it’s not aligned with who you are and why you’re here.
4. Faith isn’t a part of your life—it’s the whole framework.
   Ray emphasizes that faith is the lens through which all decisions should be made.
5. If your calendar and your checkbook were sermons, what would they preach?
   Where you spend your time and money tells the real story of your values.
6. You don't age out of influence—you just level up.
   Whether you're 25 or 65, your wisdom and presence matter to someone coming up behind you.
7. A life well-lived leaves a ripple, not just a resume.
   The way you treat others and the relationships you build outlive any title.
8. Clarity comes from quiet, not chaos.
   You won’t find your purpose in a rush—you’ll find it in stillness and intentional reflection.
9. Men in leadership often confuse identity with role.
   You’re not just your title, your business, or your success. You’re much more—and it’s time to reconnect with that.
10. The dash between the birthdate and death date is where legacy is written.
    Ray’s final reminder: what will your dash mean to the people you love, serve, and lead?

www.raysanders.com

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In this episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis sits down with Jamie Werner — founder of Equip Academy and AutoLab Films — to talk about creating a true trade school for the automotive aesthetics industry. Jamie shares his unfiltered entrepreneurial journey, why skills alone won't build a career, and how he’s shaping the next generation of installers with more than just hands-on training. Tune in for lessons on leadership, fulfillment, and why treating employees right isn't optional — it's everything.

Key Takeaways:

From Fitness to Film: Jamie’s Wild Career Pivot
Jamie’s journey took him from managing gym floors to leading an automotive film brand—with no background in the car industry.

Starting from Scratch in an Unknown Industry
Jamie talks about his first SEMA experience, realizing how massive the automotive world was, and diving headfirst into it.

Why Jamie Prioritized Education and Mentorship Over Sales
Instead of hoarding knowledge, Jamie focused on building open education and mentorship programs for installers.

How Equip Academy is Flipping the Industry Model
Jamie’s goal isn’t just training — it’s building a true trade school that produces workers ready for the industry from day one.

You’re Not an Installer After Four Days
Jamie emphasizes that real skill takes time and practice — a crash course doesn't make you a professional.

Beyond Cars: Huge New Opportunities in Marine and Home Markets
Installers are moving into marine, architecture, and even home appliance spaces, creating massive new income streams.

The Real Value of a Landing Page for Your Services
Businesses must focus their marketing and create simple, specific landing pages for each service instead of trying to be everything to everyone.

Why Jamie Works FOR His Staff, Not the Other Way Around
Jamie’s leadership philosophy: the owner works for the team, not the other way around — loyalty is earned through service.

The Right Way to Add PPF to Your Detailing Business
Before launching full PPF services, detailers should subcontract installs to test demand and build proof of concept.

Helping Young Entrepreneurs Build a Life, Not Just a Business
Jamie’s ultimate mission: teach young entrepreneurs to work to live—not live to work—and help them build sustainable, fulfilling careers.

https://equip-academy.com

https://autolab-us.com

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In this laid-back but powerful episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis sits down with Roger Demaree, longtime marketing director at Kicker, to unpack the brand's journey from a garage in Stillwater, Oklahoma, to global car audio icon. Roger shares hilarious stories (yes, Sir Mix-a-Lot included), valuable lessons in faith-driven leadership, and golden insights for small business owners on staying ahead of trends, building loyalty, and fostering meaningful relationships—both in business and in life. Whether you run a detail shop or just love loud music and good people, this episode has something for you.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Build on Relationships, Not Transactions
   Roger highlights how real success comes from caring about people first—not what they can offer you.
2. Integrity Wins in the Long Run
   Kicker air-freighted $600K worth of amps at a loss during COVID to keep dealers afloat. Why? Because it was the right thing to do.
3. From “Ass-Kicker” to “Kicker”
   The brand name was born from a customer saying the bass felt like it “kicked him in the ass.” (Yep, really.)
4. Marketing Without Contracts
   Roger shares that almost all of his brand ambassador and influencer relationships are handshake deals—built on trust.
5. Customer Experience Is the Product
   The real product isn’t just sound—it’s the feeling customers get when their music hits right.
6. Culture Is Everything
   Kicker has 200 employees, and Roger (22 years in) is only #51 in seniority. That's a culture built on loyalty.
7. Networking: The Secret Superpower
   Roger's legendary stories of meeting Guy Fieri, Billy Gibbons, Aaron Hagar, and Sir Mix-a-Lot all stem from genuine connection—not chasing clout.
8. Stay Ahead or Become Kodak
   Kicker avoided the fate of companies like Kodak by not getting into head units and instead pivoting into OEM integration and vehicle-specific solutions.
9. Support Doesn’t End After the Sale
   A customer who bought outdated subs on eBay still got a discount and support from Kicker—just because he was a fan.
10. Small Business? Act Big by Thinking Smart
    Whether it’s faith, fairness, or feedback—small shops can adopt these same guiding principles to win big in any market.

www.kicker.com

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In this episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis sits down with operations consultant and fractional COO Joshua Monge for a high-value conversation about building businesses that don’t depend on your sweat alone. They break down the mindset shift from technician to business owner, the importance of hiring before burnout, and how your systems (or lack thereof) are either setting you up for scale or silently killing your exit strategy. From SOPs to rebranding and even leveraging AI, this one is packed with practical insight—served up with laughs, truth bombs, and real talk.

Key Takeaways

• Most small business owners don’t own businesses—they own jobs with paperwork and stress.
• If you’re still doing every single task yourself, your business isn’t scalable—it’s fragile.
• The moment you hire someone late, you’re hiring from a place of chaos and desperation.
• Checklists and SOPs aren’t just helpful—they’re intellectual property that increases business value.
• Branding your business around yourself (your name, your identity) makes it nearly impossible to sell later.
• If you want to eventually exit, you need to start documenting and offloading NOW, not later.
• Perfection is the enemy—done and documented beats polished and stuck in your head.
• You can create systems by simply recording what you do and turning it into repeatable steps.
• Business owners often self-sabotage when things run smoothly because they feel unneeded.
• Your five-year plan to sell should start long before you actually want out.
• You can’t scale a business if it’s built entirely on your back.
• Hire for the things that drain you—because your time is better spent leading, not answering phones.

www.joshuamonge.com

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In this episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis sits down with Grant Menard and Chris DiGiovanni live from Mobile Tech Expo 2025 in Orlando to talk about team culture, hiring, leadership, and what makes a business thrive beyond the shop floor. The guys dive into how to build meaningful work relationships, the role of validation in entrepreneurship, and the power of your peer group. They share deep insights—with a lot of laughs—about mental health, business trauma, and leading with heart.

10 Key Takeaways:

1. Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast
   You spend more time at work than home—make it a place you enjoy.
2. Hire for Vibes, Train for Skills
   If someone doesn’t match the team’s energy, they're out—fast.
3. Validation is the Entrepreneur’s Drug
   Business owners often chase 5-star reviews as a stand-in for personal worth.
4. Trauma Fuels Hustle
   Many successful entrepreneurs are running from childhood pain—they just built a business on the way out.
5. Surround Yourself with Winners
   Your success is tied to the 5 people you talk to most—choose wisely.
6. Give More Than Expected
   Go 30% above what someone asks—it shows value and builds loyalty.
7. Authentic Brotherhood > Networking
   Weekly check-ins with close business friends help level you up faster than courses ever will.
8. Your Employees Are Family (but not the kind you avoid on holidays)
   Care about your team beyond what they produce.
9. Let Go of Dead Weight
   It’s okay to move on from friendships or employees that no longer align with your growth.
10. Vulnerability is a Superpower
    Real business growth comes from being honest—especially when things are hard.

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In this episode, Kevin Davis sits down with Nick McGurk to discuss entrepreneurship, personal reinvention, and taking risks to create a fulfilling life. Nick shares his journey from journalism to real estate and content creation, emphasizing the importance of taking imperfect action, overcoming self-doubt, and building a brand authentically.They also dive into the role of storytelling in business, how to create engaging content, and why mindset is the key to success.

Key Takeaways:

1. Take Action Without Overthinking – The biggest obstacle is waiting for the "right time." Nick explains how he pivoted careers by just starting and figuring things out along the way.
2. Storytelling Sells – Whether it's in journalism, real estate, or social media content, storytelling is the ultimate way to connect with an audience and build trust.
3. Leverage Content for Business Growth – Nick explains why consistent content creation (video, short-form, long-form) helps position you as an authority in any industry.
4. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome – No one has it all figured out, and taking imperfect action is the fastest way to grow and gain confidence.
5. Master the Platform You're On – Instead of spreading yourself too thin, double down on one platform, learn its ins and outs, and build a strong community.

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In this episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis chats with Steven Lee from Rogue Marketing at Mobile Tech Expo 2025 in Orlando. Steven, a former physical therapist turned marketing expert, breaks down marketing fundamentals, PPC advertising, email nurture strategies, and why most detailing businesses are doing social media all wrong.

They discuss how small businesses can optimize their marketing on a budget, the power of retargeting, and why getting a landing page is more important than boosting a Facebook post. Steven also shares his own journey from healthcare to digital marketing, emphasizing the importance of following your passion and making smart business decisions based on strategy—not guesswork.

Key Takeaways:

1. Marketing is More Than Just Posting on Facebook
   • Many business owners expect instant results from posting on social media, but organic reach is slow and requires consistency, engagement, and a long-term strategy.
   • Instead of "boosting" posts, businesses should invest in targeted PPC (pay-per-click) campaigns with specific conversion goals.
2. Google Ads > Facebook Ads (For Leads That Convert Faster)
   • Google PPC is the best place to start because it targets customers who are already searching for services.
   • Facebook and Instagram ads work better for brand awareness and retargeting but have a lower immediate conversion rate.
3. Landing Pages Convert Better Than Websites
   • Sending ad traffic to your homepage is a waste of money because visitors get distracted.
   • A dedicated landing page keeps potential customers focused on one specific service and action, increasing conversion rates.
4. Retargeting Keeps Your Brand in Front of Customers
   • Most people need 8-12 touchpoints before making a buying decision. Retargeting ads on Facebook and Google help keep your business top of mind.
   • Retargeting campaigns re-engage people who already visited your website and drive them back into your sales funnel.
5. Email & SMS Nurture Boosts Sales with Little Effort
   • Email sequences with helpful content (not just discounts) build trust and keep leads engaged over time.
   • Automated SMS follow-ups increase conversion rates by keeping businesses in direct contact with potential customers.
6. Work With Your Budget and Scale Up Over Time
   • Steven recommends starting with at least $500/month on marketing and scaling up profits to reinvest into higher-budget campaigns.
   • Many small businesses try to do everything at once, but starting with Google PPC and building from there is a smarter strategy.

Final Thoughts:

Steven Lee breaks down marketing in a way that makes sense for small business owners, showing how smart ad targeting, follow-ups, and retargeting can transform lead generation. Whether you're a one-man mobile detailer or a shop looking to scale, this episode provides actionable marketing tips that will actually help grow your business—without wasting time or money.

https://rogue-marketing.com

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In this episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis sits down with Ian Rammelkamp, founder of AutoFiber, at Mobile Tech Expo 2025 (MTE) in Orlando. Ian shares his philosophy on running a lean, innovative business and how problem-solving has driven AutoFiber’s success in the detailing industry. The conversation covers product development, continuous innovation, customer feedback, and efficiency strategies that help businesses stay ahead. Ian also discusses how AI and automation will reshape small business operations, the importance of work-life balance, and why networking at industry events like MTE is essential for long-term success.

Key Takeaways:

1. Innovation Through Problem-Solving
   • AutoFiber’s success is based on listening to customer feedback and constantly refining products to meet the evolving needs of detailers.
   • Ian treats business as a continuous problem-solving system, where every product update is a step toward optimizing efficiency and performance.
2. The "Microsoft Approach" to Product Development
   • Instead of waiting for perfection, AutoFiber releases products, gathers real-world feedback, and refines them over time.
   • This fast iteration process ensures that products evolve based on actual customer needs rather than assumptions.
3. Efficiency is the Key to Profitability
   • Saving seconds on a task adds up to hours over time, making efficiency a major driver of business growth.
   • Simple changes, such as better towels, tools, or drying methods, can significantly impact overall workflow and customer satisfaction.
4. AI and Automation Will Revolutionize Detailing
   • AI-powered tools like chatbots, automated inventory tracking, and customer service assistants will help small businesses streamline operations and reduce time-consuming tasks.
   • AI’s consistency eliminates human drift in operating procedures, making businesses more reliable and efficient.
5. Networking at Industry Events Creates Opportunities
   • While online groups have value, face-to-face networking at industry events like MTE leads to deeper connections and business opportunities.
   • Ian emphasizes that some of the best business insights come from hallway conversations, after-show dinners, and competitor discussions that can’t happen online.
6. Work-Life Balance is Crucial for Long-Term Success
   • Ian prioritizes fitness, mental clarity, and downtime to maintain creativity and avoid burnout.
   • Spending time thinking through business problems rather than constantly working allows for better decision-making and long-term sustainability.

Final Thoughts:

Ian Rammelkamp provides a refreshingly practical approach to business—embracing innovation, staying adaptable, and prioritizing efficiency. His insights into AI, problem-solving, and work-life balance offer a roadmap for detailers and business owners looking to scale without sacrificing their well-being. This episode is packed with actionable strategies for anyone looking to grow a sustainable, forward-thinking business in the detailing industry.

Get your one-stop success solution at www.detailersroadmap.com!

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