Latest / Downshift With Tonnika / Boobs, Business & Building Culture That Lasts | Benjie Burris & Callie Johnson - Ep 15
Transcript
- Benjie Burris [00:00:00]: Funny story. We met over a pair of boobs. Boots. Mike Allen [00:00:02]: B O T s. Boobs. Benjie Burris [00:00:04]: Titties. Titties. The ta tas. Mike Allen [00:00:07]: Do tell. Benjie Burris [00:00:08]: I had to go into the glove box to get a wheel key out of it, a registration card or something like that, and there's a pair of fake boobs in the glove box, and there's nobody there but me and her. So I walk into the office and I've got her fake boobs in my hand. I said, hey, is there something you need to tell me? And, I mean, we. We, you know, we had never really talked a whole lot, and she's like, yeah, get your hands off my boobs. Tonnika Haynes [00:00:28]: I can hear that. Benjie Burris [00:00:29]: Yep. Tonnika Haynes [00:00:30]: And it was all from the end. Benjie Burris [00:00:32]: It was love from there on. Welcome to Downshift with my sis, Tenneka Haynes. We all know as shop owners, sometimes you got to slow down in order to speed up. And that's what this podcast is all about. It's time to downshift. Mike Allen [00:00:53]: People who are listening now understand that what Braxton just said was really stupid. And we just put up with it. What's up, guys? Benjie Burris [00:01:02]: Hi. Tonnika Haynes [00:01:03]: Hey. Mike Allen [00:01:04]: We are here at fueling connections 2026 with the ASTA. We snuck away. Becky Witt is dropping knowledge bombs in the room down the way, but we are at UTI in Morrisville, North Carolina. Tonnika Haynes [00:01:16]: Yes. Glad you got that right. Mike Allen [00:01:18]: Super. Well, it's. So it's uti and then it's the NASCAR Something Institute. What? It's not Institute Performance center, Benjie Burris [00:01:27]: but it's. It's no longer. Mike Allen [00:01:28]: Now it's uti. And on this campus, for UTI is the NASCAR Performance Something something. Tonnika Haynes [00:01:36]: Yes. Don't hurt yourself. It's okay. Mike Allen [00:01:38]: It's not my feelings. It's my head hurts. Tonnika Haynes [00:01:39]: Oh, okay. Benjie Burris [00:01:40]: So I'll teach you to stay up drinking all night. Mike Allen [00:01:43]: Hydrate. It's key. So actually, I got in last night at, like, I don't know, 10 o'. Callie Johnson [00:01:48]: Clock. Tonnika Haynes [00:01:48]: We had just got back from the restaurant. Benjie Burris [00:01:49]: I'm not gonna lie, I was surprised when I seen you this morning. I really was. Because I was like, damn, Mike ain't even gonna show up for this. What? What? Mike Allen [00:01:56]: Well, I couldn't. I couldn't make it yesterday for the board meeting because I'm lame, but my kids had. My kids had a tennis match. Kids, Singular. One of my kids had a tennis match, and it ran late. And we didn't Tonnika Haynes [00:02:14]: just not go shoving people stuff in women's face. Benjie Burris [00:02:17]: Peek into the microphone. Mike Allen [00:02:20]: How's the camera view? For now? Tonnika Haynes [00:02:22]: That's got My whole face blocked. Geez, last time you didn't have a damn mic on. Mike Allen [00:02:29]: Don't look at me for that. Benjie Burris [00:02:30]: And got called out on it, I might add. Callie Johnson [00:02:32]: Y' all recorded a whole podcast with no mic on. Mike Allen [00:02:34]: That was Lucas's gear. It was Lucas's gear that he insisted that we use. Cause it was gonna be way better. Tonnika Haynes [00:02:39]: He's trying to hold his sister down. That's it. Mike Allen [00:02:41]: And the audio was a hot train wreck of a mess. And it was all Braxton's fault. Tonnika Haynes [00:02:47]: Yes. Mike Allen [00:02:48]: He wasn't there at all. And we were using somebody else's equipment. It's always weird when you use somebody else's tools. It's like you go into a shop and use somebody else's toolbox. It's just weird. Tonnika Haynes [00:02:57]: Okay, that's a good thing. Mike Allen [00:02:58]: That's what I've heard. I don't know. It's not like I've ever owned a toolbox. Benjie Burris [00:03:01]: Braxton, I'll throw you a bone. I will say that I got complimented yesterday on the introduction for Tanika's podcast. Said, man, I just. I love that every time you come on, I kind of start laughing. Is that good or bad? Tonnika Haynes [00:03:14]: That's good. Benjie Burris [00:03:15]: Well, both. Tonnika Haynes [00:03:15]: Did you add both? Mike Allen [00:03:17]: Did you do the intro recording for it? Is it you? That's awesome. Benjie Burris [00:03:19]: My guess was. Wait, hold. Tonnika Haynes [00:03:21]: Hold up, hold up, hold up, hold up. Wait a minute. You ain't even seen the intro to my podcast. Mike Allen [00:03:26]: I don't listen to anyone's content. None. I listen to my own. Tonnika Haynes [00:03:34]: Not even. You didn't give me 30 seconds of your damn time. Mike Allen [00:03:37]: Hang on. I'm gonna do it right now. Tonnika Haynes [00:03:39]: No, don't listen to it. Nope. Benjie Burris [00:03:42]: You won't have no service in here. Mike Allen [00:03:44]: I connected to the WI fi. Cause I can follow instructions. Benjie Burris [00:03:46]: I connected to the wifi yesterday, and it still sucks. I'm just saying. Tonnika Haynes [00:03:53]: Well, you got to listen to it, but you're going to feedback and crap and all this stuff talk to you no more. Mike Allen [00:03:59]: So anyway, so. Tonnika Haynes [00:04:01]: Hey, categories. Mike Allen [00:04:03]: This is Tanika. She has a podcast. I've heard it's like downgrade with tan. What is it called? Tonnika Haynes [00:04:10]: Okay, okay. Where we going with this? I thought it was going to be friendly. We're going to do something together, but. Okay. It's called Downshift with Tanika and I have a growing audience. I'm excited. I get excited when people say I'm listening to the podcast. It's so weird. Mike Allen [00:04:27]: I think you are going to take over the automotive podcast world. Tonnika Haynes [00:04:31]: We'll see. Callie Johnson [00:04:32]: It's so good. Benjie Burris [00:04:33]: I'm not gonna lie. I'm a little disappointed. Cause I've hit the love on every single thing, and I think I've made top engagement one time. Tonnika Haynes [00:04:42]: Oh, my God. Mike Allen [00:04:43]: Buckaroo. Bucking Bob. Tonnika Haynes [00:04:44]: I know, right? He's on everybody's top engagement. Benjie Burris [00:04:49]: I won't do nothing but social media. Come on, man. Tonnika Haynes [00:04:52]: Do you have a job? No. He's catching fishing on social media. Mike Allen [00:04:55]: I want to see his phone screen time report. Benjie Burris [00:04:57]: Oh, my Lord. Tonnika Haynes [00:04:57]: Oh, my goodness. It's like a toddler walking around. Well, his niece does that stuff. A lot of that stuff for him. She's doing a lot. Mike Allen [00:05:05]: He's got a social media manager with his login. Tonnika Haynes [00:05:08]: Yeah. His niece does all of that. Mike Allen [00:05:10]: You know, I can't remember her name, Tonnika Haynes [00:05:12]: but she does it for him. Benjie Burris [00:05:13]: It's dawn, right? Tonnika Haynes [00:05:14]: Yeah. Mike Allen [00:05:15]: Brian Pollock will occasionally send me a message and tell me who I've been fighting with on the Internet most recently, because I don't engage with any of our content almost at all. Tonnika Haynes [00:05:25]: Right. Mike Allen [00:05:26]: But he'll just log in to the admin page and just start trolling the out of people. Tonnika Haynes [00:05:33]: I need to hire a troller under you. Mike Allen [00:05:34]: Yeah. And everybody thinks it's me that's talking. There was one dude, he was like, you know, it's obvious that you're an idiot and you don't know what the hell you're doing. I ran a successful business for XYZ years, and I didn't have to get rid of it until I had my divorce. And now I'm a service manager, yada, yada. And so Brian was like, hey, bro, cool story. If ever we need to do an episode on how to lose your business and your marriage at one time, we'll call you up. Tonnika Haynes [00:06:02]: Oh, my God. Mike Allen [00:06:05]: And I was like, does this dude live near me? Do I need to be looking behind my back? Yes. He's like, he's in California Tonnika Haynes [00:06:13]: now. I never knew if I should respond to everybody. Like, I usually. I had to delete a lot of them that were just rude, but I just. I stopped responding. I'll do a check or a heart every now and again. And then I'm just like, you guys are stupid. Especially on Tick Tock. Mike Allen [00:06:27]: Yeah. This is toxic, man. The comment section is super toxic. I don't. I don't even know what's there anymore. I mean. And plus, I got a fair amount of rage bait. Right. Mike Allen [00:06:36]: Which. What does rage bait do? It brings out the haters. Tonnika Haynes [00:06:39]: Yeah. Mike Allen [00:06:40]: Lucas gives us a really hard time about our tendency to lean towards rage bait because I just love kind of being a troll and stirring the pot. Right. It's like you need to have, like, reasonable, thoughtful, nuanced discourse to help bring the industry along. Tonnika Haynes [00:06:57]: And. Mike Allen [00:06:58]: And my whole response to that is, lucas, how long have we known each other? Have you ever known me to have reasonable, thoughtful, nuanced discourse? It's kind of your gig, dog. Benjie Burris [00:07:09]: So does that. Does that mean you're going to start making walking videos? Tonnika Haynes [00:07:12]: Walkie talkies. Benjie Burris [00:07:14]: Walkie talkies. Yeah. Mike Allen [00:07:14]: I mean, some people say that I look like I probably need to get a little cardio. Tonnika Haynes [00:07:19]: Walkie talkies. Uphill. Mike Allen [00:07:20]: Terrible. Tonnika Haynes [00:07:21]: Somebody told you uphill. Both ways. Benjie Burris [00:07:23]: Oh, honey. Mike Allen [00:07:23]: Have you ever been on the Internet? Benjie Burris [00:07:27]: You're too nice. Tonnika Haynes [00:07:29]: She's a sweetie. Benjie Burris [00:07:29]: She's too nice. Mike Allen [00:07:30]: So I will say that it is time for Summer Olympics Part 2. We're recording this one week before Tools in Pennsylvania. Last year at Tools. Tonnika Haynes [00:07:39]: Well, you're not going this time. Mike Allen [00:07:40]: So I was three months into the shot, right? And I hate, one, I hate needles. And two, I had poop breath. That sulfur breath was a thing. And so I stopped because my breath smelled like actual poop. Like clear a room type stuff. Tonnika Haynes [00:07:57]: Yeah. And he was just sitting there eating the mittens. Mike Allen [00:07:59]: Like I was trying to eat, like, Altoids. Non stop smelling like comment. So it was like. Yeah, it was like curiously strong poop breath. Benjie Burris [00:08:07]: You should have peppermint. Mike Allen [00:08:08]: Yes, exactly. But now I'm on. I'm on WeGovy this time, which is the pill, because I'm a baby and shots make me nervous. And so we'll see how that works. And I'm going to do hormone replacement therapy and get all raged up. And then I can record with David again and be like, I'm more angry than you are. No, I don't know. Tonnika Haynes [00:08:28]: Please don't. We have enough of that going on. Mike Allen [00:08:30]: Hey, so we're in Cali. Tonnika Haynes [00:08:35]: That was the most random conversation. Benjie Burris [00:08:37]: And the whole time she's been worried to death. I don't know what to say. I won't know what to talk about. Tonnika Haynes [00:08:42]: Want to talk about her big life? Callie Johnson [00:08:44]: I have been so nervous. I've never been on a podcast. First time. Mike Allen [00:08:47]: No. Tonnika Haynes [00:08:48]: Weren't you. Mike Allen [00:08:48]: Weren't the whole family on together one time? Benjie Burris [00:08:50]: Yeah, she was in the background whenever we did the very first one. Callie Johnson [00:08:55]: I was in there when y' all got on. Jada McKinney. Benjie Burris [00:08:57]: Whenever we did the very first one with Jeff. Mike Allen [00:08:59]: Yeah, I actually listened to that episode. That was a great episode. You guys all did great. Benjie Burris [00:09:03]: Talking about the family, talking about the Tonnika Haynes [00:09:05]: Family, a great family. I don't like. You guys have the blueprint for a great family. Benjie Burris [00:09:11]: We'll pay them when they little. Tonnika Haynes [00:09:12]: You're gonna. You're gonna need to write a book. That's what you need to do. How to get done with the family. Mike Allen [00:09:19]: Like, all kidding aside, when I came and sat in the, the Parnell class or the limitless leadership class that you had at the shop, it was obvious that you guys have, like, done it the right way. Like, every family has issues. Right. But your family actually likes each other, it would appear, for the most part, more often than not. Callie Johnson [00:09:40]: Most of the time. Benjie Burris [00:09:41]: Yeah. Mike Allen [00:09:41]: Yeah, most of the time. And it's truly a family business. And the culture in your business appears to be incredible. And the community that you've built around the business, I mean, it was like, it was like some goals. Tonnika Haynes [00:09:57]: Yeah. Mike Allen [00:09:57]: Like, what's happened there? I mean, I don't know. Do you think that that's possible and like urban, densely populated area, or you think that's a small town, like a small town existence? Tonnika Haynes [00:10:08]: Oh, I think that's small town mentality. But you can bring that into the city. Benjie Burris [00:10:13]: Well, but you got to remember, I've been in that community my whole life. You know, people talk about, you got to have this and you got to have that. Dude. I'm on a two lane country road in the middle of a community called Frog Pond Destination. I mean, we out in the sticks, Mike Allen [00:10:27]: there is a stop sign like a mile away. Benjie Burris [00:10:29]: There's a stop sign down the road. But, you know, we, the community has taken care of us. So we've always tried to take care of the community. And it don't matter if it's the teacher appreciation or, you know, we're constantly doing something with different schools. I truly believe in that. I really do. I truly, truly believe in that. And that's shown through everything that we do. Benjie Burris [00:10:55]: The people that, that are in the shop now, they love it. I mean, they love it. Our kids have grown up there. I've grown up there. You know, I've told the story many times about me and Christy meeting in the little two bay service station and, and that's literally a half a mile down the road from where my shop is now. Mike Allen [00:11:12]: Now. Was Christy a customer? Benjie Burris [00:11:14]: She was a customer. Mike Allen [00:11:15]: My wife was a customer. She. Benjie Burris [00:11:17]: She actually started coming up there when she was like 12, 13 years old, she says. And I never really noticed her then. Funny story, we met over a pair of boobs once. She was driving. She was about boobs. Titties, titties. Mike Allen [00:11:33]: The tatas do tell. Benjie Burris [00:11:36]: Well, she, she drove a little 88 Camaro. And I had to go into the glove box to get a wheel key out of it, a registration card or something like that. And there's a pair of fake boobs in the glove box. And there's nobody there but me and her. So I walk into the office and I've got her fake boobs in my hand. I said, hey, is there something you need to tell me? And I, we, we, you know, we had never really talked a whole lot. And she's like, yeah, get your hands off my boobs. Tonnika Haynes [00:12:01]: Yeah, I can hear that. Benjie Burris [00:12:03]: Yep. Tonnika Haynes [00:12:04]: And it was all love from there. Benjie Burris [00:12:06]: It was love from there on. That's a real Tonnika Haynes [00:12:12]: love from first to death. Like how long have you had the shop though? Benjie Burris [00:12:18]: So we opened in 2007. Okay, well, let's back up just a little bit. So, worked for a man in a two bay service station. Avery Whitley. Worked for him for my 13th birthday. Started freshman year of high school working for him. Parents, I wanted a horse. Parents said, you want a horse, get a job. Benjie Burris [00:12:35]: So I got a job sweeping the floors and wiping up tools at a little service station. And before I knew it, it was 17 years later and done. Married and kids and all that. Me and Christie got married in 1999. And at that time I was still working for Ave, but I would go here and work on your car and I'd go there and I'd go to this shop and that shop and driveways and out in my driveway or anywhere I could to make a living. Man, we had kids to support. So we built the first shop, which is a little steel master, like Kwanzaa Hut type deal. We put a little 30 by 32 up in our backyard. Benjie Burris [00:13:18]: Could not afford concrete. I mean, all we had was the metal building with the back wall and I had plastic hanging on the front wall. We had just enough concrete. I had a 10 by 10 square pad of concrete in the back corner. That's where I changed the first engine at in that shop. The rest of it was just gravels. And as I got a little bit of money, I'd pour a little bit more concrete and a little bit more concrete. A little bit more concrete. Tonnika Haynes [00:13:42]: The fact that you say that as you got more money, then you start to pour patch by patch. If you look at our driveway at our shop, that's how, that's how dad did it. Benjie Burris [00:13:49]: Yeah. Tonnika Haynes [00:13:49]: Yeah. I can't wait for you two to meet. Benjie Burris [00:13:51]: I am so looking forward to that. Tonnika Haynes [00:13:53]: So what I was getting at is. We talked about your community and all the work that you do in the community and all that stuff. When did that become important to you? Like, was that always in you because you're also a Boy Scout troop leader. Benjie Burris [00:14:08]: Yes, ma'. Am. Tonnika Haynes [00:14:09]: So services in your blood. Has that always been a part of your business to be community focused? Yeah. Benjie Burris [00:14:17]: Yeah, it really has. It really has. Christie's been a teacher. You know, she was a teacher forever, so always in the schools. You know, it was. Always knew about this family that needed something or we're doing a project for the school here or whatever, and we just wanted to be a part of it. And I don't. I mean, it wasn't really something we set out to do. Benjie Burris [00:14:40]: We just kind of did it because it needed to be done. Tonnika Haynes [00:14:42]: So you can't be a shop owner. Well, you probably could, but. And think, okay, I'm gonna do it. Like, he does. Like, and it'll be fake. Like, if you decide, oh, I want to be this. I want to do this for the community, and you don't do it in the right way, and it's not coming from your heart, I wonder if the results are going to be the same. Benjie Burris [00:14:58]: Servant leadership. Mike Allen [00:15:01]: Dogs can tell if you're a good person or not. People can tell if you're a person. Benjie Burris [00:15:04]: Yeah, I get bit all the time. Mike Allen [00:15:07]: Maybe you're just hanging out with the wrong dogs. Benjie Burris [00:15:09]: That may be it. That may be it. Mike Allen [00:15:12]: So, Callie, so I've known you for years as Callie Grace, and now I notice that it's Callie. What was the choice in the change of the. Callie Johnson [00:15:26]: I didn't really change it. Some people call me Callie Grace still. And some people call me Callie, So I just go with either. Like, if somebody calls either, I'm gonna answer to it. Mike Allen [00:15:34]: How do you introduce yourself to a stranger? Callie Johnson [00:15:36]: Typically, just Cali. Mike Allen [00:15:37]: Okay. Benjie Burris [00:15:37]: Yeah, Typically, she's always my Cali Grace. Tonnika Haynes [00:15:40]: Yeah. Callie Johnson [00:15:40]: To people that I really like, I like them to call me Cali Grace. Tonnika Haynes [00:15:43]: Okay. Callie Johnson [00:15:44]: But if it's like, a stranger, typically, it's just so. Mike Allen [00:15:46]: For me, just Cali, then you can do either. Tonnika Haynes [00:15:48]: She doesn't know about you yet. Callie Johnson [00:15:52]: Like, Tanika calls you Cali Grace a lot. Tonnika Haynes [00:15:54]: It's Kelly Grace. Mike Allen [00:15:54]: Yeah. Because I've heard the two of you referencing her all this time, so I just assumed that's the way to go. So. Tonnika Haynes [00:16:01]: Yeah, that's Niecy. But I was really sad when it's not like, Callie Grace burst anymore. Like, when I see it on social media. Yeah. I get a little. Mike Allen [00:16:10]: The email signature. Tonnika Haynes [00:16:11]: Yeah. Mike Allen [00:16:11]: I'm just like, congratulations. Tonnika Haynes [00:16:12]: Congratulations. I was like, she's married and she changed her last name. It's not even my last name. Don't you feel a little betrayed? Benjie Burris [00:16:20]: I told Gage he was gonna have to be Gage Burruss. Tonnika Haynes [00:16:22]: I know, right? Benjie Burris [00:16:22]: He was gonna change Gage Burruss. Tonnika Haynes [00:16:24]: GB I remember that. Benjie Burris [00:16:26]: She'll always be my Kelly Grace. Mike Allen [00:16:28]: And you guys have moved to Texas now, right? Callie Johnson [00:16:29]: Yes. Mike Allen [00:16:30]: How is Texas so far? Callie Johnson [00:16:31]: I love it. Yeah, I love it. We're actually going to be moving again soon, which makes me both happy and sad at the same time because we've made a great friend group down there that are like, our age. Marines. They're great people. Their spouses are great. So I'm excited. I'm excited to see if we end up going to another country or staying in the United States. Callie Johnson [00:16:47]: That'll be something neat. Tonnika Haynes [00:16:49]: It's okay, Benji. Don't cry. Mike Allen [00:16:50]: He'll be overseas. He'll be. He'll be overseas at least once in the first four years. Right? Callie Johnson [00:16:55]: There's a potential for sure of that. Benjie Burris [00:16:58]: I'm trying to get prepared because I. I feel like she's going to wind up in Okinawa. Callie Johnson [00:17:03]: Yeah. I will be honest. I talk about more engage. Because when you're first married, there's not a requirement to move overseas, but if you request it, it is. 100 accepted. Because I need people to go overseas, and a lot of people don't want to go overseas. But I've encouraged Gage for the experience of it, to go overseas to like, Okinawa, Japan, or Italy, Norway. Because, I mean, when are you ever gonna be able to move to another country on your own dime? Whereas this one, you're moving on the military and we don't have children yet. Tonnika Haynes [00:17:31]: So you're doing it right. Mike Allen [00:17:32]: My brother was stationed in Okinawa twice and he loved it. Callie Johnson [00:17:34]: Yeah. Everybody that we've talked to has loved it. Benjie Burris [00:17:36]: So I'm encouraging her very much. Even though dad don't want to see her go. Tonnika Haynes [00:17:40]: They make airplanes, dude. Benjie Burris [00:17:42]: Take off. Tonnika Haynes [00:17:43]: Yeah. Benjie Burris [00:17:43]: You got no kids, you got nothing here to tie you down. This is a big, beautiful world we live in. Go see it. Yeah, go see it. Go enjoy it. Callie Johnson [00:17:51]: Yeah. Benjie Burris [00:17:52]: Frog Pond will be here when you get back. Mike Allen [00:17:54]: Meet interesting new people and kill them. Callie Johnson [00:17:57]: Great. Mike Allen [00:18:00]: You just get to meet interesting new people. Callie Johnson [00:18:02]: Yeah. Mike Allen [00:18:02]: Yeah. Callie Johnson [00:18:03]: I love meeting people. Mike Allen [00:18:03]: The Marine's job, she's a real stranger. Benjie Burris [00:18:05]: So Callie will make friends no matter where she goes. She'll be fine. No matter where she goes. Tonnika Haynes [00:18:09]: Where'd she get that? Benjie Burris [00:18:10]: From her mama. Callie Johnson [00:18:13]: That is not true. That is not true. Tonnika Haynes [00:18:15]: That comes from you. Callie Johnson [00:18:16]: I really think that comes from me, huh? Tonnika Haynes [00:18:18]: Yeah. I was like, that comes from you. Callie Johnson [00:18:19]: Yeah, it for sure comes from you. Benjie Burris [00:18:21]: We don't know strangers. We don't know strangers. Tonnika Haynes [00:18:23]: I love it. Mike Allen [00:18:25]: Go back. And you. You mentioned that you're heavily involved with the schools and kind of partnering between Frog Pond and the schools. What do you do there? Benjie Burris [00:18:35]: For example, Teacher Appreciation week's coming up. And what about three more weeks? I think something like that. We will. First week of May. Okay. So we will. Literally. We don't just go and buy pizzas or whatever. Benjie Burris [00:18:50]: Christy will cook lasagnas or whatever. She will cook. And we go up and we serve the teachers. You know, we don't just go up and drop it off and say, thank y' all very much, and leave a business card there. We go in and we. We serve the teachers as they come through. Now, you can't cook for students, but the teachers. Yeah, they don't care. Benjie Burris [00:19:08]: They'll eat anything. Yeah. You know, just that kind of stuff. And it don't matter if it's football team, baseball, basketball, cheerleading. You know, Cali Grace was in cheerleading forever. So we would constantly do something for the different athletes, whatever they needed. And the schools know the businesses that they can depend on that they reach out to, and we get a list all the time. Girl Scout troops, Boy Scout troops, Just anything that involves community outreach, anything we can do in the community. Mike Allen [00:19:43]: So I think what's important there is what you're talking about is not just writing a check. Benjie Burris [00:19:47]: Yeah. Mike Allen [00:19:47]: Writing a check is nice too. Right. They need that. But they. Benjie Burris [00:19:51]: They need boots on the ground. Mike Allen [00:19:52]: Giving of your. Of your time and your attention makes a big difference, too. And I think that's the difference between what we were talking about earlier, about how people can tell, like, they're appreciative if you write the check. Benjie Burris [00:20:04]: Sure. Mike Allen [00:20:05]: But if you show up. Benjie Burris [00:20:06]: Yeah. Mike Allen [00:20:07]: And you're the hands and feet of Jesus. Right. Or of whatever you're trying to do, community wise, that makes a big difference. So. Benjie Burris [00:20:15]: But again, that community is taking care of us. Tonnika Haynes [00:20:18]: Yeah. Benjie Burris [00:20:19]: You know, it's because of them that we went from a 30 by 32 steel master building with gravel on the floor to a 6,000 square foot shop that, you know, I can leave now. Mike Allen [00:20:31]: I think that you probably are a contributing factor to Lucas Underwood struggles, because he saw your shop and he was like, ooh, I want to shop like that. And he bit off more than he can chew. And now he's like, what the hell am I gonna do? Tonnika Haynes [00:20:42]: Why you talk about that man when he's not here to defend himself? Mike Allen [00:20:45]: Because that's the most fun time to talk about it. Tonnika Haynes [00:20:47]: Okay, you're right. So I know where you're located. It's not too far from Charlotte. And the community has been what it's been. I lived there around 95. That's how we got to talking. Because she was like, there's no way that, you know. I was like, I do. Tonnika Haynes [00:21:03]: Like, literally. My aunt's house is probably less than five miles from your home. It has grown so much. Benjie Burris [00:21:09]: It is. Tonnika Haynes [00:21:11]: And a lot of those people are people that have just been running away from Mecklenburg County. Benjie Burris [00:21:15]: Transplants. Tonnika Haynes [00:21:16]: Transplants. Do you have. How do you deal with that? How you deal with the big city folk coming in and demanding certain things, certain way. They just don't know how it's done. And what's that? Montgomery County? Benjie Burris [00:21:28]: Yeah. Well, like, how do you train that When. When you come into. To our shop, you don't demand what we do because it just won't work. We do things our way and there's a reason we do it like that. And I've had some pretty tough conversations with customers who say, you're trying to work on my vehicle your way, and I want it done my way. I'm sorry, that doesn't work here. I want just the pads replaced. Benjie Burris [00:21:59]: I don't want the rotors turned or replaced or whatever. Sorry, dude. Tonnika Haynes [00:22:03]: Yeah, people want ice water. Benjie Burris [00:22:05]: There's a lot of other shops around. Carry on. Mike Allen [00:22:09]: Just put on chains. I don't need tensioners and guides. Just put the chains on. Benjie Burris [00:22:12]: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Mike Allen [00:22:13]: And then buy me a new engine when it blows up. So I do want to talk a little bit about C's new job. Callie Johnson [00:22:22]: I love it. Yeah, I love it so much. It's been a really good change. I got to meet a ton of new people, which has been great. I think people like what I'm doing, or I hope at least they do. I've got good feedback, so. Mike Allen [00:22:33]: Well, you knew a lot of the kind of core people already. Just through Frog Pond, right? And through coming to ASTA Expo as an attendee for years and a volunteer. So tell everyone. What is your new gig? Callie Johnson [00:22:46]: I am the membership and events manager for the asta and I'm loving it so much. And I'm going into my. This will be my third expo to attend. I remember dad talked about it a lot. How many years have you gone even? I don't even know at this point. But you and you invited me three years ago and I went. I was nervous. I did not know what to expect, and I didn't hardly know anybody. Callie Johnson [00:23:08]: I had just started. Like, I was just in the very start of doing your social media. And so I was like, oh, these people are going to be older than me. They're going to be really smart. They're probably going to think I'm silly because I'm so young, because I was definitely older. Mike Allen [00:23:19]: Not smart, because I was. Callie Johnson [00:23:22]: Because I was still in high school at that point. And it was so much fun. I mean, I got to meet some people and I got out of my shell. I talked to a lot of people. That's when I got to meet shell. I kind of had a shell back then a little bit. Benjie Burris [00:23:34]: Come on now. Callie Johnson [00:23:35]: Well, maybe a little. But last year was awesome. That was when I really branched out and talked to just as many people as I could. I mean, I made so many friends there, and I still text them and shop owners, too. It's just great. Benjie Burris [00:23:48]: How many. How many people reach out to you on a. On a weekly basis saying, hey, will you do my social media? Callie Johnson [00:23:54]: I got one this morning, actually. Benjie Burris [00:23:55]: I'll be done. Callie Johnson [00:23:56]: I got one this morning. Mike Allen [00:23:57]: I've thought about it multiple times, and I was like, she's got too much stuff going on to mess with my mess. Benjie Burris [00:24:02]: I've had several friends say, hey, would. Would Callie Grace be interested in doing Tonnika Haynes [00:24:05]: this with a low, low price of me too? Mike Allen [00:24:09]: 100%. Tonnika Haynes [00:24:10]: But I like the fact that. So you got two boys, you got a girl. Cody's working in the shop. She's working in the shop. Other baby is playing, wasn't I Yogi Benjie Burris [00:24:21]: the Bear, he gets paid to go out and scout for where he's going hunting. That's what I tell him all the time. He works for. Exactly. Tonnika Haynes [00:24:28]: He's down there. Pam. He's a park ranger. But as a young lady in the automotive industry, how do you feel fitting in? Like, does you have no qualms, no problems, no issues? You just fit into any room? Like, how do you feel about young women in an industry? Callie Johnson [00:24:46]: I think it's a great thing. I love it. I mean, I personally, and I think it helps because I talk to everybody, but I don't really feel like I have a problem fitting in a room. And I love that saying, why fit in when you're born? To stand out. Tonnika Haynes [00:24:57]: Yeah. Callie Johnson [00:24:57]: It's one of my favorite sayings, and I really believe in that. So if I walk into a room, I want to just talk to everybody and kind of make my mark. So I'D like to view life like that. Benjie Burris [00:25:06]: I can't wait till this year, now that she's got this new job with the Asta. You wait till the. The next show coming up. She will be in everyone's face with cameras and questions, and I can see it now. Tonnika Haynes [00:25:22]: Yeah, well, we need that kind of engagement. Mike Allen [00:25:24]: It's gonna be a busy, busy, busy week for you. Callie Johnson [00:25:27]: But I'm very excited and I've came up with all kinds of video ideas already that I'm plotting out for it. Oh, and I got. I can work with my smile and talk people into doing videos, so I'm really hoping I can. Just all kinds of strangers and people I've never met before. Hopefully I can get them in videos too, because I want to branch out and meet new. Mike Allen [00:25:44]: Well, I mean, it was what, like 12, 1300 people there last year, So I think there'll probably be 15 or 1600 people there this year, so. Be a lot of opportunities to meet folks. Tonnika Haynes [00:25:53]: Yeah, no doubt. Mike Allen [00:25:54]: I think it's the best networking event in the industry. Like, it's not the biggest, obviously, but at a certain point, you get so big that it's impossible to have the opportunity to network with everyone. But with the social events that happened before and during and after Casino Night, the spectacular hospitality suite, I mean, it's just. There's so much opportunity to find the people that you want to connect with, and you have multiple chances to make that connection and build relationships. And from a vendor perspective, I mean, there are vendors that show up just in time to set their booth up, and they stand at their booth awkwardly and then they leave and I go, I didn't get anything from SC Expo. Benjie Burris [00:26:41]: You get out of it what you put in. Mike Allen [00:26:43]: Come to the pizza party, come to Casino. I go to the pre party. Callie Johnson [00:26:46]: Yeah, the pre party last year was insane. Mike Allen [00:26:48]: Yeah. Callie Johnson [00:26:48]: I mean, that was like. That wasn't. That was amazing. Tonnika Haynes [00:26:51]: That was a lot of fun. Callie Johnson [00:26:52]: Yeah. Tonnika Haynes [00:26:53]: Like, and then shop owners that look from the outside in, they're looking at our social media and they haven't come to the Expo yet. And then they're afraid to come because someone said. And it kind of looks clicky. It's not. Callie Johnson [00:27:06]: It's not. Mike Allen [00:27:07]: It's the least clicky event. Tonnika Haynes [00:27:08]: It's the least clicky event. Benjie Burris [00:27:10]: I mean, unless you want to consider 1200 people a click. Tonnika Haynes [00:27:13]: Yeah, 1200 people click because we all click. Benjie Burris [00:27:15]: Yeah, we have a great. Tonnika Haynes [00:27:16]: Like, there's a spot for everybody. Yeah, everybody. Any shop owner, multiple shop owner, new shop owner, still mobile guy, still doing what you did in the beginning with whatever stage you're at in your business, there's something for everybody. Mike Allen [00:27:29]: Yeah, I was, there's a dude here who's fueling connections today. And he was in this room because like at 7:50 this morning they were sending people down here instead of the auditorium by accident. And so I came in, started talking. He was like, you don't remember me, but we met at the Expo last year and he was a technician who was a high volume, high hour producing technician. He's making a lot of money. And he said, you know, the conversation that we had last year had a significant impact on me and I'm no longer a wrench. He's, he's a service director and he, the conversation that we had with him led him to change his career. Tonnika Haynes [00:28:10]: Well, look at us. Mike Allen [00:28:11]: And I'm like, I'm like, dude, I don't even remember you, dog. Tonnika Haynes [00:28:14]: But it does feel like it gets overwhelming sometimes. Mike Allen [00:28:17]: But here's the deal. You're going to meet hundreds of people with the conversations that are had. It's like there's no disrespect meant in the fact that I don't remember this guy. It's just one of 40 conversations you have that day. Right. Can be impactful on others and on yourself. Because I've had conversations at the Expo before that had a major impact on the direction that I went in my business and in my life. And it's neat to know that we're having those conversations now that are having an impact. Mike Allen [00:28:41]: And the dude, he's here getting leadership training because he's now in a leadership role. He went from a technical role to a leadership role. He thought he wanted to own and open his own shop. And he went to Dutch's class about for technicians that are wanting to own and open their own shop. He said, you know what, I don't want that. Yeah, I want to be in leadership for somebody else's shop. And so I mean, there's something for everybody. That event for any position in the shop and for any position you want to be holding in the future. Mike Allen [00:29:10]: And I thought that was a pretty cool conversation that just happened this morning. Benjie Burris [00:29:13]: I remember those conversations. I mean that's the ast, the first one that was, that was my game changer. I remember that very distinctively because although my guys don't really believe me, there was a time when I actually had to turn the wrenches and answer the phones and do it all. And it was that first Expo that was back when it was still Igo. That made all the difference in the world. And it was those conversations. That's where first met Rick White and really got to talk to Lucas. And so many people had such an impact. Benjie Burris [00:29:45]: I was like, dude, there's gotta be a better way. And I found that way. Tonnika Haynes [00:29:49]: There's a lot of better ways. Benjie Burris [00:29:50]: I found it at the asta. Tonnika Haynes [00:29:52]: Same. Same for me. Like you, you went with your father because your dad used to be a part of it too. Mike Allen [00:29:57]: Dad was a board member in the 90s, and I remember going to one where there was like 50 people. Benjie Burris [00:30:06]: Right. Tonnika Haynes [00:30:07]: Wow. Mike Allen [00:30:08]: And there were as many people there manning the booths as there were attendees. And there are shows like that happening all over the country and have been. And I think one of the things that's different about what is now asta, it was IGO at the time is the energy that other people put back into it. And I think they developed a community and a networking environment where it was like, we are not competitors. There are more cars driving by the bay of. Of the front door of my shop than can I can possibly work on. Right. And we don't have to be enemies. Mike Allen [00:30:46]: We can share best practices. We can lean on each other for help and advice. My second store is downtown Raleigh, and literally, boom, boom, boom. It's three stores. The back wall of my shop, if somebody runs through the parking lot in his shop, it's going to run through the back wall of my shop. And there's three of those. It's Kings Automotive, former IGO president, longtime board member, current ASTA member. They come to the Expo every year. Mike Allen [00:31:16]: It's Carfix and then it's Piper's Automotive, former board president. I mean, and it's like when I went to look at that building, I walked next door to each of them, said, hey, guys, y' all cool with me moving in right here? And like, yeah, if I lose any customers to you, it's my fault. Benjie Burris [00:31:32]: Yep. Mike Allen [00:31:33]: Great. And we help each other. Tonnika Haynes [00:31:36]: Yeah. Mike Allen [00:31:36]: And that's, I think, what is unique about being a member of asta. And now we started as a. As a. Just a North Carolina kind of thing. Tonnika Haynes [00:31:44]: Right. Mike Allen [00:31:44]: But now it's really become southeastern US and national and international because we've got Canadians coming in, we've got Australians coming in, we've got people coming in from the British Isles and seeing the growth while maintaining that small town feel. And everybody's here to help. Everybody has been pretty awesome. So I'm excited about that. Tonnika Haynes [00:32:07]: I'm excited about that too. Mike Allen [00:32:08]: So, Callie, don't screw this up. Benjie Burris [00:32:11]: No, Pressure. Tonnika Haynes [00:32:12]: No pressure, no pressure. Benjie Burris [00:32:14]: You got this. Callie Johnson [00:32:15]: I hope not. I'll be bad. Mike Allen [00:32:18]: You're going to do awesome. I think you're going to do awesome. Callie Johnson [00:32:20]: So I appreciate that. Thank you. Mike Allen [00:32:22]: What can we expect in 2026 Expo? Any. Any new exciting things that we should be aware of? Tonnika Haynes [00:32:29]: Keep it all under wraps. Callie Johnson [00:32:30]: That's what I was about to say. Tonnika Haynes [00:32:31]: We're just going to kind of drip it out a little bit at a time on the socials. Callie Johnson [00:32:34]: Yeah. Tonnika Haynes [00:32:35]: Kind of build up the excitement. Mike Allen [00:32:37]: You're saying if I'd actually made it to the board meeting yesterday, I would know, but since I didn't make it to the board meeting. Come on. We don't got to release this episode. Tonnika Haynes [00:32:47]: No, this has got to be released asap, so people know and get ready. Mike Allen [00:32:51]: I do have a question. When do I have to write the check for the hospitality suite again? Tonnika Haynes [00:32:54]: Yesterday. Benjie Burris [00:32:56]: That's the deadline waiting on you. Mike Allen [00:32:58]: It's going to be cool. We're not in the same space as last year. Tonnika Haynes [00:33:01]: How did you do that? Are they letting you bring alcoholic beverages Mike Allen [00:33:05]: in because it's the bars. I don't think we talk about that openly and publicly. We're just gonna. Benjie Burris [00:33:10]: It just kind of happens. Mike Allen [00:33:11]: We're just gonna relax and let it happen. Okay. Tonnika Haynes [00:33:13]: Oh, I saw nothing. Mike Allen [00:33:15]: This is my mantra for life. No, I think it'll be great. And they said that I can bring in all the arcade games and the poker table and everything, and so that'd be fun. I don't think there's enough the way the space lives. I'm not gonna bring all the couches and stuff again this time because while it was a super cool space last year, it was so full of people, it was crowded. Tonnika Haynes [00:33:36]: Yeah. It was so much fun, though. Benjie Burris [00:33:39]: Yeah. Tonnika Haynes [00:33:39]: But you got to bring the throne. The throne must be. Mike Allen [00:33:41]: Oh, the throne will be there, dog. So I kind of want, like, one of those really gaudy, obnoxious gold thrones. The big red velvet cushions. Tonnika Haynes [00:33:49]: Is that velvet? Callie Johnson [00:33:50]: You should do that and then add, like, a LED backlight behind it. This. Rayad. Tonnika Haynes [00:33:55]: Do not give this fool any more ideas. Callie Johnson [00:33:57]: So it would glow, like, if you're sitting in the chair. Rayan all around. That would be so cool. Benjie Burris [00:34:03]: That was. That'd be kind of like the. The throne that I got the picture of your mom in. Callie Johnson [00:34:07]: Yeah. Benjie Burris [00:34:08]: In the speakeasy in Mexico the other night. Did I send you that picture? Tonnika Haynes [00:34:11]: I. I don't think so. Callie Johnson [00:34:13]: You should try it. Mike Allen [00:34:14]: I keep aviator sunglasses with me at almost all times now in case I happen to walk By a throne so that I can have a picture of me with glasses and a whiskey glass. Tonnika Haynes [00:34:23]: You need a game of throne. Throne with the KN it from the Games of Thrill. Mike Allen [00:34:27]: It's very violent. I'm a lover, not a hater. Tonnika Haynes [00:34:31]: Just cuz you can't fight. That's. Mike Allen [00:34:33]: That's also part of it. There's way too much full frontal male nudity in that show for me. Way too many balls. Yeah, man, a lot of balls. Tonnika Haynes [00:34:44]: It just made your balls feel small. Is that why you bought? Because there was like three pair of balls in that whole. I'm very. Mike Allen [00:34:50]: I'm very in touch with my ball walls. Thanks. Tonnika Haynes [00:34:53]: Oh, we know there's lots of stories. Benjie Burris [00:35:01]: Are you talking about the balls or the stories? Tonnika Haynes [00:35:04]: Both. Mike Allen [00:35:04]: No, I can keep my balls nicely tucked away now, thanks. Tonnika Haynes [00:35:07]: Now. Now you wear tighty whities. What? Mike Allen [00:35:11]: You know, I. We just said. Benjie Burris [00:35:12]: I don't listen to the. To the podcast either. Mike Allen [00:35:14]: There's a. There's a story about my balls that happens. Benjie Burris [00:35:18]: You'll have that. Mike Allen [00:35:19]: We set up the. We set up the signup page for the Seth Thorson class on AI that we're doing in June. And there's a series of questions like, you know, name, address, phone number, yada, yada, yada. And one of them is boxers or briefs? So we'll see what the people who. Tonnika Haynes [00:35:39]: Or commando? Mike Allen [00:35:40]: No, I think you get to a certain stage in life and you learn not to go commando anymore. Tonnika Haynes [00:35:46]: Anything. Oh, we'll talk about that off camera. We don't have to talk about that at all. Mike Allen [00:35:51]: I feel like we've already had a conversation about that on camera once. Tonnika Haynes [00:35:55]: Oh my God. So Mike Allen [00:36:00]: poor Cali doesn't know what the hell's going on. Tonnika Haynes [00:36:02]: Yeah, she's just over there, like, what's happening? Benjie Burris [00:36:04]: Bless her heart. Hey, can we. Can we talk about the. The flying with the Eagles? This coming up. Tonnika Haynes [00:36:10]: Flying with the Eagles. Benjie Burris [00:36:11]: Yeah. Tonnika Haynes [00:36:11]: I am going to miss that. And I really wish because of my 20 group meets at the same time, but I really. Mike Allen [00:36:18]: You should switch coaching companies. Tonnika Haynes [00:36:22]: But I really wanted to. Benjie Burris [00:36:23]: Mike, you gonna be there? Mike Allen [00:36:25]: What dates are they? I need to go again because I've gone twice over the years. But it's a totally new curriculum now Benjie Burris [00:36:32]: that Matt and like the second week back from tools, maybe. Tonnika Haynes [00:36:38]: I mean, it's coming up quick. It's coming up. Benjie Burris [00:36:40]: I'm thinking very seriously about sending both of my. My guys up front. Tonnika Haynes [00:36:43]: And the reason I'm. I wanted to go so bad is because I really enjoyed you and Matt's coaching. Those are the best. Those are the only ones that I listen to. Callie Johnson [00:36:53]: It's May 14th through the 16th. Tonnika Haynes [00:36:55]: Yeah. Mike Allen [00:36:55]: Charlotte, Matt is really good. Tonnika Haynes [00:36:58]: He's really good. Mike Allen [00:36:59]: Homie is smart. Tonnika Haynes [00:37:00]: But what's your problem? Why can't you take directions? Mike Allen [00:37:03]: Just because I think I know everything. So here's the thing, right? Maybe I should be a coach, because I've been to all the classes and I know all the right things to say. I just totally fail on implementation. Yeah, I fail on implementation and accountability. Tonnika Haynes [00:37:18]: But you also go to a lot of UNC games and you should not be playing. You should just be like. You just say you went to all the classes and so you should be a coach. That's like saying, I went to all the games and I should be a player. Mike Allen [00:37:29]: Those who can, do. Those who can't, coach, right? Teach. I don't know. We're doing a class at the Expo. You realize that you're talking people out of taking our class at the Expo? Tonnika Haynes [00:37:41]: No, they're coming to see me. Oh, they're not coming to see you. Otis. Benjie Burris [00:37:44]: You two's doing a class. Mike Allen [00:37:46]: And Lucas. The three of us. Callie Johnson [00:37:47]: Oh, that'd be good. Benjie Burris [00:37:48]: Oh, my. Callie Johnson [00:37:49]: That'd be good. Mike Allen [00:37:49]: Owners only. Benjie Burris [00:37:50]: Oh, my. Mike Allen [00:37:51]: No sponsors, no coaches. Benjie Burris [00:37:53]: Well, you know, I'm gonna be in there. Mike Allen [00:37:55]: No. Unless you're there for AV purposes. Tonnika Haynes [00:37:57]: No, he's going to be there for av. He's going to be walking around with a microphone. He's going to be. He's going to be Vanna White. Mike Allen [00:38:04]: You have to wear a ball gown. Tonnika Haynes [00:38:06]: Sequins. Benjie Burris [00:38:07]: Okay, Tonnika Haynes [00:38:10]: go ahead and let your hair grow out. It's happening. Mike Allen [00:38:12]: I feel like Braxton is probably a drag queen, like once a month. Every third Wednesday. Tonnika Haynes [00:38:18]: What is his name? What would be your drag queen name? Mike Allen [00:38:23]: Braxtona Fix. Callie Johnson [00:38:24]: Ryan. Tonnika Haynes [00:38:24]: Hold on. Braxtina. Mike Allen [00:38:27]: He doesn't have a mic. Nobody can hear him. Tonnika Haynes [00:38:29]: Braxtina. He agrees. Cat's out of bed. Benjie Burris [00:38:32]: We have a small problem. Tonnika Haynes [00:38:34]: We got a small problem. Callie Johnson [00:38:34]: I'm testing Ryan about it. Benjie Burris [00:38:35]: Hold on. We got the caterers out front, okay. And they're. Gallagher's. Trying to get a hold of Ryan so somebody can go out there and pick up the food. Mike Allen [00:38:42]: I mean, we can go. How long we been talking? Benjie Burris [00:38:45]: 40. Tonnika Haynes [00:38:45]: 40 minutes? Mike Allen [00:38:46]: Yeah, I mean, I could go out there. Asta Expo, September 24 through 26. Come down early. Come visit Browns Automotive. Come visit Car Fix. Come visit the Car Fix Confessions of a Shop Owner. Bar and lounge. AstaExpo.com or Astausa.org you can find us on social media. Tonnika Haynes [00:39:08]: All of it. Mike Allen [00:39:09]: Like follow for more and wear underwear. Benjie Burris [00:39:13]: Come see what all the hoopla is about. Tonnika Haynes [00:39:15]: Please. Callie Johnson [00:39:16]: Yeah. You won't regret it. Benjie Burris [00:39:17]: Yeah. Tonnika Haynes [00:39:17]: And if you think you're coming by yourself, you're not. Come find me. Come find us. Mike Allen [00:39:21]: Come chill. Tonnika Haynes [00:39:21]: Yes. Yeah. Benjie Burris [00:39:22]: We'll be there. Tonnika Haynes [00:39:23]: We don't bite. Mike Allen [00:39:24]: Love, peace and hair grease. We gotta go get food. Tonnika Haynes [00:39:26]: Love you. Callie Johnson [00:39:27]: Peace and hair grease. Tonnika Haynes [00:39:29]: What Downshift with Tanika is where we slow down long enough to have real conversations. Hosted by myself, second Generation shop owner, Tanika Haynes. This goes beyond your car count your KPIs. We want to talk about leadership, legacy mindset, and the messy, beautiful journey of building something that lasts. You will hear stories from shop owners, technicians, and other industry leaders who are figuring it all out by themselves in real time. This is a space for growth, tough love, laughter, and leveling up.