Kevin Paul Dodd grew up in British Columbia with a love for machines. From a young age, he was taking things apart—lawn mower engines, old car parts—just to see how they worked. That curiosity stuck with him.
He studied Automotive Technology at BCIT, where he learned the skills that would shape his future. But Kevin always felt there was more to the job than just fixing engines. He saw how many people didn’t trust auto shops. He wanted to change that.
Early in his career, he worked with his hands every day. He fixed cars, solved problems, and talked with customers. Over time, he started his own ventures, building shops that focused on honesty, clear communication, and quality work. His businesses now span from Vancouver to Maple Ridge.
Kevin leads by example. He doesn’t sit in an office while others do the work. He’s in the shop, helping out, training staff, and making sure every detail is right. His teams respect him because he puts in the same effort he expects from them.
Outside of work, Kevin’s always on the move. He snowboards, goes boating, and travels as much as he can. These aren’t just hobbies—they’re part of how he stays curious and grounded.
Kevin’s story is about more than cars. It’s about building trust, staying hands-on, and always moving forward. He’s proof that when passion meets purpose, the results can be lasting—and real.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I’m up before 6 a.m. and checking in on operations across the shops—from Vancouver to Maple Ridge. I try to walk the floor of at least one location daily. I spend time talking with techs, reviewing estimates, and sometimes getting my hands dirty alongside the team. I make my day productive by staying involved. I keep a running list of priorities on paper—not on a phone—because I like the visual accountability.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I don’t brainstorm at a whiteboard. I observe patterns: Why do customers hesitate? Why is a process taking too long? Once I spot something, I test small. Whether it’s a new service model or better workflow, I try it at one shop first and measure results before rolling it out.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Diagnostic transparency. New tools are making it easier to show customers what’s wrong with their vehicle—on a screen, in real time. That helps close the trust gap, which has been a long-standing issue in the industry.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Physical movement. Whether it’s walking the shop, snowboarding, or working on a personal project, movement helps me clear my head and focus. I get more ideas while being active than sitting still.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t rush to scale. Learn the core craft first—inside and out. It’s easy to want to grow fast, but building slowly and intentionally keeps your standards high and your team stronger.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think the customer isn’t always right—but they always deserve to understand what’s going on. Blind agreement creates more problems than respectful honesty.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Walk your own floor. Whether you’re in trades, tech, or retail, nothing replaces firsthand observation. You learn more in ten minutes on the ground than an hour in a meeting.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I step away from the noise. Sometimes I’ll go out on the water, or even just drive somewhere without a plan. That distance helps reset my thinking. I’ve had some of my clearest ideas in the middle of nowhere.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Keeping operations close to home. I’ve kept my shops within a regional radius because it lets me stay hands-on and scale sustainably. That’s helped maintain quality control and build long-term client relationships.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I once hired someone based solely on their resume. They looked perfect on paper but clashed with the team culture. It affected morale. I had to make the tough call to let them go. The lesson? Fit matters more than flash. You can teach skills, but not attitude.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A mobile “trust check” service—third-party techs who verify estimates at local repair shops. Sort of like a notary for car repairs. It would help customers feel safer, especially in high-ticket situations.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I rely on Shop-Ware, a cloud-based auto repair system. It helps my teams track repairs, create digital estimates, and keep everything transparent with customers.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber. It explains the difference between working in your business and on your business. That book changed how I looked at delegation and systems.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I enjoyed Rust Valley Restorers. It’s filmed in BC, and I relate to the mix of passion, chaos, and creativity that comes with running a shop full of old cars and new ideas.
Key learnings
- Hands-on leadership builds stronger teams and operations. Observing work directly gives more insight than managing from a distance.
- Transparency is the future of customer service in auto repair. Showing customers what’s happening under the hood builds trust.
- Hiring for culture fit is critical. A strong resume doesn’t always mean a strong team player.