Ep 4. Blue Ribbon Automotive

Garage Rehab season 1 episode 4 is titled "Blue Ribbon Automotive". The show follows Richard Rawlings, an expert in fixing failing automotive businesses, as he travels across the country to find shops in need of help. In this episode, Rawlings and his team head to Denver, Colorado to check out Blue Ribbon Automotive, a struggling business that has been around for 30 years.

As they approach the shop, Rawlings notices that there are barely any cars in the parking lot. He meets the owner, John Shirley, who explains that he used to have a great business but in the past few years, things have gone downhill. Shirley has tried everything he can think of to bring in customers, from Groupon deals to advertisements, but nothing seems to work. The shop is also in desperate need of repairs and updates, from the dingy waiting room to the outdated equipment.

Rawlings starts off by conducting a thorough inspection of the shop and the staff. He realizes that Shirley has a lot of heart and knows how to run a business, but doesn't have the modern knowledge or systems necessary to succeed in the current market. Rawlings then brings in his team to get to work on transforming Blue Ribbon Automotive into a thriving business.

The team starts off by giving the shop a complete overhaul, from repainting the exterior to updating the equipment and installing new computer systems. They also transform the waiting room into a comfortable and enjoyable space for customers, complete with plush seating, a coffee bar, and a television. Rawlings then sits down with Shirley to go over his business strategy and come up with a plan to attract new customers.

With the shop looking brand new and a fresh marketing plan in place, Rawlings and his team throw a grand reopening party to showcase the shop to the local community. They invite car enthusiasts, locals, and even give away a few free oil changes to attract potential customers. The reopening is a huge success, with a crowd of people showing up to check out the updated and improved Blue Ribbon Automotive.

At the end of the episode, Rawlings sits down with Shirley again to see how the business is doing. Shirley is over the moon with the results, with more customers coming in every day and positive reviews online. Rawlings is thrilled to see another successful business transformation and to see a small business owner's hard work paying off. The episode ends with Rawlings heading off to his next destination, ready to help another struggling business in need of a garage rehab.