This $500M Business Is Hiding In Plain Sight (You Drive By It Every Day)

This episode was sponsored by Cardiff

LightSpeed VT: https://www.lightspeedvt.com/
Dropping Bombs Podcast: https://www.droppingbombs.com/

Today's Dropping Bombs episode delivers a masterclass in scaling with Todd Hayes, the automotive industry veteran who's spent nearly four decades turning fragmented mom-and-pop repair shops into a $65 million private equity platform — with a billion-dollar valuation as his next target.

Todd breaks down the exact playbook behind scaling a single shop from $225,000 to $1.2 million a month, why most private equity roll-ups are just "Frankenstein" collections dressed up as platforms, and the de-risking strategy that lets him buy businesses for pennies while staying debt-free.

If you think auto repair means greasy overalls and thin margins, this conversation will change how you see the entire industry — and how you build any business.


🔗 Connect with Todd
IG: https://www.instagram.com/jtoddhayes/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-hayes-177819141
AutoShop Answers: https://www.autoshopanswers.com
Houston Boston Partnership: https://www.houstonbostonpartnership.com

📚 Books Mentioned:
The Great Game of Business by Jack Stack: https://a.co/d/0jlUsBAB
The Brand You 50 by Tom Peters: https://a.co/d/07e05P5g

Watch the full-length video version of any Dropping Bombs episode here on YouTube.

Brad Lea is a self-made entrepreneur who turned small-town grit into a multi-million-dollar empire. With over 25 years dominating sales and leadership, he’s mentored thousands to outsmart, outwork, and out win their competition. His top-rated podcast, Dropping Bombs, brings raw, game-changing insights from the biggest names in business.

LightSpeed VT is Brad’s brainchild—the world’s leading interactive training platform. It’s built to make your team sharper, faster, and more effective, without wasting time or money. Whether you’re a startup or a Fortune 500, LightSpeed VT is how you scale success and dominate your industry. Curious? Check it out:
https://www.lightspeedvt.com/

Brad’s also behind Closer School, the go-to program for mastering sales and closing deals like a pro. Want to 10x your income? This is where you start. His book, The Hard Way, lays out the brutal, honest lessons he learned building his empire—your blueprint to winning the game. Get it here: https://bradlea.com/product/the-hard-way/

This isn’t just a video. It’s a wake-up call. Watch it. Share it. Act on it.
Closer School: https://www.closerschool.com/cs