From Audi Mechanic to $50M CEO

What does it take to go from working as an Audi technician to leading a $50 million automotive company?

In this episode of the Blue Collar Millionaire Podcast, Ryan Blair shares his journey from struggling in college to becoming an Audi mechanic, opening his first shop, nearly losing everything, and ultimately building a $50M automotive empire.

Ryan breaks down the lessons he learned about mastering a trade, taking calculated risks, finding the right mentors, understanding financials, and making the transition from technician to business owner and CEO.

If you're a blue-collar entrepreneur, service business owner, or someone looking to scale beyond owner-operator status, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction
02:15 Why Ryan Left College and Chose a Trade
06:45 Becoming an Audi Technician
12:30 Developing Elite Skills and Work Ethic
18:50 Winning Audi's National Technician Competition
24:10 Walking Away From a Six-Figure Career
28:35 Starting a Business in a Storage Unit
35:20 The Mistakes That Nearly Cost Him Everything
44:10 Selling His House, Car, and Investments
50:30 Finding a Mentor and Learning Business
58:45 Scaling to the Largest Independent European Repair Shop
1:05:20 Growing to a $50M Automotive Platform
1:12:00 Advice for Blue Collar Business Owners

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