Wake up, Buy Here, Pay Here people. It's a beautiful day. Go grab yourself another cup of joe and say hello to Jim and Michelle Rhodes on the Buy Here, Pay Here Morning Show. Take it away, you two. Hey, good morning from... Las Vegas. Las Vegas. Las Vegas, New Mexico, of course. Yeah, no. Las Vegas, Nevada. We are going to be, after we're done with our broadcast today, packing up and heading back to Salt Lake. Yeah. Really, really, really great location. um, meetings and, uh, it's, yeah, it's been a, it's been a good. Yeah. We saw a lot of folks, of course, many folks were in town for the BHPH United, uh, summit heard that went really well. They had over 400 attendees. So that's excellent news. We were there Tuesday for the Neo user summit. And then, uh, we moved off site and did our, um, um our business meetings we had strategy meetings with some members of our team we're here in vegas and we brought several in virtually and it was very oh my goodness yeah it was it was amazing yesterday our meeting so um yeah great great trip and ready to to be heading back today's a special day um we are we're about two years into um into broadcasting. And so we're on our 300th episode today, which is, you know, it's a pretty special, uh, special benchmark for us or accomplishment. So we're pretty excited about that. And, um, yeah, I have to say is StreamYard, our streaming, uh, uh, well actually Facebook has changed a lot of the rules about streaming. So it couldn't have come at a least opportune time. Yeah. So we don't know. We tried to set up some additional streams this morning. Um, kind of last minute and doesn't seem to be working properly. So hopefully you can find the broadcast. And if you, uh, you know, those who see it on the morning show thread and really what we'd recommend is just start to follow the page that is a BHPH morning show podcast. And that way you'll be sure to find it. So any other announcements? No, I mean, I know we have some guests coming up next week. We make more announcements across social media on those upcoming guests. Let's see. We've got, I believe that it's May almost. It is. It's almost May, which means that we're only about, six weeks away from the national conference, six, seven weeks away from the national conference. So yeah. Yep. And that'll be back here in Vegas. So we'll be back down for that. Jim's going to be moderating a dealer panel for that. And so, yeah, I got that coming up. I didn't, we got our V8 group three meets on Tuesday night, I believe the 30th. Yeah. right that's the newcomer group and uh so that that uh that's for dealers up to 100 accounts so anybody's out there looking to jump in one of those we've still got time just reach out to me right away if you want to get in that tuesday meeting and uh yeah we've really had uh an interesting time socializing you know v8 with some of the people that we met at the the summit at uh the neo user summit and uh it's just been interesting to hear the feedback yeah about what that how that's working and what uh you know whether that is a solution for them and we know that it is for many and they're starting to kind of see that yeah we're we're big fans yeah yeah um so we wanted to kind of talk today a little bit and share some of the the well wishes that we have received from friends and associates in the industry and just kind of talk about some of our favorite parts and what what we um how we feel about this momentous occasion. Yeah. I think, you know, for me, it obviously, and you reflect on 300 episodes, a lot of really, um, you know, great moments. Um, we've had tremendous guests from everybody from state associations, national associations, dealers. Uh, we've had some vendors we've had, uh, you know, most, mostly dealers have been our guests. And I just think what we, you know, we've had some, some fun moments. You know, I think of some, I remember, um, You know, one of my first things, I think it was the first time Jack Carter joined us and he was coming to us from the auction. Like he's found a table at the side and he got dealers walking by and speaking to him. That's real. Yeah. And I think most of the times that he joins us, it's been in his car or whatever while he's... Which I love. I just love the idea that, you know, bringing dealers, you know, from where they are. And it's part of what we want folks to recognize about, you know, this podcast track by doing live. We can just come to you from wherever you are, wherever we are. Like, you know, we don't have to go to a lot of, and we've proven over 300 episodes. We don't have to prepare much. Yesterday at some of our meetings, there were, there were some people that were, were, um, participating in it. And they, they actually know it was the night before when we were at dinner and talking to some, um, some of our colleagues and they said, how do you come up with topics? And it's like, are, are you familiar with buy here, pay here? There's always something happening and something going on that, uh, that, you know, it would make a good conversation. And so things will, will cycle through. And so it might be something that we've talked about in the past, but a different perspective and all of that. So it hasn't been, um, as difficult as, as people, when we told everyone that we wanted to do it live three days a week, um, that there were a lot of our friends and colleagues just like, I don't know how you're going to do it. And it's not, it has not been that hard to find good things to talk about. No, there's, as we talked about earlier, like there's, there's always going to be stuff to talk about. We're not going to run out of topics. Now there are mornings that it's more difficult because we're traveling and we haven't been well prepared and we, you need to decide on one. It's not that there's not plenty of stuff to talk about. You just gotta decide what belongs where. And of course we prefer to bring guests whenever we can get the schedule lined out and get far enough ahead and plan guests, then we like to do that and we'll continue to do that. We want you to hear from especially other dealers. Yeah, and I would say that as we move forward from here that you'll see more and more of that being more structured about the topics and that because we are on the precipice of some organizational growth that is really exciting for us and it's going to improve everybody's experience, our, our experience and your experience of, um, of being able to, you know, find us for the morning show and other things that, that, that we currently offer, but it will become a better and better and better experience for all, which is wonderful. Yeah, for sure. It's yeah. So our meetings, um, this week, we're largely, largely around strategic planning, bringing, you know, current, our founding sponsors, bringing current partners, potential partners, and just advisors to the meetings. And wow, we got some really excellent feedback. We're starting to really look hard at the technology side of our company. And this morning is another example of why we need technology. Right. Exactly. It's funny how many people come to us now and say, Hey, what are you guys using? What's your platform? What's your thing? Exactly. Our, our interim CEO, Jerry Martinez, which we're going to try to get on the show next month at some point to, to, to, to talk about his experience and all of that. He is, he's starting a podcast for the history channel. And so he's, just we were just running down what are what's the equipment what's your platform all of that and so he was super excited yesterday in the meetings he's like guess what michelle the light ring got delivered today and so it's that was that's pretty sweet so and I've had we've had other vendors that have reached out to us that have said hey we we're starting online learning or a podcast or whatever can you give us some some tips and and uh show us around what it is that you use and so it's been really great I love That's one of the things that I really, really love about where we are as a company, as individuals, as colleagues, as coaches, is that there is a level of trust from those that we interact with that they know that they can reach out. And they know that they can ask us, you know, and we're not going to be proprietary about a lot of, you know, I'm not going to I'm not going to share with you how we've had success with the podcast or, you know, any of that kind of stuff. It's like, of course, we just we're here to help build up, even if it's something like just how do you broadcast? How do you do something like this? Yeah. And that's another thing that came up this week is kind of the thing about the all ships rise thing, which we talked about, you know, way back more than a year ago, we kind of talked about that. subject of, you know, all ships rise. And we either have that mentality or you don't. It's been my experience. And so for those of us who have that, it's nice to be able to bring people in to certainly to our circle of what we're doing and to be able to build something that is inclusive and is meant to you know certainly we think first about dealers and how to improve the experience for dealers and we know that we have an opportunity in doing that to improve the experience for consumers and so we're just like why wouldn't we do that you know we want to bring all the people with all the skills and all the resources to that undertaking and so that's part of what our meetings were about and it was it really felt good to get you know another kind of big step on the, the, the ladder, if you will. And so it was, um, it was, it was really a pivotal kind of, uh, event for us and, and felt good to, to kind of turn a corner. You want to reach? Well, I want to just, uh, we, you know, we've gotten a few, uh, congratulations about the 300th episode. And so we're going to take a quick commercial break and show one of those, and then we'll continue the conversation. Howdy Jim and Michelle, the Jim's team of George and Anthony congratulate you on this huge milestone. Thank you very much for all you do. And we hope we have many more smoked old fashions around the campfire before any of us ride off into the sunset. So smoked old fashions, that's been a fun thing that we have done over the course of the last couple of years. We, we did a smoked old fashion tour. We went to a lot of different places and then, and was, we were very active on social media, talked about it too on the morning show. And it, you know, it was funny. I, we were at dinner the night before, night before last and, um, and, uh, and with some colleagues and dealers and they, there was this cart that was, where did we go to dinner? Do you remember? It's called a Barry's downtown. Yeah. And it's down on Fremont street. Never been there before. It was, it was really, really great, but they had a cocktail cart that went around and, As we were walking in, we saw someone, um, that they were, they were making a smoked old fashioned there at the table. And we were like, yes, we haven't had a good one of those in a, in a minute. And so it was really, really nice. And I appreciate George, um, uh, spat and, and those at gems that were, you know, remembering that and the, and the congratulations. Uh, one of the things I wanted to, you know, the meetings we, like we said, we had yesterday. Um, we've got some, some great announcements that are coming up. We're not quite ready to have until ink is dried on certain things, but, um, uh, the person that we are, you know, we talked about Jerry is our, our interim CEO, and that's just kind of means that he's there holding place and being an advisor. to us until we find a person that can step in on the role of, of our CEO. And, um, we have found that person. And so they were at the meeting and, and you know, this, I just really, really appreciate, um, him and, and his expertise across a lot of different industries. And he sent us a, a message, um, to us personally, uh, after our meetings yesterday. And he says, it was very encouraging that Chris, because, uh, Chris Machika from pastime was with us stressed the importance of being vendor agnostic. Um, this mentality unlocks way more potential and allows us to truly develop trust. And he says we could become advocates for dealers to vendors on programs and pricing. helping people get aligned with the best partner for them. It is so exciting. And I just, I love that kind of energy about, and awareness of this is, you know, we're so grateful for our White Hat Way founding sponsors and how they have put that trust in us to stay agnostic. And that includes them. And and so, you know, we it was beautiful to talk yesterday about how what we are doing is is is, again, trying to align dealers with vendors that best fit their needs, not vendors that we have close relationships with. And so that is that's really something that has been so important to us. And, you know, and we've we've talked to different vendors here and there and It's like, yeah, we would like to be able to sponsor this. We'd like to be able to sponsor that, but we want to be the only one. And, and it's like, I'm sorry, we can't, we can't offer that. We can't offer, we won't offer that. Well, we can't win if we're going to stay integrity when we want to be agnostic. And so. it's, um, of course that, that your product or whatever is, is something that we will offer as an option. Um, when we, if, if it's a fit for the dealer, but, uh, you know, that being agnostic is, is just, it's, we've, and I remember too, quite a while ago, we were having some meetings with a, with a colleague and we talked about being agnostic and, and that didn't set as well, the, the being agnostic part and that the, um, that some of the parting words in friendliness where I don't know how you're going to be able to stay agnostic. And that was a few years ago and it just, and it really hasn't been as hard, uh, to do that as, as, um, as it would appear to others that it would, it would become, do you, uh, I'm going to read something that we got to from one of our, our, um, Uh, you want to read that one? Yeah. So from, uh, Robert and Cara Hernandez, they're, uh, dealers that we've come to know out of San Antonio. They're members of our V8 dealer group and, uh, Robert sent in a nice note saying, the concise BHPH Morning Show provides us with motivation, continued learning and better appreciation for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Jim and Michelle are excellent moderators and their unbiased approach of knowledge sharing, integrity and expertise will contribute to the overall improvement of the image and reputation of the BHPH industry across the country. congratulations on your 300th episode. So thanks Robert and Kara for that. That's very kind of you. I'm blushing. It's very complimentary. We appreciate that. It is. It's kind of you. It is. It's very kind. Yeah. We, we really appreciate as we talk to dealers along the way that, you know, one of the things that they, that dealer after dealer after dealer is like, thank you. Thank you for bringing education. And, And, you know, we talked a little bit on Wednesday about that one of the one of the the along with people saying, hey, how are you going to come up with new topics? Another thing that was said that that we believe is is we know because of our experience is not true, is that when we give so freely of education that it will diminish our ability to really have any offering. It'll diminish the industry. It'll diminish. And it's like that has been such the opposite of that has been our experience. We have met amazing vendors and dealers. through this, been able to connect people in just beautiful ways through what it is that we've done with the podcast. And it's one thing that has just been so beautiful is that when a dealer, you know, there is a lot of education, there is a lot of free education, but sometimes a dealer doesn't know how to apply. or doesn't know how to put the pieces together. And that that's, you know, that we, we get phone calls and it's like, Hey, I've been, I've been watching, I've been listening and, and how, you know, can you help me with this? And so if anything, giving freely has opened up the ability for us to be able to help more deeply with dealers that are out there. Um, and, and that is just such a, such a blessing because the simple things that we teach three days a week are things that dealers need to know and things that will help dealers to be able to grow and to be stronger and to be able to, to miss, uh, to, to avoid, um, very costly mistakes. And, and, you know, we, we recognized, um, from the gate that, that most dealers, um, can only find their education either at a conference, um, in a 20 group or on YouTube. And I don't know if very many of you have been on YouTube to see some of the stuff that's out there from, from dealers teaching other dealers. And it's like, there's some really, um, misinformation and information out there that, uh, that might get people excited about profits, but it will, you know, can, can potentially lead them into some really interesting, um, negative consequences. So it's been a beautiful thing to be able to share in this way. Sure. Yeah, absolutely. You don't play another video. I do want to get connected to the stream over here myself. So, okay. Congratulations, Jim and Michelle, 300 episodes. What an accomplishment. Um, um, the executive director of our national organization is now called the CEO. I think so. Yeah. Okay. The CEO, Jeff Martin. He's, he's a friend. We've known him for, um, Jim's known him a lot longer than I have. I've known him for many years and he's, uh, you know, he's widely respected and we're grateful for him taking a moment to, uh, congratulate us. And I think, you know, as I hear you talk about that, that, you know, 300 episodes now showing up and just trying to provide information to dealers and, you know, that's not going to stop. We're going to continue to, to gather information, gather expertise and, uh, and bring it. So I guess if two years is 300, I was trying to think ahead to how many years will be 3,000. We're going to continue. 10 years or 10, 20 years? Yeah. Something like that. We're not going away anytime soon. This is actually, you know, that's one of the things as we're talking to our executive team about how do you want to grow? What position is... um, how we want to, to participate. Um, and, and we've, we're like the, the morning show, the podcast that we're still going to be on the air. We, you, we may, you may see other, um, hosts on certain times and, and days of the week that we'll be here running the, um, the podcast, but you can, you can, um, you can rest assured that, uh, there will be continued education, um, that will be coming from us in a regular fashion. And so, um, because there is, there is, there's still more to teach. There's still more people to reach. Yeah, absolutely. So yeah, we'll, we'll continue there. I think, um, I don't know that I've got anything else. I mean, we could certainly, I wanted to read something from Karen, Karen Barnett, who is, uh, She is one of our ambassadors for White Hat Way. And she says, thank you for all the dedication, inspiration, and commitment that you have brought to the wonderful world of Buying Your Pay Year. 300 episodes. Wow. I will see you at NIDA and cheers on the next 300. Very nice. She's thinking 600. I'm thinking 3,000. But, you know, you got to work your way there, right? Exactly. No, that's great. Thanks, Karen. so yeah I think you know obviously we can recount some more uh you know favorite memories we've had uh you know guests from national association you know some of our fun episodes have been around I remember um you know having a good laugh with you when we talked about our our Swahili. Oh yeah. It's been a good laugh for, for, um, for lots of folks. I snuck up on Michelle for those who didn't see it. We'll have to find that and share it. And I'm going to try to get Jim to, to bring out that sense of humor because he just, he makes me laugh all the time. One of my more favorites was we had last year, um, leading up to NIEDA's conference, we had a couple of dealers, um, that were, we, we, um, We organized with NIADA and they were there to kind of talk about why they're attending the conference. And we met Candice Price on that. And what a inspiration to us and we believe to other dealers about how you can become such a force of positive change for our customers for, you know, and when I say our customers submit, you're like, you're a vendor. So your customers are dealers. It's like, ultimately our customers are consumers are your customers because we're just trying to help you be able to, to relate to them better and have, have the tools and the knowledge you need to help them succeed. And so it was so wonderful to hear all of the things that she's doing in her neck of the woods in Nebraska. We've had her on the show a few different times and just really what a great dealer. Yeah, and I remember we clued in whenever she used the phrase knowledge cap. Like she was the first one we heard go to use that phrase. And so it's part of what we have tried to, we borrowed that phrase from her and trying to express to others what it is we're referring to in this area about education for consumers and how we can help dealers have a better experience by helping to educate their consumers. We can make that available and we continue to work in that direction. So yeah, that, and then I remember, you know, having a lot of fun with, you know, with Bill Elizondo, whenever, uh, at Benny on a stick and then that later turned into Bill on a drill. So that was, I mean, I think we did that live for our, we did the Bill on a drill thing for our, was that our 200th? Uh, yeah, it was, it was our two or it was, yeah, it was our 200th episode. Yeah. So anyway, we're, you know, we're aging and some of this stuff, it's hard to remember, but, um, but yeah, it was, uh, I think it was our 200th, but anyway, it's been fun to, uh, to do that I remember the first time we tried to host that we we didn't realize apparently we need to set up like a green room experience so when we started the broadcast these guests that we had invited they were all just on the screen and we weren't prepared for that we thought they were going to be backstage so we just it was kind of you know part of the live I mean we have had a number of technical hiccups and and snags along the way and you know it's obviously part of going live and so we uh It's just, it's been a fun experience. Like overall, we enjoy it. We obviously enjoy working together and we enjoy what we're doing and bringing education Oh, stop. People watching. I enjoy working with them very, very much. But yeah, it's obviously something we're going to continue and we're going to continue to invite guests to the broadcast. And we're happy to bring vendors. We're going to limit pitching. Obviously, we're not going to have folks come on here and sell their wares. So that's something we don't want the morning show to become. We're going to continue to bring specialists and experts and different expertise so that folks can have that information to make better decisions in their business. And I just wanted to read one more quote from the follow-up from the meetings we had yesterday. One of the participants said, this is a great start to a new wave of positive impact across the industry. We start with independent auto, then on to helping and serving more industries. Yeah. Um, let's go help some good folks build good businesses. And that is what we're, that's what we're doing. And I, and I love getting that kind of feedback because it's like, you get what it is that, that, that our, why our why is about helping good folks be able to help others and, and, um, helping consumers succeed, helping, helping people to be able to communicate in a more effectively and open and transparent and kind way. so it's really good stuff all right let me wrap up for today um thanks again for uh following the the morning show just don't forget you can you can find us on youtube we're in the process because of some changes at facebook we're in the process of um having to adapt to the fact that they don't let us stream directly into groups anymore so we will figure that out we'll figure out how to make it available so that's easy in the meantime I would say just go find the uh the morning show podcast. You can also, uh, YouTube, you're always going to be able to find us on YouTube. Uh, so there's the, just look up Jim Rhodes and the Octane group. It may not say Jim and Michelle Rhodes at the Octane group, uh, but you can find the YouTube channel over there and just please subscribe there. That way you'll be sure to make, uh, you can find the, the live stream over there at any time. And then also just, you can visit, um, the BHBH Morning Show podcast Facebook page would be another place to make sure you can catch it. And if there's anything that we can do to help, like we mentioned earlier, there's a lot of education that we've been able to bring and to help dealers But a lot of times dealers have a hard time putting the pieces together and figuring out where to go because there's only so detailed and so customized that we can go on a podcast when it's going out to everybody. So if you need some help, please don't hesitate to reach out. Call or text us. This is Jim's direct contact information. 903-816-0216. So if there's something that can help you with- Yeah, if you have requests for topics, if you have a certain subject that you want us to bring, text me there or call me and let's plan that because we're always wanting to try to make sure that the content that we're bringing to you is- is solving problems for you, helping you get answers. Thank you so much for making us part of your day for 300 episodes. We really, really appreciate that. And it's just the beginning. We're just getting started.
