In the first article in this series, I talked about product development and why I believe aftermarket companies should spend more time solving customer problems and less time building a slightly better version of someone else's product. But developing the right product is only the beginning. The second thing I would focus on is pricing. And I don't mean taking your cost, multiplying it by a factor, comparing it to three competitors, and calling it good. Pricing is one of the

I've spent most of my career in the automotive aftermarket, and if I were handed the keys to an aftermarket company tomorrow, I wouldn't start by changing the sales team, cutting expenses, hiring a new marketing agency, or immediately launching ten new products. I would start with one question: What problems in our industry are customers still dealing with that nobody has solved correctly? Because somewhere along the way, I think too much product development became product co

One of the biggest mistakes I see companies make in new product development is deciding what the product should be before the product team and engineering ever get involved. Leadership comes into the room with an idea, engineering is told what to build, sales is brought in when it's almost finished, and marketing gets involved a few weeks before launch. Then everyone wonders why the product doesn't generate the excitement they expected. I believe there's a better way. Give yo

For the past year, I've been watching, learning, researching, and documenting where the Jeep, Bronco, truck, and off-road aftermarket is headed. I've stayed quiet... but I haven't stopped thinking. Now it's time to get back to doing what I love. I'm once again free to work with any manufacturer, distributor, retailer, startup, or private equity group looking to build stronger brands, develop winning products, and create profitable growth. For more than 27 years, I've lived th

I lost weight using AI. Every year the SEMA Market Report gives the automotive aftermarket a snapshot of where the industry is headed. The 2026 report paints an optimistic picture of a market that continues to prove its resilience despite inflation, economic uncertainty, and shifting consumer behavior. On paper, everything looks healthy. U.S. consumers spent just under $53 billion on specialty automotive parts and accessories in 2025, and SEMA expects the market to return to

Innovation is one of the most overused words in business today. Every company claims to be innovative. Every annual report mentions innovation. Every executive says it's a priority. But what is innovation, really? Innovation is the process of creating and implementing new ideas, products, services, or processes that solve meaningful problems and deliver value. Notice what that definition does not say. Innovation is not invention. Innovation is not copying a competitor and mak

One of the biggest mistakes companies make with product launches is thinking a launch begins the day a product goes live on their website. It doesn't. A product launch starts weeks before the first unit ships. Too many brands quietly upload a new product to their website, make a few social posts, and hope demand shows up. Then they wonder why sales feel slow or why excitement fades after a week. That's not a product launch—that's simply listing a product for sale. The best pr

Selling a product as a loss leader is one of the oldest and most misunderstood strategies in business. At its core, it challenges the instinct to maximize margin on every individual item and instead focuses on maximizing profitability across the entire customer transaction. When executed correctly, it transforms a single product sale into a platform for higher-margin opportunities. In today's competitive markets, where differentiation is increasingly difficult, this strategy

New product development (NPD) is one of the most critical processes for any organization seeking long-term growth and relevance. While innovation often conjures images of engineers and designers working behind the scenes, the reality is that successful product development requires a much broader, cross-functional effort. In particular, sales and marketing teams, as well as the quality department. These departments play a pivotal role in shaping products that not only meet int