Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled
Kim Walker’s flying solo on this one, and she’s got a fire-in-her-belly message for every shop owner still sleeping on email marketing. This isn’t your typical “email tips” episode, it’s a storytelling breakdown of one jaw-dropping, beautifully built email from Mission Mercantile that had Kim hooked, clicking, and even podcasting about it.
She breaks down what made this email a masterclass in branding: from a killer subject line (“Not Cheap… But Worth Every Penny”) to irresistible storytelling, handcrafted visuals, call-to-actions in all the right places, and brand language that oozes trust and legacy.
If you’ve let your email marketing fall to the wayside, this episode is your wake-up call. Kim lays out why email isn’t dead, it’s just being underused. She challenges shop owners to rethink the way they write emails, stay top-of-mind with customers, and deliver real value (not just deals).
Don’t miss this breakdown. You’ll walk away inspired to write emails your customers actually want to open.
Show Notes with Timestamps
- Introduction and Sponsor Shoutouts (00:00:10) Kim introduces herself, mentions Brian's absence, and gives sponsor shoutouts.
- Email Marketing Comeback & Shop Plans (00:01:19) Kim discusses the resurgence of email marketing in auto repair shops' plans for 2026.
- Discovery of Mission Mercantile (00:02:21) Kim shares how she found Mission Mercantile while searching for a high-quality leather backpack.
- Purchase Experience & Customer Service (00:05:34) Kim describes her purchase, a product issue, and Mission Mercantile’s excellent customer service.
- The Impactful Email Arrives (00:06:44) Kim details receiving the November 6th email, its subject line, and her immediate reaction.
- Email Storytelling & Visuals (00:07:56) Kim analyzes the email’s storytelling, visuals, and how it addresses customer needs.
- Call to Action & Product Details (00:10:05) Kim explains the email’s calls to action, product quality descriptions, and lifetime guarantee.
- Brand Voice & Mythical Customer Care (00:11:29) Kim highlights the brand’s unique voice, “mythical customer care,” and how it resonates with her.
- Sponsor Messages (00:12:35) Sponsor messages for Shop Boss and App Fueled are presented.
- Testimonials & Social Proof (00:14:36) Kim discusses the use of customer testimonials and how they reinforce the email’s message.
- Black Friday Teaser & List Segmentation (00:16:08) Kim describes the email’s Black Friday promotion and how it segments the audience.
- Differentiators & American Made Focus (00:17:19) Kim notes the email’s emphasis on differentiators, including being American made and customer care.
- Personal Impact & Email Retention (00:18:33) Kim shares how the email influenced her to stay subscribed and even consider future purchases.
- Advice for Shop Owners on Email Marketing (00:19:41) Kim gives actionable advice to shop owners about effective email marketing strategies.
- Closing Thoughts & Contact Info (00:21:58) Kim wraps up, offers to share the email, invites topic suggestions, and promotes the Facebook group.
- Outro and Network Promotion (00:23:09) Kim and the network promote other shows and the podcast app, closing the episode.
How To Get In Touch
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Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)
Mission Merchantile
Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled
This episode is sponsored by Shop Boss. You know, other shop management software makes you work, but Shop Boss works for you.
AppFueled at appfueled.com. “Are you ready to convert clients to members? AppFueled™ specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for auto repair businesses. Build your first app like a pro.”
The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/
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Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/
The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/
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