About Us
Welcome to ShiftPoint Training Academy!
Running an independent automotive repair facility comes with its share of challenges, but delivering exceptional Client experiences doesn’t have to be one of them.
That’s where ShiftPoint Training Academy comes in.
We specialize in training your Team to consistently deliver top-tier service that not only meets but exceeds Client expectations. By empowering your staff with the tools and skills they need, we help turn everyday interactions into powerful moments that build loyalty, boost your reputation and increase your bottom line.
Let us take the stress out of training so you can focus on what you do best: Running your business.
Ready to see how ShiftPoint can transform your shop?
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About Owner
Who is Samantha Schearer-Higdon?
Samantha unintentionally fell into the automotive industry in 2017 after leaving Nursing School. What was intended to be a pit stop to help her family business, Schearer's Sales & Service, Inc., while she took time to find herself and figure out what she wanted to do with her life quickly turned into a passion as she found herself soaking up everything around her and teaching herself new things every single day. She began her career as a Client Service Representative, however she then quickly became somewhat of a Service Advisor Assistant as the family business was growing and needed more help. Over time, she began observing and learning more and more about the Service Advisor position, eventually moving into that position about a year later in 2018. In 2024 Samantha was recognized by the Auto Care Alliance as the AAPEX Service Advisor of the Year. Afterwards, she began to move out of her role as a Service Advisor and into her role as the Marketing Manager for Schearer's Sales & Service, Inc. In this transition, she trained her replacements, becoming the in-house Service Team Trainer and teaching them the ins and outs of their company and how to take any prior knowledge and translate it into their daily operations by learning their business’s processes and procedures which she developed alongside their Service Manager. Samantha now strives to help independent automotive repair centers grow their business’s Team members through individual coaching.
“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.”
- Marilyn Monroe
Looking for a Speaker/Instructor Who Knows the Automotive Aftermarket and Speaks from the Heart?
With years of hands-on experience in the independent automotive aftermarket, I’m passionate about sharing the insights I’ve gained to inspire, educate, and empower others in the industry. Whether it’s a room full of shop owners, service advisors, or future leaders, I bring real-world knowledge and an authentic message about following your passion and creating meaningful change.
Interested in having me speak or teach at your next event?
Let’s connect and make it happen.
-Samantha :)
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Coach
Tom Schearer
Tom Schearer is the President of Schearer’s Sales & Service, Inc., a trusted European specialty shop in Allentown, PA, built on the core values of Trust, Quality and Personal Touch. Tom started his journey early with a clear goal: to own his own shop by the age of 25. With the love and support of his wife Christy, and the influence of early mentor and boss Ken Miller, that dream became a reality on July 6, 1995. It’s taken time, bold moves, and plenty of hard lessons, but Tom has grown Schearer’s through an unwavering belief in taking great care of both his Team and his Clients. In 2024, Tom was honored with the Ratchet+Wrench All-Star Award. That same year, Schearer’s was featured at Worldpac’s STX Training Event and named runner-up for the Bosch Module Shop of the Year. But what Tom is most proud of is seeing his daughter Samantha receive the 2024 AAPEX Service Advisor of the Year Award, and having the privilege of presenting her with that award on stage. Over the past 3+ years, Tom has coached and mentored other shop owners through 180BIZ and the Auto Shop Owners Group (ASOG) Mastermind, though he’s recently stepped back to focus on family, Schearer’s and supporting Samantha’s launch of ShiftPoint Training Academy. Tom looks forward to the continued growth of Schearer’s and implementing a different type of training strategy for auto repair shops alongside his daughter, Samantha, through ShiftPoint Training Academy.
“I never lose. I either win or learn.”
- Nelson Mandela