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Do You Own a Business or a Job? Lessons From Remarkable Results Radio

  • Writer: James Stephenson
    James Stephenson
  • 56 minutes ago
  • 2 min read

At Lotus Consulting, we spend a lot of time helping business owners answer one hard question:


Are you building a real business or just buying yourself a demanding job?


That exact topic was the focus of our recent appearance on Remarkable Results Radio,

hosted by Carm Capriotto. We're grateful to Carm for having us on the show and creating space for honest conversations about leadership, growth, and the future of the automotive service industry.


This episode goes straight to the core issues holding many shop owners back from scaling, exiting, or reclaiming their time.


The Difference Between Owning a Job and Owning a Business


One of the biggest mistakes we see in auto repair and service businesses is confusing activity with ownership.


If the business cannot operate, grow, or remain profitable without you being present every day, you likely don't own a business yet, you own a job.


True business ownership means:


  • Systems replace heroics and key man issues

  • Leadership replaces constant supervision

  • Data replaces gut decisions

  • The business creates value independent of the owner


Until those pieces are in place, growth stalls, business value stays low, and exit options disappear.


The Technician Shortage Is a Systems Problem


The technician shortage is real, but it's often misunderstood.


In the episode, we discussed why hiring problems are rarely solved by higher pay alone.


The shops that consistently attract and retain great people focus on:


  • Helping the team member achieve personal and professional goals

  • Clear processes and expectations

  • Leadership development

  • Predictable schedules and workload

  • Long-term career paths, not short-term fixes


When systems are weak, hiring becomes reactive. When systems are strong, recruiting becomes strategic.


Preparing for the “Silver Tsunami” in Auto Repair


The automotive industry is approaching a major transition period as thousands of shop owners near retirement.


Many will discover too late that:


  • Their financials are not clean

  • Their processes are undocumented

  • Their business depends entirely on them


That combination dramatically reduces valuation.


A sellable business requires structure, transparency, and repeatability. If those are missing, buyers see risk, not opportunity.


Mentorship and Perspective Matter


No one builds a scalable business alone.


Mentorship and coaching play a critical role in helping owners step back, see blind spots, and shift from operator to leader. Having the right guidance accelerates growth and prevents costly mistakes that often take years to unwind.


Key Takeaways for Shop Owners and Service Businesses


If you take one thing from this episode, let it be this:


  • Build systems before you chase growth

  • Hiring problems usually reflect leadership gaps

  • Culture outperforms compensation alone

  • Clean financials and documented processes drive valuation

  • A business should create freedom, not dependency


These principles apply whether you plan to scale, sell, or simply regain control of your time.


Thank You to Carm Capriotto


We want to sincerely thank Carm Capriotto for having us on Remarkable Results Radio and for continuing to elevate conversations that help shop owners think bigger, lead better, and build businesses that last.


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