Most shop owners do not start out thinking like investors. They start because they want control, they want to make a living, or they believe they can do the job better than the place they came from. That is normal. It is also the reason many owners wake up decades later with a hard truth in front of them. They worked their fingers to the bone, served customers well, and still do not have enough value in the business to retire comfortably. In this article, we dig into the uncomfortable part of...

Slow weeks happen. Sometimes it is seasonal. Sometimes it is tied to the broader economy. Sometimes it is just an odd lull that shows up on the schedule with no warning. The problem is not the slow week itself. The problem is what most shops do next: they react late, spend money in a panic, and scramble for short-term fixes that do not build long-term stability. In a recent Institute Ask Me Anything, Cecil Bullard (Founder, The Institute for Automotive Business Excellence) and Wayne Marshall...

When you talk to Bobby Lambert, owner of Lake Sumter Auto Repair and Transmissions  in Florida, you’re immediately struck by his humility. He’s the first to tell you that his success didn’t come overnight, and he’s quick to credit the mentors, coaches, and training that helped him get there. But make no mistake: Bobby’s story is one of grit, growth, and a relentless commitment to doing things the right way. A Passion Ignited Early Bobby’s journey into the automotive industry started in high...