Steering Your Auto Shop Toward Success: A Guide for Owners

I speak with auto shop owners from across the country and most are facing similar challenges.

• Feeling overworked by being the go-to person
• Stuck in the day to day
• Constantly managing crises and emergencies

And if that isn’t enough, most tell me they don’t have time for themselves and feel guilty for not spending much time with family and friends. When they do, many have said they’re still thinking about work and aren’t fully present.

Grit and drive are the good qualities that got you here. But it takes more to get you to where you want to go. It’s possible to have a rewarding life and an auto shop that is profitable, sustainable and enjoyable with the right mindset and steps.

Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

Running an auto shop can feel like a constant juggling act. You’re handling long hours, leading your team, keeping customers happy, and somehow trying to keep it all running smoothly. While your hard work and determination have gotten you this far, it can feel like you’re stuck in place, spinning your wheels. But here’s the good news—you don’t have to stay stuck. With the right mindset and a few key steps, you can take your shop to the next level: more profitable, sustainable, and, most importantly, enjoyable.

Here’s how you can make that happen.

Step 1: Look at Where You Are

First, it’s time to do a reality check. You need to honestly assess where your business stands right now. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind without stopping to ask yourself what’s really working and what isn’t.

Ask yourself:

• What’s going well, and what’s driving you crazy?
• Is your shop making consistent money, or is cash flow a constant worry?
• How’s your team performing? Are they reliable, or are you constantly having to step in?
• Do you have a solid customer base, or are you always trying to drum up more business?

Being honest about where you are right now will help you figure out the areas that need the most attention. Whether it’s your finances, your team, or feeling like you’re carrying the entire business on your back, understanding your pain points is the first step.

Step 2: Picture Where You Want to Be

Now that you’ve looked at where you are, it’s time to get clear on where you want to be. Your vision for the business is like the GPS that shows you the way. It’s not just about making more money—although that’s important to business health. It’s about creating a shop that runs smoothly, gives you more freedom, and makes both your team and your customers happy.

Ask yourself:

• What do you want your shop to be known for? Do you want to be the go-to in your area for honest, high-quality service?
• How do you want your team to operate? Do you want them to handle things without always relying on you?
• What would freedom look like to you? More time with your family? The ability to take a vacation without the place falling apart?

Your vision is the destination, and it’s essential for steering the business in the right direction.

Step 3: Bridge the Gap with Action

You know where you are, and now you’ve got a clear idea of where you want to be. The next step? Taking action to bridge that gap. This is where a lot of shop owners get stuck, buried in the day-to-day stuff without time to focus on the big picture.

To move forward, start by focusing on a few key areas that will make the biggest impact. These could be things like:

• Delegate More: Let’s be real, you can’t do everything. Start delegating tasks to your team and empower them to take on more responsibilities. This not only takes things off your plate but also helps your team grow stronger.
• Systematize Your Shop: Create processes and systems for everything. Whether it’s how repairs are done, how customers are handled, or how the team communicates, having clear processes keeps everything running smoothly. And it gives you peace of mind knowing things can keep going even if you step away for a bit.
• Get a Handle on Your Finances: If cash flow is a constant stress, it’s time to get serious about your numbers. Start by tracking your key financial metrics and find ways to cut unnecessary costs or boost profitability. Knowing your numbers inside and out will give you confidence..

Step 4: Let Go of the Fear of Letting Go

One of the hardest things for auto shop owners is letting go of control. You’ve worked hard to build your business, and it’s scary to trust others with it. But if you don’t start letting go of some tasks, you’ll never be able to step back and focus on growth.

It’s all about shifting your mindset. Instead of being the person who does everything, become the leader who guides the business and team. Trust the systems you’ve put in place and the people you’ve trained. You’ll find that letting go doesn’t mean losing control—it means freeing yourself up for bigger things.

Step 5: Track Your Progress

As you start making changes, be sure to track how things are going. Set goals, measure key metrics, and regularly check in on how your shop is performing. It’s not about perfection but about progress. Celebrate the wins, adjust where needed, and keep your eyes on the bigger picture.

Tracking your progress ensures that you’re moving toward the vision you’ve set, whether it’s increasing profits, building a stronger team, or gaining more personal freedom.

The Road Ahead

Getting from where you are now to where you want to be in your business doesn’t happen overnight. But by taking the time to assess, define your vision, and take strategic action, you can transform your auto shop into a place that runs smoothly, grows sustainably, and gives you the freedom you’ve been working toward.

Remember, you don’t have to do everything yourself. Build a strong team, create systems that work, and trust the process. It’s time to stop just surviving and start thriving. Take the first step today and start making the changes that will lead you to a rewarding business and life.

Maryann Croce, a certified partner of Todd Herman’s 90 Day Year™, is a coach/speaker and creator of ‘3-Day Weekends’ System. Her company Small Biz Vantage specialized in performance and leadership for automotive and skilled trade business owners. She has been an auto shop owner since 1999. 

You can reach Maryann at (203) 913-7741 or maryann@SmallBizVantage.com Maryann speaks on strategies to achieve work-life fulfillment SmallBizVantage.com