Have you ever looked around your shop and wondered, "Am I really running this place, or just surviving in it?" Many shop owners start as top techs, but once the bays are theirs, the leadership grind hits differently.

In this episode, co-hosts Jason Patel and Mike Bennett sit down with Clinton Jones, owner of Accomplished Auto, who opens up about the messy, expensive lessons he learned transitioning from technician to shop leader. Clinton shares how a hands-off approach, hiring the wrong manager, missing key financial red flags, and losing connection with the community his business served almost cost him his auto shop.

Tune in to episode 118 of Maximum Octane to learn how to go from running yourself into the ground to building a team that runs with you. Join Clinton's masterclass in why leadership isn't optional, how accountability can transform not just your shop, but your entire life, and the wake-up call that lit the fire, and took Clinton to pay attention to building real systems, setting standards, and stepping into his role as a leader with a vision.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• From tech to owner: Clinton's unexpected journey (1:20)
• When you're ready, coaching works (3:00)
• The hire that nearly destroyed the shop—and how Clinton missed the signs (4:20)
• Why accountability is the real game-changer (8:30)
• “Feelings aren’t facts”—how Clinton learned to lead with data (11:50)
• Building a vision that’s bigger than you (15:00)
• Modeling accountability: Your team won’t go where you haven’t gone (17:10)
• Creating a culture of ownership and pride (21:20)

Connect with Accomplished Auto:

• Website

Let's connect:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

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