In this episode of Owner Optional, James sits down with Rob Faber of Rob Faber Photography and FBR Media to break down a mistake many business owners make with marketing: focusing only on getting the phone to ring instead of building a real brand.

We talk about the difference between short-term call-to-action marketing and long-term brand building, and why businesses that rely only on low dollar ad specials often struggle to attract the right customers. Rob explains why people don’t just buy services, they buy trust, culture, and the people behind the brand.

This conversation is especially relevant for Auto Repair Shop Owners who want to attract quality-focused customers, support higher labor rates, and build a business that lasts. When your marketing reflects who you are, how you operate, and the experience you deliver, it becomes easier to create real relationships instead of transactional sales.

If you want your marketing to feel personal, attract better customers, and support long-term growth instead of constant chasing, this episode will help you rethink how you show up.

Learn more about Rob’s work at
 👉 https://robfaberphotography.com/

Owner Optional is hosted by James Stephenson, an automotive repair operator at Precision Auto Repair, multi business owner, and founder of Precision Auto Group and Lotus Consulting. With nearly 30 years of firsthand experience as a technician, owner, and operator, James focuses on building companies that do not depend on the owner to survive.

If you are an Auto Repair Shop Owner or Small Business Owner who wants a business that can run without you, transition smoothly, or be sold, learn more at LotusPE.us

New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe, follow, and share this show with another owner who needs to hear it.

In this Q&A episode of Owner Optional, James Stephenson is joined by team member Nick Edwards. Together they answer a question from Shannon, an Auto Repair Shop Owner in Massachusetts who recently took over her family’s business.

Shannon shares the challenge of stepping into ownership without a support system, especially as a non-technical owner. While she’s confident running the front of the shop and delivering a strong customer experience, she’s struggling with technician misdiagnosis, delayed repairs, and being told that these issues are “normal.”

With only two technicians on staff and limited hiring options, Shannon feels stuck between needing better systems, stronger technicians, and more help, all while trying to lead without feeling like she’s failing.

James breaks down what is normal, what isn’t, and how small shops can regain control over quality, accountability, and staffing without burning out the owner. This episode is about clarity, confidence, and understanding when the problem is people, process, or structure.

If you’re a shop owner who feels alone, understaffed, or unsure whether to trust your instincts, this episode will help you think more clearly about your next move.

Owner Optional is hosted by James Stephenson, an automotive repair operator at Precision Auto Repair, multi business owner, and founder of Precision Auto Group and Lotus Consulting. With nearly 30 years of firsthand experience as a technician, owner, and operator, James focuses on building companies that do not depend on the owner to survive.

If you are an Auto Repair Shop Owner or Small Business Owner who wants a business that can run without you, transition smoothly, or be sold, learn more at LotusPE.us

New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe, follow, and share this show with another owner who needs to hear it.

In this solo Q&A episode of Owner Optional, James Stephenson answers a question from Jake, an Auto Repair Shop Owner in East Windsor, Connecticut.

Jake shares a situation many shop owners quietly struggle with: a long time technician who’s highly paid but no longer producing at the level the business needs. While conversations with the employee always go smoothly and sound positive, the reality on the shop floor tells a different story. Production is low, quality is slipping, and negativity seems to be affecting the rest of the team.

James breaks down why this situation is so common, how performance and attitude issues can quietly drain a business, and why “good conversations” without measurable change often keep owners stuck. The episode covers how to separate emotion from accountability, why clarity matters more than intent, and how unresolved people problems prevent a shop from becoming owner optional.

This episode is about leadership, standards, and making hard decisions in a way that protects the business, the team, and the owner. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re being patient or avoiding a necessary change, this conversation will help bring clarity.

Owner Optional is hosted by James Stephenson, an automotive repair operator at Precision Auto Repair, multi business owner, and founder of Precision Auto Group and Lotus Consulting. With nearly 30 years of firsthand experience as a technician, owner, and operator, James focuses on building companies that do not depend on the owner to survive.

If you are an Auto Repair Shop Owner or Small Business Owner who wants a business that can run without you, transition smoothly, or be sold, learn more at LotusPE.us

New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe, follow, and share this show with another owner who needs to hear it.

In this solo Q&A episode of Owner Optional, James Stephenson answers a question from Tim, an Auto Repair Shop Owner in New York who recently discovered the show on Spotify.

Tim explains that his shop is busy, revenue feels solid, but he’s working nonstop and still doesn’t feel like there’s any money left. He’s constantly putting cash back into the business, feels stretched thin, and is starting to question whether all the effort is worth it. After listening to the episode with Nick Edwards, where KPIs were briefly discussed, Tim asked if we could slow it down and explain what really matters.

James breaks down why this situation is so common in auto repair, why revenue alone is misleading, and how a lack of clear KPIs keeps owners stuck working harder instead of smarter. The episode walks through the core numbers every Shop Owner and Small Business Owner should understand, how to spot where money is actually going, and why most owners aren’t failing, they’re just flying blind.

This conversation is about clarity, not criticism. If you’re busy, exhausted, and wondering why the numbers don’t match the effort, this episode will help you start asking better questions and making better decisions.

Owner Optional is hosted by James Stephenson, an automotive repair operator at Precision Auto Repair, multi business owner, and founder of Precision Auto Group and Lotus Consulting. With nearly 30 years of firsthand experience as a technician, owner, and operator, James focuses on building companies that do not depend on the owner to survive.

If you are an Auto Repair Shop Owner or Small Business Owner who wants a business that can run without you, transition smoothly, or be sold, learn more at LotusPE.us

New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe, follow, and share this show with another owner who needs to hear it.

In this episode of Owner Optional, James Stephenson is joined by Nick Edwards, a multi store Service Manager for Precision Auto group with over six years of experience and Chief Revenue Officer at Lotus Private Equity.

Nick shares his perspective on why being in business isn’t just about providing a product or fixing cars, but about building and maintaining strong relationships with the people around us. He explains how sales and customer experience are systems that can be taught, trained, and repeated, not traits you’re either born with or not.

Drawing from real experience, Nick breaks down how he builds and trains Service Advisors using a proprietary sales training plan designed to work even with newer or less experienced advisors. The conversation covers how clear processes, consistent coaching, and relationship focused communication have improved client retention, increased trust, and produced the highest CSI scores in the company without relying on “rockstar” advisors.

This episode highlights why strong sales systems reduce owner dependence, create consistency across locations, and allow businesses to grow without sacrificing customer experience. It’s a practical look at how training, not talent alone, drives long term success in auto repair and any service based business.

Owner Optional is hosted by James Stephenson, an automotive repair operator at Precision Auto Repair, multi business owner, and founder of Precision Auto Group and Lotus Consulting. With nearly 30 years of firsthand experience as a technician, owner, and operator, James focuses on building companies that do not depend on the owner to survive.

If you are an Auto Repair Shop Owner or Small Business Owner who wants a business that can run without you, transition smoothly, or be sold, learn more at LotusPE.us

New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe, follow, and share this show with another owner who needs to hear it.

In this first episode of Owner Optional, James Stephenson shares his background as a Small Business Owner for over 20 years and explains how that experience led to the business model behind this show.

James walks through the difference between owning a job and owning a true business, why so many owners unknowingly build companies that depend entirely on them, and how that impacts freedom, growth, and long term value. He breaks down how businesses are actually valued, what buyers look for, and why most companies, especially Auto Repair Shops, aren’t set up to sell even if the owner thinks they are.

This episode lays the groundwork for understanding how businesses become real assets. It explains why owner dependency is so common, why it isn’t a personal failure, and how the right structure, systems, and leadership can change everything.

If you’ve ever wondered why stepping away feels impossible, or what it would really take to build a business that can run without you or be sold, this episode provides the context and clarity to start thinking differently.

Owner Optional is hosted by James Stephenson, an automotive repair operator at Precision Auto Repair, multi business owner, and founder of Precision Auto Group and Lotus Consulting. With nearly 30 years of firsthand experience as a technician, owner, and operator, James focuses on building companies that do not depend on the owner to survive.

If you are an Auto Repair Shop Owner or Small Business Owner who wants a business that can run without you, transition smoothly, or be sold, learn more at LotusPE.us

New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe, follow, and share this show with another owner who needs to hear it.