Auto Repair Shop Owners: You’re Not a Noun — You’re a Verb

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m not good enough” or “I’m just a shop owner, not a leader,” you’re not alone. So many auto repair shop owners fall into the trap of labeling themselves in ways that limit what they believe is possible.

But here’s the thing — those labels? They’re not real. They’re static, they’re outdated, and they’re holding you back.

In Episode 200 of the Just ONE Thing podcast, I shared something that hit me like a sledgehammer when I first heard it:
“You’re not a noun — you’re a verb.”

This one simple idea can shift everything for you — how you lead, how you serve your customers, and how you grow your shop. Let’s break it down together.

Stop Saying “I Am” — Start Saying “I Do”

Auto repair shop owners are often their own worst critics. You might catch yourself saying:

• “I’m not organized.”
• “I’m not good with numbers.”
  “I’m not cut out to manage people.”
  

Sound familiar?

Those “I am” statements become traps. They define you in the moment and lock you into an identity that you don’t want. But here’s the truth: you’re not defined by what you say you are — you’re defined by what you do.

So instead of saying, “I’m a shop owner,” try this:

• “I solve problems for people every day.”
• “I serve my community by keeping their vehicles safe.”
• “I lead a team that makes a difference.”
  

Do you feel the difference? When you think in verbs, you're not stuck. You're in motion. And motion creates progress.

Action-Oriented Thinking Creates Results

Why are verbs so powerful? Because they drive outcomes.

When you think in terms of action, you naturally step into your leadership role with purpose. Saying “I care about my customers” leads to:

• Follow-up calls to check in after a big repair
• Offering preventative maintenance education
• Taking the time to listen instead of rushing the job
  

Saying “I lead my team” might drive you to:

• Have one-on-one meetings with your techs
• Praise someone for doing something right
• Set clear goals for the week ahead
  

These actions create a ripple effect — on your shop culture, your team morale, and even your bottom line.

Reset Your Mindset Every Morning

Here’s a game-changer:

Start your day by asking two questions.

1. What actions am I going to take today to grow my business?
2. What actions am I going to take today to become the leader I want to be?
   

These questions pull you out of reaction mode — the mode where you’re just putting out fires — and into creation mode. You take charge of your day instead of letting it run you.

• Maybe today you help a tech with a tough diagnostic problem.
• Maybe you handle a difficult customer with patience and professionalism.
• Maybe you finally sit down and start that local marketing plan.

Whatever it is, when you define your day by action, you take control.

Why This Impacts Profitability

Let’s bring this home: this isn’t just about mindset.
It’s about money.

A shop that runs on reaction — scrambling from issue to issue — leaks time, energy, and profit. But when you lead with verbs, you start to build something bigger:

• Systems that save time
• Training that builds confidence
• Culture that attracts loyal employees and customers
  

When you say, “We protect our clients,” it influences your entire process. You’re not just fixing cars. You’re offering safety checks. You’re educating your customers. You’re showing that you care.

That builds trust.
Trust leads to loyalty.
Loyalty leads to referrals.
And referrals lead to revenue.

All of it — starts with a verb.

Lead a Verb-Driven Culture

Your team is watching — not what you say, but what you do.

If they see you consistently stepping up, solving problems, leading with integrity, and celebrating wins, they’ll follow suit. You build a shop culture that values ownership, initiative, and pride.

Try saying things like:

• “Let’s improve how we communicate.”
• “Let’s serve our customers even better.”
• “Let’s grow this business together.”
  

These aren’t just phrases. They’re a way of life inside a healthy, growing shop.

So What Do You Do Now?

Here’s your challenge:
Pay attention to the words you use with yourself.

Are you limiting yourself with “I am” statements that keep you stuck?

Start replacing them with “I do” statements that move you forward.

• “I lead.”
• “I grow.”
• “I serve.”
• “I fix.”
• “I mentor.”
  

These are the building blocks of your identity — and the keys to your shop’s success.

Ready to Keep Growing?

If this message sparked something in you, don’t keep it to yourself. Share it with your team. Bring it to your 20 Group. Use it as a conversation starter with your coach.

And don’t forget to plug into two great resources:

✅ Shop Owners Round Table – Every Thursday at 7PM Eastern
✅ Pocket Business Genius Webinar Series – Second Thursday of every month

You don’t have to go it alone. Surround yourself with other shop owners who are ready to stop reacting and start building — just like you.

About Rick White & 180BIZ

I’m Rick White, founder of 180BIZ. We help independent auto and truck repair shop owners like you lead better, earn more, and live with purpose. The Just ONE Thing podcast is where I share short, powerful insights to help you grow your shop one idea at a time.

Because you’re not just a shop owner.
You’re a leader.
You’re a builder.
You’re a verb.