The Power of Small Wins: Stop Waiting for the Big Break

by Rick White, President 180BIZ                                                      (Estimated Read Time 4 minutes)

Hey there, folks! Rick White here from 180BIZ. I was on a flight home the other day after a training session with some fantastic shop owners, and I couldn’t stop thinking about something. Too many business owners—whether it’s auto repair shops or any other kind of business—are waiting. They’re waiting for a big win to change everything: a huge fleet account, the perfect tech, a flood of new customers.

But here’s what I need you to understand—success isn’t about landing a big win; it’s about the small, consistent actions you take every single day.

Are You Stuck Waiting for Something Big?

I talk to shop owners all the time who say things like:

• “I can’t hit my goals until I find a great tech.”
• “I need a major fleet contract to turn things around.”
• “I’ll start focusing on marketing once business picks up.”

And you know what happens? They stay stuck. Waiting for the big win means you're standing still, and in business, you're either moving forward or falling behind. There is no standing still.

Small Wins Create Big Results

We love big wins because they feel dramatic. They make for great success stories. But real, lasting success? That’s built one small step at a time. Let me put it this way—if I gave you the choice between $1 million today or a single penny that doubles every day for 30 days, which would you pick? Most people take the million.

But that doubling penny? It turns into over $5.3 million by day 30. That’s the power of small, consistent actions compounding over time.

How to Apply This to Your Auto Repair Shop

Instead of waiting for a miracle, start making small, meaningful improvements in these areas:

1. Improve One Small Thing in Customer Service

• Greet every customer with a warm welcome and a smile.
• Call customers after repairs to make sure they’re happy.
• Offer a small incentive for repeat business—something simple but meaningful.

2. Make One Small Step in Marketing

• Post one useful tip or customer success story on social media today.
• Update your Google Business Profile with recent photos and reviews.
• Test a small, targeted ad campaign—just a few dollars a day can make a difference.

3. Take One Small Action in Shop Efficiency

• Organize your workspace—small adjustments can save time.
• Standardize processes for common repairs to boost speed.
• Hold a quick daily huddle with your team to identify one improvement.

4. Work on Employee Development Bit by Bit

• Spend five minutes coaching a tech or service advisor today.
• Recognize and celebrate small improvements in performance.
• Encourage ongoing training—one new skill at a time adds up.

Momentum: The Secret to Growth

Here’s the deal—momentum is either working for you or against you. Every small action builds momentum, making things easier over time. But small compromises—like skipping customer follow-ups, ignoring marketing, or letting your processes slip—also build momentum, just in the wrong direction. And before you know it, you’re on a downward slide.

Start Small, Start Now

I want you to stop waiting. I want you to stop saying, “I’ll do it when things get better.” Because things get better when you start taking action.

Pick one small action today. Maybe it’s a customer call, a social media post, or a slight improvement in your workflow. It doesn’t have to be big—it just has to be consistent.

And if you need support, join our Pocket Business Genius sessions or our monthly Shop Owners Round Table. It’s a great place to connect, learn, and start stacking those small wins that lead to big success.

Final Thoughts

Your biggest wins won’t come from some sudden, life-changing moment—they’ll come from the small things you do every day. When you focus on progress over perfection, you’ll be amazed at how far you can go.

So tell me—what’s one small action you’re going to take today to improve your business? Drop a comment below, and let’s start stacking those wins! Let’s go!