My marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HERE

Tekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HERE

I was SHOCKED when I saw the things I was missing the first time I used Detect Auto. Simple things, but easy to miss. Detect Auto helped clean that up for me, and they can for you, too. Use them HERE

Register for Tekmetric's Tektonic Conference in Huston April 9-11 and use Code CONFESSIONS500 for $500.00 off. HERE

Nate Winston owns Winston's Complete Auto Care in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Today, Nate shares with Mike how he and a friend one day decided to start a shop...with ZERO experience in the industry...They talk candidly about the challenges of business partnerships—including the fallout from a partnership built on a handshake deal—and offer hard-won advice for anyone considering opening a shop with a friend.

Like the episode? Call 704-CONFESS or email mike@confessionsofashopowner.com to share your stories or feedback!

Timestamps:
00:00 Business Partnerships: Like Marriage...Without the Sex
02:02 Meet Nate Winston: From Blinds Factory to Auto Shop Owner
03:29 Starting a Shop with Zero Experience
06:08 Living in the Shop: Early Struggles as Entrepreneurs
08:25 Growing the Business & Chamber of Commerce Involvement
11:47 Partnership Breakup: What Went Wrong?
14:16 Why Every Partnership Needs an Agreement
17:17 Building a Business “Prenup” vs. Friendship
18:23 Opening a New Shop: The Leap to Solo Ownership
20:17 Coaching, Training & The Value of Events for Shop Owners
22:50 One-Man Operation: The Challenges and Plans for Hiring
24:58 Biggest Challenges in 2026 and Beyond
26:13 Cutting Out Heavy Work: Focusing on the Right Jobs
28:34 Tektonic 2026 Preview & Vendor Networking