Back to resources From Dealership Technician to Independent Shop Owner Posted on June 15, 2026 in Podcast In this episode of Changing The Industry, Austin Cartelli, owner of Cartelli Automotive in Columbia, SC, shares his journey from dealership technician to independent shop owner. He opens up about the realities of buying a shop early in his career, navigating the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan process, and learning firsthand how important the right team is to long-term success. From technician management and compensation to attendance policies, accountability, and workplace culture, Austin offers practical lessons for shop owners working to build stronger operations. The episode also highlights the value of clean financial records, professional bookkeeping, and trusted mentors as a shop grows from survival mode into smarter, more sustainable ownership. Your SMS Should Work As Hard For Your Customers As You Do. See the difference a good shop management software can make. Super hero sales tools Elevate your customer experience Lightning-fast Workflow Mention promo code "CTIWELCOME" when you sign up to receive a free data transfer! Stay ahead of the competition with all-in-one software that speeds up your workflow, delivers data-driven decisions, and automates profitability. Present the value directly to your customers. Provide the customer with the inspection result, notes about the issue, photos with markup, and a detailed cost for the fix, all in one place Capture technician findings with unmatched speed of service. Provide the customer with the inspection result, notes about the issue, photos with markup, and a detailed cost for the fix, all in one place Present the value directly to your customers. Provide the customer with the inspection result, notes about the issue, photos with markup, and a detailed cost for the fix, all in one place See What Shop-Ware Customers Have to Say "We got so much more."We wanted an automotive repair software package with integrated DVI and we got so much more: enhanced customer communication, instant financial reporting, and great work in progress visuals. - Bill Moss, Owner of EuroService Automotive"We got so much more."We wanted an automotive repair software package with integrated DVI and we got so much more: enhanced customer communication, instant financial reporting, and great work in progress visuals. - Bill Moss, Owner of EuroService Automotive"We got so much more."We wanted an automotive repair software package with integrated DVI and we got so much more: enhanced customer communication, instant financial reporting, and great work in progress visuals. - Bill Moss, Owner of EuroService Automotive Learn How Shop-Ware Can Help Boost Your Auto Repair Shop's Profitability. Get A Demo of the Industry's Leading Shop Management System Today. Let's Talk How Missed Calls Are Costing Auto Repair Shops Booked WorkEvery auto repair shop misses calls. It happens when your team is fully engaged at the counter, and it happens after hours, when customers are still trying to reach you. Most shops assume those customers will call back, but studies show that 85% of them won’t. That means the majority of callers won’t try again […]Keep reading Building a Shop That Can Run Without YouKeep reading 28 Years, One Shop Owner’s Lessons from the Bay to the BusinessKeep reading From Dealership Technician to Independent Shop OwnerKeep reading ×× About the Author Shop-Ware Founded by a fellow shop owner, Shop-Ware understands the importance of your shop’s management system. Our staff have decades of combined experience in the Aftermarket. We are accustomed to meeting complicated needs and offering new solutions.
