# From Mechanic to Shop Owner: The First Thing You Have to Fix Is You

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/repair-shop-reckoning-7416916/from-mechanic-to-shop-owner-the-first-thing-you-have-to-fix-is-you
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/repair-shop-reckoning-7416916/from-mechanic-to-shop-owner-the-first-thing-you-have-to-fix-is-you.md
Podcast: [Repair Shop Reckoning](https://stenobird.com/podcast/repair-shop-reckoning-7416916)
Published: 2026-05-22T11:00:03+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/from-mechanic-to-shop-owner-the-first-thing-you-have-to-fix-is-you--72103517
Audio file: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72103517/rsr_the_journey_is_the_reward.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/repair-shop-reckoning-7416916/episodes/from-mechanic-to-shop-owner-the-first-thing-you-have-to-fix-is-you
Duration seconds: 5276

## Resource

In this episode of Repair Shop Reckoning, Kevin gets personal. Before the shop ownership. Before the buildings. Before the consulting. Before the success. There was a broke mechanic blaming everybody else for problems he created himself. Kevin opens up about the years he spent buried in debt, falling behind on tool payments, living paycheck to paycheck, and constantly thinking the problem was his boss, his pay plan, or the industry… until he finally realized the truth: The first thing he needed to fix was himself. This episode is about the mindset shift that changed everything. Kevin breaks down: How financial chaos at home follows people into business ownership Why broke thinking keeps talented people stuck The hard lessons that forced him to take responsibility How becoming valuable created opportunity And why so many people want ownership without first learning discipline, sacrifice, and accountability He also shares the real story of how he worked his way from technician to business owner, how Dave Ramsey and financial discipline changed his household, and why controlling your money changes the way you think, work, and lead. At the end of the day, this episode comes down to one truth: Before you can own a business, lead a team, or build a future… you have to own yourself first. Because sometimes the biggest repair you’ll ever make isn’t the vehicle sitting in your bay...It’s you! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/repair-shop-reckoning--6688688/support .

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## Transcript

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