When we look back on our success in the shop, we rarely see one big defining moment. There’s usually no day when everything suddenly clicks — no dramatic turning point that signals “we made it.”
Instead, progress happens quietly. We start implementing better processes. Communication improves. The numbers are trending in the right direction. Before we know it, we’re hitting more goals than we’re missing — but we can’t quite remember when the shift happened.
That’s what I call sloppy success. It’s the kind of success that doesn’t look perfect. It’s made up of trial and error, small adjustments, and lessons learned in the middle of busy days and full bays. It’s not glamorous, but it’s real.
In our industry, we don’t always stop to celebrate these wins. We’re too focused on the next car, the next KPI, or the next fire to put out. But taking a moment to look back is powerful.
Recognize how far your shop has come — how your team communicates better, how systems are tighter, and how your culture has grown stronger. These are victories worth acknowledging.
Success doesn’t have to be polished to count. Even if it’s a little messy, even if it came with mistakes along the way, sloppy success still means you’re moving forward — and that’s worth celebrating.
About the author, Carm Capriotto, AAP
Carm is the founder and host of the Remarkable Results Radio Podcast and the pioneer of automotive aftermarket podcasts. Carm calls on his years of experience in the aftermarket to bring engaging stories from his guests.
Listen to raw, unfiltered, honest, and sincere stories that include insights, trends, best practices, and expertise. Each interview brings an opportunity to learn one new thing through the stories of personal achievement. Many podcast guests tell their story of transformation from working in their business to working on it.
As host of over 1,000 episodes, Carm uses his enthusiasm and passion for the aftermarket especially the service sector to take his listeners on a journey showcasing successful service professionals’ paths to Remarkable Results. He also enjoys interviews with aftermarket industry thought leaders who bring their industry perspectives to his listener.
Follow the podcast on your favorite podcast listening app and always listen to learn just one thing!
