yeah owning your own shop is the way to go.... i wish i could make the venture myself but it probably wouldn't be worthwhile to try in san diego, thats why i'm trying to get into the highway patrol, after 20 years there i can retire at 75% of my top salary for the rest of my life.... which then i can also try opening a shop somewhere that needs one, like Borego Springs, theres only one shop in town, he way over charges and the guys that work on your car are all illegal immigrants..... that'd be nice..... for now i'm just running 2-4 bays depending how busy it is and how effective my parts people are being, and i do just about everything, from brakes to AC, to head gaskets and exhaust repair..... pays decently