you would be an idiot to go work at a performance shop, I'm not saying it's not enjoyable, but I worked at a hole in the wall shop in Roswell (Advantage Automotive) that did it all for right around 18 months and sometimes I got payed in beer or really weird ****. The owner had a sudden stroke one night and everything hit the fan from there in. Not saying that my experience is going to mirror everyones, but 6 am to midnight to keep a place running is not fun, and sleeping in a makeshift loft because you are to tired to make it even 4 miles home is no fun. Granted I learned things about working on cars that have proved invaluable. I also learned a lot about fabrication, welding, and why fleece jackets should not be worn while cutting metal with a wheel or welding(I think I still have some clumps of the jacket laying around)
General maintenance is not all puppy's and daisy's either Dave. I see a lot of really good people getting burned out and closing shop, people that it REALLY sucks to see go. I also see a lot of cut throat assholes making it. You have to have a measured amount of selfishness, and that's not always a bad thing, you have to have a roof over your head. Customer satisfaction doesn't mean giving everyone the shirt off your back all the time. It's all about balance, and sadly a lot of people are idiots good work and cheap price are not always synonymous with each other and some will never see it that way. I know I'm being captain obvious on a lot of accounts. I just thought I would offer my opinion.
I may just be on the parts side of ****, but I see people struggling really hard right now
the auto industry is a weird beast, it's in a pseudo dying on its feet state, and will kinda always be. Right now, getting into general maintenance is a bad idea to me. **** is slow and tough, I see the big name corporations playing musical employees real bad right now. I know one guy that has moved shops/company's 5 times in as many months, and he's one of the best service advisor's I've ever met he's got people that drive out of there way to go where he works.
I also say working for a performance shop while really cool is not gonna pay bills as well.
On a positive note, a 10 year customer base should carry you through any slumps in the industry, so on that aspect it is WELL worth your while. Just don't be afraid to ask people for advice in running a shop, it's good to see you are so open to others opinions. Some gay teen movie said is the juice worth the squeeze, you have to ask yourself that. Is the hard work in establishing this going to be worth the pay off? I know for me it would be. Just keep things in perspective, keeping your eye on the prize and other cliche things is what works for a lot of people.
hope this helps.
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