
There's certainly nothing in the "middle"!!
Think of the synergies that could be had with the "under one roof" scenario... overhead is the big monkey on the back of most all "small business" -- bookeeping - phones - lights - rent/payments on the "shed".... even shared trailer or "gopher"/parts chaser/shop truck.
I owned a business in New York City - with 29 employees.... managing them was the biggest PITA of my entire business. But my old saying was "I'd have a really nice business... if it wasn't for those damn customers!" That - and I had a sign on my desk as a reminder... "Try not to let the urgent get in the way of the important". When you think about that - it's very true.
BTW -- I think we should all just move to Woodland -- and use Charley's shops for free... think of the fun we could have!