Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Antone Hempstock. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Antone thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

The idea for Lemon Squad Auto Inspections came to me when I was still working as a mechanic. I knew I didn’t want to be a mechanic forever—I wanted to find something that could not only challenge me in a new way but also provide a comparable or better income. While working, I started doing mechanical inspections for extended warranty companies on the side.

Before I knew it, those inspections started getting busier and busier. Eventually, I reached a crossroads where I had to decide: Should I pursue this inspection work full-time or continue juggling both jobs? It was becoming impossible to manage both, so I made the leap, quit my job as a mechanic, and committed fully to becoming an inspector.

That decision changed everything. My business took off quickly—faster than I could have anticipated or even been fully prepared for. Managing the growth was a challenge, but it was also incredibly exciting to see the demand for this service. Lemon Squad grew far beyond what I initially imagined, and I’m proud of how it all came together.

Antone, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Antone Hempstock, an innovative entrepreneur, business strategist, and author with over 20 years of experience building and transforming successful ventures. From founding Lemon Squad Auto Inspections—a nationally recognized leader in automotive inspections—to mentoring startups, I’ve dedicated my career to creating impactful solutions and empowering others to achieve their goals.

I’m also deeply passionate about personal growth, mental health advocacy, and supporting causes like autism awareness and outdoor therapy programs. As the author of From Turmoil to Tragedy and a motivational content creator, I share insights on entrepreneurship, overcoming challenges, and finding purpose.

When I’m not working on business ventures, you can find me exploring new ideas, supporting charitable organizations, or speaking on topics that inspire positive change. My mission is to make a difference through innovation, leadership, and giving back.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

Funding my business was incredibly difficult. I didn’t have much money to start with, so I had to do everything on a shoestring budget. Every decision I made was about keeping costs as low as possible because I simply didn’t have any other options.

As the business started to grow, I reinvested every bit I could back into it to improve and scale. One of the biggest challenges was building the system I needed to run the business effectively. The first system I used was very basic and far from ideal, but it was all I could afford at the time.

The nice thing about all of this was that I funded the business entirely with cash—I never took out a loan. While it made the early stages incredibly tough, it also meant that once the business really took off, the profits were mine to reinvest or save. That decision paid off in the long run, allowing the company to grow sustainably without the weight of debt hanging over it.

As time went on and the company expanded, I was finally able to afford better tools and systems to keep things running smoothly. Growth was definitely challenging—it constantly pushed me out of my comfort zone—but it was absolutely necessary. Those early struggles taught me the value of persistence, resourcefulness, and making smart financial decisions.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I wasn’t the only inspection company in the market, but fortunately, there weren’t a lot of competitors at the time. Still, I knew I needed to stand out to succeed. I focused on what would make us better and more appealing to customers.

One of the key things that set us apart was our faster turnaround times. Speed was a big factor, and we were consistently quicker than the competition. I also worked hard to build a strong national network of inspectors. This wasn’t just about having more people in the field—it was about quality too. Our inspectors were highly skilled, and we had a much larger network compared to other companies.

On top of that, our prices were competitive, ensuring we offered both value and quality. These factors combined allowed us to grow steadily and, eventually, become the largest inspection company in the country. By focusing on speed, quality, and affordability, we created a service that was tough to beat.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.antonehempstock.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antonehempstock/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/antonehempstock/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonehempstock/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@roamingwithrohmer