Driving Ambition Served : Bill Roberts, 48, Pasadena

Before my career change, I wore Armani suits and drove a Ferrari. Today, I don flannel shirts and jeans and traverse Southern California’s freeways in a pickup truck. Boy, do I love the change.

Don’t get me wrong, the transition was scary at first. In 1994, I was among those “given the opportunity to pursue other interests” by Marsh & McClennan, the world’s largest insurance brokerage. I had managed Marsh’s commercial division, which boasted annual revenues of $8 million and a staff of 40.

After more than 22 years in the insurance business, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next. Luckily, I had the resources to take a year off to review my options. I knew I didn’t want to strike out on my own “cold turkey,” but that I did want to own my own business.

That’s when I decided buying a franchise was for me. I just had to figure out what kind of business I was interested in. Then one day, while I was waiting in a Pasadena stereo shop, I glanced across the street at a Jiffy Lube and the thought hit me like a lightening bolt: “I’d like to get into that!”

It was the perfect fit because I’ve long been a car aficionado. I’ve owned muscle cars since high school, including a ’65 Mustang, a Pantera and a ’68 GT Ford Ranchero.

I bought the Camarillo Jiffy Lube in October 1995. My friends in the insurance business say they envy me being my own boss. They make excellent money, but they complain a lot.

As for me, I feel charged up in the morning, and I often don’t want to leave work at night. I love being able to see the results of my work. If the business is successful I know why, and if it isn’t I know why.