Let’s be honest: things are tense out there.
Between the 24/7 news cycle, the never-ending online debates, and the general state of chaos in the world, it’s no surprise that people have opinions. Strong ones. And sometimes it’s tempting to hop on your shop’s Instagram or Facebook page and let the world know exactly how you feel about the latest political drama, especially those involving U.S. President Donald Trump.
But here’s the thing: if you run an auto upholstery business, your social media should be showcasing your work—not your worldview.
In other words, save the hot takes for your group chat or your personal page. When it comes to your business, politics and custom interiors don’t mix—and here’s why.
1. You’re Not Gonna Change Anyone’s Mind
Let’s say you post a political opinion to your shop’s Facebook. You’re feeling passionate, righteous, ready to drop some truth bombs. Maybe you even think you’ll spark a great conversation.
But here’s the reality: no one has ever changed their deeply held beliefs because of a small business’ social media post.
Instead, what usually happens is a whole lot of unfollows, some angry comments, maybe a few people swearing they’ll “never do business with you again,” and possibly a one-star Google review that starts with “I didn’t get my seats done here but—” and it just goes downhill from there.
Even if your heart’s in the right place, the internet doesn’t care. And in today’s ultra-divided climate, that kind of backlash can quickly impact your bottom line.
2. You Could Lose Loyal Customers (Without Realizing It)
Here’s the scary part: people usually don’t announce when they’re turned off by your political posts. They don’t message you to argue or debate—they just quietly disappear.
Maybe they were planning to redo the headliner in their classic VW. Or bring in their truck for a full interior overhaul. But after seeing your post? Eh. They’ll find someone else. Someone who doesn’t remind them of the stress they were trying to escape when they opened Instagram.
The loss is invisible—but it’s very real.
In the small business world, trust and comfort are everything. Customers want to feel good about the people they support. So unless your political views are exactly aligned with every person who follows you (spoiler: they’re not), there’s a high chance you’re making some folks feel uncomfortable. And that’s a fast way to lose business.
3. You Risk Starting an Unwinnable Argument
You post a spicy opinion. Someone comments. You respond. Someone else jumps in. Before you know it, your Instagram post about a gorgeous red interior has turned into a full-blown political cage match in the comments section.
Do you delete the comments? Leave them? Try to moderate?
Now your afternoon is gone, your phone is blowing up, and the only thing anyone is noticing is the drama—not your craftsmanship.
Even worse, social media algorithms love chaos. The more people argue, the more your post gets pushed out. And sure, that might mean more views—but for all the wrong reasons. You’re not trending for your skills. You’re trending for the drama. And that never ends well.
4. Your Business Isn’t a Political Platform
Listen, you’re allowed to have opinions. Big ones. Strong ones. Loud ones. You’re a human being with a brain and a heart. That’s great.
But your business? That’s a brand. And your brand should be built around your work. The clean lines. The flawless stitching. The way you can turn a sun-damaged seat into a showpiece.
People follow your shop because they’re interested in what you do, not what you think about the news.
You wouldn’t walk into a dentist’s office and expect a breakdown of the latest congressional hearing. You’d be like, “Yo, just clean my teeth.” Same goes here. Customers just want their cars to look amazing. Let’s not confuse the message.
5. It Makes Hiring (and Keeping Talent) Tricky
It’s not just customers watching what you post—potential employees are too. A young trimmer looking for a job might check out your socials before applying. If your feed is filled with political rants, they might wonder if the workplace is tense, divided, or just… not for them.
Even existing employees might feel uncomfortable if they see political content being shared on the business account, especially if it doesn’t match their views.
You don’t want a shop floor that feels like a battleground. You want a team focused on craftsmanship, not controversy.
6. You Risk Being Pigeonholed Forever
Let’s say you post something political once. Just once. You feel strongly about it and hit “share.”
That one post might become your entire brand—for some people, forever. Even if you delete it later. Even if it’s not something you normally talk about. Once it’s out there, it’s out there.
The internet has a long memory. And people are quick to associate businesses with the last loud thing they saw. Do you want your shop remembered for a killer C10 interior—or for a post about the Supreme Court?
Exactly.
So… What Should You Post?
Stick to what you do best. Show your work. Post behind-the-scenes videos, time-lapses, before-and-afters, customer reactions, upholstery tips, even the occasional shop dog photo (everyone loves a shop dog).
Want to show your values? Do it through action. Sponsor a local event. Mentor a young trimmer. Share stories that uplift your industry. There are so many ways to stand out and make a positive impact without getting tangled in politics.
Remember, you’re building something bigger than a business—you’re building a reputation. One post won’t make your shop go viral, but it can make customers quietly walk away.
So stay focused, stay professional, and keep it about the work. Because in a world full of division, great craftsmanship is one of the few things everyone can agree on.
And honestly? That’s kind of beautiful.
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