IIRC, Chumlee is part owner of that shop, even though he plays the menial buffoon on the show. Big Hoss will, of course, inherit Rick’s part of the store. So they are both self-employed business owners and don’t have to worry about someone “hiring” them. Most young people their age can’t say that.
Chum is a lot brighter than the reality show version of himself. For instance, he knows his sports memorabilia from the 80s to the present. He also appears to have a fair bit of knowledge of electronics from the same time period.
I had never heard that Chumlee was part owner.