CollisionCast: Recent Episodes
FenderBender
CollisionCast is the premier collision repair industry podcast, helping shop owners and operators improve their businesses with real-world solutions to common problems, delivered by leading industry experts and elite shop leaders.
While Josh Sorel started posting to social media to share his achievements with his wife, he now reaches tens of thousands of followers on Instagram and Facebook with his channel, Josh Refinish. He sits down with Editor-in-Chief Jay Sicht to talk about his refinishing career — now beginning his 23rd year — in which he shows his techniques and test-drives new spray guns, and various prepping devices, including the Stat-Gun. And tune in to hear tips on enhancing your social media presence.
Check him out on Instagram or Facebook.
Claims are down across the country, but Shey Knight, CFO of Autosport Bodyworks in Opelika, Alabama and FenderBender columnist, has some strategies to share on how he approaches the collision repair business. He is not only a 40-year veteran of the industry; as an insurance producer, he has a different perspective than most.
Check out his recent column on the subject here.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, or ADAS, have aided driver safety and prevented or lessened the severity of collisions. At the same time, they require specific procedures to ensure they’re working as designed post-collision. What is the shop’s liability, and how can an operator lessen that risk?
In this episode, we're joined by Rebekah Cooper of The Cooper Firm, a nationwide catastrophic injury and wrongful death law firm, based in Marietta, Georgia; and Sean Preston, founder and managing attorney of Coverall Law, specializing in legal services for the collision repair industry and headquartered in Wareham, Massachusetts.
This podcast does not constitute legal advice and is provided only for informational purposes.
Find contact information for Rebekah here and for Sean here.
And look for the article on this same subject with Rebekah and Sean in the August issue of FenderBender magazine.
As more customers turn to AI chatbots and search engine reviews to decide where to bring their car after an accident, if your shop doesn’t have a strong digital brand, you’ve lost a customer before they’ve even had a chance to walk through your door.
In our July case study in the magazine, Noah Brown interviewed Megan Fulkerson, founder of 3P Marketing, on how to build a strong online presence and attract more customers.
In today’s episode, Megan and host and FenderBender Editor-in-Chief Jay Sicht expand on why marketing needs to be a priority for your business. For more information on 3P Marketing's services, visit 3Pmarketing.com.
Whether you’re wanting to order a sandwich delivery or look up specs on the newest power tool at the big box store, there’s an app for that.
General Motors’ Brian Wakefield, director of Global Digital Service Solutions, joins the CollisionCast to talk about the enhancements to its Collision Assistance tool, and how it can help motorists needing a collision repair find your GM-certified shop.
For more information, go to GM Collision Repair Network Info Page.
As the National Auto Body Council celebrates its 30th anniversary and looks to the next 30 years, we talk with Executive Director Debby Robinson about NABC's various programs and how your shop can get involved. Learn more about the Recycled Rides program, the First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.), and the Changing and Saving Lives Foundation Keys for Change program, which can help you dispose of abandoned vehicles on your lot.
There are a number of reasons why you might consider repairing certain plastic parts, including lack of availability of replacement parts, their prohibitive replacement cost, and the rise in customer pay work.
How plastic automotive parts are repaired has evolved, but with concern over affecting ADAS functionality, it’s also important to view each repair on a case-by-case basis.
To learn more about the state of today’s plastic repairs, in today’s episode I talk with Frank Phillips Jr., CEO of 4Plastic.
Built around proactive microlearning, Collision ProAssist's BackBay Discord community replaces one-size-fits-all training and opinion-driven social media advice with documented, expert-backed answers that improve estimate accuracy, capture overlooked operations, and strengthen communication between the front office and the shop floor.
In this episode, Collision ProAssist's Jason Bartanen explains how BackBay and its newest extension, BackBay Estimator — addresses a critical gap in the collision repair industry by connecting technicians and estimators directly with OEMs, equipment manufacturers, and product experts for tailored, real-time guidance.
By helping repair planners or estimators understand the technical “why” behind required procedures, Back Bay Estimator supports better customer and insurer conversations, increased shop profitability, and technicians being paid for all work performed, and that ultimately creates safer repairs and a more aligned, knowledgeable repair team.
Are you ready to let go of beliefs, habits, emotions, and stories that no longer serve you?
In this special Endeavor to Discover episode, Endeavor B2B’s Chris Messer is joined by Mike Jones of Discover Leadership and Louie Sharp, owner of Sharp Auto Body in Chicago.
They emphasize that past struggles, negative motivation, anger, fear, or even past success can initially drive achievement—but holding onto them eventually limits progress. True leadership and fulfillment come from awareness, self-reflection, and consciously choosing how to respond to events rather than reacting emotionally.
By changing the internal narrative, practicing self-worth, and being curious instead of judgmental—especially in leadership situations—people can build trust, stronger relationships, and healthier cultures. The discussion highlights that everyone controls their response to circumstances, and that lasting success requires releasing control, punishment, blame, and outdated motivations. Growth is a lifelong process, and moving forward means giving up what once helped you but now holds you back.
How do you manage safety, human resources, and environmental regulations and management?
Wayne Curtis, CEO of KPA, has over 20 years of firsthand experience working with collision centers and auto body shops to help them balance compliance with the challenges of focusing on daily operations. He explains the reasons why although the Trump administration has softened certain safety and environmental regulations, now is not the time to grow complacent.
He built 14 stores. Then he sold 10 of them — one by one — during one of the toughest economic downturns in modern history.
In Fearless to Courageous, James Baxter reveals the sleepless nights, payroll fears, and hard leadership decisions that reshaped his company, and why focusing on four strong stores made him more profitable than ever before.
If you’re an entrepreneur navigating growth, succession, or tough calls about the future of your business, this episode delivers real-world insight on vision, culture, and the courage it takes to right the ship.
The Women’s Industry Network’s mission is to attract, develop, and promote women into collision repair professions. And there is still time to register for Empowering Excellence, the 2026 WIN Conference, May 4-6 in Tucson, Arizona. Blair Womble, director of strategic account services with Caliber Collision; and Nicole Carpenter, head of marketing at VIVE Collision, join the CollisionCast to tell our listeners what to look forward to at the event!
For more information on WIN or to register for the conference, click here. Registration is open through the end of April. The early bird registration has been extended to March 16, so don't delay!
More drivers these days are choosing to pay out of pocket instead of filing an insurance claim. At FenderBender, we know of some shop owners reporting as much as a 30 percent increase in customer-pay work.
In today’s episode, Rich Harrison, CEO of MSO CollisionRight, explains the reasons for this shift, how this evolution creates both pressure and opportunity, and how shop owners and operators can adjust to this new paradigm, including offering easy financing options.
Safety inspections, including but not limited to restraint systems, steering gear, and collapsible steering columns, are of utmost importance when required by an OEM. But with the amount of procedure research required, they can be labor-intensive before the toolbox even opens. Here to talk about those inspections is Gerry Rosenbarker, general manager of Mohawk Collision Center, and two members of his crew, Mechanical Technician Tyler Foote and Collision Parts Consultant Jeremy Godbout. We discuss how their workload has been lightened through the use of Collision Vision, an all-in-one portal that helps shops track everything from OEM and technician certifications to employee training and the proper tools and equipment required for a job. Collision Vision co-founder Andrew Suggs gives us updates to platform since we first wrote about it in the July issue.
Read about the presentation on safety inspections at the OEM Summit in the February issue. Reach Gerry and his team at Contact Us – Mohawk Collision Center
What if the biggest thing holding you back isn’t your goals — but how you’re framing them?
In this special Endeavor to Discover episode, Chris Messer, vice president of transportation at Endeavor Business Media, sits down with Mike Jones, president of Discover Leadership, alongside editorial director Chris Jones for a powerful conversation on fighting forward. From personal growth to shop performance, they unpack why focusing on what you want — rather than what you’re trying to avoid — can change your results, your culture, and your leadership impact.
If you want a mindset shift that leads to real, lasting change, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
In the second part of this two-part podcast, Dave Luehr of Elite Body Shop Solutions joins the CollisionCast to discuss how a transformational approach to the customer experience can allow you to have customers for life through your unique selling propositions. If you have OEM certifications, we discuss ways you can maximize your ROI at the dealership service lane, plus how to change what you can control over insurer pushback. They're just a few ways independent shops can win in 2026.
See how you stack up against other collision repairers at bodyshopassessment.com, and register for the Positivity Summit Feb. 6 at collisionsummit.com.
In trying times, independent collision repairers are positioned to succeed by leveraging community relationships, reputation, and ability to quickly adapt, including custom programs to capitalize on the rising trend of customer-pay work.
In part 1 of this episode, Dave Luehr, owner of Elite Body Shop Solutions, joins the CollisionCast to talk about how the best time to be independent is now. We'll talk about what viewers can look forward to at the Positivity Summit on Feb. 6, plus other ways independents can win in 2026.
What's the state of the labor shortage in the collision repair industry, and what are some strategies for recruiting and retention? Crash Champions Founder and CEO Matt Ebert joins the CollisionCast to talk about how more young people are choosing skilled trades careers over traditional college educations, how the company's Skills Training Education Program apprenticeship is designed to get a technician standing on his or her own after a year, and more.
In this Endeavor to Discover special episode of CollisionCast, Endeavor B2B's Chris Messer and Discover Leadership's Mike Jones dive into why your mindset — not your skill set — determines the trajectory of your business. From the power of surrounding yourself with the right people to embracing change in a fast-moving industry, this episode challenges shop owners and leaders to elevate their awareness, rethink their environment, and commit to becoming an even better version of themselves. If you want to shift from fixed to growth mindset — and inspire your team to do the same — this conversation is your starting point.
Do you have a toxic team, or does your shop have a family atmosphere? Today, we’re talking about toxic leadership and team conflict in collision repair. Dr. Paul White, co-author of The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, joins the CollisionCast with speaker and coach Sheryl Driggers of Collision Advice, who's also a former collision repair shop owner, for real talk about tough people, team friction, and how to fix the things that slow your shop down.
Get in touch with Dr. White at https://drpaulwhite.com and Sheryl at sheryl@collisionadvice.com. And be sure to check out the previous episode with Dr. White and Sheryl on Busted Myths: What Leaders Get Wrong About Showing Appreciation.
I-CAR President and CEO Kyle Thompson joins the CollisionCast to highlight the organization's focus on talent development. Highlights of this year include the rollout of the I-CAR Academy and Registered Apprentice Program, plus the organization's strong partnerships with ASE, CREF, the Collision Career Institute, and WrenchWay.
Hear how these collaborations act as “force multipliers” to help address the technician shortage by aligning resources and modernizing training. And learn how I-CAR is adapting to differing learning methods in part by introducing mixed-reality and virtual-reality courses, is focused on growing Gold Class participation, accelerating technical-training updates, and deepening OEM engagement so that shops are prepared to repair the newest vehicles safely and correctly.
Boost productivity, reduce turnover, and elevate morale by mastering one overlooked leadership skill: showing appreciation. Dr. Paul White, co-author of The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, joins the CollisionCast with speaker and coach Sheryl Driggers of Collision Advice, who's also a former collision repair shop owner, to talk about how misconceptions could be hurting your retention, morale, and results.
Get in touch with Dr. White at https://drpaulwhite.com and Sheryl at sheryl@collisionadvice.com.
In business, conflict is inevitable, whether it’s from customers or your staff. As Mike Jones, founder and president of Discover Leadership, points out, conflict often arises because people operate from their own “belief systems.”
In this special episode, Mike joins Chris Messer, executive vice president of EndeavorB2B’s vehicle service and repair group, and Randy O’Connor, owner of Dealer to Dealer (D2D) Development Group, to talk about exploring the power of outcome-based leadership rooted in commitment, integrity, and personal accountability.
In this episode, we’ll be talking with Andrew McInnes, FCSD, Collision & Global Brand Protection Manager, Ford Motor Company, about how the OEM recently updated its position statements for all Ford and Lincoln vehicles from 1996 and later to include a powerful word change to “required,” and the reasons for that change. For more information and the links to those position statements, go to: https://www.fenderbender.com/55321726.
Do you have an “I can” attitude…or an “I will” one? You may recall the protagonist in the children’s book “The Little Engine That Could” overcoming a seemingly impossible task. But according to Mike Jones, president and master trainer at Discover Leadership, “I can” is a statement only of potential. And saying, “I will try” can set oneself up with an excuse for failure. In this special CollisionCast episode, listen to Jones’ conversation with Chris Messer, executive vice president of EndeavorB2B’s Transportation Group, to see how you can change to an “I will” attitude.
Last year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized over 211,000 counterfeit auto parts, a whopping doubling from the number seized the previous year. This issue goes beyond selling an unlicensed copy of an emblem. NHTSA identified five known cases of death or serious injury in 2023 and 2024 in which the vehicle was equipped with a defective counterfeit air bag.
In this episode, Bob Stewart, president of the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council and also aftermarket service support and brand protection manager at General Motors, joins CollisionCast to talk about the problem and how collision repairers can help identify these counterfeit parts.
To learn more or report a suspect part, go to:
- GM Resource Website: https://www.gmparts.com/counterfeit-parts
- A2C2 Website: https://www.a2c2.com/
Owners of late-model Audis can better find your Audi Authorized shop with the OEM's latest offering. Mark Allen, manager of collision equipment and EV after sales service at Audi of America, joins the CollisionCast to talk about the Audi Roadside Events Platform, a telematics-based roadside assistance and collision notification platform available in all Audi vehicles from 2016 and newer. It's designed to increase brand loyalty and help drive business to Audi Authorized Collision Repair shops.
Leadership isn’t just for those with a title. Every team member has a leadership role. Whether you're a manager or a technician, success comes from shared vision, ownership, and consistent action. Great cultures are built intentionally by people who lead from the front, together. Everyone, regardless of their role, has the power (and responsibility) to lead by example. In this special episode of CollisionCast, Chris Messer, executive vice president of EndeavorB2B’s Transportation Group and Mike Jones, president and master trainer at Discover Leadership, discuss being the standard instead of just setting one.
There are several reasons to consider adding ADAS calibration, including reducing cycle time, offering a profitable service, or gaining control over quality.
Steve Dawson, regional manager in the Washington, D.C., area for Hunter Engineering, joins the CollisionCast to talk about what you might need for a facility and the return on investment you can expect, which Steve says can be recouped in as little as a few months for higher volume shops. Conservatively, a shop can generate $140,000 in annual revenue doing just one calibration per day.
We’ll also talk about training needs for your technician and why ADAS calibration is a "team sport." Everyone in the shop, including estimators and front office staff, needs a basic understanding to properly communicate with customers and insurers on the importance of calibrations and the conditions under which they’re performed.
Check out Hunter's ADAS Learning Tool and other ADAS information here.
Are you a manager, or are you a leader? Do you know the distinction? If you are setting specific outcomes and making sure projects are moving forward, not just waiting until the deadline, you’re likely a leader, someone who follows up and follows through. For over 30 years, Mike Jones, president and master trainer at Discover Leadership Training, has urged his followers to follow up and follow through. To help his followers remember this, he uses the catchy term “motherFUFTer.”
In this special episode of the CollisionCast, Jones joins Chris Messer, executive vice president of Endeavor B2B's Transportation Group, to talk about one tip to help operate your business at a higher level.
As it relates to ADAS calibrations in collision repair shops, what is the skill level of technicians?
AirPro Diagnostics conducted a survey and presented the data to professors at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida, for analysis.
The 26-page report from Dr. Debbie Wang and Dr. Pingying Zhang, "Skilled Labor Shortage in Auto Collision Industry Posts Motorist Safety Risk," was published in July and is available for download as a PDF at FenderBender.com. AirPro Diagnostics’ Michael Quinn, senior Vice President of business development, and Fred Iantorno, VP of strategic solutions, provided the data, contextual understanding and industry insights, and the paper draws on multiple industry resources.
We’re joined on the CollisionCast by Drs.Wang and Zhang and Michael Quinn to discuss the findings of the report, as well as some ways the collision repair industry can meet these challenges head-on.
Download the full report here.
In this episode, we explore the critical role that training and development play in driving success at CARSTAR, one of the leading collision repair networks in the country. Our guest, a proud CARSTAR owner, opens up about the inspiration behind making employee growth a top priority and how this focus has transformed both their team and customer experience.
For anyone who has ever uttered the words, “failure is not an option,” Mike Jones, president and master trainer at Discover Leadership Training, has a message you should consider. In this special edition of CollisionCast, Jones, who works extensively with small to medium-sized business owners and their teams on evolving to improve, talks with Chris Messer, the executive vice president of the Transportation Group at Endeavor Business Media, FenderBender’s parent company, on why “Failure isn’t Fatal.” If you’ve ever said the words, “failure is not an option,” then this episode is especially for you.
At a time when many across the country are experiencing slowing sales, Greg Lobsiger, owner of Loren's Body Shop in Bluffton, Indiana, and monthly FenderBender Shop Profits columnist, had the best sales month since his grandfather opened the shop in 1951. Lobsiger offers a message of hope and a few tips shop owners and operators can implement immediately, and at little cost, to help bring more dollars through the door.
The on-again, off-again nature of the various tariffs that apply to our industry can be confusing. To help our listeners gain a better understanding of what tariffs currently apply and how they could soon affect collision repairers, we talk with veteran analyst PartsTrader Chief Industry Relations Officer Greg Horn. Go here for a summary on FenderBender.com of Greg's blog post, as well as a link to the original post.
In California, the Bureau of Automotive Repair is implementing new regulations July 1 that will change how collision repairers will do business.
These changes will be detailed in the Write it Right guide, also on July 1.
Andrew Batenhorst, body shop manager of Pacific BMW in Glendale, California, Glendale and Foothill chapter president of the California Autobody Association, and FenderBender columnist, joins the CollisionCast to talk about five principal areas of change that will affect repair shops.
Vehicle complexity, including the growing average number of replacement parts — up by 15% — and lightweight parts that more often need to be replaced instead of repaired, means repair times are longer and the labor required for this is more specialized.
This has increased severity. Meanwhile, claims frequency is down. In this CollisionCast episode, John Barbagallo, strategic advisor for fleet safety and compliance telematics firm SambaSafety, talks about some of the reasons for that, as well as the driving behaviors defined by insurers as high-risk. SambaSafety just released its 2025 Driver Risk Report. Click here to learn more.
A paint booth is essentially a large air mover. The freer air can move in and out, the better off you'll be. But if a booth is imbalanced, the air can be turbulent and dirty, and that creates more work to sand out and polish dirt nibs. In this CollisionCast episode, sponsored by Accudraft Paint Booths, Editor-in-Chief Jay Sicht sits down with Jeremy Winters, content and marketing at Accudraft, to talk about the importance of having the right amount of airflow for each refinish coating.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, formed in 1949 by what is now known as Mental Health America. This year, its campaign theme is "Turn Awareness into Action," which celebrates "the progress we've made in recognizing the importance of mental health — and challenging us to turn understanding into meaningful steps toward change."
In this month's FenderBender magazine feature, Andy Tylka, owner of TAG Auto Group in Indiana, understands these challenges firsthand. And he’s working hard to ensure that his employees have the mental health resources they need, with no shame attached. We followed up with him for this CollisionCast to learn more about how he's helping not only his employees but their children, and the automotive industry at large, see how there should not be a stigma around mental healthcare.
Join this episode of the CollisionCast, in which Mike Brockway, owner of Dabler Auto Body & Collision Repair in Salem, Oregon, talks with Editor-in-Chief Jay Sicht about some of the challenges facing the collision repair industry today, including pushback from insurers on certain line items, and how he plans to meet the challenges in the coming months.
Beginning in May, 3M is rolling out its new Front Office Collision Repair Training course.
Intended for repair planners/estimators, adjusters, collision repair shop managers and owners, the focus of the three-day course is on foundational processes in the body repair and paint shop areas.
FenderBender Editor-in-Chief Jay Sicht talks with the two who developed the course, 3M Digital Performance Manager John Ascheman and Application Engineer Specialist Ryan Marrinan.
The course is aimed at helping these front office professionals better understand the repair process and promote accurate repair plan/estimate writing and communication to insurance claims for higher quality repairs.
Listen now to see what your personnel can learn in the new course!
For more information, go to www.3MCollision.com/Learn.
In this CollisionCast episode, sponsored by AMAROK, Editor-in-Chief Jay Sicht sits down with AMAROK Enterprise Development Manager Jackson Skey to talk about how improving your collision repair shop's security can be a turnkey solution that can give your customers peace of mind their vehicle is being cared for. It can even save time and reduce vehicle damage because vehicles may not need to be jockeyed around just so they can be stored inside each night.
Join us as we uncover how easily a system can be installed to get your shop on the road to higher security and productivity.
To learn more about AMAROK, click here!
Women are not well represented in collision repair, and there’s one organization that aims to support women in this male-dominated field.
Liz Stein, vice president of strategic initiatives at Certified Collision Group and current WIN chair, and Cheryl Boswell, CFO and partner for DCR Systems and a past WIN chair, discuss the importance of WIN and its impact.
Following OEM procedures closely is needed not only to ensure proper calibrations of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS,) but can also help seed up works in process (WIP.) Hear how the co-founders of Lightning Auto Service advocate for proper procedures and some steps they've taken to reduce friction with insurers. Check out some of the resources they've made available here.
Caliber Collision doesn’t just combat the tech shortage with their Technician Apprenticeship Program (TAP); they’re also changing the lives of active-duty service members by giving them a smooth transition not only to the collision repair industry but also to civilian life.
Andrew Vaccaro, director of apprenticeships at Caliber Collision, discusses Caliber’s work in their Changing Lanes initiative.
Focus Advisors is a mergers and acquisitions firm specializing in the collision repair market and helping MSO owners achieve maximum value through a strategic exit. President Chris Lane and Senior Associate Madeleine Roberts Rich join the CollisionCast to discuss how collision repair business owners can help prepare for a sale.
An Abra location in Minnesota participated in a program that gives hands-on collision repair experience to public school teachers so they can apply what they learn to their own teaching.
Danyell Wendland, an Abra operations manager, discusses how the program went and what the goal was.
Donald Trump has long been an EV critic. How might his newly close ties to Elon Musk influence his position on EV policies and regulation? And how might proposed tariffs affect the auto parts supply chain? For insight, we talk with Abey Abraham, managing principal at consulting firm Ducker Carlisle, where he leads the company's automotive and materials practice.
There are many ways to pay for the things you need in your shop, including financing.
Paul Knowlton, an automotive service and collision repair equipment sales executive from Huntington National Bank, sat down with FenderBender to discuss why someone should consider financing, even if they have the cash on hand.
As insurers tighten their purse strings and adopt more stringent policies, shop owners must navigate this evolving landscape with adaptability and resilience. As Tiffany Menefee, president of Pronto Body Shop in El Paso, Texas, notes in her December column, by focusing on strong customer relationships, meticulous documentation, and strategic business practices, repair shops can weather the storm and continue to thrive. She joins the CollisionCast to talk more about this and how shops can partner with what some may see as an unlikely ally, the personal injury industry, who also face some of the same challenges but have more influence to help change the industry.
Weeks after the recent Longshoreman strikes, we had a conversation with Ryan Mandell, director of claims performance for Mitchell International, Inc.
He discusses how these events are impacting the collision repair industry and how to prepare for more logistical complications that may arise.
According to Drew Bryant, owner of DB Orlando Collision and monthly FenderBender columnist, one of the most persistent and damaging myths in the world of auto repairs is that insurance companies are on the consumer's side.
In his October column, he talks about the illusion of trust and how collision shop owners and consumers must work together to demand fair treatment and high-quality repairs.
In today's episode, Drew talks about empowering our customers and enhancing the quality of our industry.
Check out Drew's column here
and
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Like many professionals, you probably thought about gathering the knowledge you gained during your time in the collision industry and passing it on to the next generation. If you want to know more about that transition, listen to Brian Pierce, the head of the collision repair program at Rosedale Technical College in Pittsburgh. He has valuable insights into being and becoming an instructor.
Tom Wolf, director of strategic accounts and OEM aftersales at PPG Automotive Refinish, joins the CollisionCast to discuss why it's important to research refinishing considerations that may affect ADAS. It's a step that should be undertaken during repair planning, and PPG is one of the sponsors of the inaugural FenderBender and ABRN Best Repair Planner/Estimator Award.
Check out MORE CollisionCast episodes online here!
The industry is constantly evolving through technology, often lacking the training or educational tools to maintain success, along with facing a shortage of young professionals entering the field. Collision repair associations across the country help meet those needs. For this CollisionCast, we speak with Megan Mueller, the founder and president of the Mountain States Collision Repair Association (MSCRA). She is also the co-owner of Ozzie’s Body Shop in Loveland, Colorado. She shared insights into the formation and vision of the association.
Mary Mahoney, vice president of the Replacement & Leisure Division at Enterprise Mobility, and Matt Ebert, founder and CEO of Crash Champions, join the CollisionCast to talk about recruiting for the collision repair industry and the Collision Engineering program. The Collision Engineering program will be the primary beneficiary of the upcoming Crash Champions Golf Outing, Dec. 5 at Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point, California.
In the past year, Crash Champions has hosted more than 25 Collision Engineering students as apprentices in its Skills Training Education Program (STEP) at its repair centers throughout the U.S.
For more information on the Collision Engineering program, go to https://www.beacollisionengineer.com.
For more information on Crash Champions' STEP, go to https://step.crashchampions.com
And for information on how you can join in the golf tournament or be a sponsor, go to https://crashchampions.com/2024-Golf-Outing.
Check out more episodes here!
The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) made an impact at the recent American School Counselor Association (ASCA) conference, where school counselors considered alternative career options for the students they guide.
The I-CAR Academy curriculum is designed to prepare entry-level technicians for a collision repair career. I-CAR Director of Product Management Jesus Guerrero talks about how the Academy, with guided hands-on learning and gamification in five foundational learning areas, helps new hires become productive technicians.
AI is making an impact across all sectors of business, including Collision Repair.
FenderBender speaks with Ryan Taylor, the founder and CEO of Body Shop Booster, to learn more about what he is doing to develop AI for collision repairers and how AI can impact the industry.
As the world is forced to adapt to climate change, it should spark interest among collision repairers on the matter of hail repair. FenderBender speaks to Dr. Stefan Liess, a climate researcher from the University of Minnesota, and Mo Kayeni of Elevated Hail Repair to learn more about the future of hail and whether collision repairers are up to the task.
In this episode, the team at Ratchet+Wrench, a sibling publication to FenderBender, interviews Sara Fraser of Haas Performance Consulting to dispel the myths about Gen Z workers and discuss five traits that make them among the best workers in the workforce.
Drew Barnes and Heather Sebben of the North American Council of Automotive Teachers discuss what NACAT is and how it serves the automotive industry. They are approaching their 50th anniversary of operation and plan to celebrate it at their annual conference this summer.
Data security and privacy may seem hard to achieve, but there are solutions to those issues in collision repair.
Pete Tagliapietra, the managing director and founder of DataTouch, explains what data pumps are, how they operate, and what DataTouch is doing about it.
How shops approach repair planning is often not optimal for where collision repair is headed, with added repair cost and complexity. Although much of repair planning is currently focused on identification through the pre-scan, it needs to move to data-driven repair recommendations, says Sam Poradish, director of automotive intelligence at asTech, one of the sponsors of our inaugural Best Repair Planner/Estimator of the Year Award.
The tech shortage is impacting many trade industries, including the collision repair industry.
Eddie Hightower, the senior vice president of sustainability and social responsibility at Caliber Collision, shares how their Technician Apprentice Program (TAP) is making a difference in addressing the issue not only for their repair centers but also across the industry in the U.S.
If something is expensive to buy, it’s likely even more expensive to repair. This certainly applies to EVs.
Kevin FitzPatrick, the senior vice president of North America operations at Opus IVS, explains why this is the case and how quickly one should get certified to repair them.
The Women's Industry Network provides great networking and connection opportunities for women in the mail-dominated collision repair industry.
WIN 2024 Conference Chair Blair Womble and member Kim Frasher talk about what attendees can expect at the conference, May 6-8 in Newport Beach, California.
For more information, check out the website at thewomensindustrynetwork.site-ym.com.
Check out more CollisionCast episodes here!
The first impression of your business often starts with your phone call-handling process. In this episode, FenderBender Columnist Drew Bryant, owner of DB Orlando Collision Center, expands on his February column and talks about why it's essential to implement a call auditing process that is regularly reviewed by the administration against defined standards.
Check out MORE CollisionCast episodes online here!
Events out of your control can happen that will keep your shop closed, such as storms, fires, and more. You may be covered to repair your building and replace its contents, but how will you keep the business afloat if you are unable to operate?
David Willett, the chief underwriting officer at Spark Underwriters, shares how shop owners and operators leave themselves exposed to loss without this coverage.
As new-car dealerships pull back from collision repair, are you developing relationships with local car dealers to ensure their customers come to you when they need your services?
FenderBender Columnist Drew Bryant, owner of DB Orlando Collision Center, expands on his January column and talks about what makes for a relationship that’s beneficial to both the dealer and independent collision repair shop. Check out MORE CollisionCast episodes online here!
In this CollisionCast episode, Sam Poradish, director of automotive intelligence at asTech, talks about how AI can be used to increase quality and efficiency of collision repairs. With machine learning, the data gathered from millions of scans and hundreds of technicians can now be used to guide a technician down the appropriate repair path in mere seconds.
Accudraft's Jeremy Winters rejoins CollisionCast to give some education on a topic of vital importance to any shop that paints cars: lighting.
FenderBender columnist Drew Bryant joins the show to expand on his May column about how referring to your employees as "team members" helps engender a culture of respect and accountability.
Accudraft Content Creator Jeremy Winters joins CollisionCast to discuss the differences in direct vs. indirect heating of paint booths and what shop owners need to know.
Industry expert Chris Maimone rejoins CollisionCast to discuss when to perform quality control checks during a repair and what to look for in each one to ensure safe, quality repairs are being performed every single time.
In this crossover episode with FenderBender's sister publication Ratchet + Wrench, Ratchet + Wrench editor Chris Jones talks with HR professional Deanna Baumgardner of Employers Advantage LLC about how beneficial it can be to get feedback from employees and how to encourage that feedback.
FenderBender columnist Drew Bryant joins the show to take a closer look at his April column and explain how to overcome resistance and build in accountability when trying to implement new processes in your business.
FenderBender columnist Greg Lobsiger joins CollisionCast to discuss his May edition of "Shop Profits" on the importance of knowing your shop's cost per hour. Greg explains how costly it is to have processes interrupted and how to keep your shop's "conveyer belt of cash" moving right along.
Shop owners face a myriad of external challenges today that can have a downstream impact on quality. Chris Maimone rejoins CollisionCast with a few reminders: Control what you can control, and fall back on your standards to weather any storm.
FenderBender columnist Greg Lobsiger breaks down his April column "The Cashflow Fix" in greater detail, helping shop owners understand in greater detail where their profit is coming from.
NABC Executive Director and collision repair marketing whiz Debby Robinson joins the show to discuss how community relations can help get your shop become top of mind to potential customers and also do some tangible good to your shop's hometown.
Columnist Greg Lobsiger joins CollisionCast to break down his March column, asking if owners really know what their break even point is and how to increase their profits.
FenderBender columnist joins CollisionCast again to discuss his March column in greater detail and breakdown how brain chemistry might play a role in how you implement processes at your shop.
Check out the March edition of "Due Process" here.
Dave Dunn of Dave's Auto Body, the 2023 Best Workplaces winner in the large shop category, joins CollisionCast to share a bit more about why his shop was chosen for the award and how he's managed to build a successful business overall.
For more, check out the feature story on Dave's Auto Body from FenderBender's Best Workplaces issue.
FenderBender's own Greg Lobsiger joins the show to go more in depth on his February column, "Estimating for Higher Gross Profits." Check that out here before diving into our conversation.
In this episode new FenderBender columnist Drew Bryant introduces the topics he'll be writing about each month as well as giving some background on his career and what he's learned in more than a decade of running a successful shop.
In this episode Chris Maimone rejoins CollisionCast to talk through researching repair procedures and give some examples of why being thorough is so important.
There's a new face in the column pages of FenderBender and his name is Greg Lobsiger. In this episode we'll learn a little more about Greg and what he's going to be covering in his monthly columns.
Car Crafters Director Sean Guthrie joins CollisionCast to discuss the lessons his family's business has learned in getting into the calibration game and how a partnership with Car ADAS has helped lead the way.
Chris Lawson of Technician Find joins CollisionCast to give some helpful tips on getting as many eyes as possible on your job postings and what information to include to attract the best applicants possible. For more from Technician Find, head to TechnicianFind.com.
The end of the year can be a challenging and stressful time for shop owners. Chris Maimone rejoins CollisionCast to offer a few tips to re-center your mindset and finish the year with quality.
Industry expert Chris Maimone rejoins the show to recap his presentation at the 2022 SEMA Show and use real-world examples to emphasize how mindset is everything in running a collision repair shop.
Industry expert Chris Maimone joins CollisionCast to talk about a process that's worked for him to create a culture of accountability surrounding quality and make sure that doing the job right is everyone's responsibility.
Industry expert Chris Maimone joins CollisionCast to talk about a process that's worked for him to create a culture of accountability surrounding quality and make sure that doing the job right is everyone's responsibility.
Thomas Patterson of Glass Doctor joins CollisionCast to discuss how new technology in the auto glass segment of collision repair is affecting the industry and what the challenges are that owners are facing.
Thomas Patterson of Glass Doctor joins CollisionCast to discuss how new technology in the auto glass segment of collision repair is affecting the industry and what the challenges are that owners are facing.
Industry expert Chris Maimone re-joins CollisionCast to discuss how shop owners can get involved in recruiting the next generation of techs and why that's more vital than ever.
Industry expert Chris Maimone re-joins CollisionCast to discuss how shop owners can get involved in recruiting the next generation of techs and why that's more vital than ever.
Owner Nick Edwards and Culture Ambassador Megan Bridinger from Car Center join CollisionCast to discuss how they've established their organization's culture through core values guiding how they do business and how other owners can do the same.
Owner Nick Edwards and Culture Ambassador Megan Bridinger from Car Center join CollisionCast to discuss how they've established their organization's culture through core values guiding how they do business and how other owners can do the same.
Industry expert Chris Maimone rejoins CollisionCast to talk quality assurance classes that can help set a standard of expectations for shop quality.
Industry expert Chris Maimone returns to CollisionCast to walk through the final step of the repair process: the delivery. Chris explains how to create a "wow factor" for customers that results in stronger CSIs and a better experience overall.
Chris Maimone is back to take a thorough look at his final inspection checklist. This is a list of items that need to be checked before handing the keys back to the customer, and they don't always relate directly to the repairs done.
FenderBender Editor Steve Bauer and process expert Chris Maimone discuss why an inspection checklist should be a must-have tool used by techs throughout a car's repair process.
FenderBender Editor Steve Bauer and Chris White of Keco Body Repair Products discuss the potential benefits of glue pull repair systems for body shop owners.
FenderBender Editor Steve Bauer and Spanesi's Tim Morgan chat about the importance of ensuring an ADAS-equipped vehicle is measured properly before the repair process starts.
Senior Digital Editor Noah Brown chats with I-Car's Jeff Peevy about the company's new state-of-the-art tech training center in Chicago, and what it means for the future of tech education for the industry.
FenderBender Editor Steve Bauer and 3p Marketing's Megan Fulkerson discuss a new marketing technology tool that allows shop owners to advertise to specific vehicle makes and models.
FenderBender Editor Steve Bauer and process expert Chris Maimone discuss why production meetings are so important and how to ensure you're getting the most out of yours.
FenderBender Editor Steve Bauer and Maaco Rockwall owner Shane Hollas discuss strategies that Hollas used (and continues to use) to ensure his business continued to run efficiently and profitably during the COVID pandemic and ensuing Great Resignation.
FenderBender Editor Steve Bauer and Focus Advisors CEO David Roberts discuss the recent trends in collision body repair acquisitions, and what the future holds for the auto collision industry.
FenderBender editor Steve Bauer talks with 2022 Best Workplace award winners Adria and Bryan McLemore about some of the strategies they implemented to improve the work culture in their shop.
FenderBender editor Steve Bauer and one of "2022's Best Workplaces" winners, Drew Bryant of DB Orlando Collision. The two discuss strategies Bryant implemented in his collision repair shop to create a perfect balance of work process and work/life balance for he and his employees.
FenderBender editor Steve Bauer and Jim Mudgett of Maryland Collision Center discuss some of the strategies he's implemented that helped his business be named as a winner in FenderBender's 2022 Best Places to Work Awards.
Using the base of asTech's scan tools and Mitchell's cloud-based software, collision shops will be able to access necessary documents and other procedures in a more efficient way.
In part two of this podcast, FenderBender Editor Steve Bauer and industry expert Chris Maimone continue their discussion regarding the importance of quality control and customer service
FenderBender Editor Steve Bauer is joined by former shop owner and current motiviational speaker Chris Maimone to discuss strategies he's learned over the years to ensure world-class customer service and quality control in every department of your business.
Staff writer Paul Hodowanic is joined by Nick Oberle, Application Engineer Specialist at 3M, to discuss what dust extraction is, why shops aren't prioritzing it like they should and the hidden benefits that come with it.
Megan Williams with 3PMarketing discusses some of the latest trends in digital marketing to help you increase your bottom line.
In a crossover episode with FenderBender's sister publication, Ratchet+Wrench, Editorial Director Anna Zeck caught up with Shop Fix Academy Founder and Ratchet+Wrench columnist Aaron Stokes to discuss hiring and recruiting. Zeck and Stokes discuss how shops should present themselves, how to act as your best self and how that affects your ability to get the best team members. Stokes identifies what you could be doing wrong and how to fix it.
In part two of our Best of 2021 series, the episode contains snippets from some of the top shows of the year.
First, Mike Anderson, one of the most respected and knowledgeable figures in the industry, discusses what his top wishes for the industry are heading into 2022.
Second, FenderBender columnist Kevin Rains discusses how to beat burnout, a timely topic considering many of the struggles of the last year.
Finally, Jason Hope, President of Business Development and Strategic Projects at the Boyd Group, discusses the Boyd Group's expansion strategy and what they look for in shops.
This week's episode contains snippets of some of our best and most listened to interviews of the year.
The conversation begins with Dustin Caldwell, owner of Old Dominion Collision. Caldwell discusses the decision behind his business becoming a Tesla Approved Body Shop, as well as the investment and how Tesla's certification program differs from others.
Then, longtime guest of the show DJ Mitchell joins to discuss how to select shops for acquisitions and how to bring them into the fold.
Finally, Travis Mann, damage analysis expert at db Orlando Collision Center, discusses how creating repair plans can improve cycle times and help your shop achieve better results.
Staff Writer Paul Hodowanic chats with FenderBender board member Louie Sharp about his battles with PTSD and childhood trauma as the two embark on a larger discussion about mental health among shop owners. Thought to be one of the most stressful last two years for business owners in modern history, the discussion yields plenty of strategies shop owners can use in their own lives to ensure their mental health is strong.
Digital Multimedia Editor Noah Brown wraps up coverage of the inaugural ADAPT: Automotive Technology Summit with Chris Chesney, the conference's final speaker. Chesney has been in the industry for 50 years, and he left attendees at the conference with a message of optimism that aftermarket will still be a vital part of the automotive space for decades to come.
For more from the ADAPT Podcast, check it out here.
Editorial Director Anna Zeck chats with Louie Sharp, owner of Sharp Auto Body, about how to avoid letting outside forces, like insurance companies affect you. They chat about playing the victim and the dangers in that while also touching on how to find passion for the industry.
In this bonus episode with Collision Advice's Mike Anderson, editorial director Anna Zeck asks how shop owners across the industry can get their passion back. With so many industry challenges over the last two years, it is easy for shop owners to get down, but Anderson shares how to help fall back in love with the industry.
FenderBender Editor Anna Zeck caught up with Collision Advice's Mike Anderson to discuss his top wishlist items for the industry heading into the new year. Zeck picks Anderson's brain on everything from tech to insurers in a wholistic view of the industry.
John Sweigart of TRUE Collision Centers joins Digital Multimedia Editor Noah Brown to talk about some of the biggest trends revolving around customer relations and a lack of networking between the repair space and other third-party automotive groups.
10 Missions Media Editorial Director Anna Zeck spoke with Vice President of Content and Events Bryce Evans about what exactly the ADAPT Automotive Technology Summit is, what you can expect while you're there, and why the event is so important for the automotive aftermarket. Spots are still open for the Summit! Register online at adaptsummit.com/register.
Whether it's a shortage of parts or technicians, there are plenty of limiting factors on collision repair shops in the current market. But just like last year, when COVID-19 hit, the industry continues to move forward.
FenderBender Editor Anna Zeck and columnist Jason Boggs discuss some of the best strategies to help persist during the tough times the industry currently faces and will face in the future.
Day 2 of SEMA is in the books - listen to some of the best interviews from the day with FenderBender Staff Writer Paul Hodowanic.
Paul catches up with Darrell Amberson of LaMettry's Collision to talk about the conference and CIC's annual meeting, SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg about training available at SEMA, and Repairify CFO Maurice Tuff about evolving tech in the industry.
After a year-long hiatus due to COVID-19, SEMA is back and better than ever!
Paul Hodowanic catches up with Chris White, one of the winners of the best new product award, and with one the event's main organizers. Anna Zeck breaks down an opening day panel discussion from the CIC's annual meeting.
Darrell Amberson and Jason Zeise of LaMettry's Collision join Digital Multimedia Editor Noah Brown to talk about what shops need to do in order to get ahead of the technology curve and how they can make ADAS developments work for them.
Burnout is real in every industry. But in a fast-paced environment like collision repair it is even more prominent.
Editorial Director Anna Zeck chats with FenderBender columnist Kevin Rains about Rains' burnout, how he combats it and regains passion for the industry and how to identify it in yourself and your team.
FenderBender Editor Dave McMahon chats with Megan Williams, founder of 3P Marketing Solutions, about marketing strategies that you may've never tried before that could be game changing for your business.
In part two of the FenderBender Management Conference interview medley, the editorial staff chats with a trio of industry resources. First, Greg Lobsiger, owner of Loren's Auto Body, chats about lean principles in his shop. Then, former shop owner Sheryl Driggers discusses how to find a mentor. Finally, FenderBender columnist Megan Williams gives out some valuable marketing advice.
During the 2021 FenderBender Management Conference, the FenderBender editorial team compiled interviews with top shop owners and industry experts. CollisionCast will feature those interviews over the next two weeks. First up is Collision Advice's Mike Anderson and Doug Voelzke, owner of Doug's Custom Paint & Body, discussing leadership and the importance of developing a team.
Louie Sharp, owner of Sharp Auto Body and keynote speaker at the 2021 FenderBender Management Conference, speaks with Digital Multimedia Editor Noah Brown about the importance of leadership. Sharp breaks down the 6 C's of leadership and why every shop owner needs to look inward.
Multimedia Editor Noah Brown chats with Darrell Amberson of LaMettry's Collision in Minnesota about his shop's high-tech focus and what owners looking to break into the tech scene need to do in order to succeed.
Last week the 2021 FenderBender Award winner and runner-ups were announced. On today's podcast, Scott Fabel, the award winner, joins staff writer Paul Hodowanic to talk about his journey as a shop owner and what has made him successful.
Also, if you haven't had an opportunity to read the full story on Scott, click here to do so.
FenderBender has also published a blog post detailing the reasons Scott was selected.
Megan Williams, co-founder and digital strategist for 3P Marketing Solutions, joins Digital Multimedia Editor Noah Brown to talk about active recruiting solutions and giving your shop a leg up in the hiring process.
Brett Steele, director of auto services for Podium, talks with associate editor Megan Gosch about how the landscape for online reviews are changing and how both customers and business owners can keep up.
Hiring and firing are actions all shop owners must maneuver but may struggle to master.
Roxi Bahar Hewertson, a consultant, business expert and author of books like "Hire Right, Fire Right: A Leader’s Guide to Finding and Keeping Your Best People," spoke with NOLN associate editor Matt Hudson about how to set up employees for success through the hiring process, as well as how business owners and managers can be thorough and respectful when it's time to let somebody go. While the NOLN audience is focused on the quick lube industry, Hewertson's universal tips apply for business owners of all kinds.
In a crossover episode with ADAPT Automotive, FenderBender's sister publication, Susanna Gotsch of CCC Intelligent Solutions discusses results from the CCC Crash Course, specifically as it relates to the consumer opinion on ADAS.
Make sure to check out the ADAPT Podcast, if you don't already.
Are you experiencing a dip in business? Waiting for the school year to ramp up again? There's no reason to worry; in fact, this time is actually an opportunity. FenderBender online columnist Megan Williams offers her perspective on how to take advantage of slow days in three easy, actionable ways that can also make a long-term impact on your shop.
DJ Mitchell documents his experience of selling MITCHCO Collision Repair, a Florida MSO he founded with his father. Mitchell details the logistics of the sale and gives out tons of advice for shops who are going through, or considering, the sale of their business.
With businesses opening back up and shops seeing strong performance through the first half of 2021, many operators are looking to make investments in their shops.
Often, that might involve borrowing finances, and for this week's podcast, FenderBender is bringing in an expert on that subject.
Josh Jones is the chief revenue officer at the small business lending firm Kapitus, and he joins editor Matt Hudson to talk about how operators can find the right loan and prepare to work with lenders.
Jason Hope, Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Projects for The Boyd Group discusses the company's growth strategy. He breaks down the logistics of an acquisition and the company's bigger picture as it continues towards its goal of doubling in size by 2025.
Michelle Corson, CEO of On The Road Garage, discusses her entry into collision repair, her shop's high-tech focus, and her plans for the future.
Megan Williams, co-founder of 3p Marketing Solutions and a collision repair marketing expert, discusses what to do when when bad PR comes your way, an easy way to shutdown online harassment, and more.
DJ Mitchell, most recently the vice president of MITCHCO Collision, a Florida MSO that was recently acquired by Classic Collision, discusses ways to fix cars with fewer people.
Matt Ebert, CEO Crash Champions, joins Collision Cast and dives deep into the history of Crash Champions along with offering his experience on how to manage employees during an acquisition.
Ebert has tried to be careful and considerate as his company has expanded from just one shop in Illinois to more than 70 across seven states. Some employees choose to work for mom and pop shops to avoid big corporations, so when a company like Crash Champions comes in, Ebert says one of his top priorities is making sure the existing employees feel comfortable.
Ebert offers some of his best employee-relations practices for shop owners who are selling and for businesses that are looking to acquire.
Collision repair marketing expert Megan Williams discusses how she got her start in the business, and why it's worth it for shops to seek out professionals when it comes to their marketing needs.
Jeanet Wade, consultant, leadership expert, and author of the new book, "The Human Team," discusses how to meet employee needs.
DJ Mitchell, vice president of MITCHCO Collision Repair, a Florida-based MSO, discusses a number of important things to consider when choosing and working with shop managers.
Greg Peeters, CEO of Car ADAS Solutions, joins the show to discuss the future of ADAS and his company's goals of creating turn key calibration centers for shops across the country.
Jason Scharton, senior global expertise delivery manager for 3M, discusses advanced vehicle materials, including ultra high-strength steel and more, and what they mean for collision repair.
Doug Voelzke, owner of Doug's Custom Paint and Body and a co-founder of Key Choice Collision Centers, discusses the importance of having support in the collision repair industry, and how that need contributed to the founding of Key Choice.
Brandon VanEck, chief operations officer for three Car Center Collision & Mechanical locations and Scott's Body Shop, discusses his passion for growing people, why it's good for business, and why he thinks collision repair is an awesome career.
Collision repair marketing expert Megan Williams discusses how shops can learn more about their audience—both who they are and what they drive—and then use that information for more effective marketing.
MSO operator DJ Mitchell breaks down the differences between having a single shop and multiple shops, and how it requires owners to think differently.
Dustin Caldwell, owner of Old Dominion Collision, discusses the decision behind his business becoming a Tesla Approved Body Shop, as well as the investment and how Tesla's certification program differs from others.
Collision repair marketing expert Megan Williams offers her dos and don'ts for using social media to promote your shop. Do: Think outside the box.
Andrew Batenhorst, body shop manager at Pacific BMW in Glendale, Calif., discusses what he's learned and how he's improved his facility using departmental cycle times.
In this episode, Wendy Ott details how her shop, Auto Body Concepts, forged a community amongst its staff and went on to win FenderBender's Best Workplaces.
Katie Inge, the 27-year-old owner of a Maaco Shop in Chesapeake, Va., talks about her lifetime in the collision repair industry, why young people should consider it for their career, and more.
In this special promotion from BOLT ON TECHNOLOGY, BOT Director of Education John Burkhauser surveys the contemporary training landscape and provides insight as to why you should train everyone on your staff (even if they leave).
Kurtis Barks, owner of Complete Auto Body and Repair, a winner of a FenderBender 2021 Best Workplaces award, discusses how his employees supported each other as his shops pivoted to make it through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alex Kuang, owner of Redwood City Auto Body in Redwood City, Calif., details how his I-CAR gold status shop got started calibrating advanced driver-assistance systems, the investments needed, and why he decided to take the plunge.
Collision repair shop marketing expert Megan Williams breaks down geofencing, a marketing tactic that allows you to target potential customers after they enter places like insurance offices, or even other body shops.
Collision repair shop marketing expert Megan Williams breaks down geofencing, a marketing tactic that allows you to target potential customers after they enter places like insurance offices, or even other body shops.
DJ Mitchell, vice president of MITCHCO Collision Repair, which he operates with his father, Dave Mitchell, discusses selecting shops for acquisition and how to bring new shops into the fold.
Roxi Bahar Hewertson is a consultant, business expert and author of books like "Hire Right, Fire Right: A Leader’s Guide to Finding and Keeping Your Best People." She spoke about how to set up employees for success at the hire, as well as how operators and managers can be thorough and respectful when it's time to let somebody go.
Tiffany Menefee, president of Pronto Body Shop in El Paso, Texas, talks with FenderBender about her latest column regarding rental reimbursement from insurance agencies, and how shops can help their insurance adjuster help them.
In this episode of marketing expert Megan Williams' monthly podcast, she breaks down some of the dos and don'ts of altering your marketing plan. From trackable ads to when it's time for a clean break from a poor reputation, Williams offers actionable advice on switching up your shop's marketing.
FenderBender's graphic designer, Fue Vang, and associate editor, Mike Munzenrider, discuss the magazine's new look and upcoming stories for 2021.
Travis Mann, damage analysis expert at db Orlando Collision Center, discusses how creating repair plans can improve cycle times and help your shop achieve better results.
DJ Mitchell, vice president and co-owner of MITCHCO, discusses his goals for 2021 and which trends he is keeping an eye on.
In this episode of marketing expert Megan Williams' monthly podcast, she breaks down how to create a yearly marketing plan for collision repair shops. From knowing your market and competition, to how your budget will play into the plan, roll into the New Year ready to market your business.
Sheryl Driggers, co-owner of Universal Collision spoke to FenderBender about how her technicians are staying up to date on training and how her shop has managed to add an all-new tech position.
This is Pt. 2 of MSO owner Kevin Rains talking about how he hired his chief operating officer, Keith Foster. Rains discusses his thought process in selecting Foster, the arrangements they've made to forge a working relationship, why it's worked so far, and more, including general information about his growing multi-shop operation.
This is part one of MSO shop owner Kevin Rains talking about how he hired his chief operating officer, Keith Foster. Rains discusses his thought process in selecting Foster, the arrangements they've made to forge a working relationship, why it's worked so far, and more.
In this episode of marketing expert Megan Williams' monthly podcast, she discusses common marketing mistakes collision repair shop owners can make and how to avoid them.
Brad Mewes, principal at Supplement Advisory, discusses the impact PPP loans could have on your taxes this year, as well as how he approaches the "puzzle" of collision repair shop taxes each year.
Matt Thornton, owner of Parks Royal Body Works in Boise, Idaho, discusses marketing, training, and sanitizing during the pandemic.
In this episode, DJ Mitchell, vice president and co-owner of MITCHCO, discusses the benefits of owning and running an MSO with his father.
In this episode of her monthly podcast, collision repair shop marketing expert Megan Williams discusses how to tweak your marketing strategies with the changing seasons.
Ryan Isherwood, owner of CARSTAR Duncan (Isherwood) and CARSTAR Courtenay in British Columbia, Canada, discusses how sales projections from his first collision repair shop gave him a system to use at his next shop.
In this episode, FenderBender columnist and Director of Operations for Pride Collision Centers, Steve Morris, discusses the evolution of parts catalogs and their importance in the repair industry.
Hear from Ledge CEO Alex Woodie, a CPA by trade who specializes in work with collision repair shops, and other auto-related business, to help them get their finances in order.
In this episode, DJ Mitchell, vice president and co-owner of MITCHCO, discusses the difficulties of running multiple shops during a pandemic and matching personality types.
In this episode of her monthly podcast, collision shop marketing expert Megan Williams explains what to do if you've never needed to market before and are looking to get started.
At 22, Noah Blair has worked on helicopters, cars, and his most recent endeavor—ADAS calibration systems. In this episode, learn where he got his start and how it led him to become one of the most impressive workers in the industry.
Texas shop owner Tiffany Menefee discusses how she's kept up her community connections during the COVID-19 pandemic and how operators who've never had to reach out to their community can get started.
In this episode of her monthly podcast, marketing expert Megan Williams discusses shop marketing during the COVID-19 pandemic, which boils down to having a message, and sticking to it.
MSO operator DJ Mitchell discusses what can go wrong when leaders avoid having the tough conversations at work. Mitchell knows, from experience, that it's best to address problems before they create new ones.
In this month's episode of From the Editors, editorial director Anna Zeck combs through the magazine's archives to find the best tips for how to overcome turnover on your team and bounce back stronger than ever. Learn more about the value of exit interviews, how to think strategically about your team, and why you need to consider your own role before starting the hiring process.
Lindsay Whalen, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time WNBA champion, talks about some of the leadership principles she now utilizes as a college basketball coach at the University of Minnesota. Many of her strategies, such as identifying great assistants, offer relevant tips for business leaders like those that operate auto repair facilities.
Scott Flom, a longtime body shop manager now with Anderson & Koch Ford Collision Center in North Branch, Minn., explains how getting equipped to handle ADAS calibrations has helped his employer boost its efficiency.
This week's 3-minute, auto industry news report features an update on the recent increase of mergers and acquisitions. Also, please email FenderBender at news@fenderbender.com to let us know what type of news you'd like to hear more of in future podcast episodes.
This week's 3-minute, auto industry news report features an update on the Paycheck Protection Program and the revised plans for a popular industry event that was postponed until August. Also, please email FenderBender at news@fenderbender.com to let us know what type of news you'd like to hear more of in future podcast episodes.
Washington shop president Brent Maier explains how he carved out time in his work schedule to get a degree that helped him become a significantly better leader.
Steve Green, a public adjuster who works for Globe Midwest Adjusters International, explains why it's important to speak with more than just an insurance agent if your shop ever sustains damage.
This week's 3-minute, auto industry news report features updates on the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance program, and a major North American collision repair business merger.
This week's 4-minute, auto industry news report features an update on PPP loan specifics and information on the newly formed Consumer Access to Repair Coalition.
MSO operator DJ Mitchell shares his tips for determining when it's an ideal time for adding a crucial hire to your admin staff.
This week's 3-minute, auto industry news report includes updates on the 2020 SEMA Show, and Ford's most highly anticipated vehicle in years.
In this episode of marketing expert Megan Williams' monthly podcast, she notes the best practices for search engine optimization and keywords, to help a body shop's website truly stand out from competition.
This week's 3-minute, auto industry news report features an update on more Paycheck Protection Program assistance available to shop owners. Also, please email FenderBender at news@fenderbender.com to let us know what type of news you'd like to hear more of in future podcast episodes.
Robert Minotti, who operates three Toronto-area shops, explains how his business has dialed in and improved its gross profit in recent years.
Aaron Rolfsrud, who works in operations for Master Collision in Minneapolis, recalls how his workplace sustained damage during riots on May 29, but quickly recovered thanks to the help of employees and the community. Rolfsrud also recaps the lessons that situation taught him, like about the need to be fully aware of your insurance coverage.
This week's 3-minute, auto industry news report features an update on a Honda cyber attack that could impact collision repair facilities.
This week's 4-minute, auto industry news report features an update on a virtual meeting that got a major consolidator into hot water recently.
This week's 3-minute, auto industry news report features updates on PPP reform, the 2020 SEMA Show, and the revamped NORTHEAST event.
Nick Schoolcraft, president of Phoenix Solutions Group, advises shops to change their narrative during the coronavirus crisis to let customers know they're available without overloading them with information. Here's how to conduct a successful email campaign to stay in front of your customers.
In this podcast episode, John Waters, a Phoenix-area business coach who aids body shops, breaks down his 90-day plan for helping businesses rebound from the COVID-19 crisis.
DJ Mitchell, vice president and co-owner of MITCHCO Collision Repair, is back for this month's MSO Podcast episode to share his advice on how shop operators can successfully guide their staff through turbulent times.