The Collision Vision

Joining us today are three incredible industry leaders—Kristle Bollans (National Sales Director at CSN Collision), Olivia Peterson (An Instructor Trainee with I-CAR, as of very recently), and Kayla Clark (SVP of Business Development at Classic Collision)—who are here to discuss how we attract, onboard, and retain top talent in collision repair.

In this episode, we'll explore what shops can do to create a more welcoming and supportive work environment, how we can modernize hiring and training practices, and why it's critical to move away from outdated mentalities like "earning your stripes" in ways that discourage new talent. And of course, we'll talk about how to make the industry a great place to work for women, and what shop owners can do to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace.

This is going to be an insightful, honest conversation—enjoy!

Our guest for this episode is David Dart, Chief People Officer at Caliber Collision. With over 1,700 locations nationwide, Caliber has developed some of the most comprehensive and innovative workforce development programs in the industry. We'll explore how Caliber attracts new talent, builds world-class technicians, and creates career growth opportunities that keep employees engaged. We'll also discuss the broader industry implications of workforce development and what independent shop owners can learn from Caliber's approach to building a skilled and sustainable workforce. If you're looking for strategies to strengthen your team, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.

Let's get started!

In this episode, we're tackling one of the most pressing challenges in the collision repair industry: the technician shortage. Joining me is Jay Goninen, Co-Founder and President of WrenchWay, and owner of his family's longtime repair shop. We explore the root causes of the technician shortage, highlight innovative solutions to bridge the skills gap, and discuss how shop owners can recruit, train, and retain top talent in an increasingly competitive market. If you've ever wondered how to stand out as an employer or build a world-class team, this is the episode for you. Connect with Jay Goninen:

Websites: https://wrenchway.com/ https://wrenchway.com/pay Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaygoninen/

Today we're continuing our Technology Takeover: The Impact of ADAS & Calibration series.

In this episode, we're joined by Lance Bull and Steve Davis from Techmotive, a company dedicated to helping collision repair shops navigate the complexities of ADAS calibration with the right tools, technology, and expertise. ADAS calibration has become one of the most critical—and sometimes daunting—services in collision repair, and Lance and Steve are here to demystify it.

We'll dive into what shops need to succeed in this space, discuss the role of proper equipment and processes, and explore how Techmotive is making it easier for operators to thrive in this rapidly evolving industry. If you've been thinking about entering the ADAS calibration game or want to improve your shop's current processes, you won't want to miss this conversation. Let's jump in!

Links: https://techmotive.co/

Today we're continuing our Technology Takeover: The Impact of ADAS & Calibration series with another deep dive into the evolving world of ADAS calibration. Joining us is Sam Poradish, Vice President of Insights & Innovation at Repairify, a company leading the charge in advanced diagnostics and calibration solutions for the collision repair industry.

As ADAS technology becomes more advanced and widespread, shops that embrace proper calibration processes have a massive opportunity ahead—but they also face challenges in execution, equipment investment, and reimbursement.

Links: https://astech.com/

Today we're diving into the fascinating world of ADAS and calibration as part of our series titled Technology Takeover: The Impact of ADAS & Calibration.

Joining us today is Greg Peeters, CEO of Car ADAS Solutions, a company at the forefront of licensing and supporting dedicated ADAS calibration facilities across the country. Greg and his team are leading the charge in helping collision repair businesses navigate the complexities of ADAS technology, ensuring vehicle safety and creating new opportunities for growth.

Connect with Car ADAS Solutions: https://caradas.com/

Joining us today is Adi Bathla, CEO of Revv, an AI-powered platform that's transforming how collision repair shops approach ADAS calibration.

Adi and his team recently raised over $20 million to expand their operations and revolutionize the way shops handle this critical service. In this episode, we'll explore the incredible opportunities ADAS calibration presents for collision repair businesses, discuss how Revv's AI solutions are simplifying the process, and uncover strategies for shops to maximize profitability in this evolving space.

In this episode, we're focusing on the "scale" option—how shop owners can grow their operations strategically to compete in today's collision repair landscape. To help us navigate this topic, we're joined by Thomas Goforth, former owner of Absolute Collision and a two-time guest of The Collision Vision. Thomas built Absolute Collision into a seven-store MSO in less than four years, creating a strong culture, developing a robust acquisition pipeline, and ultimately selling the business to a national consolidator in late 2024. He's one of the best operators in the industry, and today, he'll share insights into scaling a business, building a winning culture, and navigating the sale of a rapidly growing MSO.

In this episode, we're tackling the "sell" option in the equation—what it looks like when body shop owners decide to exit the business and pass the torch. Joining us is Mike LeVasseur, Senior Advisor at FOCUS Investment Banking, and Giorgio Andonian, Managing Director at FOCUS Investment Banking. Together, we'll dive into the current M&A landscape, the process of preparing for a sale, and what it takes to ensure a successful outcome. Whether you're actively considering selling or just curious about what the process entails, this episode is packed with insights and actionable advice to help you make informed decisions. Let's get started!

For this episode, our Host Cole Strandberg outlines the seismic shifts disrupting the collision repair industry. The single-store generalist shop, capable of repairing every type of vehicle, is quickly becoming unsustainable. Increasing vehicle complexity, equipment costs, and training demands are forcing shop owners to rethink their strategies. Cole walks us through three paths forward: specialize, scale, or sell. Each option offers opportunities and challenges, but doing nothing is no longer an option. We hope you enjoy the show.

Connect with Cole:

Website: https://focusbankers.com/teammember/cole-strandberg/

Email: [email protected]

Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colestrandberg/

Additional Resource: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/7a-loans