The Collision Vision

Today we're tackling one of the biggest moments in any owner's career: a liquidity event. Our guest is Brian Odelli, a private wealth advisor who specializes in helping entrepreneurs prepare for—and thrive after—a sale. We'll break down the emotional side of deciding when to sell, how to know if you're financially ready, and how to assemble the right deal team. Then we'll get tactical: pre-sale pl...

Today I'm joined by my FOCUS Investment Banking partner, Giorgio Andonian, Managing Director and a go-to advisor for owners navigating growth and liquidity. We're talking what's real in M&A right now, how private equity is showing up as a growth partner, a quick preview of private debt as a tool we'll cover in depth soon, and a few fresh takeaways from SEMA—plus the trends and questions we're hear...

Today, we've got a standout guest who brings a fresh lens to growth and strategy in the auto space: Aaron Zucker, Founder and CEO of Zucker Investment Group (ZIG). ZIG operates at the intersection of real estate development and growth equity—helping operators scale by leveraging strategic site‑selection, creative financing, and aligned capital. In this conversation, we'll dig into how real estate...

Today we're recording a special "post‑SEMA" edition: two independent shop owners who attended the show, digested the trends, and are ready to act. Joining us for this episode: John Melendez, owner of JDM Collision in Illinois, and Adan Ibarra, owner of Leading Edge Collision in Houston. They're going to give us their fresh take on what they saw at SEMA, how they're thinking about applying it, and...

Today, we're continuing our SEMA series—and we're joined by someone who's not only scaled his business, but done so by making smart partnerships, staying true to quality, and embracing growth with purpose. Please welcome Paul Williams, CEO of Brightpoint Auto Body. Since his last time on the show, Brightpoint has expanded its footprint, refined its strategy, and positioned itself for what's next i...

Today, we have a special episode featuring someone who sits at the helm of one of the most iconic names in the automotive world — Mike Spagnola, CEO of SEMA. SEMA is more than just a trade show — it's a global leader of- an influence for- automotive innovation, culture, and connection. Mike oversees it all: from lobbying the federal government on the automotive industry's behalf to strategic indus...

Today, we have a special panel-style discussion in our DRP series with two perspectives in the same room. Shawn Crozat, CEO of G&C Auto Body, a large California-based MSO whose company is built around great DRP relationships and high performance and Dan Tessadri, senior claims operations leader on the insurer side in auto physical damage with CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer. We'll discuss what...

Today, we are joined by someone who's seen the collision repair space from multiple angles: operations, insurance, and now investing. Chris Calk is the former Director of Operations at GEICO, where he had a front-row seat to one of the nation's largest DRP programs. Today, he's an active investor and advisor in the industry, helping collision operators grow their businesses and align with the ever...

Gregg is the founder and former CEO of Filterworks USA, now known as Autotality, and someone who's lived and breathed this industry for decades. From building one of the leading paint booth service and equipment companies in the country to guiding the business through rapid growth and eventually a private equity partnership, Gregg has seen it all. In this conversation, we talk about how equipment...

Today's episode features Paul Knowlton, Senior VP of Sales at PEAC Solutions. With deep experience in equipment financing and a keen understanding of today's credit landscape, Paul joins us to unpack the real mechanics of financing your next equipment purchase. We'll talk leasing vs. buying, how to think about preserving cash, when to use a line of credit, and how SBA options can play a role. Paul...

Today's guest is an industry icon when it comes to equipment and OE certifications—Dave Gruskos, founder and president of RAE (Reliable Automotive Equipment). Dave has spent decades helping collision repairers across North America select, install, and optimize the tools that drive their operations forward. In this episode, we'll explore how shops can use equipment as a strategic differentiator, no...

Welcome back to The Collision Vision Podcast and another installment of our series, Choosing, Sourcing, and Financing the Right Equipment. Today, we're joined by Bill Keyes, a seasoned industry veteran and MidWest Division Manager at Hunter Engineering Company. If you've ever wondered when it makes sense to bring alignments or ADAS calibration in-house, how to calculate ROI on your next big equipm...

Today, we're bringing back a returning guest and true industry visionary—Frank Terlep. With decades of experience and a front-row seat to the collision repair industry's tech evolution, Frank is one of the most insightful voices when it comes to emerging technologies, ADAS, and the future of collision repair. In this conversation, we unpack the latest advancements in vehicle safety systems, talk a...

Our guest for this episode is Jay Goninen. During this discussion, we zoom out for a high-level look at the current state of the industry: technician shortages, economic slowdowns, generational shifts, and how forward-thinking shop owners can use this moment to build momentum. If you've been wondering where the labor market is heading—or how to prepare your shop for what's next—you're in the right...

Joining the episode this week is Aaron Schulenburg, Executive Director of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists, or SCRS. Aaron is a tireless advocate for collision repairers and a trusted voice on the biggest topics shaping our industry. In this episode, we dive into some of the hot-button issues in the industry right now — including Right to Repair — as well as talk about what to expect at...

Our Guest for this episode is Dave Luehr — author, speaker, coach, and the founder of Elite Body Shop Solutions. Dave's been on the show before to talk about his book Secrets of America's Greatest Body Shops, and today he's back to share what he's been up to lately, the trends he's seeing in the industry, and how shop owners and leaders can "grow forward" even in the face of big challenges. Connec...

Joining the podcast today is Steve Greenfield, CEO of Automotive Ventures, author of some fantastic books and publications that we'll discuss in the show, and a leading thinker on how innovation is shaping the way we move, own, and repair vehicles. In this episode, we'll step back from the day-to-day of collision repair and take a big-picture look at the future — EV adoption, autonomous vehicles,...

Our guest today is Bill Park, former shop owner and founder of Crunchit, a company dedicated to helping collision repair businesses gain the financial insights they need to succeed. Bill learned firsthand how a lack of good financial data can hold an operation back — and today, he's here to explain why better financial visibility is the foundation for smarter operations, sustainable growth, and be...

For this episode, we dive into the world of shop efficiency, ADAS, and alignment technology with David Henry, Senior Sales Development Manager at Hunter Engineering. David brings a wealth of experience helping collision centers become more productive, more precise, and ultimately more profitable. We'll talk about how ADAS and alignment equipment play a critical role in a modern repair plan, where...

For this episode, we have a returning guest Steve Trapp, and in this conversation, we dig into what true efficiency really looks like at the shop level. From flow and quality standards to management presence, goal setting, productivity coaching, and capital planning. This episode is packed with real-world takeaways you can use right now to run a more disciplined, high-performing shop. Let's dive i...

Joining us this week is Erin Solis, Sr. Vice President with Square One Systems and their Coyote Vision Group, one of the most influential 20 groups in the industry. Erin works directly with some of the top-performing organizations in the business, helping drive collaboration, accountability, and operational excellence. We'll be talking about what truly separates great shops from the rest, the role...

Joining us today is Blake Farley, Executive Vice President of Operations at Quality Collision Group and former partner at Relentless Collision, one of the most forward-thinking MSOs in the industry. Blake has scaled operations, led successful M&A activity, and built strong shop cultures—and today he's here to talk about what separates elite operators from the rest. Whether you run one location or...

Joining the podcast today is Micki Woods, founder of Micki Woods Marketing, host of the popular Body Bangin' Podcast, and one of the industry's most recognized voices when it comes to helping collision centers develop high-impact marketing strategies. From building a local brand that stands out, to effectively reaching your ideal customers, Micki brings practical, proven insight for shops of all s...

Joining us for this episode are Josh and Michelle Fuller, fourth-generation leaders of the 111-year-old Fuller's Collision Center. In a time when consolidation is reshaping the industry, the Fullers have doubled down on what makes their business strong—clarity of vision, marketing with purpose, and strategic planning through the lens of long-term value creation. We'll talk about how they've built...

Joining us for this episode is Steve Trapp, a collision industry veteran. During this conversation, Steve shares how independent operators can take full control of their marketing—before they ever spend a dime. From CRM-driven outreach and upsell opportunities to referral strategies and partnerships with insurers and agents, we'll break down the fundamentals of smart, scalable, and affordable shop...