Lindsey Gainer

Akron

Writer and Editor at Freelance

Contributor at FenderBender

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Articles

Giving it Her All

1 month ago | fenderbender.com | Lindsey Gainer

Laura Raimann (Kottschade) is a self-admitted busy bee — the second-generation, soon-to-be owner of Jerry’s ABRA Auto Body and Glass in Mankato, Minnesota, “doesn’t sit well” and loves a challenge. But that term doesn’t give her anywhere near the credit she deserves, once you hear everything she’s involved in. “Powerhouse” is a much more fitting descriptor.
Purpose-driven Work

2 months ago | fenderbender.com | Lindsey Gainer

Like most kids whose families own a business, Zach Stinnett spent a lot of time in his family’s collision repair shop growing up. He’d work in the summers as a detailer, watching his grandfather, Walt — who founded the business with his grandmother, Ruth, in 1965 — diligently work alongside his father, Lee, to run Stinnett Collision in Maryville, Tennessee. But unlike many generational owners, Zach didn’t envision himself owning the business from day one.
CSI scores help celebrate and coach your staff and improve your business.

Nov 30, 2024 | fenderbender.com | Lindsey Gainer

Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) surveys are a treasure trove of valuable information for your business. Curious what your team is doing well? What they could do better? What do your customers think of the shop? Whether they’re likely to refer you to their friends and family? Look no further than your CSI.
The Best Introduction to the Collision Industry? An Early One

Sep 30, 2024 | fenderbender.com | Lindsey Gainer

When you think back to how you first became interested in the automotive industry, what stands out? What sparked your curiosity? How old were you? How did you learn more about it? For many, it happened in high school…often in shop class. But not all schools offer shop these days, and even if they do, there’s no guarantee collision is part of the conversation, says Jim Byron, owner of Byron’s Patterson Auto Body in Patterson, New York. It’s up to industry pros to change that, in his estimation.
Passion for the Repair

Jul 31, 2024 | fenderbender.com | Lindsey Gainer

Frank McClosky doesn’t accept mediocrity. As the president and CEO of Frank’s Collision Repair — an eight-shop independent MSO in the Houston metro area — he doesn’t have a choice. That doesn’t mean he’s not enjoyable to talk to…he certainly is. Or that he doesn’t have a great sense of humor…he does. If you need proof, just ask the insurance agents he’s visited over the years dressed in costumes to drum up business.
Playing the Long Game

Jun 30, 2024 | fenderbender.com | Lindsey Gainer

Joe LaBruno plays the long game — he’s constantly “working on his businesses to stay in the business,” he says, always making decisions based on what’s best for his shops in the long-term. It’s this future-focused mindset that has allowed him to expand his shop, First Aid Collision in western North Carolina, from one location to three locations in the span of only six years, and he’s set his sights on more expansion down the line.
Collision group focuses on people and processes

Jun 3, 2024 | fenderbender.com | Lindsey Gainer

Owners Bob Maloney, Robert Maloney, and Kenny Davis — alongside minority owners Matt Schroeder and Damon Wetzel — are in the business of investing…not only in properties and buildings, but more importantly, in their employees and customers.
Collision Correction: From Side Hustle to Thriving Business

Apr 30, 2024 | fenderbender.com | Lindsey Gainer

Darryl Liechti has a problem. His shop — Collision Correction in Williamsburg, Virginia — has grown so fast that he will likely need to expand beyond his current 10,000 sq. ft. space in the next 18 to 24 months, only two years after taking the business full-time and establishing himself in his current location.
How to Leverage Digital Marketing

Apr 30, 2024 | fenderbender.com | Lindsey Gainer

You’ve probably heard the phrase “targeted digital marketing” before — but what does it mean? And how can it help keep your shop at the forefront of potential customers’ minds? Targeted digital marketing is essentially a way to make sure that the people most likely to visit your shop see your ads online. People are “targeted” using data they’re putting out into the world — perhaps the wording they choose to perform a search, or the location they perform that search from.
Quick Lube Q&A: Deanna Baumgardner of Employers Advantage

Apr 17, 2024 | noln.net | Matt Hudson |Lindsey Gainer

For every business owner, maintaining an organized workplace is essential to things running smoothly, but that is often easier said than done. Organization is not something that happens naturally but is a result of deliberate strategizing and planning.