Lindsey Gainer

Akron

Writer and Editor at Freelance

Contributor at FenderBender

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Articles

Hollingsworth Looks to Another Century of Collision Repair

6 days ago | fenderbender.com | Lindsey Gainer

The photos and documents hanging on the walls of the lobby at Hollingsworth Auto Service — a 108-year-old shop in the heart of Savannah, Georgia — paint vivid pictures of a bygone era. Looking at the workers posed next to a vintage 1930s automobile outside the original shop, or an estimate written during the Great Depression for a mere fraction of the average $4,500 RO these days, it’s easy to imagine where it all began.
Don’t Get Comfortable

3 weeks ago | fenderbender.com | Lindsey Gainer

A person’s office décor can tell you a lot about them…look around, and you’ll quickly learn how they operate, and the wisdom they value most. In the office of Jesse Parks — collision director at Freeman Collision Center in Santa Rosa, California — one of the first things you’ll see is an encouraging sign that reads: “Failure is a temporary state where the most valuable lessons are learned.” It’s a truth he’s seen play out time and time again over the course of his career, he says.
Giving it Her All

Mar 7, 2025 | 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

Feb 7, 2025 | 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.