The BodyShop Leaders Podcast

Daniel Burkholder
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MARKETING

The BodyShop Leaders Podcast brings you real conversations with the people shaping the future of collision repair — shop owners, vendors, and innovators who lead with purpose. Hosted by Daniel Burkholder of BodyShop Marketing, each episode dives into the lessons, mindsets, and breakthroughs that drive top-performing shops and the leaders behind them. No fluff. Just authentic stories and practical insights to help you grow, lead, and build a smarter, stronger shop. Powered by BodyShop Marketing — where the best shops come to grow.

  1. 1D AGO

    Jim Lovejoy on Why Your Estimators Aren't Closing

    "Let us know if we can help you." That's what Jim Lovejoy hears estimators say in shop after shop. And it's not a closing attempt. It's not even close. In this episode, I sit down with Jim Lovejoy, Senior Services Consultant at Akzo Nobel Vehicle Refinish, who has spent over 25 years helping auto body shops improve their profitability, their processes, and their people. Jim has seen the numbers across hundreds of shops, and he noticed something after COVID. Closing ratios dropped 12 to 15 percentage points. Shops got busy, stopped training on sales, and never picked it back up. Jim walks us through what a real sales process should look like from the first phone call all the way through follow-up. He breaks down the assumptive close, explains why follow-up alone can move your closing ratio by 10 points or more, and shares the lean workflow mistakes that are quietly killing your cycle time and profitability. We also get into the metrics that actually matter, what it takes to train and retain good people, and the leadership habits that help owners get out of the daily chaos. This one is packed with value. Every shop owner and manager needs to hear it. The BodyShop Leaders Podcast is powered by BodyShop Marketing, the agency helping collision industry leaders grow smarter and lead stronger.

    1h 3m

  2. APR 24

    From Sweeping Floors to Three Locations, Doug Martin's Leadership Journey

    What does it take to go from sweeping floors in your dad's body shop to owning and operating three collision repair locations? In this episode of BodyShop Leaders, host Daniel Burkholder sits down with Doug Martin, second-generation owner of Martin's Body Shop in southern Indiana, to unpack a leadership journey built on hard work, family legacy, and the courage to take action. Doug shares what growing up in the shop really taught him — even when he didn't realize he was learning. He opens up about earning respect from a team that watched him grow up, the pivotal process change that eliminated the daily chaos of rushing cars out the door, and why he purchased his first additional location in May 2020 — right in the middle of COVID — and wouldn't change a thing. You'll walk away with insights on building a culture that retains employees for decades, using OEM certifications to boost technician pride and repair quality, creating bonus programs that give your team skin in the game, and knowing when to stop planning and start doing. Doug also shares why he's spent 10 years advocating for shops and consumers through the Indiana Autobody Association — and why more shop owners need to step up. If you're a collision repair shop owner looking for honest, no-fluff leadership advice from someone who's lived it, this episode is for you. The BodyShop Leaders Podcast is powered by BodyShop Marketing, the agency helping collision industry leaders grow smarter and lead stronger.

    31 min

  3. APR 9

    Chase Landers on Growth, Leadership, and the Future of Collision Repair

    In this episode of BodyShop Leaders, Daniel Burkholder talks with Chase Landers about what it means to grow up in a body shop, step into leadership, and help move a family-owned collision repair business into the future. Chase shares stories from his early days around the shop and the path that eventually led him into a larger leadership role at Landers Towing and Collision Centers. He talks candidly about the early grind of helping build a location, wearing multiple hats, and learning through trial, pressure, and experience. He also reflects on what changed as he matured as a leader — from pushing hard and reacting quickly to learning how to work through problems with more clarity, patience, and perspective.  Daniel and Chase also discuss the realities of growing a multi-location operation: earning trust from longtime employees, creating buy-in around new systems and processes, developing future leaders inside the organization, and maintaining a healthy culture while scaling. Along the way, Chase shares his perspective on the importance of team, responsibility, safe repairs, profitability, and doing what is right for both the customer and the long-term health of the business.  The conversation also explores where the collision repair industry may be heading next. Chase offers insight into how AI, OEM procedures, repair standards, and insurer relationships could shape the future of body shops over the next several years. It’s a thoughtful discussion for anyone trying to grow a shop, lead a team, and stay ahead in a changing industry.  This episode is especially valuable for collision shop owners, managers, next-generation leaders, and anyone building a business inside the auto body and collision repair space.  The BodyShop Leaders Podcast is powered by BodyShop Marketing, the agency helping collision industry leaders grow smarter and lead stronger.

    27 min

  4. MAR 27

    From Paint Booth to Owner: How Todd McGee Built a Top Body Shop Through Culture and Leadership

    In this episode of BodyShop Leaders, Daniel Burkholder talks with Todd McGee, owner of Johnson Auto Body in Knightdale, North Carolina, about what real leadership looks like inside a successful collision repair shop. Todd’s story begins in the paint booth and grows into something much bigger: ownership, mentorship, culture, and building a business that puts people first. He shares how his early years on the shop floor shaped the way he leads today, what it meant to carry on the Johnson Auto Body legacy, and why hiring the right people matters just as much as fixing cars the right way. They also discuss some of the biggest issues facing auto body shop owners right now, including navigating insurance challenges, following OEM repair procedures, building better systems, and staying connected to peers and coaches who understand the business. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the collision repair industry, especially independent shop owners focused on leadership, growth, and long-term success. Topics covered include:  Auto body shop leadership  Collision repair shop culture  Hiring and team building  Shop ownership and succession  OEM procedures vs. insurance pressure  Coaching and peer accountability  Community involvement and customer trust  Body shop growth and leadership development BodyShop Leaders is powered by BodyShop Marketing and created for collision repair professionals who want to grow smarter, lead stronger, and stay independent. The BodyShop Leaders Podcast is powered by BodyShop Marketing, the agency helping collision industry leaders grow smarter and lead stronger.

    25 min

  5. MAR 13

    Steve Olson: From $350K to $1.4M/Month, The Culture Playbook Behind the Growth

    In this episode of BodyShop Leaders, Daniel Burkholder sits down with Steve Olson, Managing Partner of Louisville Collision Centers and co-owner of Manchester Collision, to unpack one of the most compelling growth stories in collision repair. Steve shares how he went from washing cars for $8.50 an hour to leading a high-performing operation that scaled from $350K/month to over $1.4M/month—without chasing DRPs or cutting corners. You’ll hear the simple framework he uses to build (and protect) culture—“skill + will”—and the hard decisions that came with rebuilding a team, raising standards, and creating a shop people are proud to work in. Steve also breaks down what keeps turnover low, how a people-first mindset can still drive elite performance, and why many shops are falling behind right now as car counts shift and margins tighten. If you’re serious about growing your shop, leading better, and building a team that actually buys in—this one is loaded with takeaways you can apply immediately. In this episode, you’ll learn: The “skill + will” rule Steve uses to hire, lead, and build a winning cultureThe first key decisions that helped fuel massive growthHow Steve blends empathy with high expectations (without lowering standards)Why being zero-DRP and leaning into OEM certifications changed everythingWhere shops are losing profit today—and how to tighten up operations and maximize HROWhat it really means to be a BodyShop leader in a changing industry🎧 Listen now—and if this episode sparks something for you, share it with another shop owner who needs to hear it. The BodyShop Leaders Podcast is powered by BodyShop Marketing, the agency helping collision industry leaders grow smarter and lead stronger.

    27 min

  6. FEB 27

    Ken Hunnell: When Process Change Makes People Quit (And Why That’s Good)

    What if the moment your team starts quitting… is actually proof you’re doing something right? In this episode of BodyShop Leaders, I sit down with multi-shop owner Ken Hunnel to unpack the uncomfortable truth about real process change inside a collision repair business. Ken started in the parts department in 2001 and worked his way up to owning multiple auto body shops across Oklahoma and Kansas. Along the way, he helped transform operations, implement segmented workflow, improve cycle times, introduce team-based pay systems, and build high-performance cultures inside his collision repair facilities. But the breakthrough moment?  It came when technicians started quitting. We talk about: Why high performers refuse to tolerate mediocrityWhat real leadership in a collision repair shop actually looks likeHow to implement process improvement without losing your teamThe power of weekly process-only meetingsTeam-based compensation in auto body shopsBuilding multi-location growth the right wayHiring before you’re readyCreating ownership opportunities for future leadersIf you’re an auto body shop owner, collision repair manager, or aspiring MSO, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, accountability, and building a first-class operation. The future of the collision repair industry will require stronger leaders — not just better technicians. This episode shows you what that looks like. The BodyShop Leaders Podcast is powered by BodyShop Marketing, the agency helping collision industry leaders grow smarter and lead stronger.

    30 min

  7. FEB 14

    David Black: Building a $75M MSO Without Compromising the Repair

    What does it take to scale a collision operation to $75 million across 10+ locations — without sacrificing repair integrity? In this episode of BodyShop Leaders, Daniel Burkholder sits down with David Black, Corporate Collision Director at #1 Cochran, to unpack nearly four decades of leadership in the collision repair industry. From starting in his family’s shop at 12 years old to building one of the largest dealer-owned collision groups in the country, David shares the philosophy that drives everything he does: Fix the car the right way. Then talk about cost. You’ll hear how David and his team: Transformed five independent dealership shops into a unified MSOBuilt a 150,000 sq. ft. collision-dedicated parts warehouseLeveraged AI to book repairs, communicate with customers, and improve CSILaunched in-house ADAS calibration centers to control cycle timeDeveloped a 24-month technician mentoring program to grow talent from the ground upNavigated the shift from chasing top-line revenue to protecting car count and long-term profitabilityThis conversation is a masterclass in leadership, innovation, and operational discipline. If you care about OE-correct repairs, sustainable growth, and preparing your business for the next decade of collision repair — this episode is for you. The BodyShop Leaders Podcast is powered by BodyShop Marketing, the agency helping collision industry leaders grow smarter and lead stronger.

    35 min

  8. JAN 31

    From Tech to $29M: Kenny Davis On Culture, Mentorship, And Doing It Right

    In Episode 8 of BodyShop Leaders, Daniel Burkholder sits down with Kenny Davis, co-owner of Bob Maloney Collision Group in Northwest Arkansas, an operation built on people-first leadership, certified repairs, and deep community roots. Kenny’s story is the definition of earned leadership. He started in the automotive world chasing a love for cars, worked his way into collision repair, and eventually helped carry the business through a major turning point. When the Ford dealership side closed in 2009 and the team made a bold decision to keep the body shop alive. What started as a shop doing under $1M a year grew into a multi-location group on track to close around $29M. But this episode isn’t just about growth—it’s about how you grow without losing your soul. Kenny opens up about his early leadership mistakes, how he once believed he had to be tough to earn respect, and the life-changing moment that forced him to rethink how he shows up for people. From mentorship to culture-building, Kenny shares what actually works when you’re trying to keep great technicians, develop young talent, and build a team that stays. You’ll hear practical insights on: How Kenny and his partners protect culture while scaling to multiple locationsWhy they invest heavily in leadership development (including a powerful 4-day program for teammates)The real-world systems they use to retain talent—work-life balance, benefits, and intentional hiringWhy OEM procedures and certified repairs aren’t optional—and how to start the transition if you’re behindThe mindset shift that changed Kenny’s leadership forever: you don’t have to be a jerk to leadIf you’re a shop owner, manager, or future leader in collision repair, this episode is a masterclass in building a business where people thrive and quality wins. The BodyShop Leaders Podcast is powered by BodyShop Marketing, the agency helping collision industry leaders grow smarter and lead stronger.

    34 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The BodyShop Leaders Podcast brings you real conversations with the people shaping the future of collision repair — shop owners, vendors, and innovators who lead with purpose. Hosted by Daniel Burkholder of BodyShop Marketing, each episode dives into the lessons, mindsets, and breakthroughs that drive top-performing shops and the leaders behind them. No fluff. Just authentic stories and practical insights to help you grow, lead, and build a smarter, stronger shop. Powered by BodyShop Marketing — where the best shops come to grow.

Information

  • Creator
    Daniel Burkholder
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The BodyShop Leaders Podcast
  • Show Website
    The BodyShop Leaders Podcast

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