What does it really take to attract great technicians, train them the right way, and build a shop culture that actually keeps them?

In this power-packed episode of Body Bangin’, I sat down with Jason Bartanen, industry educator, trainer, and founder of Collision ProAssist, to break down the real reasons shops struggle with talent… and what the best operators are doing differently.

Jason has trained thousands of technicians across the country. He’s seen what works, what fails, and why some shops keep losing people no matter how much they pay.

This episode is a roadmap for every shop owner who wants to build a team that’s skilled, confident, and loyal.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🔧 Why the tech shortage isn’t about “no talent”. It’s about no development
Jason explains the mindset shift shops must make if they want to build a pipeline of skilled technicians.

📚 The training model top shops use to grow techs internally
And why relying only on “experienced hires” is a losing strategy long-term.

⚙️ The new competencies techs actually need with today’s vehicles
ADAS, calibrations, documentation, and why shops fail when training doesn’t match real workflow.

🧠 How leadership impacts technician retention more than pay
From communication gaps to unclear expectations, Jason outlines the hidden problems that push techs away.

📈 What shops must do now to stay competitive in 2025 and beyond
Practical steps to build structure, improve onboarding, and run stronger production.

Meet Jason Bartanen

Founder of Collision ProAssist, a platform helping shops train technicians, improve documentation, and streamline processes.

🌐 Website: https://www.collisionproassist.com/
🎟 30-Day Free Trial: https://whop.com/backbaytrial
💼 Full Service Access ($40/mo): https://whop.com/backbaypro
💸 Use code “GCIA” or “Micki” for 20% off your first 6 months

🔗 Connect with Jason:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-b-bartanen-03519935/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bart22972
Collision ProAssist FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574989843394

👇 Watch the Body Bangin’ Podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BodyBangin
...
This episode will challenge how you think about hiring, developing, and keeping great techs, and give you the playbook to start fixing it today.

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes that help shops grow for real.

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

This Best Of roundup pulls the most practical moments from four powerhouse conversations, so you can lead better, hire smarter, and finally charge what you’re worth.

What you’ll learn:

Succession & Family Alignment: How to set a clear vision, involve spouses, and plan for ownership transitions that actually work.

Sustaining Success: Five levers top shops use to stay profitable when volume and rates are volatile.

Magnetic Hiring & Retention: The culture signal (Meaning, Acknowledgement, Measurement, Teamwork, Vision) that attracts and keeps A-players.

Pricing & Mindset: Why “busy ≠ profitable,” how to know your real costs, and the mindset shift to get paid for the value you deliver.

Episode sources...

Ep #35 — Goal & Succession Planning for Your Shop (Matt Di Francesco)
Ep #46 — 5 Ways to Sustain Success in Your Shop (David Willett)
Ep #43 — How Shops Are Finding & Retaining Talent (Dave Luehr)
Ep #55 — Get Paid for What You Do & Change Your Mindset (Clay Hoberecht)

The shops that win aren’t just efficient—they’re intentional. They lead with clarity, build cultures people want to join, and price with confidence.

—
👇 RESOURCES & LINKS:

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/body-bangin/id1558234037

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/491aIUWJ72fFpVARROeRcA

🔔 Subscribe for weekly, no-fluff collision business growth.

📧 Work with me: collisioncentermarketing.com

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

This week, we're doing something different. We’ve pulled together 4 of the most powerful, no-BS moments from past Body Bangin’ episodes, the kind of insights that shift how you think, lead, and grow.

Here’s what’s inside:

#45 — Changing the Way We Communicate is Key (with Kristen Felder)
→ Why relationship-based communication matters more than transactions. Kristen breaks down how knowing your customers as people, not just “the Camry,” transforms trust and service.

#58 — Use the Appraisal Clause to Get Paid (with Billy Walkowiak)
→ Shops often fight the wrong battles. Billy lays out the legal mechanics of first- vs third-party claims and why understanding what insurers actually owe is a game-changer.

#104 — The Keys to Success (with Louie Sharp)
→ Louie brings the 🔥. “Shop owners are too damn lazy.” No sugarcoating — just hard truths on excuses, leadership, and marketing mindset.

#47 — What are the Gaps in Your Leadership (with Bruce Schronce)
→ “Even Tom Brady has a coach.” Bruce introduces his Five Bridges model and explains why growth demands investing in yourself first.

Whether you’re a shop owner, estimator, or marketer, these moments cut through the noise.

🔔 Don’t miss an episode—subscribe now for more real talk on marketing and leadership that helps your shop grow.

👇 RESOURCES & LINKS:

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/491aIUW...

📧 Work with me: collisioncentermarketing.com

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

What does it really take to bring more cars through the door, win trust in your community, and future-proof your shop’s marketing?

In this special solo episode of Body Bangin’, I’m breaking down the 3 most common questions I get about marketing in the collision repair industry, straight, simple, and actionable.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

- Why SEO (and now AEO—Answer Engine Optimization) is the key to showing up on Google and AI search tools

- How to stop wasting dollars on scattershot community sponsorships and build presence that actually drives work

- The overlooked “marketing move” hiding right in front of your shop: curb appeal and customer confidence

I’ve been in your shoes as a shop owner, and now I work with shops every day to grow smarter and faster. This isn’t theory. These are real strategies you can start using today.

👉 Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your shop’s approach, this episode gives you a clear roadmap for marketing that works.

🔔 Don’t miss an episode—subscribe now for more real talk on marketing and leadership that helps your shop grow.

👇 RESOURCES & LINKS:

📧 Work with me: collisioncentermarketing.com

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

What does it really take to repair cars the right way, protect your shop from liability, and actually get paid for the work you do?

In this power-packed episode of Body Bangin’, I sat down with Alex Stapleton (North American Sales & Marketing Director at Spanesi) to dig into the real ROI of pre-measuring—and why it’s the missing link in too many shops’ processes.

We pulled back the curtain on the truths (and myths) around pre-measuring, blueprinting, and how measurement can transform both shop profitability and customer trust.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

⚡ Why skipping pre-measurement is costing shops more than they realize
⚡ How to turn measuring into a billable, documented operation (and add hours to every RO)
⚡ The fastest way to make pre-measurement part of your SOPs without slowing production
⚡ How to use measuring as a marketing tool to show customers you repair cars the right way
⚡ Why training, consistency, and leadership—not just buying equipment—separate successful shops from the rest

If you’ve ever wondered whether pre-measurement is “worth the time,” or how to make it a profit driver instead of a headache, this conversation is your playbook.

🎤 Don’t miss this episode with one of the industry’s straightest shooters—Alex Stapleton of Spanesi.

🔔 Subscribe now and never miss an episode that challenges the status quo and helps you grow for real.

📧 Connect with Alex Stapleton:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-stapleton-/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.stapleton.5

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

What does it really take to build trust, lead with integrity, and shape the future of the collision industry?

In this power-packed episode of Body Bangin’, I sat down with three leaders who aren’t afraid to get real about certifications, training, and what shops need to do right now to thrive:

👉 Steve Fishe – Owner of Plan B Auto Body & President of TCRA
👉 Jerry Dalton – Owner of Dalton Collision & Board Member of TCRA
👉 Brent Henkle – Training Manager at Elite Body Shop Solutions & Secretary of TCRA

We pulled back the curtain on the truths (and myths) around shop certifications, dealer sponsorships, and the actual ROI of being “certified.”
What you’ll learn in this episode:

⚡ Why most owners misunderstand the value of certifications
⚡ How shops can use certifications as a marketing tool instead of a liability
⚡ The hidden costs shops never calculate before chasing that badge
⚡ What consumers think “certified” means vs. the reality in the industry
⚡ How training, accountability, and leadership separate the shops that say they’re certified from the shops that actually live it

If you’ve ever wondered whether certifications are worth it—or how to leverage them to actually grow your business—this conversation is your playbook.

🎤 Don’t miss the chance to connect with these pros live at the Music City Collision Conference in Nashville, TN — September 26–27, 2025.

👉 Register here: https://mytcra.com/music-city-collision-conference/

🔔 Subscribe now and never miss an episode that challenges the status quo and helps you grow for real.

👇 RESOURCES & LINKS:
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/body-bangin/id1558234037

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/491aIUWJ72fFpVARROeRcA

📧 Connect with our guests:
Steve Fishe – steve@planbautobody.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/planbautobody/

Jerry Dalton – jerry@daltoncollision.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-dalton-91ab521b/

Brent Henkle – brent.henkle@elitebodyshopsolutions.com |https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-henkle-b5916213/

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

What happens when the money meets the mission in the collision world?

In this value-packed episode of Body Bangin’, we bring together two powerhouse voices shaping the future of the industry:

👉 Laura Gay, founder of Consolidation Coach and host of Consolidation Nation
👉 Matt DiFrancesco, collision financial advisor and host of Your Business, Your Life

They dive deep into the realities behind the scenes of selling, scaling, and surviving in the ever-shifting collision repair landscape.

You’ll learn:

💰 What to actually expect when selling your shop—and what most owners get wrong

🧠 How to emotionally prepare for a transition (even years before it happens)

🚫 Common traps shops fall into when growing too fast or too big

📈 Why knowing your numbers is the ultimate power move

💡 How to future-proof your business in a consolidating market

If you’ve ever wondered when to sell, how to grow smart, or what it means to build a legacy beyond the business, this one’s for you.

🎤 Catch Laura and Matt live at the Music City Collision Conference this September 26–27 in Nashville!

🔔 Subscribe now and never miss an episode that challenges the status quo and helps you grow for real.

👇 RESOURCES & LINKS:

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/body-bangin/id1558234037
🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/491aIUWJ72fFpVARROeRcA?si=0df935d45b4c4786&nd=1&dlsi=e90b85e41e284f1f
▶️ More Body Bangin’ on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwbN0Tv3xo9RFBDNN2G5SjQ

📧 Connect with our guest pros:
Laura Gay – laura@consolidationcoach.com
Matt DiFrancesco – matt@highliftfin.com

🎙️ Check out their podcasts:
Laura – Consolidation Nation → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVv9MS8SmNI&list=PLtFC3wzeOyPmcCfKlhyRV_IO3iL82q4k7
Matt – Your Business, Your Life → https://www.youtube.com/@highliftfinancial

🔗 Connect on LinkedIn:
Laura – https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-gay-b5b576156/
Matt – https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-difrancesco/

🌐 Learn more:
https://consolidationcoach.com/
https://highliftfinancial.com/

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

In this no-holds-barred episode, Micki Woods sits down with Kyle Motzkus and Clay Hoberecht, two industry pros who say what others won’t.

They get brutally honest about the lack of accountability in the collision world, calling out fake certifications, clout-chasers, and shops that talk a big game but don’t follow OEM procedures.

What you’ll hear:

- Why ego is killing repair quality and what real leadership looks like
- RTA: consumer protection or shop-owner trap?
- The shocking truth about “certified” shops not following procedures
- What happens when you stop building your business around insurers
- How focusing on your people actually fuels your growth

This one pulls no punches. If you’ve ever questioned how the industry operates or your place in it don’t miss this.

🔔 Subscribe now and never miss an episode that challenges the status quo and helps you grow for real.

👇 RESOURCES & LINKS:

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/body-bangin/id1558234037

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/491aIUWJ72fFpVARROeRcA?si=0df935d45b4c4786&nd=1&dlsi=e90b85e41e284f1f

▶️ More Body Bangin’ on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwbN0Tv3xo9RFBDNN2G5SjQ

🔗 Follow Micki on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micki-woods-36374121/

🚀 Need help growing your shop with marketing that actually works? Visit https://mickiwoodsmarketing.com/

📧 Connect with our guest industry pros:

Clay Hoberecht: bestbodyshopinwichita@yahoo.com

Kyle Motzkus: kmotz23@gmail.com
instagram.com/bluecollarkyle
https://www.facebook.com/BLUECOLLARKYLE/

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134