The BodyShop Leaders Podcast

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 mediocrity
• What real leadership in a collision repair shop actually looks like
• How to implement process improvement without losing your team
• The power of weekly process-only meetings
• Team-based compensation in auto body shops
• Building multi-location growth the right way
• Hiring before you’re ready
• Creating ownership opportunities for future leaders

If 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.

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 MSO
• Built a 150,000 sq. ft. collision-dedicated parts warehouse
• Leveraged AI to book repairs, communicate with customers, and improve CSI
• Launched in-house ADAS calibration centers to control cycle time
• Developed a 24-month technician mentoring program to grow talent from the ground up
• Navigated the shift from chasing top-line revenue to protecting car count and long-term profitability

This 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.

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 locations
• Why 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 hiring
• Why OEM procedures and certified repairs aren’t optional—and how to start the transition if you’re behind
• The mindset shift that changed Kenny’s leadership forever: you don’t have to be a jerk to lead

If 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.