Rachel James Blends Collision Repair and Financial Strategy at IDEAS Collide Showcase

Forbes-recognized finance professional Rachel James shares how blending collision repair with smart financial strategy can transform a business during the IDEAS Collide Showcase at the 2025 SEMA Show. 

James challenges collision business owners to rethink how they approach money, and to consider how adding a chief financial officer can bring clarity to decisions like expansion, hiring, profitability, valuation, and long-term planning.  

From understanding profit and loss statements to avoiding costly financial assumptions, the presentation highlights how a CFO can help shops navigate growth, maintain profitability, and prepare for the future, even for single-location operators.  

The IDEAS Collide Showcase was hosted by the Society of Collision Repair Specialists and the session was filmed live at the 2025 SEMA Show.