Bryant: Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement  

As shop owners, we have generally focused inward for years on production metrics, DRP negotiations, technician shortages, and preparing for rapidly advancing vehicle tech. Regardless of your business model, all these efforts would be considered in the interest of running a shop, no doubt. But if you’re only looking inside your walls to grow your business, you’re leaving big-ticket value on the table. Let me share…  

The Power of Intentional Collaboration 

We’ve all heard some variation of “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know.” In this industry, I think the truth runs much deeper: it’s who you choose to know and what you do with that relationship. 

Strategic partnerships go beyond vendor contracts and referral swaps. I’m talking about aligning with organizations, suppliers, educators, and even competitors in a way that creates shared wins. 

Here’s a real-world example: At our locations, we don't just ask our paint manufacturer partner to support our growth; we bring them in as stakeholders in our training and quality control process. This turns a once-transactional relationship into a performance accelerator. They benefit from being deeply tied to a high-performing shop, producing invaluable real-world feedback. In return, we benefit from their expertise, resources, and credibility extending beyond our internal resources. In turn, it fast-tracks our team's internal development. 

If you’re in a city, plug into your chamber of commerce, but don’t just show up; show out. Bring ideas. Host events. Collaborate on workforce initiatives. Align with trade schools, high schools, and job placement programs. Don’t wait for the opportunities to find you; go find them first. 

Community Engagement is a Long Game 

I’ve learned the hard way that community engagement isn’t about logos on Little League jerseys or being mentioned in a press release. Those things are fine, but real engagement means being known for what you do when there’s nothing in it for you. 

In our case, we’ve leaned hard into education, giving school tours of our facility, sponsoring tools for entry-level students, and even offering internships to show what a career in collision can look like. The ROI isn’t always instant. But the long-term brand equity, reputation, and trust that builds? Priceless. Remember, all these relationships have relationships, and people generally love talking!  

When customers know your brand before needing a repair, you're winning. You're heading in the right direction when your community sees your business as a contributor, not just a service provider. 

We Can't Afford Continued Isolation 

Let’s call it like it is: Many shop owners wear isolation like a badge of honor. “No one understands our grind.” “No one works as hard as we do.” That may be true, but it’s classic victim mentality and incredibly limiting. 

Some of the greatest operational shifts I’ve made came from candid conversations with shop owners across the country. Not the ones pretending they had it all figured out — the ones in the trenches, who were willing to share. Those relationships started at conferences, through 20 groups, or with a simple, “Hey, can I buy you a coffee?” 

You don’t have to go it alone. And frankly, you shouldn’t. 

Here’s a Challenge from Me to You: 

Stop waiting for strategic partnerships or community opportunities to knock. Go create them. Be the one who starts the conversation. Be the one who invites others in. 

Ask yourself: 

If you approach these questions with authenticity instead of an agenda, the opportunities will come. 

My Final Two Cents 

In an industry built on the aftermath of collisions, the leaders in our markets build connections long before any accident occurs. 

Strategic partnerships and community engagement aren’t soft skills anymore. They are survival skills that are non-negotiables in today's market. They future-proof your brand, fortify your team, and earn you the kind of loyalty that no coupon or marketing gimmick ever could. 

So, stop thinking about your shop as a standalone business. Start treating it like a hub of talent, innovation, and a tool to make a much larger community impact than you could ever accomplish individually.