Better Together

Chris Dacus always dreamed of owning his own collision repair shop — he was so serious about it, in fact, that he shared his aspirations with his wife, Kena Dacus, on their very first date. 

“I always knew that was the direction he was going,” Kena says. “I just didn't know it was the direction that I would be going with him at the time.” 

Now, nearly 15 years later, the two are co-owners and managers of not one but two shops — operating as Dacus Auto Body & Collision Repair — and a full-service towing company, Dacus Towing & Recovery…and they’re doing it all together. 

“Building this business was always a dream of mine, but I couldn’t have done it without Kena,” Chris says. “She’s been more than a partner in life; she’s been my partner in this dream. While I focus on the shop and the craft, she built the foundation that keeps everything running, from managing the office to taking care of our team and customers. Her strength, dedication, and belief in what we’re building together mean everything to me. This business reflects both of us, and I am incredibly proud of her and what we have created side by side.” 

Coming Full Circle 

After graduating with his collision refinishing technology and management degree from WyoTech in 2007, Chris went to work for Arlie’s in Marion, Kansas, before taking a job at Vern Winter Body Shop in McPherson, Kansas, in 2010. 

After several years, Dacus approached the aging owner to ask if he’d be interested in selling. He wasn’t, so Chris made the bold decision to leave and open his own small shop about 10 miles away in Canton, Kansas, in 2014.  

He didn’t start with much — around 3,000 sq. ft. and a secondhand paint booth he purchased from a local furniture store, recalls Kena, but it was his. 

“We didn't have any money. We were newlyweds at the time. Chris spent a couple of months fixing up the shop, then operated as a one-man show in the beginning.” 

Kena — who has a degree in business administration from Wichita State University — was, at the time, working for a manufacturing company as a staff accountant, doing the books for Chris in the evenings. 

Within just a few months, however, it became obvious the one-man operation wasn’t sustainable — after spending all day running the front office, writing estimates, and ordering parts, he’d spend all night working on the cars. Something had to give. 

 “That’s when we decided that I would join the business full time,” says Kena. “I didn't know anything about vehicles in the beginning; I have no background in automotive at all. We learned together, honestly. I took over running the front office, helped with estimates, did all the ordering, and dealt with the insurance companies so Chris could actually work on the cars. That's how we started.” 

After several years, they added three additional team members, and they were quickly outgrowing the small shop. 

Then, in 2017, just as they were “bursting at the seams” and considering what to do next — and in timing that can only be described as providential — Chris received a call from his former employer. He was ready to sell, and it needed to happen fast. 

“We purchased the shop in about 30 days, which is wild when I think about it,” Kena says. “Essentially a month after we got that phone call, we were back working in Chris’ old shop. That's how we got our McPherson location.” 

The situation couldn’t have been more perfect, to hear them tell it. At more than double the square footage and with previously established relationships with most of the existing employees, the transition couldn’t have been smoother…or better timed. 

 Since then, business has boomed under Chris and Kena’s management, necessitating an expansion in 2020 that took the building from 7,500 to 21,000 sq. ft. They also started their towing company that same year, both to meet a need in the community and create a more cohesive experience for customers. 

Becoming an MSO 

The Dacuses weren’t looking to grow the business when the opportunity to purchase Crossroads Collision in Salina, Kansas, came about earlier this year — but, once again, the situation was too perfect to pass up. 

“We’ve known Greg and Heike Anderson (the previous owners of Crossroads Collision) for most of the decade we’ve been owners,” said Kena. “We’re neighbors, one town over, and we’ve always considered them friends, not competition. They’ve always been willing to help us over the years.” 

When Greg mentioned to Chris that they were considering retiring, Kena says, it was the first time they’d really thought seriously about a second shop. 

“We've never been out searching for more locations; that's never really been on our radar.”  

But, says Kena, knowing the high-caliber business Greg and Heike ran made the decision an easy one. 

“They have great market share and a great community. Everything just fell together, and it felt like the right move, even though it wasn't what we were necessarily looking for.” 

“I’m passionate about safe and proper repairs, creating a great place to work, and helping out our customers,” Chris says. Having the opportunity now to do that in multiple locations is exciting to him, and it has him dreaming again about what the future may hold. 

“Opening up this second shop has definitely made me think about where we might go from here,” he adds. 

For now, however, the couple will be busy acclimating themselves to owning two shops and working to align as many processes as possible between them for ease of operations. Chris is also thinking of adding onto Salina’s existing 13,000 sq. ft. structure to better match McPherson’s layout.  

“I try not to come into things narrow-minded,” he says, “so I don't want to go in there and change all their processes to our processes. I'll figure out exactly how they do things first and then take the best of theirs and the best of ours and combine them. That's how we got the shop that we have now, from the help and ideas of others in the industry.” 

Optimizing Operations 

The idea of adjusting and implementing new processes is nothing new for the Dacuses, who are always ready and willing to make changes that will improve the business. 

Their four-day work week and segmented repairs are two great examples. 

“We've been doing the four-day work week for three years now, and we've never looked back,” Kena says. “It's awesome. Our team loves it. Chris and I love it. And for recruiting purposes, I think it brings a lot of value. I would 10/10 recommend it.” 

The same goes for the segmented repair process the team employs, which Chris and Kena embraced after seeing how well it worked for Michael Giarrizzo at DCR Systems. 

“The body side of the shop has separate areas: repair plan, mechanical, structure, frame, alignment, body, reassembly, and detail,” Chris explains. “Paint [department] is like an assembly line, starting with prep/prime, mask, paint, then polish.” 

Each department is equipped with the tooling needed to complete every segment of the job, so techs don’t have to supply their own tools. 

“We were finding it hard to hire younger folks who don't have a full set of tools or even the complete set of knowledge it requires to work on a car from start to finish,” Kena says. “It's really opened up a lot of doors for younger talent to come into our shop, be successful, and add value.” 

Once techs have mastered their assigned segment, they have the option to cross-train and float as well, based on need and interest. 

“We do our best to put people where they want to be. I think it's important for people to be doing what they want to do. If they're happy, then they're going to put out better work,” Kena says. 

Not only have segmented repairs enhanced efficiency, but switching from commission to an hourly compensation model improved employee satisfaction and morale as well. 

“When techs are working on commission, it just feels like every job is personal, because it is. It's affecting their paycheck. You could feel the tension in the shop under that model.” 

Switching from that competitive mindset, Kena says, has made all the difference in the world. Not only has it resulted in higher quality repairs, but more camaraderie and teamwork…which in the end all ties back to higher customer satisfaction. 

“Everyone works together and they know each other's strengths, which allows them to do the right thing for the customer and hold each other accountable,” Chris agrees. 

The Dacuses are quick to point out that this accountability extends to them, too — it’s a personal imperative to become the best versions of themselves and lead their team effectively. 

“Being a good leader is more about working on yourself than it is figuring out how to manage people,” says Kena. “It's knowing your strengths and weaknesses, being self-aware, and holding yourself responsible.” 

Much of what they’ve learned over the years, they say, has come from mentors within the industry, and programs like Mike Jones’ Discover Leadership Training and Kevin and Melissa Wolfe’s “Wolfe Pack.” 

“It’s been really special to watch Chris grow into the leader he is today,” shares Kena. “When we first started out, I know stepping into a leadership role felt uncomfortable for him — he’s always been more of a quiet, behind-the-scenes kind of guy. But he didn’t shy away from it. He leaned in because he believed in what we were building and in the people around him. Over time, I’ve watched him gain confidence, find his voice, and become someone our team truly looks up to. He leads with heart, humility, and an unwavering sense of what’s right. I’m so proud of the way he’s grown — not just as a leader, but as a husband, business partner, and role model.”