What does it really take to build a collision repair business that lasts—not just financially, but culturally?

In this powerful episode of BodyShop Leaders, host Daniel Burkholder sits down with Dave Dunn, founder of Dave’s Auto Body in Galesburg, Illinois, and co-founder of the Master’s School of Autobody Management—one of the most influential educators in the collision repair industry.

Dave shares his journey from a high school dropout and struggling 19-year-old shop owner to building one of the most respected body shops in the country, retiring from day-to-day operations by age 29, and helping thousands of shop owners lead better businesses.

This conversation goes far beyond tactics. Dave breaks down the core principles that allowed his shop to thrive for nearly five decades—including:

• Why culture starts with something as simple as a clean floor
• How to build a team that works for more than just money
• The power of quarterly employee reviews (and why avoiding pay conversations is a mistake)
• How to step out of the shop without losing control (yes—he literally rolled his toolbox out)
• What “Principles over Policies” really means through his Liquid Amalgam philosophy
• How palm trees, gator sauce, and a “purple cow” mindset helped his shop dominate local mindshare
• Why hiring for character over skill is non-negotiable in today’s technician shortage

If you’re a shop owner who wants to stop being the bottleneck, build a team you’re proud of, and create a business that can thrive without burning you out—this episode is required listening.

🔗 Guest Contact

Dave Dunn
📧 dave@masters-school.com

The BodyShop Leaders Podcast is powered by BodyShop Marketing, the agency helping collision industry leaders grow smarter and lead stronger.