Crash Champions CEO’s $3 Billion Growth: Daymond John’s Mentorship Revealed

Matt Ebert knows a thing or two about fixing things. Literally. Back in 1989, a car accident changed everything.

He was just 16. His car? Not so lucky. But instead of just handing it over to someone else, he decided to get his hands dirty.

He found a mentor. An auto tech who showed him the ropes. Night after night, he learned. Ten years later? Boom. His own shop.

It started as New Lenox Auto Body. Fast forward to 2015. Big change. He bought out his partner and rebranded. Crash Champions was born.

The Rocket Ride to the Top

Growth exploded. By 2019, 13 locations. Then, a major move. A private equity investor came on board. A&M Capital, with billions in assets.

Today? Get this: 650 locations. Across 38 states. Most of it through buying up existing shops. Mom-and-pop places, often.

Ebert, now 52, says they’re on track for $3 billion in revenue this year. Let that sink in. In 2019? Just $40 million.

Crash Champions is now the third largest collision repair company in the U. S. Over 11,000 people work there.

The Shark and the Champion

Here’s where it gets interesting. Daymond John, from Shark Tank, took notice. About six years ago, a mentorship began.

In-person meetings. Talking business. Sharing insights.

Daymond John on What Makes Crash Champions Special

What caught Daymond’s eye?

“He absorbed, partnered, or created 630 operating retail locations in the course of five years,” John says. “He’s addressing an industry that’s not going anywhere, it’s only growing. ”

He added, “I just find it fascinating that he’s doing more business than all the Sharks combined in a short time. ”

Ebert’s Secrets to Scaling Up

How did Ebert grow so fast?

“A lot of it’s been done through M&A (mergers and acquisitions),” Ebert explains. Many shop owners are ready to retire. Their kids aren’t always interested.

“We reward those owners and sellers for all their hard work,” he says. “And they, in turn, trust us with that legacy. ”

Advice for Small Business Owners

Want to scale your business? Ebert has advice:

• Keep it simple. Don’t overcomplicate things.
• Focus on people. Quality and quantity matter. Robots can’t fix cars, yet.
• Treat sellers right. Be the acquirer of choice.

Facing Your Fears

Thinking about starting a business? Hesitant?

“Nothing worthwhile comes about without risk,” Ebert says. “I had no fear of the risk because when you don’t have anything when you’re starting, there’s not much to lose. ”

His advice? “Don’t be afraid of the risk if you’ve got a good plan. ”

Maintaining Quality at Scale

With so many locations, how do you keep service consistent?

“What differentiates us is the customer experience,” Ebert emphasizes. Accidents are rare for most people. “It’s our responsibility to build trust as quickly as we can. ”

Transparency is key. Talk them through the process. Tell them what to expect.

Daymond’s Investment Philosophy

What does Daymond look for in a company?

“I look for places I can relate to and understand the business,” he says. His first business involved fixing and selling cars.

He remembers needing reliable service and parts. “So thank God I got ripped off a couple of times and decided to start FUBU. ”