Matt Ebert, the founder and CEO of Crash Champions, had a humble upbringing with limited resources and no expectation of pursuing higher education. However, his love for cars and entrepreneurial drive led him to the collision-repair industry after repairing his own damaged car as a teenager. From a single shop in 1999, Ebert grew Crash Champions into a national powerhouse with over 650 locations and $2.75 billion in revenue, predominantly hiring workers without college degrees.
When discussing his journey from a small town in Illinois to building his car-collision repair shop empire, Ebert remains modest, reflecting on his modest beginnings. Coming from a background where college education was not a topic of conversation, he recalls starting out by mowing lawns as a child and finding his true passion in cars. A car symbolized freedom for Ebert, and he vividly recalls the thrill of driving alone for the first time and realizing the possibilities ahead.
Ebert’s entry into the collision-repair industry came unexpectedly at the age of 16 when he wrecked his first car and sought guidance from a local repairman to fix it himself. This experience ignited his career in car repair, eventually leading him to establish Crash Champions. Overseeing a company that has experienced exponential revenue growth and employs over 10,000 individuals, Ebert stands out for his workforce composition, with 83% of employees lacking a college degree.
Expressing his success without a college education, Ebert emphasizes that while college offers valuable opportunities, it is not the sole path to prosperity. Crash Champions prioritizes skill and performance over formal education, with technicians earning six-figure salaries. The company’s approach is aligned with shifting attitudes among younger generations, who recognize alternative paths to success beyond traditional academia.
Although certain positions at Crash Champions may require specific degrees, the company emphasizes continuous learning through leadership development programs covering various topics. With a focus on culture, financial leadership, communication, and team development, Crash Champions invests in the growth and success of its employees, setting a new standard for opportunities in the industry.
These programs aim to recruit and train top technicians. Ebert stressed the importance of good management, noting that even the best technicians will leave if working under bad managers. Crash Champions also offers an apprenticeship program to train technicians from the ground up. They start by working alongside experienced team members for a couple of years before branching out on their own.
Ebert attributes much of Crash Champions’ success to his dedicated employees. He believes in surrounding himself with talented individuals who bring diverse skills to the table. Despite his leadership role, Ebert acknowledges the collective effort of his team in achieving the company’s milestones.
Ebert’s entrepreneurial journey began with humble beginnings in a Chicago suburb. After working at a body shop, he realized his ambition to start his own business. Initially facing challenges due to his young age and limited network, Ebert ventured into various business opportunities before establishing Crash Champions. The company’s name symbolizes their role as heroes in customers’ time of need after accidents.
As Crash Champions expanded, Ebert seized opportunities to acquire struggling body shops, rapidly growing the business. Facing financing limitations, he later sought private equity to fuel further growth. The COVID-19 pandemic spurred strategic shifts, prompting Ebert to envision a national presence for his business model.
In 2021, Crash Champions experienced significant growth through a strategic merger with Service King Collision. This move resulted in a substantial increase in locations and revenue, solidifying Crash Champions’ position in the auto body repair industry.
In 2022, Lion is projected to reach around $3 billion and is aiming to accelerate growth in the coming year, according to Ebert. Ebert expressed determination to strive for the top position, highlighting that Lion currently ranks as the third largest in the country behind Caliber Collision and Gerber Collision & Glass. He emphasized the company’s vast potential for expansion, noting a recent temporary slowdown in growth to enhance operational readiness for future scalability. This article was initially published on Fortune.com.
