Positive Paths to Success in 2026- w/ Dave Luehr

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**🎙️ Podcast Show Notes:

Does it feel like your shop’s part of a twisted magic trick... now you see it, now you don't? 🧙‍♂️🔮🌟

❓ Slower pipelines 

❓ Increased volume of total losses

❓ Growing insurance pressures … you’re not alone! 

In this week’s episode of The Mind Wrench Podcast, we sit down with industry educator and straight-shooter Dave Luehr from Elite Body Shop Solutions to talk about a better way forward for independent shops heading into 2026.

Instead of fighting the chaos, Dave explains how smart shop owners can become "anti-fragile"… meaning the business actually gets stronger when things get bumpy. We break down a real shift happening right now: more customer-pay repairs driven by higher premiums and deductibles. That work is there, but only for shops that have the right systems in place.

Dave walks us through practical, no-fluff moves you can put to work fast. Front-end triage to grab photos right away. Client-first solutions to keep customers engaged. Built-in financing options through CCC One with Sunbit or other financial tools like Synchrony, so money doesn’t kill the deal. We also dig into “claim avoidance” partnerships with local insurance agents that send work your way even when no claim is filed.

Beyond repairs, we explore smart expansions like glass, ADAS calibration, and in-house car rentals—services that boost margins and improve the customer experience without living on the DRP treadmill. Dave also shares why masterminds, coaching, and a simple daily focus system are helping shop owners grow with less stress and more control.

If you want a clear, positive path to success in 2026, this episode lays out the playbook.

Your 3 Key Takeaways

• Volatility isn’t the enemy—shops with the right systems can use it as an advantage
• Customer-pay work grows when you remove friction with speed, clarity, and financing
• Focused leadership, accountability, and simple daily priorities beat chaos every time

 

Guest Links: email Dave Luehr - david.luehr@elitebodyshopsolutions.com

🔗 Positivity Summit

🔗 Bodyshop Assessment 

🔗 Elite Body Shop Solutions

Customer Pay Financing Sites:

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