Sarah Mitchell
Sarah has spent over a decade advising small and family-owned auto repair shops on growth, hiring, and customer experience. With an MBA from Western and a background in small-business lending, she has worked directly with more than 200 independent Canadian shops on pricing, marketing, and CRA-compliant bookkeeping. She writes about the operational and regulatory side of running a profitable independent garage in Canada.
485 articles by Sarah
Is a Non-Certified Collision Repair Centre Safe?
Learn the hidden safety risks of using a non-certified collision repair centre in Canada, including structure, ADAS, scans, corrosion protection, and repair documentation.
What to Do Immediately After a Highway Collision in Canada: A 5-Step Guide
A practical Canadian highway collision guide covering safety, 911, reporting thresholds, documentation, towing, insurance, and repair decisions after a crash.
Understanding Supplements: Why Your Initial Repair Quote Might Change
Understand collision repair supplements, hidden damage, insurer approval, ADAS calibration, parts changes, and what to ask when the initial quote grows.
Should You Pay for Collision Repair Yourself or File an Insurance Claim?
Customer-pay collision repair can make sense for minor, safe, well-documented damage when the repair cost is close to the deductible. Learn how DCPD, fault, hidden damage, insurance rules, and repair documentation change the decision.
OEM vs Aftermarket Collision Parts: How to Choose After a Crash
OEM, aftermarket, recycled, and repaired collision parts each have tradeoffs. Learn when each option may make sense, what insurers may allow, and what to ask before approving the repair.
EV Collision Repair: Why Body Shops Need Specialized Knowledge
EV collision repair requires more than panel work. High-voltage systems, battery location, vehicle weight, ADAS calibration, structural materials, and OEM procedures all affect the repair plan.
Matching Metallic Paint: Why Good Body Shops Blend More Than Colour
Metallic paint matching is difficult because colour, flake size, flake direction, surface material, age, clearcoat, lighting, and spray technique all change how the repair looks. Learn how professional body shops scan, mix, spray test, blend, and inspect metallic finishes.
Dealer vs Independent Collision Repair Costs: What Actually Changes the Price
Independent collision repair can cost less than dealership body work, but the real price difference depends on labour, parts, diagnostics, calibration, paint, documentation, and whether the repair follows OEM procedures.
Immediate vs. Gradual IBT: Which Succession Model Fits Your Family?
Compare immediate and gradual intergenerational business transfer models to find the succession strategy that aligns with your family dynamics and shop goals.
Valuing Your Shop: Tangible Assets vs. Goodwill in the Final Sale
Understand how tangible assets and goodwill combine to determine your auto repair shop's true value when selling or transferring ownership.
The Retirement Horizon: Selling Your Shop to an Employee or Management Team
Explore the benefits and practical considerations of selling your family-owned auto repair shop to trusted employees or an internal management team as you plan retirement.
Vendor Take-Back Loans: How to Finance Your Own Exit and Support the Buyer
Understand how vendor take-back loans enable sellers to finance their exit from auto repair shops while providing buyers with flexible terms to complete purchases.