The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
30 YEARS IN BUSINESS
Co-owners of Pike’s CARSTAR Collision in Madison recognized at annual conference
Doug and Tamara Pike didn’t believe their decades-old business would garner widespread national recognition, but the couple quickly realized that was not the case.
The co-owners of Pike’s CARSTAR Collision, located in Madison, this month are commemorating 30 years in business, a milestone also celebrated and directly linked to their corporate network.
The Pikes recently traveled to Chicago where the anniversary of their franchise was acknowledged at the annual CARSTAR conference.
CARSTAR is North America’s largest network of independently owned and operated collision repair facilities with more than 650 locations in 35 states and 10 Canadian provinces.
Over the years, Pike’s has sponsored regional youth athletics teams and has been honored by various chambers of commerce for its commitment to locallyowned business in Lake County.
Taking collision repair courses at a local vocational school back in the day, Doug entered the industry as a technician, building experience and eventually going out on his own to work for himself with Tamara at his side. The Pikes were managing an apartment complex of 24 units when Doug was given the
opportunity to purchase equipment and take over the business leases for his repair center.
With the assistance of the apartment complex owners, Doug and Tamara were able to secure funding to open their own facility.
After being in business for a few years, and attending management and industry sessions to keep them operating, the Pikes decided to join a then-new collision repair network, CARSTAR, founded in 1989 by Lirel Holt, an industry leader the Pikes said they’ve always respected. “CARSTAR, in those early years, really did not have much to offer its franchise partners, as there was no buying power, industry relationships or brand reputation like there is today,” Doug said. “There was some information, but the real benefit was the colleagues and having other owners knowing what you are going through, but not competing against you.”
Over the years and based on that rapport and camaraderie, the company formalized “EDGE Performance Groups,” which sees owners come together to share best practices and learn about the latest industry updates.
“I am thankful to my colleagues and all of the support we have provided one another over the years, but I am eternally grateful for the incredible staff we have at our store,” Doug said, adding that many of Pike’s employees have been with the center for more than 20 years.
“Most of them came to us right out of vocational school, and we have been able to build a dependable and trusted relationship with one another.”
Doug was sidelined for a few years due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, that led to him undergoing a lung transplant. During that time, he said the team was constantly there to keep the business moving forward, even with a complete rebranding at the facility.
The Pikes realize the industry has gone through many changes over the past three decades, and they look forward to its continued growth.
“I remember when we got our first computer, which was 120MB, and nobody thought it belonged in a shop,” Doug said. “It’s funny to look back now as we have so much technology in our facility, and there is no way I could have guessed that we would be here 30 years later.
“I have a feeling advancements are not slowing anytime soon and I would guess that the electric technology will continue to develop, and maybe 30 years later we will have fewer gas-powered vehicles on the road.”
Pike’s CARSTAR Collision is located at 410 N. Lake St.