A huge thank you to the Rauch and King families for welcoming the Northwest Illinois CEO class to Quality Auto Body and sharing their business, experiences, and advice with our students!

Quality Auto Body has been part of our community since 1982, and our visit gave students a firsthand look at what it takes to build and sustain a successful small business. We learned about starting from the ground up, the importance of every person and every role, and why continually reinvesting in your business, equipment, and technology matters.

The students also learned how labor and material costs impact the bottom line, the importance of great customer service, the role insurance plays in the repair process, and why successful business owners always need to be thinking ahead.

One message that really stood out was the importance of having a game plan. Whether starting a business or purchasing an existing one, do your research, ask questions, understand the numbers, and build from a strong foundation.

Some great advice to take with us: Don’t be afraid to take risks. Persevere. Know that sometimes it’s OK to say no. Ask questions. And never stop learning.

Thank you again to the Rauch and King families and everyone at Quality Auto Body for your hospitality and for investing your time in our students. We truly appreciate it!