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Ed Attanasio is an automotive journalist based in San Francisco, California. He can be reached at era39@aol.com.
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She Sold Her Auto Body Shop to Become an Artist
The Legal Q: View
In the world of collision repair, theHow did you get into the col- when a shop owner offered me a job. re are a ton of multi-talented people lision repair industry? I took it, and I absolutely loved my doing other things when they’re not position. He taught me how to be an with Gary Wickert repairing vehicles. estimator and I loved everything about it. I would bet the average customer does not realize the tech, painter or estimator working on their car is a What were the most musician, artist, actor, writer, movie satisfying and chaldirector—even the owner of a chamlenging parts of your role in pion Frisbee dog! I have enjoyed inthe industry? terviewing thesewith mega-talented inStacey Phillips dividuals since I started this column There are peopin 2008 when I wrote a story about le out there who Chris Mashburn, a body tech, and aren’t crazy about women his beloved Frisbee dog, Mindy. working in this industry. It This story is about Bianca has gotten better, but it still Rauser, who stepped away from the exists. When I could make Bianca Rauser sold her shop to step away from the crazy with Stacey Phillips world of collision repair and sold customers happy after golife of collision repair and pursue her passion for making her shop to enjoy life and pursue her art ing through the stressful art. A major tragedy in her life causituation of an accident—I sed Rauser to fast track her journey, I was working for an in- loved that part. It has also been reand part of that includes creating art surance company, and had warding getting to know and interact that has quickly become a signifi- to interact with body shops a lot. I with some of the most knowledgecant part of her retirement plan. was getting tired of the Evil Empire able people in the industry.
Q:
Product and Process
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Industry Training
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Q:
What are the biggest obstacles for the industry moving forward?
A:
Lack of education! As cars are ever-changing with legions of new technology, it is imperative to constantly train to keep up with correct procedures. I hated the fact that I had to fight with the insurance companies so that we could make safe, OE repairs. I could see that quality wasn’t always a priority and it began to become an issue. When people’s safety is involved, quality is not negotiable, in my opinion.
Q:
How did you get into creating art? Please describe your process.
A:
Art became an outlet for my anger and sorrow after my brother was murdered in a random
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