"2008 Existing Business of the Year" AWARD

Lonnie and Melanie Teeter, owners of Morrill Collision Repair, Inc, have changed the face of Main Street in the downtown rural community of Morrill, Kansas (population of 250 people). The former 4,100 square foot building constructed in 2001 has been expanded to approximately 7,300 square-feet to handle a new paint booth and other equipment upgrades, making it the most modernized and technological up-to-date collision repair business in the Midwest. The business specializes in all types of collision repair from glass repair and replacement to frame repair for area body shops. The building is equipped with collision repair equipment consisting of an AFC Quad Draft paint booth, ProSpot I-4 welding equipment and a Chief G-18 frame machine.

Lonnie and Melanie Teeter began thinking about owning their own collision repair business in 1998. For two years, they operated a home-based business doing collision repair work out of the family one-car garage. Lonnie was employed full-time as a repair specialist for another company, so they worked evenings and weekends to gradually build business. They did insurance work, builders – repair of previously damaged vehicles, and sub-contract work for other collision body shops in Northeast Kansas.

Secret to Success “Our desire is that customers will be 100% satisfied and share their experience with friends.” ~ Lonnie Teeter, owner

In the fall of 1999 with a vision of a new building for their business, the Teeters bought an unimproved lot on Main Street in Morrill. After saving enough startup funds, the Teeter’s bought initial tools and equipment, had the water and sewer line placed and the lot leveled in the summer and fall of 2000. Building construction started in the spring of 2001 and on June 25, 2001 the new location was open for business.

Morrill Collision's mission is to change the reputation of the collision repair industry one good experience at a time. Their highest priority is to maintain honesty and integrity in all relationships with their customers that entrust them to repair their vehicles. It is the Teeter’s desire that customers will be 100% satisfied and share their experience with family and friends.

The Washburn SBDC assisted the Teeters in writing the initial business plan in 2000 and the current 2008 business plan to obtain financing for business expansion. Careful analysis was taken to look at forecasting business revenues in repairing damaged vehicles and projected costs for profitable levels of operation.

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Award presented by: Washburn University, Kansas Small Business Development Center
129 SE 6th St., Suite 100, Topeka, Kansas 66603-3515
(785)234-3235
www.ksbdc@washburn.edu

PDF document of article here.