99. How ESG Principles Can Drive Value for Your Collision Repair Shop with Eddie Hightower

Your Business Your Life

To exit your business on your own terms and fund your ideal post-business life, increasing its value is essential.

One powerful way to achieve this is by adopting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices.

Unfortunately, many collision shop owners are unaware of how ESG practices can significantly impact their business's value, leading to missed opportunities for growth, profitability, and a stronger market position.

Join Matt DiFrancesco and Eddie Hightower, Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Social Responsibility at Caliber Collision, as they dive into how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices can drive long-term business growth, enhance business reputation, attract valuable talent, and ultimately boost the overall value of your shop.

Matt and Eddie also talk about:

(03:44) The three components of sustainability

(04:56) Why most shops score poorly on the ESG criteria

(09:45) The importance of reputation

(11:53) One of the biggest challenges in guiding shop owners in preparing for a third-party sale

(15:23) What Caliber Collision looks for when buying a shop

(17:03) How Caliber Collision’s Technician Apprentice Program (TAP) works

(21:56) Why doing the right thing with ESG lifts the entire collision repair industry

(28:28) Why shop owners should embrace sustainability practices and tell their story

Connect With Eddie Hightower

Website: https://www.caliber.com/services/collision

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddiehightower/

Connect With Matt DiFrancesco:

[e-mail]

[phone]

LinkedIn: Matt DiFrancesco

LinkedIn: High Lift Financial

Facebook: High Lift Financial

Instagram: @high_lift_financial

Youtube: @highliftfinancial

About the guest:

Eddie Hightower, who joined Caliber in 2015, brings a diverse background spanning legal and HR leadership roles across both private and public companies.

An attorney by trade, Eddie earned his BA from the University of Denver and his JD from the University of Miami School of Law, remaining an active member of the Florida and DC bars.

His unique perspective on sustainability and social responsibility aligns with his experience in human resources—an area often overlooked by collision shop owners.

Eddie also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Tampa and, outside of work, enjoys the gym, reading, and volunteering for Operation Kindness, a local pet rescue organization.

Disclaimer:

All information is obtained from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. No tax or legal advice is given nor intended. Content provided herein or on our website should not be construed as an offer for investment advice or for securities, insurance, or other investment products. Investments involve the risk of loss and are not guaranteed. Consult a qualified legal, tax, accounting, or financial professional before implementing any investments or strategy discussed here.

Investment advisory services from High Lift Financial are provided through Cornerstone Planning Group, LLC, an independent advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.