Hudson Valley Auto Repair Shop is a Family Affair
New York, December 18, 2018 – OnDeck® (NYSE: ONDK), the leader in online lending to small businesses, today announced Kingston Collision as its Small Business of the Month for December 2018. The family–owned and operated auto collision repair and restoration facility serves residents of Kingston, NY and the Hudson Valley.
Kingston Collision owner David Rowe was not fooling around when he opened his business on April 1, 2003. A veteran of the auto insurance industry, David was extremely familiar with the auto collision repair industry, having served as a physical damage adjuster for 20 years. Inspired by the business owners he met over the years, David decided he wanted to own his own auto collision shop. With little to no cash on hand and just one personal credit card, he made the leap over 15 years ago.
“In crossing over from the insurance adjuster side to owning my own auto repair business, the best thing I had going for me was 20 years of industry experience and local vendors willing to extend me credit thanks to a good reputation,” said David. “The other thing I had going for me was my family and their willingness to step in and become an integral part of the business.”
Over the years, Kingston Collision grew steadily as the shop’s reputation for quality spread throughout the Hudson Valley and other parts of New York State. Using only the highest quality products and equipment for vehicle repair and employing certified technicians and service members, David’s commitment to superior customer service helped Kingston Collision attract customers in a highly competitive industry. In 2017 though, David encountered a business challenge.
“Our shop encountered what many in the auto collision are also faced with. The auto insurance industry can be notoriously slow in releasing funds on claims, which places the burden on repair shops to lay out their cash up front. That’s a real problem for a small business owner,” said David.
Facing a funding dilemma, David began searching online for a reputable lender to help him meet the shortfall until the insurance companies released the funds on dozens of outstanding claims. In July of 2017, he found OnDeck.
“OnDeck was there for me in a challenging time. When my business faced an immediate cash flow crunch, banks were not an option because they can take weeks, even months to fund a small business,” said David. “I have responsibility for payroll for 10 employees with families. OnDeck seemed to sense that urgency, because they were fast and transparent. I got the answers I needed right away and once approved, I was funded within days.”
David used the financing from OnDeck to purchase parts and inventory for customer repairs and stay ahead of the insurance claims funding cycle. Today, Kingston collision is well-positioned for the future. David intends to constantly upgrade equipment and invest in training to stay current with new vehicle designs and technology.
“OnDeck has been an excellent funding option for my small business,” said David. “My biggest goal now is to make an easy transition of ownership to my son in the coming years, so he can have the opportunity to enjoy the same success I have had.”
Kingston Collision is owned and operated by David and his wife, Lisa. Their respective families are natives of the Kingston, New York area dating back four generations and enjoy a strong bond with the community. David acts as the Shop Manager and is an ASE Master Technician. Lisa serves as the Front Office Manager and has 15 years of experience with insurance claims processing. Their son Cameron works as a Repair Technician, and their daughter Elizabeth handles public relations and digital media. To learn more about Kingston Collision of Kingston, New York, visit: www.kingstoncollision.com
“Kingston Collision is a wonderful example of a small business built on the hard work and dedication of an entire family,” said Andrea Gellert, Chief Revenue Officer, OnDeck. “We are proud to have been able to provide the financing the David and Lisa needed at a crucial time in the growth of their business. We hope to be able to provide future generations of the Rowe family with the capital they need to continue providing exemplary auto repair to the citizens of the Hudson Valley.”
To date, OnDeck has provided more than $800 million in capital to small businesses in New York State.
The Small Business Spotlight series from OnDeck is designed to highlight and reinforce the vital importance of small businesses. Every month, OnDeck spotlights the achievements of its small business customers and how they are thriving as a result of receiving capital from OnDeck.
To learn more about David Rowe and his family’s small business journey visit: www.ondeck.com/smallbusinessspotlight
About OnDeck
OnDeck (NYSE: ONDK) is the proven leader in transparent and responsible online lending to small business. Founded in 2006, the company pioneered the use of data analytics and digital technology to make real-time lending decisions and deliver capital rapidly to small businesses online. Today, OnDeck offers a wide range of term loans and lines of credit customized for the needs of small business owners. The company also offers bank clients a comprehensive technology and services platform that facilitates online lending to small business customers through ODX, a wholly-owned subsidiary. OnDeck has provided over $12 billion in loans to customers in 700 different industries across the United States, Canada and Australia. The company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is rated 5 stars by Trustpilot. For more information, visit www.ondeck.com.