At CARSTAR Welland, growth means more than expanding a facility or increasing repair volume — it means growing people, building leaders, and creating a culture that guests can trust.

Since we last featured Jenny as Assistant Manager, she has officially stepped into the role of Store Manager. Over the years, she has become an integral part of the CARSTAR Welland team, helping shape not only the growth of the business itself, but also the experience guests receive every day they walk through the doors.

For Jenny, the journey into leadership has been filled with learning experiences, new challenges, and personal growth.

Learning to Embrace the Unknown

“The many journeys in the collision repair world are never boring,” Jenny says with a laugh. “Even after almost a decade in the industry, I still encounter something new weekly — honestly, almost daily.”

While the collision repair industry can be fast-paced and unpredictable, Jenny says one of the things she’s most proud of is how much her mindset and approach have evolved over the years.

“There was definitely a point in time where the unknown immediately caused panic for me,” she explains. “But through years of watching my mentors and peers navigate difficult situations, I learned new strategies and approaches that helped me grow — not just for myself, but for my team too.”

Today, that mindset has become part of the culture at CARSTAR Welland.

“We focus on stepping back, understanding the full picture, and figuring out what’s truly best for the guest and their investment. I’m lucky because my team fully embraces that approach.”

Understanding the Difference Between Managing and Leading

As Jenny transitioned into management, she quickly realized something many leaders eventually discover — being a manager and being a leader are not the same thing.

“Finding the balance between the two has honestly become one of my biggest priorities,” she says.

“As a manager, I have numbers and metrics that our team needs to hit for us to be successful. I need to be accountable for those goals. But as a leader, I have a responsibility to help the team understand the purpose behind those goals and make them meaningful.”

That balance, she says, is what creates a stronger culture and a more connected team environment.

“When everyone understands the ‘why’ behind what they’re doing, they work toward the same end goal together. And I’m very lucky to have a team that doesn’t just want to meet expectations — they genuinely want to exceed them.”

Jenny credits much of her leadership style to the mentors she’s had throughout her career.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to work with people who truly exemplified leadership. Now that I’m in this role myself, I have an even deeper appreciation for how much those leaders were juggling every day while still showing up for their teams the way they did. That’s something I strive for daily.”

Watching the Shop Grow Alongside the Team

For Jenny, CARSTAR Welland holds a special meaning because she’s had the opportunity to grow alongside the business itself.

“This shop is different for me because I’ve experienced my own growth here, but I’ve also been part of the growth of the business,” she says.

When Jenny first started, the facility looked very different than it does today.

“At one point, you could barely fit three bumpers and a door in our parts room,” she laughs. “Now we have a full setup with a TV where we perform our mirror matching process.”

The office setup has evolved significantly too.

“For quite some time, John and I shared an office. He had a full setup while I worked from a small mobile desk unit, and our CSR desk was literally a floating station out in the dealership showroom.”

Today, CARSTAR Welland has its own dedicated entrance, expanded office space, and a welcoming waiting area designed to make guests feel comfortable during stressful situations.

“It’s amazing to look back and see how much has changed.”

A Team That Truly Cares

While the shop itself has grown, Jenny says the people inside it are what truly make CARSTAR Welland special.

“My team cares,” she says proudly. “They take pride in their work and genuinely want to be proud of every vehicle we put back on the road.”

That pride extends far beyond what guests can physically see.

“They care about the fit, finish, and physical outcome of the repair, but they also care about the quality, thoroughness, and integrity behind every repair process. What more could I ask for from a team?”

Motivation That Drives Excellence

The collision repair industry can be demanding, but Jenny says her motivation comes from constantly striving to raise the standard.

“This might sound a little juvenile,” she says jokingly, “but what motivates me is wanting to be better than the guy down the street.”

For Jenny, however, “better” isn’t simply about competition.

“It means being more attentive to detail, more thorough, maintaining higher quality standards, and creating a guest experience that people genuinely talk about afterward.”

She believes today’s guests want more than just repairs — they want confidence, support, and solutions.

“I was once told, ‘We can’t just be collision repairers — we have to be the complete solution.’ That has always stuck with me because I truly think that’s what guests are looking for, even if they don’t necessarily say it directly.”

Looking Ahead

As she looks toward the future, Jenny sees endless potential for both the shop and the team around her.

“Personally and professionally, there’s still so much room for growth here,” she says. “The potential in this building and in the people inside it is immense.”

She believes the culture that has been built at CARSTAR Welland will continue driving that growth forward.

“The positive attitudes and the collective mindset that we need to be our guests’ solution reflects in everything we do. When you have a team built that way, there’s nowhere to go but up.”

At CARSTAR Welland, we couldn’t agree more.

We’re incredibly proud of Jenny, her leadership journey, and the passion she brings to our team every single day. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Jenny Askeland
jenny@carstarwelland.ca