Confidence isn't built overnight. It grows through small decisions: accepting responsibility, admitting mistakes, leading with integrity, and choosing to keep showing up and believing you belong.
Randi Lee · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Randi
Randi Lee has built a successful career in the collision repair industry since beginning in 2011. She started as a receptionist at Tom Williams Collision Center in Birmingham, Alabama, where she advanced to the role of assistant manager and served for more than ten years. She later held production and management positions at both family-owned and nationwide collision repair facilities, including over two and a half years at the high-end shop Classic Car Motoring. In March, she transitioned into her current role as an estimator, where she continues to leverage her extensive operational and leadership experience.
Rather than completing a traditional college degree in elementary education, Randi chose to build her career through hands-on experience, continuous professional development, and industry training. Working in a traditionally male-dominated field, she developed her expertise through perseverance, adaptability, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Today, she holds Platinum-level I-CAR certifications in both Production Management and Estimating.
Randi credits her success to a leadership philosophy rooted in self-reflection, adaptability, and continuous improvement. She believes effective leaders take the time to understand and support their teams, learn from their experiences, and lead with honesty, integrity, and strong ethical values.
Outside of her professional career, Randi enjoys crocheting baby blankets that she donates to Anne's New Life, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting single mothers and their new babies.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Randi
01What do you attribute your success to?
I have developed my leadership skills through experience, reflection, and continuous improvement. By learning through trial and error, I recognized the importance of adapting my leadership style to better understand and support others. I regularly reflect on situations to identify what I could have handled more effectively, learn from those experiences, and take responsibility by apologizing when appropriate. This process has helped me grow as a leader and apply those lessons to handle similar situations more successfully in the future.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Effective leadership begins with genuinely caring about your team. People are more engaged and motivated when they feel valued, respected, and appreciated for their contributions. Strong leaders take the time to understand their employees, communicate clearly and effectively, and provide constructive feedback in a way that encourages growth rather than diminishes confidence. By recognizing achievements, fostering trust, and creating a positive work environment, leaders can build a culture where employees feel supported and motivated—one where people look forward to coming to work rather than dreading the start of the week.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
To any young woman entering the collision repair industry, my advice is to believe in your abilities and never let anyone make you feel like you don't belong. This industry is evolving, and there is a place for talented, hardworking professionals regardless of gender. Lead with integrity, maintain strong values and a solid work ethic, and let the quality of your work speak for itself. Continue learning, ask questions, and don't be afraid to advocate for yourself and your ideas.
Just as important, support and encourage those around you. Build positive relationships by treating others with respect and making your coworkers feel valued for their contributions. When you earn trust through professionalism, consistency, and collaboration, you gain respect and create opportunities for growth. By staying confident, committed, and authentic, you can build a successful career while helping pave the way for the next generation of women in the collision repair industry.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest challenges facing the collision repair industry is the ongoing shortage of skilled technicians. As experienced professionals retire, there are not enough young people entering skilled trades such as collision repair, refinishing, and painting to meet the industry's growing demand.
At the same time, this challenge presents one of the industry's greatest opportunities. By increasing awareness of collision repair careers through high schools, career and technical education programs, job fairs, and community outreach, the industry can attract the next generation of skilled professionals. Highlighting the meaningful impact of the work—restoring vehicles to safe, pre-accident condition and helping families get back on the road—along with the potential for career growth, competitive wages, and specialized skills can inspire more young people to consider collision repair as a rewarding and fulfilling career.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I believe the most important qualities for long-term success are honesty, integrity, and strong ethical values. Leading with these principles allows you to build a reputation based on trust and accountability rather than short-term gains. When you consistently act with integrity, you earn the confidence and respect of customers, employees, vendors, and business partners alike. These relationships, built on trust and professionalism, create a strong foundation for both personal and professional success.
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