A CHAT WITH JJ PERFORMANCE SMASH REPAIRS
Meet Jason and Michelle, proud local residents and the dedicated owners of JJ Performance Smash Repairs in Bargo.
Discover their business journey; from managing a workshop straight out of an apprenticeship to leading a multi-award-winning team of 14 skilled specialists.
Learn how their commitment to customer service, community connection, and continuous improvement has made JJ Performance Smash Repairs a trusted name across the region.
Let’s start off with a little bit about you
Jason: I'm the owner and director of JJ Performance Smash Repairs; a family-owned and operated business located in Bargo. I began my career completing my trade in panel beating and spray painting in Ingleburn. Shortly after finishing my apprenticeship, I was unexpectedly left to manage my employer’s workshop when the owner departed overseas without notice. Thrown in the deep end, I quickly learned to handle all aspects of running a business from operations to customer management. When my employer returned to find the workshop more organised, it became clear that I had both the skill and determination to build something of my own. At just 19 years old, I purchased my first block of land in Colo Vale, built a house, and opened JJ Performance Smash Repairs in 1990 as a solo operator. From those humble beginnings, I have grown the business into a respected local operation with a team of 14 skilled repair specialists and a 24-hour accident towing service. My commitment to quality workmanship, honesty, and community values has built JJ Performance Smash Repairs into a trusted name throughout the region.
Michelle: I work alongside my husband in our local family business, JJ Performance Smash Repairs, managing the customer service side of operations handling bookings, enquiries, and administration. I am also the Founder of Wollondilly Women in Business, a volunteer-run not-for-profit organisation that recently reached a milestone of 200 financial members. Our members represent a diverse range of micro and small businesses across Wollondilly and surrounding villages. WWIB provides networking, professional development, and training opportunities to help women grow and strengthen their businesses. This year, we proudly celebrated 10 years of empowering local women in business.
What was your first job?
Jason: My first job was the local milk run at 12 years old. It taught me that if I wanted anything, I had to earn it. I learned responsibility, customer service, and handling money.
Michelle: My first job was a two-year Retail Management Cadetship for HSC leavers. I was one of two females in Australia working with a large group of young men. It taught me teamwork, meeting deadlines, going the extra mile, and customer service.
Tell us about JJ Performance Smash Repairs
JJ Performance Smash Repairs is a family-owned and operated business based in Bargo, specialising in vehicle panel repairs, spray painting, and accident repairs. We are one of the oldest established businesses in the Wollondilly Shire, celebrating 36 years in 2026, and proud winners of multiple national and local trades and business awards.
Alongside our repair services, we provide a 24-hour accident towing service, supporting our customers whenever they need us. Good old-fashioned customer service is still the secret to repeat business, and our community-first mindset guides everything we do. From minor dents to major collision repairs, our experienced team delivers high-quality workmanship and personalised service, earning the trust of the local community for over three decades.
What inspired you to start a smash repair and towing business?
Jason: From the very start, I was thrown into the deep end of the smash repair industry, managing a workshop straight out of my apprenticeship. That experience taught me the importance of resilience, problem-solving, and taking ownership of a business. I realised early on that I wanted to create a company built on quality workmanship, honesty, and strong community values.
Starting JJ Performance Smash Repairs at just 19 was about more than running a business, it was about building something I could be proud of, serving the local community, and creating a workplace where skilled people could thrive. Over the years, our commitment to excellent customer service and a community-first mindset has remained the driving inspiration behind everything we do.
Who or what has influenced you most in your business journey?
Jason: The biggest influences in my business journey have been everyone who has created both good and challenging experiences personally and professionally. Those who showed me who I didn’t want to be, and those I aspired to be more like. A key influence has been the long-term mentorship of my accountant and business advisor, Peter Pepperell from Juggernaut Advisory, who has guided me for over 12 years. Pete has helped me navigate the many seasons of business ownership, offering invaluable advice that has shaped JJ Performance Smash Repairs into the business it is today.
Additionally, the support of my family, colleagues, and the Wollondilly community has reinforced the importance of quality workmanship, integrity, and a community-first mindset.
What sets your business apart from other smash repair and towing companies?
What truly sets JJ Performance Smash Repairs apart is our blend of extensive experience, exceptional workmanship, and a genuine commitment to our community. As one of the longest-established businesses in the Wollondilly Shire, we will proudly celebrate 36 years in 2026, having earned multiple national and local trades and business awards along the way.
We are proud to operate independently, choosing not to partner with insurers whose values or repair methods don’t align with ours. This allows us to ensure every vehicle is repaired to the highest possible standard, with no compromises. Coupled with our 24-hour towing service and highly skilled repair team, we continue to prioritise personalised, old-fashioned customer service building trust and long-term relationships with our clients and the local community.
Above all, what truly distinguishes us is our loyal and committed team. Our Workshop Manager, Darryl Gorrie, has been with us for nearly 15 years, managing the booking and repair process. Our Tow Manager, Neil Doyle, along with his reliable team member Trent Moore, is always ready to assist customers whose vehicles are stranded or non-drivable due to an accident, 24 hours a day. And of course, our talented team of repair technicians and painters some long-term members, others more recent additions form the backbone of our business. Their dedication and teamwork are the secret behind our ongoing success.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Our proudest achievement has been watching our blended family of six grow into their own careers and businesses. While running JJ Performance has required significant sacrifices, it has also provided an invaluable opportunity to role model a strong work ethic, resilience, and commitment qualities that all our children carry into their own professional journeys.
Why did you choose Wollondilly as the place to run your business?
Jason: I chose Wollondilly because I wanted to be close to home and my children’s school, living in a town where the rural vibe formed the foundation of the community and where there was potential to grow a business. Although Michelle and I did not know each other when I started this business, she joined me 15 years ago, and we can both see that Wollondilly’s strong sense of community, local loyalty, and close-knit network of businesses make it the perfect place to build both a business and a family life. Being locally based allows me to offer personalised service, respond quickly when people need me, and truly invest in the wellbeing of the community I serve.
Aside from your own, which local businesses do you admire and support?
We love supporting local Wollondilly businesses, from cafes and restaurants to trades and service providers. JJ Performance also sublets work to other automotive trades within the Shire and neighbouring villages, and we purchase most of our office requirements locally.
What do you love most about being part of the Wollondilly community?
What we love most about being part of the Wollondilly community is the sense of connection, support, and shared values. Over the years, we’ve seen how people genuinely look out for one another, whether it’s neighbours, local businesses, or community organisations.
Being part of this community allows us to build lasting relationships, support local families, and enjoy everything the area has to offer. At the same time, we enjoy short stays in the city for live music and good food, and the coast is an easy trip when we want a weekend getaway.
What is your most popular or unique service?
Our most popular and unique service is our comprehensive smash repair combined with our 24-hour accident towing service. Many customers appreciate the peace of mind that comes from knowing that if they’re in an accident, we can tow their vehicle and manage the repairs from start to finish, all under one roof.
We still love seeing the result taking a damaged car and restoring it to look like new. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the transformation and know that the vehicle is safe and back on the road for its owner.
Do you have any exciting plans or goals for JJ Performance Smash Repairs?
Looking ahead, we’re focused on continual improvement; investing in new technology and training to stay ahead of industry standards while maintaining our traditional values. We’re also exploring ways to expand our towing services. We have a DA in to Council as we are building a second building on our premises.
Our goal is to continue building a legacy business that can be passed down, creating opportunities for the next generation while continuing to give back to our local community.
Where do you see yourself and your business in 10 years?
Jason: I don’t see myself as the owner of JJ Performance Smash Repairs in 10 years, though it would be an honour to have built something lasting. What excites me more is the opportunity to work with young people interested in trades, perhaps in a high school setting. The trades are facing a serious skills shortage, and I’d love to help inspire and mentor local kids.
Michelle: I look forward to travelling more, becoming even more involved in the community, and enjoying greater time with family.
