2010 40 Under Forty: Chris Foley

Owner, Foley’s Collision Center

Company location: Worcester

Residence: Shrewsbury

Age: 36

Career highlights: After majoring in psychology in college, I took a surprising turn into the rental car industry in the Boston area. There, I developed the sales, service and managerial skills that would play a crucial role in my career. Soon after, I became an auto damage appraiser. In 2005, I had the opportunity to purchase a repair shop and call it my own. I then rebranded the shop, and Foley’s Collision Center was born. In 2008, I purchased The Check Exchange, a successful money services company on Park Ave.

Community involvement: I have been a volunteer coach for the instructional division of Shrewsbury Little League for the past two years. I also attend fundraising events for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. And I regularly donate to the Worcester Firefighters, the Massachusetts State Police and the neonatal unit at UMass Memorial Medical Center.

Biggest success: My biggest success is receiving great feedback from my customers. We’ve built a strong, independent brand with a good reputation for top quality. Watching this small company increase sales 400 percent over the past five years has been amazing.

Biggest challenge: Owning a business can be a balancing act. I want to be compassionate toward every customer who needs our help in a crisis, but I want to set realistic expectations for them. The biggest challenge is constantly trying to improve our service, quality, processes and overall performance.

Hidden talent: I’ve been told that I have a knack for motivating people to do their best. And by challenging themselves, they experience more success both professionally and personally. I appreciated hearing that, but I think my “hidden talent” is my ability to lose 100 golf balls in an 18-hole round of golf.