Collision repair is full of intriguing and diverse career journeys – and award winning business owner of Fix Auto Mulgrave Lana Pagiamtzis is one of them.
Over nearly a decade with Fix Auto, Lana has grown from an independent operator into a respected leader in the network. This month, she marks a new milestone with the launch of NOVUS Glass Melbourne South East, expanding her service offering under the Fix Network banner. Here, Lana shares her journey and the teamwork that made it all possible.
Before joining Fix Auto, Lana Pagiamtzis was running her own independent collision repair shop, managing the business solo. In 2016, she took a bold step – travelling across the globe to visit Fix Network Head Office in Canada, where the network operates more than 250 Fix Auto franchise locations.
What Lana discovered was a game-changer: a streamlined, collaborative network that demonstrated just how much more her business could achieve with the right support. Energised by the experience, she made the leap – and almost a decade later, she remains a proud part of the Fix Auto family and has not looked back.
“Watching the collision repair business grow into what it is today from five employees to 30 has been a great achievement to reflect on,” Lana says.
Now, the opening of NOVUS Glass Melbourne South East marks another milestone in her journey, and a culmination of years of hard work and continuous development.
Part of this career success has been a continuing focus on improving her business and personal development, resulting in her being honoured with the 2025 Women in Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition is a testament to her dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the industry.
“Lana’s journey is a powerful example of how entrepreneurial spirit – driven by vision, determination, and a willingness to embrace change – can transform into a thriving business. Built on innovation, strategic thinking, courageous decision-making, strong partnerships, and perseverance, her success stands out.”
“While stories like Lana’s are becoming more common across the Fix Auto Network as our Franchisees continue to grow and innovate, her achievements are truly worth celebrating, we look forward to supporting her growth and expansion into the future.” says Scott Croaker, Head of Business, Fix Network Australia.
“It is with great honour and privilege that I accept the 2025 Women in Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition truly embodies the commitment, resilience, and personal sacrifices I have undertaken over the past nine years, and it is profoundly gratifying to receive such acknowledgment from my peers in the industry”, says Lana.
“My own personal development in the industry has been both unexpected and rewarding,” she continued. “Being recognised through industry awards not only offers a moment to reflect on the journey but also reinforces the value of hard work and dedication. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see those efforts acknowledged in such a meaningful way.”
“Working alongside my business partner, Fix Auto really stands out as something that I want to remember,” Lana added. “They have been so supportive since the beginning, taking the leap of faith in joining them instead of remaining on my own as an independent repairer.”
Unexpected journey
Lana’s success at Fix Auto Mulgrave is the result of years of perseverance, having navigated and overcome numerous challenges throughout her career.
“In the beginning, the biggest challenge was coming from a totally different industry. Learning to adapt and understand how the collision repair industry worked took a while to grasp,” Lana says.
Before stepping into the repair industry, Lana pursued a degree in business management and marketing at university.
“I got a job in a business and worked for the following 10 years for a company that imported Greek wines and spirits.”
“I was the office manager there, and my job was to run the administration and bookkeeping side of the business,” she explained.
But, even if this seems a long way from collision repair, Lana was already using what she learnt to develop her business skills. An early manifestation of this was in personal training, where she completed a Cert 4 and taught group fitness classes. However, life’s unexpected twists ultimately led her to an industry she is passionate about, which, in turn, became a major gain for the collision repair sector.
“After starting a young family, I was working part time alongside my ex-husband in the collision repair industry as a bookkeeper and doing general office admin. When we went our separate ways, I decided to retain a small share in this business with a few other partners. After a while, the partners decided they wanted to remove themselves from the business, and that is when I decided to stay on and run it myself.”
“When I took over the business, there were only five employees at the time, and no work providers. It was a very tough time to navigate.”
Moving from an administrative role to the leader of a workshop, Lana faced new challenges.
“Finding a new rhythm and learning how to step away from administration into the role of director was daunting when I first took over; being responsible for the running of the business overall was a big task to adjust to.”
“When I first became director, my employees had to adjust to having me as their female boss. After decades of having to report to a male boss, it was a challenging change in such a predominantly male industry.”
Growth and operations
Once again, it was Lana’s leadership, business acumen, and the support of Fix Network that helped transform her growing love for the repair industry into a true success story.
“Creating and managing a family environment for all my employees to work in is incredibly rewarding,” Lana says.
“It’s also rewarding knowing that the relationships I have built with employees are strong and reputable. Seeing our customers satisfied and happy with our work is priceless. We always want to be producing the highest quality of work.”
Her dedication to fostering a supportive culture, alongside her ability to lead through change, has shaped the workplace and the outcomes her team delivers.
“It is really empowering to see how the industry has evolved as well,” she adds. “It has really embraced women, and it’s so satisfying to see that very welcome change.”
Some of the most important lessons Lana has learned over the years come down to facing challenges head-on, embracing support networks, and staying open to change.
“I’ve learned that you can’t do it all on your own, and it’s okay to admit when you need guidance,” she reflects.
“Having a great team by your side makes all the difference. I ensure that we constantly educate one another and better ourselves in the process.”
“Keeping up to date with the fast-paced industry changes is also essential in driving the business forward.”
Busier and busier
Lana’s day-to-day can vary, but while staff and operations follow a busy schedule, she makes it a priority to foster the family-oriented spirit that is a hallmark of the Fix Auto Network’s business model. She ensures this spirit remains central to ongoing operational improvements.
“A typical day for me is to oversee everything that is happening,” Lana says. “I do a quick walkthrough of both sites every day to say hello to each and every employee. I touch base with the managers for updates and reports and check to see if I can assist in any way.”
“I deal with any issues that need my urgent attention, and I am always scouring for ways to improve the business and increase efficiencies.”
Lana understands the importance of balance and is dedicated to keeping up her old love of physical fitness, time for family and friends, along with a range of hobbies that includes music, travelling, cooking, dancing, AFL football and Formula 1.
A growing future
With the expansion and new collaborations underway Lana is not planning on slowing down anytime soon. Lana keeps pushing forward with the exciting new opening of NOVUS Glass Melbourne South East.
“After a few years of planning and organising, I have just joined the NOVUS Glass franchise,” Lana says. “It is a very exciting time, and we are happy to join the team.”
Jack Parkinson, General Manager of NOVUS Glass Australia, says, “Having seen Lana’s growth and dedication throughout her time with Fix Auto, I’m thrilled to see her bring that same passion and drive to the NOVUS business. I’m excited about what we can accomplish together and look forward to working closely with her as we expand NOVUS in her region.”
As an entrepreneur, Lana continues to expand her business reach while staying firmly rooted in the industry. The addition of NOVUS Glass Melbourne South East complements the services she offers at Fix Auto Collision, allowing her to provide a broader range of solutions to the local community.
“I’m excited for the new challenge,” Lana adds – ready to tackle whatever comes next in the ever-evolving world of automotive.
Lana is deeply passionate about mentoring, particularly when it comes to empowering women in an industry, and she’s driven to create opportunities for others to rise alongside her. She is especially proud to be partnering with her sister, Cathy Mastrogiannakos – not just as a business partner, but as a mentor – guiding her through the automotive world and helping her carve out her own place in this evolving industry.
Together, they’re proving that, with drive, passion, hard work, and network support, there are no limits to what women can achieve in the industry.