PDR Universe is where PDR gets real. Hosted by Žan and Zeeshan, the podcast dives into the unfiltered side of Paintless Dent Repair — the wins, the mistakes, the grind, and the mindset behind top technicians and successful PDR businesses.
Working for Yourself vs a Big PDR Company: Which Is Better?
Should you work for yourself as a PDR technician or work for a large PDR or hail company?
In Episode 40 of PDR Universe, Žan Vidic and Zeeshan compare two very different paths through the PDR industry.
Žan started his career working for a larger PDR company before eventually building his own business, while Zeeshan has spent most of his career working independently and building his own customer relationships.
We discuss the advantages of working for a larger company — consistent work, structured training, less responsibility for finding customers and the ability to focus primarily on repairing dents.
Then we look at the other side.
Working independently can give you more control, potentially higher earnings and the freedom to choose your customers and the direction of your business.
But that freedom comes with responsibility.
You need to find work, maintain customer relationships, handle scheduling, invoices, marketing and problems — and still repair the cars.
We also discuss training new technicians, people leaving after being trained, non-compete agreements, taking vacations when you're self-employed, long working hours and why even when you're your own boss, you still have a boss: your customers.
There isn't one correct answer.
It depends on the type of technician you are and the kind of life you want to build.
🎓 PDR Training:
https://bestpdrtraining.com (https://bestpdrtraining.com)
2 Oct 2026
What We Learned Competing at PDR Expo Las Vegas
We're still in Las Vegas, and PDR Expo is officially over.
In Episode 39 of PDR Universe, Žan Vidic and Zeeshan break down the weekend — the education, tools, people and, most importantly, the competitions.
Zeeshan took 2nd place in Dent Trials 🏆 after facing three extremely difficult dents in only 90 minutes.
We break down what worked, what didn't, where he lost time and what he would change next time.
Žan also competed in the first GOAT Competition, facing a massive hood dent with two hours to complete the repair. He breaks down his approach using tension, cold glue and pushing — and the mistakes that made the repair much harder than it needed to be.
We also discuss Matt Boyette's knock-up class, phenolic tips, Tesa tape, leverage, tool organization, competition nerves and why analyzing your mistakes is one of the best ways to improve as a PDR technician.
And one of the best moments of the entire Expo came from a PDR Universe listener who used advice from the podcast to improve his deep door repairs — then received an honorable mention for the best door repair in Dent Trials.
🎓 PDR Training:
https://bestpdrtraining.com (https://bestpdrtraining.com)
25 Sept 2026
Why We Travel Across the World for PDR | PDR Expo Las Vegas
Why would two PDR technicians travel all the way from Europe to Las Vegas for a PDR Expo?
In the REAL Episode 38 of PDR Universe, Žan Vidic and Zeeshan record directly from the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas the day before PDR Expo begins.
We talk about our journey to Vegas, long-haul travel, the cost of attending international PDR events and why we believe expos and competitions are worth the investment.
For us, it's not just about buying tools. It's about meeting technicians from around the world, learning new techniques, testing equipment, building relationships, breaking out of the normal work routine and coming home motivated to improve.
We also share our first impressions of Las Vegas and the new PDR Expo venue at the Rio before turning our attention to the competitions.
Zeeshan is competing in Dent Trials for the first time, while Žan is entering the brand-new GOAT Competition — where previous top-three Dent Olympics competitors will face a completely unknown dent.
We talk about competition nerves, preparation, tool selection, time management and why competing can make you a better PDR technician regardless of the result.
🎓 PDR Training:
https://bestpdrtraining.com (https://bestpdrtraining.com)
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
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