Working in the Auto Repair Industry

Posted on November 7, 2011 by admin

So many people have asked me why I am working in the auto repair industry and what brought me here, so here is a part of my story!

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  • jstonegoldman

    Thanks for sharing your story, Donna! I really enjoyed hearing how you got into the automatic business. You are probably right that automotive repair doesn’t have the best reputation, so you are much needed in the industry. Your whole approach of blogging and sharing your personality invites me into the topic so much more than just the usual auto repair info. But I do have to say I am woefully ignorant of how cars really work, so I am also in desperate need of all the educational posts you write! I, for one, really enjoy having a woman’s voice and face attached to my learning about cars, as I grew up at a time when girls didn’t learn much in that domain.

    Excellent video, and I like the cute little figure on the couch behind you!!

    Judy Stone-Goldman
    The Reflective Writer
    http://www.thereflectivewriter.com
    Personal-Professional Balance Through Writing

    • Donnam

      Thank you, Judy! I have always been woefully ignorant about how any kind of machine works until I met Warren and became involved in this industry; it is amazing how much I have picked up just by listening to the guys talk and my husband teach. There is still a ton of stuff I do not know, but I can get all the answers I need from Warren or George (our service advisor) or any of the techs, and that is what we offer to our customers, too.  I had to giggle when I saw the Christmas figures in the video…I didn’t realize they could be seen, but I guess it adds a little fun! 

  • http://www.fourquadrantliving.com Dina Colman

    Thank you Donna for sharing your story. I can tell that you and your husband will be successful at what you do because there is passion and care behind your business. It is great that your husband followed his passion to start his business rather than staying in the high-tech field. I, too, was in the high-tech field and it never filled my soul. I left a few years back and am now following my passion as a health coach and writer. I think it’s great that you are putting a new face to automotive care and reaching out to women. If I lived in Mountain View, I’d be taking my car to you!

    • Donnam

      Thank you, Dina, for your lovely comments! I’m happy for you that you were able to leave something you were not happy with and find something that is fulfilling to you. So many people just are never able to do that, and I am sad for them. I wish you were living in Mountain View! We so appreciate having customers like you!

  • http://www.vickidellojoio.com Vicki Dello Joio

    So interesting to hear your journey, Donna, from hi tech to racing and learning about pit crew work. I love this switch from corporate to personalizing this work which can be so alienating to people. I think the info you are offering in your blog is incredibly important and am so glad you are committed to education about auto maintenance —so useful for me as I really know so little.

    • Donnam

      So happy you enjoyed the video and I appreciate you sharing that the education is of value to you. It means a lot to me to know that we are able to help people feel more comfortable about something we believe is so important to our health and safety. Thank you!

  • http://www.lauriehurleyonline.com Laurie Hurley

    Love this, Donna! I always wondered how  you ended up being so involved with auto maintenance.  It’s so nice to see  you and hear part of your story. You are right, most women don’t know very much about cars and having you as the marketing person for your company puts a wonderful (and beautiful) face on your business!

    • Donnam

      Thank you, Laurie! I was trying to follow your advice about helping people see more about who I am.  Your support and encouragement mean a lot to me!

  • http://www.GreatHealthIsPossible.com Maureena Bivins, PhD

    Great story Donna.  The automotive repair industry needs more people like you!  My father was also a stickler about keeping the family’s cars in good working order.  It was a safety issue with him too.  Fortunately, when my car needs repair, my husband attends to the matter but I hear so many bad stories from women who have been taken advantage of.  Glad you’re out there making a difference!

    Maureena Bivins, PhD

    http://www.MaureenaBivinsPhD.com

    Curious,
    committed, and compassionate.  What do
    you look for in a health care provider?

    • Donnam

      You are fortunate to have someone that can take care of your car for you and you can let go of that worry! That is what we are trying to do for so many women (and men, too!) out there that don’t have anyone like that. It makes me both sad and angry to hear that you know women who feel as though they have been taken advantage of…I am so sorry to know that. The more educated we become, the more we can avoid that happening.  Hopefully more people will read our blogs and see our Facebook page and learn how they can protect themselves. Thank you for commenting, Maureena! 

  • http://beachbodycoach.com/kirkzacharda Kirk Zacharda

    Donna so nice to see you and learn about you through video. I was wondering how and why you were working in the automotive world its not common place for women.  Its nice that you have the relationship with your husband that you can work together, I dont think that happens very often and it says a lot about a relationship. My wife and I have worked together in several of our businesses and grew to know each other even better.  Thank you for the nice story I just wish you were not so far away.

    • Donnam

      I’m glad you enjoyed the video, Kirk, and I think that if a couple can survive working together, they can survive just about anything! It sounds as though you and your wife have a very special relationship, too. I also wish you were not so far away…we always love to get new, good customers! 

  • http://PatZahn.com Pat Zahn

    This is cool, Donna – it’s nice to know the back story. It helps people get to know you (and ultimately trust you.) It can be frustrating to be in a business where you are facing a reputation issue when you know that YOU are honest and trustworthy.

    • Donnam

      So true, Pat. It is especially hard on my husband who often feels as though what he does is not understood or respected. But hopefully we are beginning to change that, one customer at a time! 

  • http://www.imogenragone.com Imogen Ragone

    Donna – it was so nice to see you in this video and hear about your story. I had wondered how you came to be in the automotive industry. I must say it’s a very refreshing change from the norm. Not only do you, as a woman, make things a lot more comfortable for other women to ask questions etc., but your video shows you to be friendly and approachable. I look forward to further blogs from you.

    • Donnam

      Thank you, Imogen! The automotive industry is one which women are pretty much disconnected from, but I figure that if there are things about it that I can understand, then any woman can! A lot of what needs to be known about taking care of our cars is just common sense, but I sometimes think that this is such a male-dominated industry, and men would like to keep it that way! Today’s cars are much more complicated than they used to be , though, which makes it all the more important to make sure whoever is touching your car knows what they are doing! I appreciate your encouragement,Imogen, and look forward to reading more or your blogs too!

  • Wendee Neilson

    Hi Donna- I’m learning a lot from your posts so it’s much appreciated.  Too bad I didn’t live closer to you, because I’d be a customer for sure.  I think I have been tainted by the auto maintenance becauase I’m always told because I’m female, I will always be taken advantage of services because I don’t know the first thing about auto repairs.  I just write the checks and hope they are honest.  A little of subject, there is a quilt in the background on your sofa, did you make that..just thought is was color and I used to quilt, so I always want to know.  Thanks for the info, will look forward to more.

  • http://julieannecasefromtheheart.com Julieanne Case

    What fun to learn how you got where you are! There are good mechanics around. It just seems to take time to find them.  Thanks for working on changing that, for educating us on various things regarding car care and so much more.  

    Julieanne Case
    Always from the heart!

    Reconnecting you to your essence, joy, vitality, youth.| Healing you from the Inside Out |Reconnective Healing | AgeLoc Skin Care |  Pharmanex Supplements

    http://thereconnectivehighway.com

    • Donnam

      Thank you Julieanne! I think that alot of the bad press for auto repair
      is really a case of bad communication or customers having unrealistic
      expectations. We try our best to overcome all of that, but believe it or
      not, we still run into that customer once in a while that thinks we are
      cheating them, and there is really nothing we can do if that is how
      they have chosen to think. Thankfully that is a rare occurence, but
      still extremely upsetting to us, and I am hoping that by changing the
      general public perception of what we do, it will eliminate much of that negative perception!

  • http://brendamjones.com Brenda Jones

    That was fun!  I love learning people’s stories.  It’s so hard to overcome the bad rep that an industry can get from the bad eggs that are out there.  I’m in an industry that has to deal with some of the same.  I’ve moved around a lot and finding a good mechanic was always a challenge.   And when I have no idea what is wrong with my car, it’s easy to be a target.  I’ve luckily found what seems to be a great little shop near me, but the more education I can have, the better prepared I am.

  • http://www.save-your-breath.com Rowena Starling

    Glad you’re there for us Donna.  There are some real auto-repair scammers out there so Dean’s Automotive’s integity should translate handsomely in your bank accounts.  I love the wife and husband dynamic duo thing you guys have.

    • Donnam

      Thank you, Rowena! I hope you know how much I appreciate all your support and positive comments.  I am hoping that one day enough people will agree with you and that it will eventually make a difference in our bank accounts!

  • http://www.repairacar.co.uk/nottingham-car-repairs repairAcar

    It’s hard to find a diamond in the rough regarding car mechanics, especially with all the bad press out there. When you come across the good guys and gals keep hold of them and spread  the word with your friends

    • Donnam

      Thank you for your comment! Yes, finding a good service in any industry is worth hanging on to!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1153733285 Jaspreet K. Mundeir

    Thank you for sharing your story and passion.  Yes, the auto industry does get a bad rap because of a few bad apples.  Glad to have you as a resource and as a trusted professional.  I like your informative blog posts, keep it up!

    • Donnam

      Thank you for your support and encouragement, Jaspreet; it means alot to me!

  • http://twitter.com/jenniferpeek Jennifer Peek

    My favorite things to read, watch and listen to are other people’s stories about how they got into their current businesses and what path has led them there.  I love that you are in an industry that is not typical for women – and that you are using your communication skills to help educate others and change perceptions of your industry.  Keep up the great work – it is definitely needed!

    • Donnam

      Thank you Jennifer! I enjoy learning how people have chosen their paths in life, too.  I look forward to hearing your story! and thank you, too, for your encouragement!

  • http://www.youravon.com/traceyfisher Tracey Fisher

    As I live in the NY/NJ area I don’t drive with public transportation being as accessable as it is.  However it is great to know that there is a woman in the auto  repair industry out there to bring a bit more clarity to us novices out there.  Thanks!

    • Donnam

      Thank you Tracey! 

  • Schimen Scott

    It is so refreshing to see a company that espouses customer
    service and driving safety as a critical part of automotive repair service. The
    fact that the auto industry’s tough reputation as being a “man’s world” persists,
    is always a challenge.  We (women) have a
    lot to contribute. Increasing female representation will help the entire automotive
    industry.

     

    Being
    a co-founder of Let There Be Light Vehicle Plastic Restoration Products I was constantly
    patronized when I pitched our products to automotive shops.  I was often confronted with… “What do you
    know about headlight restoration, little lady?” Some even insisted that I was just
    an admin when I call to setup an appointment. That kind of attitude doesn’t
    happen very often anymore. They’ve gotten used to us now, and we’re not going
    away.

  • http://autorepairsalemoregon.net/ auto repair salem oregon

    The Auto repair industry is mainly ruled by the man..Its great to know that woman is performing so well with such a dignity in this industry…You are the huge inspiration for every woman..

  • http://twitter.com/automechworld Auto Mechanics World

    As someone who spent close to 10 years in the business I can say that there needs to be more women in the industry for sure. It’s really too bad that there are some many misogynistic males in the industry. From a tech’s point of view as well as a customer point of view, I always found working with a female adviser or owner to be an easier experience. 

  • http://www.tyrebaydirect.com/ garage equipment

    For most people, brake repair is at the bottom of the list of things they worry about. When you aren’t able to drive your car, however, then it becomes very important all of a sudden. You use your car repeatedly in any given week. When it’s time to get your car fixed, you’ll need smart car mechanic.