Imagine going to get your car fixed and getting a free manicure or pedicure while you wait. Sounds too good to be true? Not at Girls Auto Clinic in Upper Darby, PA! This unique auto repair shop is run entirely by women and has become famous for its trustworthiness and extra perks like manis and pedis for customers.
The auto repair industry has been mostly male-dominated, with women making up just 12% of the workforce. But Girls Auto Clinic is changing that. Patrice Banks, the founder, was once an engineer who felt intimidated by traditional repair shops. She said, “I was tired of feeling helpless and having to go talk to a guy. I was afraid I was going to be taken advantage of.” So, she decided to make a change.
While still working at DuPont, Banks began teaching herself car mechanics. She realized that finding a female mechanic was tough, so she took matters into her own hands. She enrolled in a night school for mechanics, where she was the only woman among younger male students. Banks eventually left her high-paying job to dive fully into the world of auto repair, gaining experience by working in garages around Philadelphia.
At Girls Auto Clinic, not only do customers get their cars fixed, but they also enjoy free manicures or pedicures. Banks got the idea from her own experiences. “Me and my girlfriend would go to a Jiffy Lube next to a nail salon on our lunch break, get our oil changed, and then get our nails done,” she recalls. This efficient and enjoyable routine inspired her to offer similar services at her own auto clinic.
Banks emphasizes the importance of empowering women to understand their vehicles better. She believes in teaching customers about their cars to help them feel more confident and knowledgeable. “Mechanics do a lot of diagnosing from hearing, seeing, feeling, and smelling. So if we can hear, see, feel, and smell it, so can you,” Banks explains.
Girls Auto Clinic isn’t just an auto repair shop; it’s a place where women can feel comfortable, understood, and empowered. With its unique blend of automotive services and beauty treatments, Girls Auto Clinic is redefining the auto repair experience and proving that women can excel in this field.
