In this episode of Aha Moment, host Melanie Borden interviews Christine Mitchell, famously known as The Car Lady. They discuss their shared passion for the automotive industry, the power of personal branding, and the importance of adapting to change.
Key discussion points:
- Christine’s Career Journey:
Christine reflects on starting her career as an apprentice in a General Motors dealership lube lane. She spent 12 years working as a technician before transitioning into business and creating her own company, which hosts car care clinics designed to bridge the gap between sales and service. - Women in Automotive:
Melanie and Christine discuss opportunities for women within the automotive industry and challenge the perception of systemic barriers. Christine emphasizes that there is strong demand for women in automotive careers and encourages them to build personal brands, pursue leadership opportunities, and remain persistent in the face of rejection. - Adapting to Change during COVID-19:
When the pandemic halted in-person events, Christine adapted by transitioning into recruitment work with Auto Careers Group. She leveraged her extensive industry network to help displaced automotive professionals find new opportunities. - Advice for Dealerships:
Christine recommends that dealerships showcase the women already working within their organizations and provide tours for students to demonstrate how modern technician roles rely heavily on technology and diagnostics—not outdated stereotypes of “dirty coveralls.” - Final Takeaway:
Christine shares her perspective on persistence in business, explaining that “no” often means “not right now,” “follow up later,” or “approach the situation differently.”