My journey in auto body started 15 years ago at the age of 17. I got a co-op placement at a local body shop, and I was hooked from day one! I’ve always known that I wanted to have my own shop, but new it would need to be unique in order to stand out from the crowd. When I first started in the trade I was the only female in my workplace, as well as the only female through all 3 levels of my schooling. As time went on I started to meet more. They came to work for the same company I was at, and I met a few when I was teaching auto body at Centennial College. That’s when I decided that my shop would be all female! Seeing what amazing work they did, how they had to work twice as hard for half the respect, and hearing their individual stories of discrimination and how they overcame it was my motivation. I wanted to provide a safe, judgement free work environment where we can all learn from each other as well as training the next generation of female techs. I hope we can serve as an inspiration for any lady out there who wants to get into this trade, and that not only do women belong in this industry but we excel at it!
-Hilary
Owner/founder Ink&Iron
5900 Dixie Road unit 6
Mississauga, ON Canada
inkandironauto@gmail.com
647-821-0755