The Girls Auto Clinic Founder and CEO Patrice Banks is changing the relationship women have with the automotive industry
The Girls Auto Clinic in Upper Darby, PA is doing much more than changing oil – they’re changing the relationship between women and the automotive industry by not only offering a range of select auto repair services, but also a range of salon services to help sweeten the deal.
The auto clinic was founded by engineer and mechanic Patrice Banks in 2013. Her vision was to create a stress-free space for women to have their cars serviced, and learn more about vehicles in a respectful and supportive manner.
There was a time where Banks avoided taking in her own car for routine maintenance, for fear of being taken advantage of. GAC was born out of that frustration and mistreatment female customers often face when dealing with male mechanics, and combats it by empowering women to become #sheCANics, the same hashtag that Banks even uses to describe herself.
Though GAC has been open near Philadelphia since 2013, the addition of Clutch Beauty Bar is bringing it a whole new wave of fame. Clutch offers customers manicures, pedicures, and blowouts and other beauty related services while they wait for the mechanics to finish with their car. Imagine leaving the auto shop with a freshly serviced ride AND traffic-stopping hair and nails.
Talk about maintenance done in style!
Banks also recounts her experiences and provides tips for car maintenance in her book, Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide.
Check out the video below from CBS showcasing Banks’ story and her desire to change what we know about the automotive industry:
