Patrice Banks Trailblazing the Automotive Industry at Girls Auto Clinic by Educating and Empowering

1. Patrice Banks: Trailblazing the Automotive Industry at Girls Auto Clinic by Educating and Empowering Although in recent years, the involvement and the role of women in the working industry have increased positively, there are still areas around the world where discrimination and ostracization regarding many job opportunities and the know-how on certain roles are present. Due to some job positions being male-dominated for many long ago, there are still places of work that instill this practice and look down on women who have the interest and desire to learn the same. Being taken advantage of made fun of and teased, received derogatory comments, and many other such incidences are still faced by our women even in this generation. Education, learning, and knowledge are for everyone, and not just limited to one gender just because they have been overseeing and managing certain roles for several years. Times have changed, and equality is encouraged. Many women are coming into the light and being recognized for their innovations, creations, ideas, and contributions in the workplace and the world. Therefore through this article, we aim to provide the much-needed awareness and recognition of the strength, resilience, and importance of our women in our lives as well as in the employment industry, regardless of the role. If she and they can do it, then SHECANICS. Shecanics is the word phrase given to women to encourage and recognize them as confident, strong, educated, drivers, and learners in the Automotive Industry. The phrase was brought about by Patrice Banks, who is the CEO and Founder of the No.1 Customer in the AutoBiz Industry - Girls Auto Clinic (GAC). This article will cover Patrice Banks’ story and journey at Girls Auto Clinic. Patrice Banks - Engineer, CEO, Founder, Aoto-Mechanic, Author, and Speaker: Having a degree in Materials Engineering and a diploma in Automotive Technology, Patrice Banks worked for over 12 years at DuPont as an Engineer, Leader, and Manager. Having been able to apply her skills, learn the tools, gears, and turns, as well as gain experience in leading and managing, Patrice Banks knew that her fate and skills lie somewhere that would require a whole lot of determination and resilience. Hence being an auto airhead and having a lot of interest in cars and automation, Patrice Banks left her 12-year work experience at DuPont and enrolled herself in an Automotive Technology School, to learn and educate herself.

2. This motivation was also spurred by her experience with mechanics that were male- dominated in her place. Hailing from Philadelphia, The United States of America, Patrice was extremely disappointed and felt cheated and scammed by the men who worked in the auto repair shops. Taking advantage of her being a female, the mechanics used to give her a hard time whenever she took her car for regular maintenance and any repairs. This frustrated Patrice and acted as a driving force in kick-starting her career into gear. „Wanting to empower women to have an equal voice and role in all aspects of the auto industry‟ - Patrice Banks set out on a mission to find women to join her cause and share her goals. To find female mechanics in her city - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, Patrice started her mission of creating and building her very own designed business model in the Automotive Industry to encourage, uplift, and empower women, who share the same desires and dreams as her. This is how Girls Auto Clinic was born. For more interesting reads, visit The Business Magnate. Girls Auto Clinic - The Kick-Starting Journey to Becoming the No. 1 Customer: Girls Auto Clinic - GAC, was founded by Chief Executive Officer - Patrice Banks. Established in the year 2017 in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, USA, the idea and work put in to start this venture was really in the year 2013, when the founder taught Car Care Workshops in Philadelphia. Vision Statement - “To inspire, educate, and employ women across the United States.” It is a Black Woman-Owned Automotive Repair Shop that provides a complete and all-time satisfactory service to its customers. Encouraging and empowering women who are owners of cars or even plan to purchase cars, are encouraged by Girls Auto Clinic. The professionals, and visionaries who share the same goals and tenacity as Patrice Banks have a place in this company as well. Supporting equity and inclusivity in the workplace, men are welcomed in working and learning at Girls Auto Clinic - GAC. Mission Statement - “To educate and empower women through their cars.” Partnered with Ford, Girl Scouts, Dell, and Honda, Patrice Banks takes Girls Auto Clinic on an inspiring and revolutionary car ride that keeps going forward in achieving their goals and

3. missions by - „growing a community of women and girls to redefine the automotive world on their terms‟. A speaker at TEDx and the author of the book - Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide, the founder, and her company have gained global media recognition from several top and reputed places like - TIME, Good Morning America, Washington Post, Glamour, People Magazine, and many more. Providing Auto-Repair and Maintenance services that are catered to women, Girls Auto Clinic also has a beautifully tailored lounge called - Clutch Lounge and Beauty Bar, for Mani-Pedi Sessions while the customers wait for their cars to be serviced. Providing much- needed knowledge, awareness, and education to the women's community by offering Car Care Memberships, Videos, Workshops, and AutoTech Apprenticeships. Girls Auto Clinic also has a shop opened for purchasing clothing, accessories, and auto products that are supported by SHECANICS. Now being the No. 1 Customer and Women- Trusted Brand in the Automotive Industry, Girls Auto Clinic has been awarded the Best of Philly Award in 2017. Are you a #sheCANic? Then join Girls Auto Clinic for a life- impacting experience!