Patrice Banks, now a successful mechanic and auto clinic owner, once found herself dreading routine car maintenance. Like many women, she felt uneasy in male-dominated auto shops and feared being taken advantage of. While working as an engineer at DuPont, she sought out female mechanics to help alleviate this discomfort, but quickly realized there were none available. This realization led her to a bold decision—she would learn the trade herself.
Banks enrolled in night classes at a technical school, where she found herself as the only woman in a class of young male students. Undeterred, she pursued her new passion and eventually made a life-changing decision: she left her lucrative engineering career, worked in Philadelphia garages for free to gain hands-on experience, and in 2016, opened Girls Auto Clinic in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.
The repair centre is run entirely by female mechanics, creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for women. To further enhance the experience, Banks added a manicure-pedicure and blowout salon next door, offering an extra touch of convenience and luxury.
The idea to combine auto repair services with beauty treatments stemmed from Banks' personal experience. During her time at DuPont, she and a colleague would visit a Jiffy Lube located next to a nail salon on their lunch breaks.
They would drop off their cars for oil changes, get their nails done, and be back at work within an hour. This routine sparked the idea for Girls Auto Clinic, where women could enjoy something they typically look forward to—getting their nails done—while taking care of a task they usually dreaded: car maintenance. This unique combination became the standout feature of her full-service auto repair shop.
Banks has made it her mission to ensure her customers, especially women, feel comfortable and informed about their car care. Understanding the distrust many women feel when entering a typical auto shop, she prioritizes listening to their concerns, making eye contact, and ensuring they understand the repairs needed for their vehicle.
Transparency is key to her approach, and she and her team often invite customers into the shop to show them exactly what is happening with their cars. By helping them see, hear, and understand the diagnostics, she empowers her clients to feel confident in the decisions they make.
Banks also addresses common car maintenance myths, such as the debate between regular and premium gasoline. The difference between the grades lies in the temperature at which the engine burns the fuel. For most vehicles designed to run on regular gas, using premium provides no additional benefits. However, high-performance vehicles, such as BMWs, are engineered to require premium fuel for optimal performance.
She emphasizes the importance of checking the owner’s manual or gas door to determine the appropriate fuel and advises women to remember that luxury cars often come with higher costs, not just for gas but also for repairs and maintenance.
Patrice Banks is transforming the auto industry for women by creating an environment that is both knowledgeable and empowering.
Through her Girls Auto Clinic and her book, Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide, she continues to inspire women to take control of their car care and drive forward with confidence.
