Engineer → Mechanic → Entrepreneur →
Patrice Banks left a corner-office engineering career to rewire an entire industry — founding Girls Auto Clinic and Shecanic that's changing how women experience the auto shop and their entire automotive experience.
The Auto Airhead Who Became the CEO
Patrice Banks is opening up the male-dominated automotive industry and changing the way women experience car care. A former engineer turned mechanic, entrepreneur, and author, she's the founder of Girls Auto Clinic — a trailblazing auto repair shop that educates and empowers women through their vehicles — and the creator of the viral #SHECANIC movement.
Patrice Banks started Girls Auto Clinic because she was tired of feeling dumb every time she walked into an auto shop — and she had a hunch millions of other women felt the same way. She was right. She left her engineering career, enrolled in automotive school, and built a business model that speaks directly to women. What began as one woman's frustration is now a movement: an auto repair shop, a nationwide community of "Shecanics," and a nonprofit foundation that's trained 3,000+ women to understand their cars in the last 14 years.
Patrice is a go-to voice for brands — including Ford — who want to reach women drivers authentically, not as an afterthought. Her work has taken her from shop floors to stages to newsrooms, always with the same message: women aren't "bad with cars." They've just never been taught. Patrice is changing that, one Shecanic at a time.
Learn more about the dynamic movement Patrice has created in the automotive industry and how you can get involved!
The Sizzle Reel
Press hits, packed rooms of eager listeners, and a shop full of women who came in unsure and left knowing exactly what's under the hood.
Watch the Reel
Award-Winning Entrepreneur & Founder
Patrice built Girls Auto Clinic from the ground up — a full-service repair center in Upper Darby, PA rooted in trust, education, and empowerment, born out of her own frustration trying to find a mechanic she trusted. It's since grown into a Philadelphia institution and a national media story. Check out her award winning shop that hires and trains women mechanics and every customer gets a FREE MANICURE with their service.
"I finally found my forever mechanic! The women here are all absolutely phenomenal — they're upfront about what repairs are needed, what's optional, and how much everything costs. I've never had such a great experience taking my car in. They also offer memberships to help save you money on maintenance in the long run. Not to mention their lounge area is actually relaxing, and you can get a manicure while you wait for your car!"
KOTZ MARINO / GOOGLE REVIEW
Creator & Educator
Every program Patrice has built comes back to one goal: empowering women in the automotive community. Whether she's helping women become confident drivers and smart consumers or creating apprenticeships for women ages 15–60, Patrice's impact has been felt around the world. Her free workshops, an online community of over 22,000 women redefining the automotive industry on their terms, and a women's automotive apprenticeship program are only the beginning. Follow along as she makes plans to change the face of the automotive industry.
Author & Storyteller
Patrice's book, Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide, is the do-it-herself guide she wished existed when she started — praised by The New York Times, Amazon and Goodreads, this will be your go resource everytime you hit the road! Keep it in your Glove Box!
Fresh Air On NPR X Patrice Banks
Listen to Patrice's fascinating interview with Terry Gross on NPR's Fresh Air where she talks about the origins of Girls Auto Clinic and what inspired her to become a SHECANIC! Listen to the interview →
Her story has been told from a TEDx stage — including the talk that put it best: how she's disrupting the automotive industry in red heels.
Speaking topics
"Finally! The guide I've been searching for. Ever since discovering Patrice, I've been disappointed that these resources aren't available in Canada. Car confidence was never my strong suit... this book has already shifted my perspective on ownership. I'm definitely keeping a copy in my glove box for regular reference. I highly suggest this for all women, regardless of age."
JENNIFER / GOODREADS REVIEW"This is a great book if you were never guided about maintenance of your vehicle. Easy to understand and helpful. I was able to diagnose an issue before taking my vehicle into the shop... As a woman, this made me feel confident when speaking to the mechanic. Can't recommend this enough as a gift for the ladies in your life too."
KITTY V / AMAZON REVIEW
Thought Leader
Patrice's influence reaches from the shop floor to the C-suite — the voice automotive brands call when they want to actually reach women.
Jim Farley interviews CEO & Founder, Patrice Banks in this exciting episode from Jim's new Spotify Podcast — DRIVE. On DRIVE, Patrice joins other guests like Tom Brady and Jimmy Kimmel to talk about cars and the passion that DRIVES them to succeed.
Patrice partnered with Foxxtecca to deliver an incredible expo called the SHECANIC Garage.
Patrice is a founding member of Women of Color Automotive Network — an organization that seeks to attract, connect and empower women of color in the automotive industry. Learn more and join WOCAN now!
"Inspirational, empowering, and motivational — her spirit of enthusiasm and sincerity made a lasting impression on students, industry, educators, and parents alike."
DR. ZOANN PARKER / THADDEUS STEVENS COLLEGE"A powerful, relatable, and charming account of her path to success. She was completely comfortable, with no notes, and managed to captivate the entire room."
PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S ROUNDTABLE / POWER AWARD"Practical, easy-to-understand information delivered in an amusing and compelling way. It was a huge hit and got a lot of buzz."
SOPHIA FINANCIAL / CLIENT EVENT
Have You Seen Patrice?
Girls Auto Clinic and founder Patrice Banks have been featured in national outlets including People, The Washington Post, NPR, and Today — bringing GAC's mission of empowering women through automotive education to audiences across the country.
Disrupting the Auto
Industry — in Red Heels
The red heel isn't a metaphor. It's the whole point: you don't have to trade who you are to belong under the hood. Patrice built Girls Auto Clinic — and her entire public platform — on that idea, and it's become her most recognizable signature, from her TEDx talk title to the visual language of #Shecanic.
Watch the TEDx Talk, in Red Heels
Educating the Next Generation
The Mechanics of Starting Your Own Business
Patrice shared her secrets to starting a business with a young entrepreneur named Maya. Check it out on Million Bazillion, a podcast about money for kids and their families and see the full cartoon with Patrice's advice! Listen in at 11:06 →
Empowering Future Shecanics: A Day with Girl Scouts at Girls Auto Clinic
Patrice hosted eight Girl Scouts from Troop 2508 in Chalfont, PA at Girls Auto Clinic where they learned how to pop hoods and build mini cars. Watch the Video →
Color Patrice In!
Patrice was featured in a coloring book called Super Cool Scientists.
SCS is a story and coloring book celebrating women in science.
Work: Interviews with People Doing Jobs They Love
Patrice is featured in a children's book that interviewed people who love their jobs.
In the Wild
