![]() ![]() Handley is able to explain the technical mechanics behind power steering and in the same breath make it understandable. She will patiently explain over and over again the catchy mnemonic “righty-tighty, lefty-loosey” to loosen a bolt and will high-five clients when they get it done. (Ana Ramirez/The San Diego Union-Tribune) Talena Handley, 34, started her own business called Girlie Garage where she educates people, usually by phone, Zoom or FaceTime, on how to fix their car. In her one-on-one sessions Handley teaches other skills like how to jack up your car and change a tire. Watson said that she felt supported in the process and empowered by the end because Handley showed her each step in a caring and non-judgmental way. “Because I would just immediately think if I put my hand underneath the hood like my hand’s gonna get cut or burned.” “It was so simple and it wasn’t scary,” Watson said. Handley taught her how to change the headlights on her 2011 Toyota Corolla - a necessary repair that had Watson stressed about driving at night. That’s exactly how Pacific Beach resident Hayley Watson felt after working with Girlie Garage. “I want people who understand that knowledge is something that you carry for the rest of your life.” “I want some people who care about their car,” she said. Handley said that if your goal is to hand your keys off to a mechanic and not be involved, then her services are not for you. For people who aren’t eager to pop their hood to check the oil or the thought of changing a tire seems daunting, she walks you through it. She also offers one-on-one sessions for $120 to teach people about the basics of their personal vehicle. Handley knows what questions to ask to diagnose mechanical problems after years of working for the Ferrari Challenge, an international racing competition, and in different jobs throughout the industry. It’s a model that more people are comfortable with since the pandemic, she said. without leaving her house in Linda Vista.įor $60 for a half-hour consulting session, Handley will help answer questions about your car - what’s that weird sound it’s making or is a repair estimate reasonable - over the phone, via Facetime or Zoom. People often find Girlie Garage through social media and it’s allowed Handley to connect with clients across San Diego County and the U.S. Handley also has leaned on the local startup community to grow Girlie Garage through accelerator programs such as Stella Labs. Her business has been recognized by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce for empowering and educating women about their vehicles so they can be safer on the road. “I mean it’s really like a lofty goal, but I’m gonna get there.” “If I can make women safer and more confident on the road by overcoming this anxiety and then actually getting your car fixed, everybody in your community is safer,” she said. It’s about providing knowledge to clients so they can help themselves. That’s why Girlie Garage is not a mobile mechanic shop, Handley said. ![]() It’s not a remarkable situation, but seeing the amount of anguish it caused her friend was enough for Handley to make this her business. Together, they ended up repairing it themselves for less than $300. She called Handley worried that she’d be putting her two kids in danger if it wasn’t fixed. It almost happened to a friend who was told her Chevy Traverse needed $2,500 worth of repairs. Handley explained that people can end up overpaying for services if they don’t understand what’s wrong with their car or the repair. Handley has been on both sides of the counter and understands how tough it can be approaching an auto shop, especially for women.ĭespite having nearly 15 years of experience as a mechanic, she’s been over-quoted for services at a garage and has dealt with customers asking “is there a man available to help me?” when she worked in the parts department for Porsche. “People get so anxious about visiting the mechanic that they literally don’t fix their cars. But under the hood, she’s kept it pristine and it’s stuffed with her tools in an organized chaos. Her black sedan lacks a shiny coat of paint - an intentional choice to deter thieves. ![]()
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