Toronto, Ontario — Oakville, Ontario’s Ink ‘n’ Iron was featured on Global News this past weekend, where founder and owner Hilary Noack spoke on her experiences in the industry and advocated for other female auto enthusiasts to pursue their passions.
Ink ‘n’ Iron–which prides itself on being the only all-female autobody shop in Canada–opened its doors in 2015, after Noack saw many female autobody professionals face challenging experiences women in the male-dominated collision repair industry.
“I kept meeting more women and hearing their stories about how they could never break into the industry or how no one would give them a chance,” Noack told Global News. “That’s what spawned the idea for my shop.
“I call it a safe place where I can bring women in–apprentices, co-op students–and train them, then send them out into the industry with that confidence the feeling that they do belong here.”
Noack, too faced difficult trials when starting out in the industry.
“It was really tough. There was no [social media], no way to connect with other women that do this. I was the only female in my class in trade school through all three levels,” she told Global News.
“It’s been said to me for many years, but you really do have to have a thick skin.”
She said platforms like Instagram have the power to connect and inspire other young women to pursue careers in collision repair.
“Utilize social media! Being able to see and connect with other women [in autobody] starts a snowball effect,” she told Global News. “Once you can see it, it’s easier for you to say, ‘Hey, I can do this too!'”
