Nestled in the Valley of the sun in Phoenix, Arizona, is a little automotive shop run by two women, Bogi Lateiner and Shawnda Williams called, Girl Gang Garage.

Its mission is to empower, educate, and encourage women to explore skilled trade opportunities within the automotive industry. There is a national deficit of available workers to fill critical automotive jobs spanning from manufacturing to repair and maintenance. This need signaled an opportunity to help widen the cracks in the walls that have limited women's entry into this industry and do so in a fun and engaging way.

People commonly recognize Bogi Lateiner, for the role she plays as a host on All Girls Garage.

Shawnda Williams join's Bogi in this crusade to disrupt the automotive industry through positive change. An automotive novice, Shawnda is an IT expert, leveraging more than 15-years of experience in the creative, marketing and technology sector.

She boasts an expansive career of designing award-winning graphics, creating nationally recognized marketing initiatives, and enhancing user experiences in conjunction with global brands such as Apple Computer, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Cisco, Zappos, and Red Bull.

In This Episode

00:00 - Crina introduces Bogi Lateiner and Shawnda Williams, hosts of All Girls Garage, a popular how-to automotive show on MotorTrend Network They have more than 15-years of experience in the creative, marketing, and technology sector.04:12 - Bogi and Shawnda share their interests from when they were young and how they entered the automotive industry.08:39 - Bogi talks about why she enrolled herself in a technical school after graduating from a pre-law degree.11:59 - Shawnda and Bogi describe how the automotive industry's diversity is really slow in breaking gender roles and stereotypes.16:51 - What it looks like to be involved in the Girl Gang Garage workshop.21:10 - Bogi elaborates on the technical side of working in a car shop.25:39 - Shawnda talks about the different reasons why women want to join their workshops and learn.31:16 - Bogi shares Girl Gang Garage's biggest mission to empower, encourage, and educate women to explore skilled trades.35:11 - Check out Girl Gang Garage's social media accounts and visit their website, girlganggarage.com, to see their amazing builds and learn how to get involved.39:15 - Bogi shares an inspiring thought for young people who are choosing career paths.

Jump to Links and Resources

Bogi Lateiner is the host of MotorTrend Network's All Girls Garage. She's also the co-owner along with Shawnda Williams, of the Girl Gang Garage. I had a great conversation with them about their work teaching women about car restorations and automotive maintenance skills. Many of us need but don't have the opportunity to learn in a comfortable environment. What do I mean by that? Well, if you're a woman and you've ever taken your car into a shop to be repaired, you'll most likely understand. Bogi and Shawnda are having fun sharing their skills and understand the importance of trade schools but are quick to say to each her own. And it's always fun to find interesting and creative people who use OWC equipment. 

This is Cirina Catania with OWC Radio. I am really excited today. This is kind of bringing back a lot of memories from my car aficionado days and my days working for six months on a set where we were building custom motorcycles. Bogi and Shawnda, you are partners in Girl Gang Garage. Tell us what that is and what it does for people.

BL: Yeah, absolutely. So this is Bogi. Girl Gang Garage is an unusual sort of shop where we are focused solely on introducing women in the trades to one another and introducing women to the trades creating opportunities for women to explore in kind of a safe environment welding metal fabrication, bodywork mechanical work, anything involved in the automotive industry. And so here we offer workshops and classes,