b'B W CONNECT MEMBER SPOTLIGHTTrade BarriersRAINBO e k gr a inErin Vaughan defies the odds to build one of only two female-owned auto shops in SaskatchewanBy Haley EnglandA couple of weeks later, Vaughan was offered the apprenticeship after all, with a trial period of a few weeks. Those few weeks turned into two years and Vaughan loved it. The experience cemented her desire to build her career in the automotive repair trade. That initial touchpoint with the industry also proved to be a critical learning experience for her, inspiring Vaughan to be assertive and chase after what she wanted. I learned that you absolutely have to have a voice, know what you want, and fight for it, she says. Ive had positions where they hired me and tried to pay me less than the male technicians who had less education than I did, and I was like, No, thats not going to happen.After working for a shop that eventually went bankrupt, Vaughan decided to take the plunge and start her own auto repair business.She quickly discovered that while working on cars came naturally to her, launching and running her own business came with a learning curve. In the beginning, she tried to do everything herselfa desire she quickly learned to curb. Today, she knows how to delegate and lean on her teams skill and experience. Im a different person than I was 10 years ago when I started Erin Vaughan, Owner and President Kinetic, Vaughan says. At this point, Ive learned pretty much of Regina-based Kinetic Auto Service Ltd.every area thats part of a business, [but] now I do bits and pieces of different things. Ive learned over the years what Im good at, A t 26, Erin Vaughan was flipping through a college courseand [for] the things that Im not good at, I make sure I hire people calendar looking for career direction. that are better than I am. I like to say that I obviously didnt get very far because automotive service technician starts with an A! laughs Vaughan, now the proud owner of Regina-based Kinetic Auto Service Ltd. After a series of odd jobs, and a nudge from her then partnerI was slightly and now wife, Vaughan jumped into the trade 15 years ago andhesitant to talk has never looked back. I like to work with my hands and to do different things every day, she says. And I like challenges. Thereabout that portion is no world where I can sit at a desk.Even though Vaughan knew nothing about cars growing up,of my life because she heard of an apprenticeship opening at the mechanic shopwere in a more where she took her own car. On a whim, she decided to apply. The response was not what she had anticipated. I was initiallyconservative placetold I could work the front desk, Vaughan reflects. When I- ERIN VAUGHANsaid I wanted to learn to work on cars, the answer was, No. So I remember thinking, Whatever, Ill just go to school then.20| QBiz CANADA | 2021'