Ravenswood Auto Shop Mechanista Works to Bridge Gender Gap in Car Repair Industry

A new nonprofit auto repair shop in Ravenswood is working to make car care more welcoming for women and nonbinary people while addressing a significant gender gap in the automotive industry.

Mechanista opened in November with a mission to create an inclusive space for customers who often feel intimidated by traditional mechanic shops, according to founder Lisa Thompson. The shop also aims to encourage more women to enter the automotive field, where they currently represent just 2% of mechanics nationwide, Thompson said.

“It’s just not a safe environment, a really inclusive space, when someone talks in vehicle jargon and makes it way overcomplicated, when it’s actually really simple,” said Ray Chafin, Mechanista’s lead mechanic. “Do you need this, or do you not?”

Thompson, who spent years working in the nonprofit sector, said the industry’s staffing challenges motivated her to act. “It’s a problem because we have all of these openings everywhere,” Thompson said. “I remember I told my husband, ‘I think I have to do this. I think I have to start a program for this.’”

The shop’s design reflects Thompson’s vision for a more approachable auto care experience. “I wanted the space to look like a place I would feel comfortable curling up with a book and a cup of coffee,” Thompson said. The facility includes space for parents to bring children and for customers to work while their vehicles receive service.

Thompson hopes customers leave feeling educated rather than confused about their car’s condition. “I want them to walk out feeling like, ‘Wow, that was fun. That was a pleasant hour, and I know what’s going on with my car,’” she said.

Chafin brings nearly a decade of military experience to her role at Mechanista. She served in the Air Force as a heavy mobile equipment mechanic, where she was often the only woman in her work environment. “The whole time in the military, I was the only female,” Chafin said. “It wasn’t until I retired that I got to train my first female in this job.”

Her interest in mechanics began early in childhood. “I was always working with my hands,” Chafin said. “I was probably handed some tool at the age of 2 and told to go play with this outside, take it apart and put it back together.”

At Mechanista, Chafin performs a full range of services, from preventive maintenance to engine care, including tire checks, filter replacements and safety inspections. Beyond the technical work, she values the opportunity to create a supportive environment for customers.

“I’m getting the opportunity to create that safe space,” Chafin said, “and the opportunity to give people the confidence and show them that we can do this.”

The nonprofit’s impact extends beyond daily repairs. Mechanista is developing a 12-week apprenticeship program targeting people ages 16 to 24, specifically designed to give young women and nonbinary individuals hands-on automotive industry experience.

“I think it’s really critical that we create opportunities for young women to work in a garage and to learn in a place that they feel safe, that they feel included, that they feel is equitable,” Thompson said. “Because otherwise, they may not stay in the field.”

The shop also offers educational programming through car care workshops. An upcoming Valentine’s Day event will teach participants how to jump-start their vehicles and provide tours explaining what’s under the hood, according to the shop’s programming.

Thompson and Chafin’s work at Mechanista represents a broader effort to transform an industry where many customers, particularly women, have historically felt unwelcome or intimidated by the service experience.