Episode 5 - Louise Baker
From Supermarkets to Spanners: Louise Baker’s Journey to Womanic
"Do whatever makes you happy. The only thing holding you back is you."
In this episode of The Spark Inside, hosts Christian Hewgill and Becca Knight sit down with Louise Baker, founder of Womanic, an all-female garage in Birmingham. Louise shares her story of leaving a retail job to pursue her passion for cars and establish a business designed to break down stereotypes and make auto repairs accessible for everyone. As a single mother, Louise built her garage to be flexible, approachable, and empowering - offering a collection and delivery service tailored to busy schedules. She also shares the motivation behind her “Heels to Wheels” course, teaching essential car maintenance to people of all backgrounds.
This episode is filled with wisdom, resilience, and a genuine love for cars that shines through in every part of Louise's journey.
Key Moments:
[00:00:00] Introduction: Christian’s F1 game show challenge
[00:04:46] Guest Intro: Welcoming Louise Baker
[00:05:21] Starting Womanic: From supermarket shelves to garage tools
[00:08:02] The Flexibility of Womanic: Running a business around family life
[00:11:19] Early Inspirations: Childhood memories with her father and first cars
[00:13:13] Breaking the Mould: Being a female mechanic and supporting women drivers
[00:14:01] Building Customer Trust: Transparent repairs and empowering clients
[00:16:44] Social Media for Inspiration: How TikTok and Instagram help spread the message
[00:25:51] STEM and School Talks: Inspiring the next generation of engineers
Featuring: Louise Baker
Presented by: Becca Knight and Christian Hewgill
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Podcast Website: www.thesparkinside.co.uk
The Spark Inside is an 18Sixty production brought to you by Niterra UK Ltd.
Louise Baker
Louise is a Birmingham-based female mechanic offering reliable, friendly, open and honest car garage services. With over 25 years’ experience, she provides a wide range of services including servicing, MOTs, general repairs and diagnostics. She prides herself on being a one-woman operation, ensuring each customer gets personal attention and top-quality service. Originally aimed at supporting female drivers, her welcoming approach has attracted a diverse customer base, with 50% of her clients now being men. To make things even easier, she offers free vehicle collection. Whether you’re dealing with a complex repair or a routine MOT, you can trust her to get the job done with care and expertise.
What first ignited my spark was…
...my dad, who taught me everything I know. Over the years, friends, ex-boyfriends, and a passion for independence fuelled my love for mechanics. Eight years ago, my daughter inspired me to turn that passion into my own business.