2013: Women Auto Know’s Year In Review!

Wow 2013 is almost over!!! Its days like these that I wish I kept a more consistent log because this year flew by quickly.  But really, 2013 was the year for Women Auto Know!   So much happened…

I presented for the Women’s Car Care Council in January.  It was at that presentation, within the safety net of my fellow colleagues, female leaders and representatives that I really began to hammer down what I wanted to accomplish with Women Auto Know.  Then, I got a call from ABC’s The Lookout.  That’s the undercover sting project started and it took months for us to complete.  It finally aired in June and we received so much coverage!

The lessons I learned from being on that show are priceless and, because of that experience, all of the Women Auto Know Workshops were changed in some way and the content became much richer.

In March, I received the Women Owned Small Business Award.  I walked onstage, towards the podium and the Governor Cuomo whispered to me, “This is great. Stay strong.” It is amazing how Women Auto Know has been expanding and spreading. The recognition that this mission is valuable really keeps me moving. It inspires me to keep trying and keep advocating

In June, the American Heart Association honored me by validating a report from AAA last year that stated 29,000 crashes were due to poor vehicle maintenance.  The American Heart Association wanted to recognize that like GoRed for Women, (a campaign that helps prevent heart disease by raising awareness) Women Auto Know is about awareness, preventative measures and saving lives.   

July saw the opening of the Long Island Children Museum’s “Broke? Fix it!” traveling exhibit which I assisted in developing!  It’s a great exhibit that inspires children to change their view of everyday items in life being repairable rather than disposable.

With the school season starting up again, August welcomed new interns to Women Auto Know from the very supportive Queens College.  They’re been supporting Women Auto Know with interns since 2010, and I love them for it.

Then came one of the biggest pieces of exposure all year!  The American Express Passion Project called me up and sponsored the Women Auto Know mission.  Check out the amazing video the made for us, here!

In September, the Wyatt Women’s Network flew me to Kentucky to hold a presentation to a group of successful businesswomen, from accountant to attorneys, can you believe even women that highly educated can feel intimidated in the mechanic’s waiting room?  The Wyatt Women can really host a party—they created the “Mechanic Mama Martini,” in my honor!  Also, I got my work boots shined for the first time. So cool!  I presented a Women Auto Know workshop. We spoke about how to choose a shop, and speak with the mechanics, and reviewed the basics about caring for cars.

October, November, and December were whirlwinds of time!  I was on the Steve Harvey show, Diane Sawyer, The Today Show, Long Island Newsday printed a four page spread on Women Auto Know.

Things are going so great!  We’re really working on getting our website together, you can look forward to a more cohesive look in 2014, smooth running social media, and a strong website giving you, the consumer, great insights into the automotive industry! See ya in 2014!!