Mechanic Shop Femme's Guide to Car Ownership: Uncomplicating Cars for All of Us
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Chaya Milchtein is an automotive educator, influencer, and founder of Mechanic Shop Femme. She unapologetically stands out in a crowd, flaunting her fashion sense while teaching about cars, traveling the world, and breaking all kinds of norms. Chaya made it her life's mission to educate women and queer people about their cars. She's dedicated her career to educating the average car owner, not automotive enthusiasts, about their cars - a career she found and built after aging out of the foster care system. She's taught her popular car classes at libraries, universities, non-profits, and businesses, including John Jay Criminal College, BMO Bank, and Vanderbilt University. Chaya has worked with national and international automotive brands, including CarMax, TireRack, iFixit, and Jerry. She has been featured in AARP, NPR's Lifekit, Oprah Magazine, Car Talk, and The Chicago Tribune. She's written for AAA's Via Magazine, Parents Magazine, Shondaland, and PBS's Next Avenue. Chaya lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her wife, tortoise, and black cat.
Since 2017, Milchtein has been online, demystifying car ownership and maintenance for women and queer folks, creating an environment that is educational, inclusive, and empowering. Her first book reflects that ethos, and in 14 common-sense chapters, she breaks down the necessities... Affably written, Mechanic Shop Femme's Guide to Car Ownership should find a large audience ...especially among those traditionally left out of the car-buying and maintenance process.
--Booklist"Milchtein's story shows that inclusivity, education and innovation in the automotive aftermarket holds immense potential for creating positive change. By recognizing the unique needs of female and LGBTQ+ vehicle owners, businesses can not only enhance customer satisfaction but also expand their clientele base. Through proactive communication and a genuine commitment to understanding the diverse needs of their customers, shop owners and technicians can pave the way for a more inclusive and thriving industry. As we all advocate for inclusion within the industry, let us continue to find innovative ways to create a welcoming and supportive environment where every individual feels valued and empowered."--Motor.com
"Chaya Milchtein is an internet sensation and influencer for a reason: she garners deep, insightful knowledge of the automotive industry and she always presents her true self. [Mechanic Shop Femme's Guide to Car Ownership] is written in casual, fun, easy-to-follow language for regular folks who want to learn more about the basics of car ownership."--OnMilwaukee.com
"Chaya Milchtein empowers women by educating them about cars."--Success.com
"Mechanic Shop Femme's Guide to Car Ownership provides a world of benefit, not only to novice vehicle purchasers but to seasoned ones as well. Chaya has covered car ownership from start to finish. To anyone that is hesitant to plunk down a few bucks for Chaya's book, don't be: it will be money well spent and can be passed on to others when you're finished."--Eric Carlson, Master Hybrid Technician and owner of Grand Rapids Hybrids
"Weaving together straightforward how-to guides on basic car buying and maintenance with personal narrative from her own life and reported stories from others, Milchtein puts forth an accessible work of informational nonfiction that also seeks to directly confront the car industry's rampant sexism, racism, classism, and homophobia, giving people tools to advocate for themselves. As a fierce advocate for her own work, she's the right person to learn these lessons from."--Autostraddle.com
"As an automotive writer and influencer, Chaya Milchtein is driven about sharing her knowledge with her followers. Now she has authored a guide to car ownership that puts her advice in the hands of everyday people."--Forbes.com
