The She Shed Collective Showcases and Supports Women in Skilled Trades in the Automotive Industry

Photo bySEMA

Girl Gang Garage, The Jessi Combs Foundation, and Real Deal Revolution come together to celebrate and support women in the trades at the SEMA Show from October 31 to November 3 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

● The first-ever dedicated collaboration for women in the automotive trades will host the She Shed Collective at the SEMA Show 2023.

● The She Shed Collective allows women to be inspired, empowered, and supported through community, networking, and hands-on workshops.

● The collaboration will highlight women’s impact within the skilled trades of the automotive industry.

Three trailblazing organizations working to bolster women in skilled trades are joining forces to host the She Shed Collective within the most prominent automotive trade show in the U.S.

She Shed TeamPhoto byDouglas Pilarski

The She Shed will operate throughout the week of the SEMA Show with hands-on workshops, expert panels, autograph sessions, and an on-site tattoo artist.

Each contributing organization—Girl Gang Garage, The Jessi Combs Foundation, and Real Deal Revolution—has been leading industry growth through their own initiatives for years.

“If you can see it, you can be it,” said Bogi, Latiner of Girl Gang Garage. The She Shed will highlight tradeswomen, from professionals to hobbyists, while showcasing three women-built vehicles. “We want women to walk away energized and inspired knowing that there’s space and support for them in the automotive industry,” said Theresa Contreras of Real Deal Revolution. “We also want men to recognize the many ways in which they can and do support us.” Tradeswomen make up just 2% of automotive tradespeople.

Still, there is plenty of evidence that the number is growing, partly due to the work Girl Gang Garage, The Jessi Combs Foundation, and Real Deal Revolution have been doing.

“Women working in the trades are trailblazers growing the industry, and that can be a lonely position to be in,” said Dana Wilke of The Jessi Combs Foundation. “We’re collaborating to show women that they’re not alone, there’s someone else who understands them and is there to support them.”

The She Shed will feature women of all generations, from young rising stars to industry veterans. “Seeing and experiencing the joy and meaning of connection is when people’s perception of why it matters is transformed,” said Theresa Contreras of Real Deal Revolution.

It’s why we’re coming together as three organizations, and it’s also why we all do what we do—there’s power in women coming together. said Bogi, Latiner of Girl Gang Garage.

SEMA Event Details

The She Shed Collective can be found at booth #24663, Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The booth will host hands-on workshops, expert panels, and autograph sessions throughout the SEMA Show week, including an on-site tattoo artist on Friday.

Girl Gang Garage

The mission of Girl Gang Garage is to elevate, encourage, and champion women’s entry and advancement within the automotive & skilled trade industries.

The Jessi Combs Foundation

The Jessi Combs Foundation's mission is to educate, inspire, and empower the next generation of female trailblazers & stereotype-breakers.

Jesse"s JeepPhoto byDouglas Pilarski

Real Deal Revolution

Co-founded in 2014 by Jessi Combs & Theresa Contreras, this dynamic duo built a community with educational outreach through the empowerment of traveling “hands-on” workshops. Real Deal Revolution’s mission is to revolutionize the perception of skilled trades and women’s roles in them.

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Douglas Pilarski is an award-winning writer & journalist based on the West Coast. He writes about luxury goods, exotic cars, horology, tech, food, lifestyle, equestrian and rodeo, magazine features, and millionaire travel.

Share your thoughts and stories at dp1@sawyertms.com.