Manifolds and Mullets Mechanical owner Jaymie Paris with her Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Award for Automotive Services.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
“We did it.”
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For Jaymie Paris, three words summed up the years of 1am finishes, hard work and determination to make it in a male-dominated industry that culminated in a national award.
The Manifolds and Mullets Mechanical owner took home the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Award for Automotive Services on Saturday, September 26.
For Ms Paris, the award was about more than her own achievement, it was recognition of the community and the women working to carve out a place in an industry traditionally dominated by men.
“I feel like it sort of hasn't sunk in yet,” she said.
“Hearing our name, I wasn’t just proud of myself. I just had this massive sense of love for the community.”
Ms Paris said her career path had not been easy, especially when she was starting out 13 years ago.
“The industry was pretty horrible for women back then. It's still not fantastic now, but back then it was horrible,” she said.
“Even being in the classroom environment and being the only girl in there, it was horrible. I ended up leaving.
“Having children and putting myself on the back burner, and then trying to get an apprenticeship as a woman as I got a little bit older just seemed like it was impossible.”
For Ms Paris, enough was enough.
“Something in the industry needs to give, and I want women and men, anyone who is disadvantaged in any way, to be able to have equal opportunity,” she said.
“The only way I can do that is by starting my own business and providing equal opportunity.”
That philosophy became one of the catalysts behind Ms Paris and husband Sam Horgan-Paris opening Manifolds and Mullets Mechanical in 2023.
Manifolds and Mullets Mechanical’s new location in Shepparton.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
But with just the two owners carrying much of the workload, the growth has come at a cost.
“We need more workers because there’s only so much we can do,” Ms Paris said.
“These 1am nights, they’re just not feasible for ever.”
Despite the long hours, Ms Paris said the business was driven by a desire to give customers a different automotive experience.
“We really don’t like the way people are often lied to and ripped off,” she said.
“I want people to walk away feeling empowered and knowledgeable.”
For the couple, that means going beyond simply fixing cars.
“A car is more than just a vehicle for so many people,” she said.
“Not having their car for an extended period of time, that can change their lives.”
Jaymie Paris from Manifolds and Mullets is used to hard work and late nights at her business.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The business has already been able to give back to the community, including working with two other local businesses to repair a cancer patient’s car for free.
“We never could have helped somebody like that five years ago,” Ms Paris said.
“Those late nights are worth it.”
That community support was front of mind when Ms Paris made her acceptance speech at the awards ceremony in Sydney.
“After thanking God and my children and my husband, I said the biggest thanks goes to the Shepparton community,” she said.
“Without them, we wouldn't be where we are.
“They are the heart of our business.”
Ms Paris hopes recognition of women in the automotive industry will encourage more women to pursue careers in the sector.
“When you hear the word mechanic, and you think man or woman, that’s when we know we’ve done enough,” she said.
“Until then, there needs to be more recognition for women.”
Jaymie Paris at the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards in Sydney.
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