Some garage stories start with business plans and funding. Louise Baker’s started in a car park with a £400 toolkit, a kid in the back of the van, and no qualifications.
We sat down with Louise on the latest episode of On The Ramp to hear how she went from burnout at Tesco to building Womanic — a fully booked, solo-run garage brand that’s changing how people see women in the trade.
From Shelf Stacker to Spanners
After years of stress, night shifts, and anxiety, Louise found herself completely out of the motor trade — no tools, no garage, no idea what was next. But she couldn’t shake the pull of it. While stacking shelves, she was Googling “how to start a business” on her phone.
She didn’t just start a business — she built one. With no workshop, she fixed cars in her apartment car park. She taught herself how to build a website, fought for trade insurance, and hustled for every customer. Her daughter, Ava, was never far — sometimes literally sat in the back of the van while Louise worked.
No Unit. No Staff. No Excuses.
She started with friends and family, undercharged out of imposter syndrome, and slowly built a name. Within two years, Womanic was booked out.
Today, she works from a double garage she built with her dad during COVID. She’s still solo. Still doing the work. But now, she’s doing it on her terms.
Louise doesn’t want a franchise. She doesn’t want a fleet. She wants to be happy, have time for her daughter, and do work she’s proud of. That’s it.
Giving Back, Without the Ego
She’s not just fixing cars — she’s going into schools, running STEM talks, and showing young people (especially girls) that there’s a path into the trade that no one talks about. She’s turning down paid jobs to inspire the next generation of techs.
On top of that, she’s launched Auto Angels — a community-driven show where a team of women fix cars for people who need help. It’s raw, real, and full of heart.
This Episode Is Worth Your Time
If you’ve ever felt burnt out, boxed in, or unsure whether you’re “qualified” to start something new — this episode will hit hard.
Louise doesn’t just talk about grit. She lives it.
