In Her Shoes series : Imelda

    February 05 2020

    Featuring … Imelda Thwaites

    Name : Imelda

    Role : Car Paint Maker & Owner, Automotive and Industrial Paints Ltd

    Brief role description :

    Making car paint and eye matching, supplying to boat painters and industrial paints. I travel around Southland, NZ quite a bit dropping off paint as well.

    What is it about your role you enjoy? :

    The people .. plus it’s very challenging when you have to eye match colours. This means you have to look at a panel and decide which colours need to go into it to make it.

    How did you get into your trade/industry/role? :

    I didn’t know anything about automotive paint, but I filled in for a guy who was having an operation about 20 years ago and I’ve been doing it ever since! Now I own and run my own business.

    What advice would you give to other women :

    The biggest thing is to give anything a go. Don’t listen to anything negative.

    Do you have a favourite saying or quote? :

    Why wait for tomorrow, when you can do it today.

    Tell us a funny story about your role or an amusing experience you’ve had :

    When I first started, I had a car painter come in to order some paint. He told me “women can’t mix car paint”. So I took him out the back and made the paint in front of him and said “right, well .. I just did so what are you going to say now!”.

    Any feedback or comments about your she wear boots :

    They are so comfortable! I’m so glad there is a place now women can buy decent work boots and work wear.

    To find out more about Imelda’s painting company, check out Automotive and Industrial Paints Ltd on facebook.

    Tagged: In Her Shoes