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.

Stacey Head
Tagged: In Her Shoes