Elycia Morath
Entrepreneur, Owner
Automotive Service Centre
Elycia owns and runs the automotive business that her father ran for 21 years before her. She continues to build on his legacy using her passion and creativity.
What work do you do?
After my dad passed away, I stepped into the family business in difficult financial times, with the support of just a single apprentice. I also have another business which buys and sells used cars. I use part of my workshop for inspections and buyers can speak to a qualified mechanic to get some reassurance they are getting a good car.
How did you get to where you are now?
Before this, I worked in construction as a projects manager. I ran large-scale construction projects coordinating builds of 30 million dollars plus. I got the role by just asking for a chance to prove myself in a job I wanted. Now there are so many women doing great things in the automotive industry. I like to be out on site and not sitting in an office, like learning and communicating with people. Honesty is key.
Do you have any career advice for girls?
You don’t have to go to Uni after school. You don’t necessarily need a formal qualification. It’s your life and you are your own agent of change. Who you are is up to you and your own effort – in your working life and in life in general. If you want something you have to strive for success.
Have you experienced many failures?
Many, but as a small example, I have been known to throw a customer’s key in the bin while cleaning the workshop! Seriously though, failure hurts, but it’s just another way to learn and grow. It’s the perfect chance to reflect, take responsibility and learn from it.
What makes you feel powerful at work?
Understanding my surroundings – I’m not a qualified mechanic but every day I’m learning. I have the support and knowledge of qualified mechanics around me. I tinker whenever I can.
How do you make your business work?
The business needs to become a well-oiled machine and that means giving it love. It’s of grave importance to me, because it’s my dad’s legacy. My workshop is my home. I’ve found my niche here. I have the overwhelming support of the community around me and my loyal customers.
My Dad passed away several months ago. He was very creative and he always looked outside of the box for solutions to problems and new ways of doing things. I think motor mechanics (automotive engineers) are some of the most creative people you’ll find.
What’s been your greatest accomplishment?
Picking up the business when it was in difficult times. Proving I could run it and getting to the point where it’s running successfully.
What are your thoughts about the future of your industry?
With the advent of Smart Cars and so on, people tend to think everything will be done by robots. But you need qualified mechanics to understand and tune vehicles. There might be a decrease in some tasks, but mechanics will always be needed to manage processes and ensure service standards are high and procedures are correct. I believe it’s a growing industry and there will be roles such as detailing, performance tuning and vinyl wrapping and so on. Hands on labour and experience will always be needed. The care factor is essential.
I try to make sure that people here love their work. There’s always something new to learn. We will adapt to change and create new business whenever we can.
Contact
camberwellservicecentre.com.au
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