Mechanics

Bunmi Solabi is a Trained Female Mechanic and the CEO of Ladymek Stores. She studied Science Lab Tech( Microbiology option) and Biology at the universities of Ilorin and Lagos respectively. She’s a mother of two who started her career as a Banker and resigned to follow her passion for Cars. She was a Participant at the German-Nigeria Business Forum 2018 and she has been a guest speaker at women conferences across the Nation and beyond. The beautiful Lady Mechanic, Bunmi Solabi shares her story with Esther Ijewere in this exclusive interview

Childhood Influence

My childhood did not prepare me in anyway to be a Female Mechanic. My childhood dream was to be Medical Doctor, But while growing up, I have always loved cars.

Meet Me

I am Bunmi Solabi CEO of Ladymek Stores, a mother of two adorable children, Biologist and a trained Mechanic. I started my career as banker, I resigned after a while and later joined a pharmaceutical company where I worked for over five years to later pursue my passion for cars.

What made me quit my job to become a mechanic…

My inspiration comes first from my passion for cars and also the need to
make an impact and difference in the society. I just wanted to make a difference and pitch my tent in a sector where you hardly find women.

The reception so far

Because it’s a male dominated terrain the reception and reactions from
people especially the men have not been encouraging even some ladies, the attitude is beyond horrendous especially when I was a trainee. But I soldier on because I know I can’t afford that distractions from my dream.

Challenges faced

Right now my major challenge is setting up a standard workshop. I will like Ladymek stores to be in at least Five States in five years time.

Other projects and activities

Apart from being a mechanic, I am also a public speaker especially on women/Girl empowerment. I have been opportune to speak at Women conferences organised by First Ladies, Organizations, and women in Technical Education. I am also an advocate for Girl Child Education.

Greatest reward

The greatest reward so far is being able to impact my knowledge to women, girls and boys who are my trainees.

Ladymek in five years

I see my brand Ladymek Stores in five states in Nigeria. I will like to have a Standard workshop in at least five States across the nation where we can offer Premium Services and train more Youths and unemployed Graduates to be certified Mechanics.

On giving up

First of all, I will like to say I have never regretted quiting my 8-5 job. However, I must say, there are times I have felt like running back to it because of the on and off challenges I face in this profession. What keeps me going is that I always remember why I started this journey in the first place. There are a lot of ladies that I am mentoring in this Profession who I cannot afford to let down.

My inspiration
My Mother inspires me a lot to be a better version of myself everyday. I also get inspiration from circumstances around me everyday.

I am a Woman Of Rubies
I am a Woman of Rubies because I have dared to break limitations place on women in my profession. I have made the society believe that a woman can do more.

Advice for aspiring female mechanics
My advice for aspiring female mechanics are three words: Determination, Patience and Honesty. Sometimes Comfort Makes us complacent your oars and keep rowing. #findyourself

Some mechanics would certainly not make heaven…lol…Lara Wise who is a presenter awith AIT, shared her unpleasant experience with a mechanic recently. Read below…

He is not my mechanic. My mechanic of over four years is far from my house. This guy is just a walking distance away from my house. We see everyday as I drive out and in. We got acquainted over the years having realized we share the same faith. He is so passionate about God. I would sometimes stop by to gist. We would talk politics, faith, and life in general. He fixed very minor problems on the car ranging from replacing lose screws to greasing tight knots. Minor stuff.

Tor.

Two weeks ago he told me my ‘silencer’ was leaking and driving the car like that would cost me too much fuel. He went under the car, told me it was completely condemned. He brought it out, and, yes, it was. I had worked on it severally. We had to buy a new one. He told me how much. We haggled. I paid. Left the car with him. Hoped in a taxi to do my runs. He returned the car at night. Following morning, I started the car, it sounded like an aircraft. So noisy. I called him. He said he wasn’t coming to the shop that day as he had an outside job. I left the car. Picked a cab. Did my runs. I drove the car to him again the following day. Dropped it there and went to work. I picked my car on my way back and as far as I was concerned, it was okay. When I asked why the initial noise, he told me some screws were not firmly tightened. He then said he realized that the ‘silencer’ he fixed on my car was too weak for my six-cylinder engine so he had to get a higher grade which cost him three thousand naira extra.
Ok.

On Saturday , I drove to my main mechanic to discuss some pending issues and as soon as I drove in, he told me my ‘silencer’ was leaking. I shot him a terrible glance of ” you must be out of your mind. My ‘silencer’ is brand new”. He got under the car and screamed. “Madam, did you say this ‘silencer is new?” to which I replied in the affirmative. He took pictures from underneath the car and showed me on his phone. I felt my breakfast fighting its way up from my stomach to my throat.
I called my ‘brother’ and handed the phone to my mechanic and he got a tongue lash from him for being so dubious.
My ‘brother’ then told me to bring it back on Monday since it was a Saturday and he had just been bereaved.
Monday morning.
I went to his shop and all I asked was for us to drive to where he purchased my ‘silencer’. I was no longer the sweet madam he was used to. I opened the passenger side door and insisted he must hop into the car.
Then his countenancechanged.
He went flat on the floor begging in the name of God.
I asked him to bring out the ‘silencer’.
Ladies and gentlemen, look at the pictures.
Old, worn-out ‘silencer’.
He confessed that he got an old ‘silencer’ and refurbished it for me. He said he bought some iron sheets and wrapped the old ‘silencer’ from inside.
He begged and begged.
I was hamstrung.
Conclusion.
I should give him till next weekend to get me what I paid for.
I was sad and I still am.
What we do to ourselves in terms of harm and wickedness is grave and so unimaginable.

“Why I Left My Banking Job To Be A Mechanic”-Bunmi Solabi

“SOME MECHANICS CANNOT MAKE HEAVEN”- MEDIA PERSONALITY, LARA WISE, SHARES HER UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE WITH A MECHANIC