Podcast: Nonprofit Auto Repair: From Social Worker to Shop Owner (w/ Cathy Heying)

Cathy Heying, founder of The Lift Garage in Minneapolis, Minnesota, changed careers at 38 to become an auto technician to help fight against transportation scarcity. 
Feb. 28, 2023

In this episode, Cathy Heying, founder of The Lift Garage in Minneapolis, Minnesota, visits Ratchet+Wrench Radio to talk about the inner workings of nonprofit auto repair shops. Heying, who was once a social worker, made a career change at 38 in order to help more people in real time.

Here's what we discussed:

  • Her time as a social worker
  • When she became an auto technician
  • The founding of The Lift Garage
  • How the nonprofit operates
  • How she helps customers understand car care
  • How her techs are compensated
  • Partnering with outside independent auto repair shops to service her customers
  • The challenges of her work that differ from what other shop owners face.

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About the Author

Chris Jones

Group Editorial Director

Chris Jones is Group Editorial Director for the Vehicle Repair Group at Endeavor Business Media. He’s a multiple-award-winning editor and journalist and a certified project manager now providing editorial leadership and brand strategy for the auto care industry's most trusted automotive repair publications—Ratchet+Wrench, Modern Tire Dealer, National Oil & Lube News, FenderBender, ABRN, Professional Distributor, PTEN, Motor Age, and Aftermarket Business World.

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