Breaking Barriers: The Lone Female Mechanic Shaping Lou Fusz's Success

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Approximately 11% of employees in the auto repair sector are women, and in St. Louis, numerous professionals within the trades aim to increase this percentage. This sentiment is shared by a mechanic working at Lou Fusz.

Within Lou Fusz Mazda, you could come across an unexpected voice operating within the service department, handling repairs, adjustments, and messes.

Meet Aspen O’ Bannon.

“She exclaimed with delight.”

She is the sole woman working as a mechanic for the Lou Fusz company.

“She mentioned that she has had a desire to become a mechanic ever since her days in kindergarten.”

However, Aspen’s journey to enrolling in school was not straightforward.

“I fought. I fought really hard. I took the test three different times,” she said.

That third time, she passed. That landed her a seat at State Technical College of Missouri.

“I was scared at first. Once I started doing it, I didn’t care. It was something I fell in love with,” she said.

Aspen rapidly expanded through practical experience.

"I had my hands deep into car repairs. I was learning and making it all happen," she stated.

After graduating, she secured an internship, however, another surprise awaited her along the journey.

"I became pregnant at the beginning but remained unaware of my pregnancy until graduation day," she stated.

Now, with her son Waylen by her side, learning a thing or two about cars, Aspen is also setting an example.

“I want him to learn that females are just as equal,” she said emotionally.

Aspen said this is a field more women belong in.

“Being a female within the industry is definitely rewarding, and it is good to see that women can do what men can do,” she said.

For Randy Harman, talent acquisition director at Lou Fusz, the one who gave Aspen a chance, it’s clear:

“The notion that women can’t do this job is old thinking, and I hate that,” he said.

So for Aspen, it’s not just about fixing cars, it’s about chasing a childhood dream.

“If this is where your passion lies, follow your passion,” said Harman.

And it’s that passion that pushed her through challenges and into a space she hopes more women will enter.

“Do it. You can’t be scared. You can’t look back, always look forward,” she said.