CARLYLE - Autobody technicians make body repairs to cars, trucks and other motor vehicles using traditional hand tools and a range of specialty body repair tools.
A career in autobody repair can cover a number of different areas such as paint and refinishing, body and frame work, although paint is considered a separate trade.
Just ask Mariah Brown who owns Carlyle Collision and Painting. Brown bought the business in February of 2018 after working for the previous owners for 10 years. Brown earned her Journeyman papers in Autobody after four years apprenticing working at the shop.
“I really enjoy the painting side of the business…that’s what got my attention,” explains Brown.
Some may think it’s a tedious job and others say that women have more of an eye for it.
“We’re SGI Accredited so we do any SGI claims that involves the body of the vehicle,” explains Brown. “We do the autobody work and finish off with the painting.”
Some of the painting involves just getting the vehicle back to the way it was before although that’s not with every case.
“We’ve done quite a few custom paint jobs on vehicles,” says Brown. “We do lots of motorbikes, and I’ve done quite a few complete vehicles.”
The customer will bring in their own ideas and designs but Brown says she also likes helping people out with building trucks.
“We’ve done a couple of restorations,” adds Brown.
Brown has a very interesting career with many stories to tell.
Some jobs may be considered more difficult than others but Brown says every project has its own challenge.
Brown sees herself at this career for many years to come.
When Brown isn’t at the shop with a wrench in her hand, she enjoys her acreage south of Carlyle she shares with her boyfriend Lane.
In the summer, she enjoys golfing and spending time at the Lake.
“In the fall, I help my brother with the farming driving the grain cart or swathing.”
They like sledding in the winter making a couple of trips out to BC.
“I like to keep busy,” says Brown as she sums up her life in a nutshell.
