CC Haug has always had a passion for cars, having grown up in a family that owned car dealerships and workshops. This interest led her to continually tinker with racing cars and bespoke vehicles for fun and eventually to pursue a degree in science and mechanical engineering at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
But when Haug, a transgender woman, decided to start hormone therapy, she worried about having to sacrifice her identity or her livelihood.
“I identify as queer, I’m actually going to start hormone therapy in early January. One of the reasons I didn’t do this earlier in life is that for me mechanical stuff, cars, all of that is such a big passion, ”said Haug. “If I start my transition, what am I going to do for work? What’s gonna happen? “
This was the genesis of the founding of Good Judy Garage, a car store dedicated to inclusion and education in an industry that Haug says has a widespread “chauvinistic mindset”. The 2,200 square foot garage, which includes three bays, opened in Sheridan on December 19.
The name Good Judy Garage is an ode to Judy Garland, who was a known ally in the LGBTQ + community. Likewise, Haug’s mission is to provide a space where customers don’t feel intimidated due to their gender identity, sexual orientation, or lack of knowledge about cars.
“One thing that I think is important for both of us is the educational aspect. Lots of people messaged us saying, “I would love to learn how to change the oil or how to change a tire,” just simple and very basic maintenance, ”said Faith Haug, CC Partner and Director of Business Development. “And the people I spoke to in particular were women, whether they were straight, gay or trans. But because they were women somehow, they thought they couldn’t ask a regular store how to do this or that they didn’t have anyone in their life who would do that.
Good Judy Garage tries to bring more understanding to its services through price transparency. The website lists routine maintenance costs, like an oil change ($ 25), as well as the cost of labor ($ 120 per hour) and how to bill for more work. important will be calculated. Faith said that if a job takes more hours than originally planned, clients will not have to pay the difference.
“Vehicle services and repairs can be incredibly expensive, so trying to get them to know what they’re working in and what to expect, I think, helps reduce the benefit a bit,” he said. said CC Haug. “In terms of ethics, that’s one of the reasons I came back to wanting to do this.”
CC recalls a case where she took her daily driver, a 2000 Baja-style Toyota Tundra, for an alignment, but was told several pieces of equipment needed to be replaced, all of which she had recently replaced. herself.
“Seeing places approaching things this way almost made me angry,” CC said.
The couple set up Good Judy’s Instagram account and started researching locations for the garage about six months ago. The square footage and service capacity of Good Judy’s.
But business goals are somewhat secondary, CC said. As long as customers have a pleasant experience, Good Judy Garage will achieve what it hoped for.
“The goal is to approach it as an open space for everyone and anyone who can walk in and have a more positive attitude than what you see in many stores,” CC said.
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