From "Car Girl Grace" to Trailblazer in Automotive: A Journey Worth Celebrating

What happens when passion and purpose collide? You get someone like Grace Stein, whose love for drag racing and drive for change in the automotive world are nothing short of inspiring.

This week on the Trailblaze Your Path Podcast, Grace shared her journey, balancing roles at Bannister Automotive Group and carving out a space for women in automotive. Her story is a reminder that breaking barriers often starts with simply saying, “Yes, I can.”

Finding Your Lane (and Owning It)

Grace didn’t stumble into the automotive world—she was born into it. Growing up around drag racing parents and a family-run repair shop, her love for cars was inevitable. But it was a pivotal high school auto shop experience that sparked her dream to study Automotive Business—a path less traveled but perfectly tailored for her.

Her secret? Following her passions unapologetically.

Lessons from Grace’s Journey

1. Make Teaching a Tool for Learning: Grace’s dual roles in marketing at Bannister Auto Group let her teach and apply marketing strategies in real time. She believes the best way to learn is by teaching—and her success proves it.
2. Break Barriers with Confidence: From her online persona “Car Girl Grace” to her work at Canada’s largest outdoor student-run auto show, Grace is redefining what leadership looks like in a male-dominated industry.
3. Stay Rooted in Community: Whether it’s drag racing with her parents or mentoring young women in automotive, Grace’s story shows that support systems are vital to success.

In Her Words:

“I truly believe that the best way you do learn is by teaching.” – Grace Stein

What’s Next for Grace?

With big dreams of climbing the corporate ladder—CEO of GM Canada, perhaps?—Grace’s aspirations remind us that the sky isn’t the limit; it’s just the beginning.

What inspires you most about Grace’s journey? Is there a passion you’ve followed fearlessly? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your story.

?? Catch Grace’s full episode here: https://linktr.ee/kayleefelio