Female ‘gear head’ makes customers comfortable

Delaina McGrath, owner of Jimmix Automotive, works with her husband, Mike. The business handles automotive repair, including servicing the Beavercreek Police Department's fleet of vehicles.

submitted Delaina McGrath, owner of Jimmix Automotive, works with her husband, Mike. The business handles automotive repair, including servicing the Beavercreek Police Department's fleet of vehicles.

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By Sue Moning, Contributing Writer 2:34 PM Wednesday, June 17, 2009

BEAVERCREEK — When Delaina McGrath talks shop, she isn’t talking dress sizes or the latest shoe trend.

Owner of McGrath Motorsports, doing business as Jimmix Automotive & Cycle, she talks alternators, oil changes and other wrench-turning work for gear heads. The majority of her business comes from females, needing work on their own cars or cars belonging to a husband or boyfriend.

“I think it’s a lot easier for women to relate to a woman,” in discussing repair issues, she said. She said customers have “a lot more trust level” having somebody able to discuss repair issues in common language instead of technical terms.

Some male customers still ask to speak to her husband, Mike, who performs the service and repairs. She is fine with that, if it keeps the customer satisfied. Many men eventually understand the couple works as a team, and develop a rapport with her, McGrath said.

Jimmix Automotive offers automotive repairs, roadside service, repairs and maintenance for all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles and lawn tractors. “Anything with an engine, he can work on,” McGrath said. The business handles several fleet accounts, including service for all vehicles owned by the Beavercreek Police Department, and for Silco, a fire protection business. She and her husband also sponsor racers in motorcycle racing at Kil-Kare Raceway.

A college degree in communications and professional work in public relations serves her well in handling the day-to-day business, McGrath said.

Her husband worked at Jimmix for about 10 years before she bought it four years ago. The automotive business is separate from the body shop and towing business in the same area.

The two also support the Buy Beavercreek philosophy and try to buy supplies and parts from other local merchants. McGrath also emphasizes their policy of honesty in diagnosing and correcting vehicle problems. “We may not be the cheapest place in town, but we do it right the first time,” she said.

Jimmix Automotive is located at 4136 Industrial Lane. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, call (937) 426-8953 or visit mcgrathmotorsportsllc.com.

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