Blend Podcast sets stage for powerful panel on garage and family life

As anticipation builds for The Blend’s independent garage conference this October, a group of leading women in the garage industry are preparing to take to the stage for a panel discussion tackling the realities of balancing family and business.

Tina Drayson of CCM Garages, Kirsty from Autocentre, Claire Cleevely of Cleevely Group, Samantha Lomas of DC Lomas, and Diana Whetton of PW Auto Repairs will lead the panel, ‘Partners, Family & Business: The Balancing Act’, at The Blend on Saturday 18th October.

“We wanted to create a space where we could talk openly about the realities of running a business while juggling family,” said Tina. “For a lot of women, it’s not just about work or home, it’s both, all the time. These conversations don’t happen enough in our industry, and I think it’s time we changed that.”

With decades of combined experience, these business owners and leaders are set to shine a light on the emotional and logistical load often carried by women in the trade, and how they’re navigating it on their own terms.

In the latest episode of The Blend Podcast, the panellists offer listeners an honest and personal preview of the themes they’ll be unpacking on stage. From the pressures of school runs and payroll to the unspoken identity shifts that come with motherhood and leadership, the episode delves into the unique challenges faced by women in family-run businesses.

The special guests reflect on the early years of entering the trade, often facing resistance in male-dominated spaces, and share how finding a support network, whether through business partners, fellow garage owners, or wider industry communities like The Blend, helped them thrive.

“These women have been dealing with the pressures of balancing motherhood, business, and personal identity, things that haven’t really been talked about in this industry,” said The Blend Podcast host, Mike Ruff. “Their stories show that balancing work and family isn’t just about making sacrifices. It’s about leaning on partnership and community. It’s the kind of conversation that’ll stick with you well beyond October 18th, when they take the stage at The Blend in Birmingham.”