Meaghan Rae decided to apply for work at Mister Car Wash back in 2003 after driving by the store on Broadway in Boise, Idaho, and noticing how everyone working there was always smiling — rain, heat, hail or snow.
“It looked like such a fun place to work,” she said.
Working at a car wash was nothing new to Rae. She had previously worked at another car wash in Boise as well as for Rite Aid as a photo manager. However, she was looking for something more, and she found it at Mister Car Wash.
Rae was absolutely right about the fun part, but she also discovered that working at Mister Car Wash was rewarding in other ways. She says she loves the people she works with, as well as the work they do together as a team. It’s what keeps her there to this day.
“I love that I work with good people that care about the company and do a good job,” she said. “Also, my job challenges me every day in different ways.”
Not every American worker can say the same. So why aren’t more women like Rae lining up to work at a car wash? Most likely, it’s because the possibility never crossed their minds. And they have no idea what they’re missing.
“I think the public still tends to see working on vehicles as a man’s job,” Rae said. “More women in the car wash profession will help society realize it’s not man’s work; that women are more than capable of doing this job just as well, if not better.”
Gentlemen, the gauntlet has been thrown.
During her 13 years with Mister Car Wash, Rae has done every job under the sun, and has done it well, according to Derek Martin, division manager.
“What I admire about Meaghan’s management style is how she brings a very balanced approach in communicating with her team,” he said. “She is 100 percent professional, but you can tell she is always having fun and keeping the mood light, making for a great working environment.”
Her balanced leadership style combined with opportunity, encouragement, training and support helped Rae rise through the ranks from washing cars, to supervisor, to assistant manager, to her current role as general manager — in only nine years. Looking ahead, Rae says she hopes to keep moving up the operations ladder, and with the growth her company is experiencing, that next opportunity may come sooner than she thinks.
“Meaghan Rae has been a wonderful asset to our team here in Idaho,” said Josh Peugh, regional development manager for Idaho and Washington. “We’re constantly looking to train capable and eager employees so when opportunities arise, we have people ready and able to fill those new positions. Meaghan’s strength as a mentor and her ability to provide coaching to new hires, who are often coming in with little to no previous work experience, is a sure sign of her excellence as a leader.”
“While the car wash industry might be predominantly male, Mister Car Wash hires for talent,” Peugh said. “Gender labels are irrelevant. I am simply excited to head into the bright future of this company with whoever is willing to work hard and bring their talents and dedication to our Mister Car Wash family.”
“If I had to guess the current ratio of men to women in the general manager spot, my guess would be 1:30 or maybe even 1:75,” Rae said. “Over time I have seen that number shift but not significantly. I think as time goes on there will be more women in management positions.”
It’s clear that the low ratio of women to men in management positions at Mister Car Wash is not a function of lack of opportunity or lack of equality. It is a function of low application rates among women, a fact the company is trying to change by breaking down stereotypes and encouraging more women to apply. As a merit-based company, as more women get into entry level positions, Mister Car Wash expects to see more women rise to the top. And that, Rae agrees, will be a good thing.
“I definitely feel that the car wash business is well-served by a diverse workforce,” said Rae. “I feel it brings out an increase in productivity and competitive advantages. It increases employee morale and causes employees to desire to work more effectively and efficiently,” she said.
Female leaders in the industry may be outnumbered by males, but their efforts are pioneering the way for future leaders, according to her direct supervisor.
“Rae knows from experience that our industry generally isn’t overwhelmed with female managers; however, she lets her unique style shine bright. I appreciate how she has opened my eyes to how effective her management style has proven to be, thus paving the way for future generations of female leaders in our industry,” Martin said.
Meanwhile, back at the car wash on Broadway in Boise, Rae doesn’t dwell on the fact that she is in a male-dominated profession for the time being. “For the most part, I feel like I receive equal respect, opportunity and compensation,” she said.
Of course, there has to be more to any solid career than fun, opportunity for advancement and decent compensation. To keep a motivated person like Rae interested and engaged, a career has to have a learning component that rewards the employee with increased skill, knowledge and a sense of accomplishment. Rae seems to have found that at Mister Car Wash, too.
“I’ve learned so many things from working here,” she said. “One of my favorites is the dramatic increase in my problem-solving skills, from employee relations to mechanical operations.”
Solving problems at a car wash? Who’d have ever guessed?