Ladies of Collision: Susan Schulz – English Collision Equipment, Inc.
by Alana Quartuccio
Although it may appear as though collision repair is a man’s world, it most certainly is not. There are so many amazing ladies who help make this industry shine, especially here in the Lone Star State. This month, we feature Susan Schulz of English Collision Equipment, Inc. who has been an active participant in this industry for more than two decades. An accountant by trade, she initially set out to work in that field, but as it turns out, she also has a knack for equipment and really knows her stuff!
Texas Automotive: How did you get your start in this industry, and what role do you play?
Susan Schulz: This May, I will be with English Collision Equipment for 24 years. I’m a CPA on paper and was offered a job as the senior accountant for English, and I took on the opportunity. One day, I answered a call from a customer who was in need of a welder ASAP. I blindly walked through talking to this customer about a welder. When I got home that night, I watched some post-op videos so I could learn what the equipment was and could do. The next day, I called the customer back and sold the welder over the phone. My boss’ reaction was, ‘If she can do that over the phone, I wonder what she can do in the shop,’ so he sent me out into the field. When I originally started, I thought I’d only be involved in sales, but as it turned out, I found myself learning about all the different parts of the industry, seeing what our customers deal with on a day to day basis. When I go into a shop, I evaluate what they need and don’t need. I guide them through their needs and work on their wants from there.
TXA: Sounds like it was just meant to be. What about this industry keeps you inspired?
SS: I lost a husband in a car wreck. There were several factors that led to this tragedy, but the repair that was done to the truck he was driving wasn’t done properly, and the door flew open. So, when I go into shops, I want to be sure that they have everything they need to ensure that the vehicle is safe when it leaves their shop, so hopefully, someone else won’t get that call because a shop did not do what it was supposed to do.
TXA: Can you tell our readers a little bit about what you and your company offer?
SS: We offer resistance welders, rivet guns and dent pulling systems and filter service on paint booths. I will visit a body shop and observe what they’re in need of, and work on providing them with a solution and we get them set up. I provide training to make sure they understand how to use the equipment. When I go into a shop that already has equipment, I’ll observe their use of it, and if there’s something they aren’t doing, I’ll make sure they are aware of all the things the machinery is capable of doing, such as making sure they are getting the best weld, for example.
TXA: What would you say are some of the biggest challenges that women in the industry face?
I really think women in this industry are underestimated. I can walk into a shop to troubleshoot/repair a piece of equipment or paint booth and get ‘the look’ until they see me fix their issue and their equipment is up and running again. I have been very lucky as my customers know me and never once thought I couldn’t handle the job. We just have to be prepared for the job and walk in knowing what we are doing and show them how it’s done!
TXA: What about this industry do you love the most?
SS: First, the people are awesome. I like knowing that I’m going in and making somebody’s vehicle a little bit safer. I also like to learn the different aspects of the whole business; having a part in that car going out the door of that shop and knowing the car was fixed correctly is important to me.
TXA: So what’s life like outside the body shop? Do you have any interesting hobbies that you’d like to share?
SS: I travel a lot for work, but when I can, I like to run, ride my motorcycle, deer hunt, read and love visiting libraries when in different cities
TXA: What encouraging words would you give other women interested in entering this profession?
SS: Make a plan and follow it. Learn everything you can, go in there with your head up like you own that business, and show them what you’ve got!
Want more? Check out the January 2025 issue of Texas Automotive!