Unfiltered Font: The F Word (And Why I’m Done Whispering It)

by Chasidy Rae SiskThe Gritty Subscribers OnlyPosted on No Comments

Let’s just rip the Band-Aid off: I’m a feminist!

There — I said it. No euphemisms. No softening language like, “I just believe in equality” (although that’s true). No nervous laugh. No “but not like that kind of feminist.” Just…feminist.

          It’s funny how a word defined so optimistically — as the “belief in and advocacy for the political, economic and social equality of the sexes” — somehow became more controversial than misogyny itself. Apparently the idea of “equal rights” is more offensive than actual inequality. Make it make sense.  

          We live in 2026. We have vehicles that can calibrate themselves, scan their own ADAS systems and practically drive us to the grocery store. But say “feminist” in front of a group of men, and suddenly, everyone’s acting like you just keyed their F-150 Raptor!          Here’s the truth: feminism is the catalyst behind everything I do here at Glossed & Gritty. It’s the reason I care so deeply about women in collision repair. It’s the reason I get angry (and holy hell, do I get angry). It’s the reason I won’t shut up. And trust me, there have been plenty of moments when that would have been the easier option.

Recalibration: Mind & Body: Are VOCs More Toxic to Women?

by Jannifer Stimmel-WatkinsMagazine Staples, Recalibration: Mind & Body, The Gritty Subscribers OnlyPosted on No Comments

In the collision industry, we obsess over “OE Specs.” We verify frame alignment to the millimeter and paint codes to the shade. Yet, we consistently ignore the most critical specification in the shop: the biological spec of the technician. 
     
Working in the shop means exposure to various chemicals — we’re all exposed to potentially hazardous materials through the things we touch and the air we breathe. Paints, adhesives, fillers, solvents and even cleaning products emit VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) that are absorbed through the skin and inhaled into the lungs. Not exactly breaking news, of course… After all, that’s why safety protocols are broadcast, and wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is an accepted necessity.
      
But here’s the problem: those protocols meant to protect us are often developed based on standardized test models that do not represent the entire population. Historically, these studies were conducted in male-dominated industries and performed using “average adult body weights, which typically translates to around 175 pounds. This pattern is consistent across most industries, including PPE development, tools and even medical research. Why is this problematic? Well, for starters, women’s lower average body mass means that a similar airborne concentration equates to a higher dose per pound, so being exposed to identical concentrations could be more detrimental. But that’s not the only way that physiology factors into the discussion.

Pro-Tips & Precision

by Chasidy Rae SiskMagazine Staples, Pro-Tips & Precision, The Gritty Subscribers OnlyPosted on No Comments

Welcome to “Pro Tips & Precision,” a space where the technical meets the tactical. At Glossed & Gritty, we know that — while we all share the same dust and drive — no two technicians approach a quarter-panel or a career hurdle in quite the same way. This magazine is built on the foundation of community and mentorship, and this column is designed to bring a wide spectrum of expert voices directly to your workbench. By offering a variety of perspectives, our goal is to provide the kind of guidance that actually resonates with your specific workflow and style.

Whether you’re troubleshooting a stubborn ADAS calibration, navigating shop culture or looking for the best way to lean into a new repair methodology, we’re here to bridge the gap between the problem and the pro. This is your industry-specific Q&A, featuring insights from leaders across the collision repair world. From high-level technical breakdowns to the grit of day-to-day shop life, no question is too small or too complex.

Gear & Glam: Beyond the Clearcoat: Heavy-Duty Pants for Heavy-Duty Repairs

by Jannifer Stimmel-WatkinsMagazine Staples, The Gritty Subscribers OnlyPosted on No Comments

In the collision industry, “Gloss” is the finished product, but the “Grit” is the repair. As technicians, our bodies are our most valuable tools. We spend our days contorting into trunk cavities, bracing against frame pulls and navigating a minefield of jagged metal and hot sparks.

     If you’ve followed my column “Frame of Mind” or have seen my TikTok intro, you know my neurodivergence is part of my toolkit — but it comes with a catch. I was one of the “not-so-lucky” winners of the sensory sensitivity drawing. For someone like me, who often feels like every fiber of a garment is a restrictive harness, an article of clothing has to be more than just “tough;” it has to pass a rigorous set of qualifications just to prevent me from shredding it by the end of the day.

     I have gathered a list of three specific pairs of pants on a budget tier from affordable to “you get what you pay for.” We all know that when we started out, flagging hours was never a guarantee — and when we did, it was at a reduced rate while apprenticing. But just like our tools, we eventually realize we must spend money to make money. That rule applies to our dresser drawers just as much as the drawers in our toolboxes.

     I’ll admit my bias up front: I am a frugal little beaver, always stashing and building my dam, so I usually reside at the lower end of the budget regardless of the bank account; however, I know many choose to elevate the ensemble for reliability and durability. While I am a Dickies girl through and through, I polled a group of trusted technicians to see what else stood up to the grind.

Cover Story: What is a Collision DisruptHER?

by Chasidy Rae SiskCover Story, DisruptHER Articles, Magazine Staples, The Gritty Subscribers OnlyPosted on No Comments

Less than 5%.
          That’s the percentage of women working in body shops in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — as of 2024, women made up just 4.9% of that workforce. Let that sink in.
Some broader data suggests women may represent closer to 18% of total career opportunities across the collision ecosystem, but when it comes to the shop floor? The spray booth? The frame rack? The structural pulls and weld tests and post-repair scans? We’re still hovering under 5%.
          And yet, that number is increasing. Slowly. Steadily. Undeniably. In fact, that figure is more than double what it was a decade ago.  
          There’s no question that women belong in collision repair. The real question is: What happens when they stop shrinking, stop blending in, stop apologizing — and start disrupting the status quo?!

          That’s where the Collision DisruptHER comes in!
          So, what IS a Collision DisruptHER? She is someone who changes the face of collision repair simply by being exactly who she is.

Undiminished Value: Women, Wealth and the Power of Financial Literacy By: Rachel James

by Guest ContributorMagazine Staples, The Gritty Subscribers Only, Undiminished ValuePosted on No Comments

For decades, women were quietly excluded from meaningful financial decision-making — not because we lacked the ability, but because the system wasn’t built with us in mind. Bank accounts required a husband’s signature. Financial conversations happened behind closed doors. Money was something women were expected to manage day-to-day, but not strategically.
That era is over.
Today, women control a growing share of wealth, influencing the majority of household financial decisions, and they are stepping into leadership roles across business and finance. Yet, despite this progress, many women still feel under-educated, under-confident or under-supported when it comes to money. Financial literacy isn’t just about numbers — it’s about power, autonomy and advocacy.

Anchor-Mike Anderson: Stability for the Pull, Space for the Future

by Chasidy Rae SiskAnchor Feature, DisruptHER Articles, Magazine Staples, The Gritty Subscribers OnlyPosted on No Comments

In structural repair, hydraulic force is useless without stability. Anchors secure the vehicle, so the towers can pull effectively. At Glossed & Gritty, Anchors are our male allies. They don’t dictate direction or steer the repair; they lock in to provide the support that allows women to drive the force and reshape the future of collision repair.
Allyship moves the needle. This movement isn’t about pushing men out. It’s about building something stronger — together.

Mike Anderson: Stability for the Pull, Space for the Future

If the collision repair industry had a heartbeat, it would likely sound a lot like Mike Anderson.
A household name from the shop floor to the corporate boardroom, Mike’s journey began in 1985 as the owner of Wagonwork Collision Center in Alexandria, VA. After twenty-five years of “boots-on-the-ground” excellence, he sold the business in 2010 to launch Collision Advice, a consulting powerhouse dedicated to the success of the independent repairer.
But Mike’s resume — as impressive as it may be — isn’t what makes him such a captivating and inspiring human being; it’s like watching a modern movie in black and white instead of full color. His status as an industry icon has less to do with his business acumen and everything to do with his soul.
Painting a full picture of “Mike Anderson” begins with understanding his attitude toward everyone he encounters. Mike is a mentor to many and an inspiration to nearly all who cross his path. When we first reached out to tell him about the vision for Glossed & Gritty, he didn’t ask about ROI or logistics; his first question was simply: “What can I do to help?” (But that wasn’t exactly surprising since it seems to be Mike’s response to anyone who approaches him!)
Mike is the ultimate evangelist for collision repair. He doesn’t just want the industry to survive; he actively advocates for its salvation. He envisions a world where repairers are so informed, educated and empowered that they make every business decision from a place of absolute knowledge. He is a man who lives by the creed of doing the right thing, for the right reasons, at the right time — believing firmly that such integrity pays off exponentially. Whether he’s commanding a stage with his arresting, high-octane delivery or leaning in for a quiet one-on-one, Mike’s mission remains the same: to deliver the kind of hard-won wisdom that puts others’ growth above his own.
Persistent. Loyal. Selfless. Humble. Few people earn such a heavy list of affirmations, yet Mike carries them with ease. He has touched nearly every corner of this trade, livening up shops and bringing light to the dark corners of technical complexity.
Few people interact with Mike Anderson without learning a lesson — or several. Today, he shares his most vital lesson yet: the power of being an Anchor.

DisruptHER Dynasty-Kristen Felder: The Take-No-Shit & Offer No Apologies DisruptHER

by Chasidy Rae SiskDynasty Feature, Magazine Staples, The Gritty Subscribers OnlyPosted on No Comments

One of our missions at Glossed & Gritty is to enhance the visibility of women in collision repair, so for our inaugural issue, it only made sense to feature the most visible and arguably the best-known woman in the industry: Kristen Felder, CEO of Collision Hub and Engage Target Media.
Kristen has been recognized for her lifetime of experience with multiple awards, including the 2011 Society Of Collision Repair Specialist Industry Service Award, 2011 Finalist Car Care Council’s Woman of the Year and 2010 Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) Impact Award – Top Four Executives Under Forty, plus she was honored by AkzoNobel as one of the industry’s Most Influential Women in 2007.
In addition to being the most recognizable woman in collision repair, Kristen is also the most controversial; she has built a reputation on pulling no punches when it comes to speaking her mind, and that’s a trait that many love – or hate – about her. But regardless of how one feels about how “rude” (her word!) Kristen may be, she certainly commands respect.
Let’s start off with a little background information on Kristen before we get to know her a lot better.
Lots of collision repairers claim they were born into the business, but it’s barely hyperbole when Kristen makes that statement – her mother literally went into labor in the paint booth!

Polished DisruptHER-Cassandra Thibeault: Promoting Positivity and Cultivating a Community for Bodywomen

by Chasidy Rae SiskDisruptHER Articles, Magazine Staples, Polished Feature, The Gritty Subscribers OnlyPosted on No Comments

From the time she was a little girl, Cassandra Thibeault dreamed of becoming a fashion designer, but as she got older and started making clothes, she realized that she didn’t like sewing! Although she had worked her way up into retail management, she decided that she wanted to do something different with her life.
That change came in 2017 when she enrolled in the collision repair program at Lincoln Technical Institute; however, after obtaining her first job in the industry — prepping and priming at Southern Auto Auction — she dropped out of the program. “When I first started my collision journey, I was honestly a hot mess and a half,” she acknowledges. “It took years to become a more refined woman, and now, I strongly encourage other women to pursue a formal education, but if they do decide to drop out, I think it’s important that they realize: you can still go out and DO THE DAMN THING!”
And Cassandra is certainly doing her thing and encouraging other women in collision to do their thing as well — in addition to working as a collision technician at Vernon Collision Center in Manchester, CT, she strives to “create more representation for women in this industry by posting my work, making inspirational content and encouraging them to do the same when it’s appropriate” through social media.
Join us in getting to know a little more about Cassandra!

Issue 1 – Spring 2026

by Chasidy Rae SiskAnchor Feature, Cover Story, DisruptHER Articles, Dynasty Feature, Editor's Blocks, Flash Time, Frame of Mind, Gear & Glam, Magazine Staples, Polished Feature, Primed Feature, Pro-Tips & Precision, Recalibration: Mind & Body, The Gritty Subscribers Only, Undiminished Value, Unfiltered FontPosted on No Comments

Glossed & Gritty is more than a magazine – but it IS a magazine too!

Curious what the Revolution is all about? Check out the cover story, “What Is a Collision DisruptHER?” and get to know the co-founders, Chas and Janna, through their Editors’ Messages.

Issue 1 also features three Collision DisruptHER profiles: Gabriella Held (Primed), Cassandra Thibeault (Polished) and Kristen Felder (DisruptHER Dynasty) as well as an interview with our first Anchor, Mike Anderson.

But that’s not all – you won’t want to miss the features on heavy-duty pants for the shop, how VOCs impact women differently or a special contribution on “Women, Wealth and the Power of Financial Literacy” by Rae James of Torque Financial…and more!

Primed DisruptHER Gabby Held: Wallys and Welds: 15-Year-Old Gabriella Held is Built for Speed

by Chasidy Rae SiskDisruptHER Articles, Primed Feature, The Gritty Subscribers OnlyPosted on No Comments

At just 15 years old, Gabriella Held is still too young to hold a driver’s license, but that hasn’t stopped her from steering her future forward!
For nearly three years, Gabby has spent a significant portion of her free time in the body shop, learning to weld, paint and repair vehicles through Trade Up Level Up, a non-profit organization focused on connecting today’s youth with the trades.
Gabby was only 13 years old when she first began her collision journey, learning to weld and mastering the delicate balance between technical precision and creative artistry.
While most teens are just beginning to think about their first car, Gabby is already tearing up the track in hers. As a decorated Junior Dragster driver in NHRA’s Division 1, she spent the 2025 season collecting trophies – including a coveted “Wally” – and earning the title of Junior Dragster Driver of the Year. Whether she is wielding a welder in the shop, spraying in the paint booth or hitting top speeds on the drag strip, Gabby is proving that she has the drive to succeed in any lane she chooses.
Let’s get to know this impressive young lady a little bit better!