Sarah Lateiner, known to many as “Bogi,” stands tall as a pioneering force in the automotive world. This BMW-certified mechanic transformed from a law student to a renowned auto expert, reshaping opportunities for women in skilled trades. Her journey from Phoenix shop owner to MotorTrend TV star showcases her commitment to breaking gender barriers and empowering female mechanics across America. Let’s explore how this automotive technician built her legacy through determination, education, and advocacy.
Early Life and Defying Gender Norms
Born in 1977 in Flushing, Queens, and raised in Montclair, New Jersey, Sarah Lateiner showed a curious mind for mechanical things from childhood. Despite the lack of automotive classes available to her, she pursued her interest with determination. Her path took an unexpected turn during high school when she spent a year as an exchange student in Hungary, where she gained the nickname “Bogi” from the Hungarian name Boglárka.
Lateiner initially followed a traditional path, attending Oberlin College with plans to pursue law. Her focus on women’s rights and domestic violence advocacy seemed set until tragedy struck. The death of her sister Jenni became a pivotal moment that changed her life direction completely. Rather than continuing with pre-law studies, she made a bold choice to follow her mechanical passions.
This career shift led her to enroll at Universal Technical Institute, where she stood out as one of the few women in the program. Despite facing skepticism and gender barriers, Lateiner persevered through rigorous training. Her education culminated in specialized certifications with major manufacturers, including becoming a BMW-certified technician – credentials that would later form the foundation of her automotive expertise.
The transition from academic studies to hands-on mechanical work represented more than just a career change. It embodied Sarah’s commitment to forging her path beyond traditional gender roles, setting the stage for her future as an advocate for women in automotive careers.
Building 180 Degrees Automotive: A Female-Led Revolution
In 2006, Sarah “Bogi” Lateiner launched 180 Degrees Automotive from her Phoenix driveway, starting a revolution in the male-dominated repair industry. The shop grew quickly under her leadership, surpassing $1 million in sales by 2012 and establishing itself as a rare female-led auto repair business in Arizona. What set her business apart wasn’t just the quality repairs but its groundbreaking mission.
Lateiner built her shop with a clear purpose: creating opportunities for women technicians who faced barriers elsewhere. She reserved apprenticeships specifically for women, providing crucial hands-on experience often denied to them at traditional shops. This commitment to inclusive hiring practices helped numerous female mechanics launch their careers in the industry.
The business expanded to a two-story facility in Phoenix that served dual purposes. The lower level operated as a full-service repair shop while the upper floor became a dedicated educational space. Here, Lateiner pioneered “women’s car care classes” designed to demystify automotive maintenance and repair for female customers. These workshops empowered women with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their vehicles.
Her business success earned recognition beyond just commercial achievement. Lateiner received the prestigious ASC Master Technician certification, demonstrating her technical excellence. In 2011, the Phoenix Business Journal honored her in their Forty Under 40 list, acknowledging her impact on the local business community. These accolades highlighted both her mechanical expertise and entrepreneurial vision.
Girl Gang Garage: Collaborative Empowerment in Action
In 2016, Lateiner launched Girl Gang Garage, creating a groundbreaking training space dedicated to women in the automotive trades. This innovative workshop went beyond traditional repair services, focusing instead on skill development and collaborative projects. The garage quickly became a hub where women from all experience levels could learn, practice, and master automotive skills together.
Girl Gang Garage gained national attention through high-profile builds showcased at major industry events. Their 1957 Chevy Montage truck project, unveiled at SEMA 2017, demonstrated women’s capabilities in custom automotive work. Later projects like the Iron Maven Volvo build further proved that women excelled in all aspects of car restoration and modification when given proper opportunities.
The genius of Girl Gang Garage lies in its inclusive approach. Lateiner created a unique environment welcoming both complete novices and seasoned professionals. This mix fostered mentorship relationships and skill-sharing that benefited everyone involved. Women who had never held a wrench worked alongside certified mechanics, breaking down intimidation barriers that kept many from entering the field.
Strategic partnerships with major brands amplified the garage’s impact. Collaborations with BASF for automotive coatings, Volvo for vehicle donations, and SEMA for showcase opportunities gave participants access to industry resources. These relationships demonstrated corporate investment in women’s advancement in automotive trades while providing practical support for hands-on learning projects.
Lateiner expanded the garage’s reach through her “With Her Two Hands” podcast, which celebrated women in trades beyond just automotive work. This media platform complemented her hands-on mentorship programs, creating a multi-faceted approach to supporting women in male-dominated industries.
Television Stardom: All Girls Garage and Beyond
Sarah Lateiner’s leap to television fame began in 2012 when she joined the cast of All Girls Garage on MotorTrend TV. This career move transformed her from local Phoenix mechanic to nationally recognized automotive expert. The show’s premise – featuring skilled female mechanics performing complex repairs and restorations – perfectly aligned with her mission to normalize women in automotive trades.
The educational format of All Girls Garage gave Lateiner a platform to demonstrate technical expertise while making automotive concepts accessible to viewers. Each episode showed her tackling challenging projects with precision and knowledge, proving that mechanical skill has nothing to do with gender. This visibility inspired countless young women to consider automotive careers they might never have imagined possible.
In 2021, Lateiner expanded her television presence by joining Garage Squad, reaching even more viewers through MotorTrend’s network. Behind the cameras, she advocated for authentic representation of women in automotive media. She pushed back against stereotypes and insisted on portraying female mechanics as the skilled professionals they truly are, refusing to let entertainment value compromise accuracy.
Beyond her show hosting duties, Lateiner became a sought-after spokesperson for major industry brands. Her partnerships with BMW and WORLDPAC positioned her as a trusted voice in automotive education and advocacy. These relationships amplified her message while providing platforms to promote women’s advancement in the field.
Advocacy: Shattering Stereotypes in Skilled Trades
Sarah Lateiner confronts startling industry statistics head-on: women make up only 5% of automotive technicians nationwide. Through targeted advocacy efforts, she addresses systemic barriers keeping women from thriving in repair shops. Her approach combines practical solutions with broader cultural change initiatives to create a lasting impact in the skilled trades.
Educational access forms a cornerstone of her advocacy work. Lateiner established scholarships specifically for women pursuing automotive careers, tackling financial obstacles that prevent many from receiving proper training. These opportunities provide not just funding but also mentorship connections that help recipients navigate an industry not always welcoming to newcomers.
Her consulting work with repair shops across America extends her influence beyond her businesses. Through shop evaluations focused on inclusivity, she helps owners implement practices that attract and retain diverse talent. Her “Dating Your Customers” philosophy teaches shops how to build respectful relationships with female clients can transform business outcomes while improving the industry’s reputation.
Corporate partnerships amplify Lateiner’s advocacy impact. Collaborations with Volvo and BASF integrate diversity initiatives into major industry players’ operations. These relationships demonstrate how inclusion serves business interests while advancing social progress. By securing support from established brands, she creates sustainable pathways for women entering automotive careers.
Net Worth and Revenue Streams
Sarah Lateiner has built an impressive financial portfolio estimated to be between $1 and-5 million by 2025. This wealth stems from diverse revenue streams, highlighting her business acumen beyond mechanical skills. Her television career forms a substantial income source, with hosting roles on All Girls Garage since 2012 and Garage Squad since 2021, providing steady earnings through MotorTrend’s global distribution.
Her entrepreneurial ventures contribute significantly to her financial success. The growth of 180 Degrees Automotive from a driveway operation to a million-dollar business demonstrated her shop management capabilities. Girl Gang Garage generates income through workshop fees, special project sponsorships, and educational programs, creating multiple income channels from a single business concept.
Brand partnerships represent another lucrative revenue stream. As a nationally recognized automotive expert, Lateiner commands premium fees for spokesperson roles with companies like BMW and BASF. These relationships include appearances, endorsements, and consulting work that leverage her credibility with both industry professionals and consumers.
Public speaking engagements and media projects round out her income sources. Her speaking fees have grown alongside her reputation, while podcast sponsorships provide additional revenue. Workshop ticket sales, particularly for women’s car care classes, create a steady income stream that aligns perfectly with her educational mission while contributing to her overall net worth.
Legacy: Redefining Automotive Culture
Sarah Lateiner’s greatest achievement lies in inspiring the next generation of female mechanics through constant visibility and dedicated mentorship. Young women who never imagined automotive careers now see a viable pathway thanks to her example. Her former apprentices and students now own shops, teach classes, and mentor others themselves, creating a multiplying effect that permanently changes the industry landscape.
Her SEMA project builds a stand as a cultural milestone for women in automotive design and customization. The 1957 Chevy Montage truck project featured work from over 90 women across all skill levels, demonstrating what female collaboration could accomplish. These high-profile builds challenged perceptions about women’s capabilities in custom automotive work while creating showcase opportunities for participants.
Lateiner’s influence extends far beyond mechanical work into repair shop culture nationwide. Her emphasis on clear communication, respect for customers, and transparent business practices set new standards for the industry. Shops implementing her customer service approach report improved client retention and satisfaction, particularly among female customers previously alienated by traditional repair experiences.
Industry leaders acknowledge her transformative impact. WORLDPAC executives credit her with bringing needed perspective to technician training programs. Volvo collaboration partners cite her influence in their diversity initiatives. These endorsements from established companies demonstrate how her advocacy reaches beyond careers to shape broader industry practices and priorities.
Looking ahead, Lateiner aims to expand Girl Gang Garage’s reach globally. Plans include international workshops, online training platforms, and mentorship networks spanning multiple countries. This vision for worldwide impact builds on her existing legacy while creating new opportunities for women beyond American borders, truly redefining automotive culture on a global scale.
Conclusion
Sarah “Bogi” Lateiner’s journey from law student to automotive icon shows how passion can reshape entire industries. Through her shop ownership, television career, and advocacy work, she’s created pathways for countless women in skilled trades. Her story isn’t just about breaking barriers but building new structures that welcome everyone with mechanical aptitude, regardless of gender.
As she continues expanding her influence through Girl Gang Garage and media platforms, Lateiner’s impact grows beyond careers to industry-wide transformation. Her financial success proves that inclusion benefits business outcomes, while her mentorship approach ensures lasting change through generations of female mechanics she’s inspired.
Whether fixing cars on television, teaching workshops, or consulting with corporations, Sarah Lateiner remains focused on her core mission: creating an automotive industry where talent matters more than gender. Her legacy will continue growing as the women she’s mentored mentor others, creating an ever-expanding network of female mechanical expertise in America and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sarah Lateiner?
Sarah “Bogi” Lateiner is an automotive technician, BMW-certified mechanic, television personality, and advocate for women in skilled trades. She owns 180 Degrees Automotive and Girl Gang Garage in Phoenix, and hosts shows on MotorTrend TV, including All Girls Garage and Garage Squad.
What does Bogi mean in Sarah Lateiner’s name?
The nickname “Bogi” comes from her time as an exchange student in Hungary, derived from the Hungarian name Boglárka. She adopted this nickname during her high school year abroad.
How did Sarah Lateiner get into automotive work?
Though initially studying pre-law at Oberlin College, Lateiner changed direction after her sister’s death. She enrolled at Universal Technical Institute to pursue her interest in mechanics, eventually becoming a BMW-certified technician despite gender barriers in the industry.
What is Girl Gang Garage?
Founded in 2016, Girl Gang Garage is Lateiner’s hands-on training space dedicated to women in the automotive trades. It hosts collaborative builds like the Chevy Montage truck project, welcoming both beginners and experts to develop skills in a supportive environment.
What is Sarah Lateiner’s net worth?
Estimates place her net worth between $1 and-5 million as of 2025, derived from television hosting, business ownership, brand partnerships, speaking engagements, and automotive consulting work.
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