Our Story
When Erin Vaughan made the decision to enter the world of automotive service, she had no idea of the powerful impact she would make, nor the journey she would set out on to fulfill an ambitious and revolutionary mission - transform the industry. In 2011, alongside a former co-worker, Erin co-founded Kinetic Auto Service; an automotive service facility built on the belief that there was a better way to serve clients. When her partner decided to leave the business to pursue a different passion, Erin took the reins as sole owner of Kinetic. Through her unwavering leadership, innovative ideas and relentless resilience, Kinetic went on to evolve into a highly respected and award-winning business.
Erin’s journey into the world of automotive service didn’t follow the traditional path. At 26, an age when many are already deep into their careers, Erin found herself at a professional crossroads. Her background—daughter of a teacher and librarian, and a city girl who hadn’t grown up with grease on her hands—was far from the typical origin story of an automotive technician. But beneath that unassuming exterior resided a curiosity that had always driven her; a spark first ignited in childhood when she would take apart her toys just to see how they worked. Although she had no prior knowledge or experience in vehicle repair, nor the typical upbringing that would naturally steer someone into the trade, Erin stood on the edge of a male-dominated field, ready to dive into a challenging career in the automotive service industry.
As an apprentice, Erin quickly realized that the industry she was entering was rife with complacency. The shop owners around her were stuck in a routine that prioritized speed and cost over quality and safety. “That takes too long,” she’d hear. Or, “The customer won’t pay for that, so we’ll have to work around it.” Erin’s least favorite line, for which she was told all too often, was, “The vehicle is not worth putting this work into.” When Erin realized that customers were often being left out of critical discussions that would empower them to make educated decisions about the safety and reliability of their vehicles, and how these decisions would impact their personal finances, she saw a serious need for change in the industry.
This disregard for customer empowerment and safety inspired Erin to create something different - Kinetic Auto Service. Kinetic was born out of a simple but radical idea: clients deserved to be fully informed about their vehicles, enabling them to make the best decisions for their safety, as well as their budgets. Erin felt particularly passionate about creating a space where women, as well as anyone else who often felt uneasy in a traditional automotive repair shop, could feel confident that they were being treated with honesty, transparency and respect.
Under Erin’s leadership, Kinetic Auto Service became more than just a business—it became a movement. She built a company culture that mirrored her values of inclusivity, respect and professional growth. Erin understood that for her clients to receive the best service possible, her team needed to be at their best, as well. This meant ensuring that her team was provided with fair wages, continual education and professional development, as well as a collaborative environment where every team member felt valued and motivated to excel.
Erin’s mission to transform the automotive service industry isn’t stopping at her local community. As Kinetic continues to grow, her mandate is to bring the same level of professionalism, education and effective communication to communities across Canada. Erin’s story, as well as that of Kinetic Auto Service, is one of resilience and innovation—a testament to what can happen when an industry embraces diverse perspectives.