Women in Car Culture: My Story

Welcome to The Garage

Where every build has a story.

At Redline Ritual Co., we believe cars are more than machines. They're memories, friendships, late nights in the garage, road trips, victories, setbacks, and the people we meet along the way.

The Garage is where we share those stories.

Whether you're here for inspiration, nostalgia, or simply because you love car culture, I'm glad you're here.

-Janie

Growing up in the golden era of imports, spending countless nights cruising with friends, making annual trips to NOPI Nationals and Mini Nationals in Tennessee, and attending the Spring and Fall Rod Run in Pigeon Forge for 18 years helped shaped who I am today. Those experiences, combined with more than 25 years building a career in the automotive industry, fueled my passion for cars, photography, and the incredible community that surrounds them. That passion eventually became Redline Ritual Co.

Now let me tell you how this journey began.

Women in Car Culture: My Story

Growing up in the golden era of imports, building a career in the automotive industry, and creating Redline Ritual Co.

There are moments in life that shape who we become, and for me, many of those moments happened behind the wheel, in parking lots filled with incredible cars, and on the open road with friends who shared the same passion.

I grew up in the golden era of imports. Back then, weekends weren't spent scrolling on our phones, they were spent cruising. We met in parking lots, talked about our latest modifications, admired each other's builds, and found every excuse we could to get out and drive.

Every year, we looked forward to road trips to NOPI Nationals and Mini Nationals in Tennessee. For 18 years, I also made the trip to the Spring and Fall Rod Run in Pigeon Forge. Those weekends weren't just about seeing amazing cars. They were about friendships, traditions, and being part of a community that welcomed anyone who shared the same passion.

Looking back now, I realize those experiences were never just about the cars.

They taught me that car culture isn't measured by what you drive or how much money you've invested in a build. It's about the people you meet, the memories you make, and the stories that stay with you long after the engines have cooled.

A Career That Kept Me Close to What I Loved

My love for cars didn't stop when I grew up—it became part of my career.

For more than 25 years, I worked in the automotive industry, building a career that allowed me to stay connected to something I had loved since I was young. Every day gave me a new appreciation for the people behind the vehicles, from manufacturers and dealerships to technicians, enthusiasts, and customers. I learned that the automotive world isn't just about transportation; it's built on innovation, craftsmanship, and relationships.

Being a woman in the industry wasn't always common, but I never let that define me. I wasn't there to prove that women belonged, I was there because I genuinely loved the industry. Over the years, I earned respect by showing up, working hard, and never stopping my desire to learn.

Then life changed.

There was a season when I was working full-time while raising my daughter as a single mom. Like so many parents, my focus became providing for my family. The late-night cruises, weekends at car shows, and road trips that had once been such a big part of my life slowly took a back seat. There simply wasn't enough time.

I never stopped loving cars—I just had to put that part of my life on hold.

Looking back, I don't regret those years. They taught me resilience, responsibility, and what it means to keep moving forward, even when life feels overwhelming. But deep down, I always knew that one day I'd find my way back to the community that had meant so much to me.

The passion never disappeared—it simply waited patiently until life made room for it again.

Finding My Way Back

As my daughter grew older, life slowly became a little easier. She was becoming more independent, and for the first time in many years, I found myself with the opportunity to rediscover the passions I had put on hold.

Then I met my husband, Michael.

From the very beginning, he recognized how much I loved cars. He knew about the years I had spent raising my daughter as a single mom, working hard, and putting my own dreams aside just to make ends meet. He also knew those dreams had never disappeared.

Michael owned a 1994 right-hand-drive Toyota MR2, and he wanted us to enjoy the automotive community together. But he also knew something about me...

I didn't want to be the passenger.

I wanted to drive.

So instead of simply taking me along for the ride, he encouraged me to find a car of my own. That journey eventually led me to my 1999 right-hand-drive Toyota MR-S, a car that quickly became so much more than just another vehicle. It represented a new chapter of my life, a fresh beginning, and a reminder that it is never too late to rediscover the things that make you feel alive.

Together, we started attending car shows, making memories, and becoming part of the community I had missed for so many years. It felt like coming home.  Along the way, I picked up my camera again, combining two passions that had always been part of who I was: cars and photography.

Looking back now, I realize Redline Ritual Co. didn't begin the day I started designing shirts. It began years earlier with a little girl who fell in love with cars, a woman who refused to let that passion disappear, and a husband who reminded me that those dreams were still within reach.

Today, every design we create carries a piece of that journey—and I hope it inspires someone else to never give up on the dreams waiting for the right season of life.

Thanks for stopping by The Garage.

Every build has a story, and I'd love to hear yours.

If this story reminded you of your own journey, share it in the comments or connect with us on social media.

See you at the next show.

-Janie
Founder, Redline Ritual Co.