Celebrating International Women's Day: An Interview with Mima

International Women’s Day has been celebrated since 1911 and is a call to action for accelerating equality. It is a day not only for highlighting the achievements of women - whether cultural, social, political or economic - but also for recognising that there are still barriers to overcome. 

2024’s campaign theme, ‘Inspire Inclusion,’ focuses on challenging stereotypes, breaking down barriers, and creating environments where women are respected and valued. This theme is especially resonant in the automotive industry, where only around 20% of the workforce is female.

We sat down with Mima Rybanska, FixMyCar’s Senior Product Manager, to discuss her experience of working in this male-dominated space.

Q. You’ve forged an extremely successful career in the automotive industry as an entrepreneur and Senior Product Manager - can you tell us a bit about how you got to where you are now?

A. The key to how I got to where I am now is never getting complacent. That’s why I wouldn’t say I have an extremely successful career—yet. One of my many goals is to become a racing driver or a professional drifter, so perhaps one day, when I do, I will look back and think, wow, I did it, but for now, I am enjoying the ride!

I fell in love with the automotive industry because of my passion for cars, and working for a startup was key for my career progression. Being part of a small company is a great way to grow if you’re keen to put yourself forward for things, which I was. I put my hand up for everything and got exposure to so many areas of the business.

That job was how I met my future business partner and co-founder, Olli. I always wanted to do something that was not just about profit but also about helping people, and that’s how CarGuide was born. In terms of how I got here today at FixMyCar, I think I am good at spotting and creating opportunities, being open to meeting people and new ideas, and carrying on despite setbacks. I strive to push myself outside my comfort zone whenever I have an opportunity because that is where growth happens.

Q. What are the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome?

A. How much time do you have? I could write a book! I remember when I worked at the AA, standing in front of our breakdown patrols, I had to find a way to earn their trust. What helped me was my passion for cars. The moment I started talking about servicing my car and learning to drift, people listened. 

As a start-up founder, I faced many struggles, from negotiating good contract deals when your volumes are still low to marketing your brand on a £0 budget - it was a typical chicken-and-egg situation everywhere I looked. No wonder the mental health of start-up founders has become such a big topic in the past few years. I didn’t know what imposter syndrome was until I became a founder.

Q. You mentioned that putting yourself out there is vital. Have you ever struggled with having the confidence to do that?

A.  Of course! Especially in my early career. Even now, coming to FixMyCar after years of running my own business was a massive mindset shift. My business encountered challenges, which knocked my confidence. But you can rebuild your confidence over time. Everything is possible if you put your mind to it.

I used to worry that I was a generalist rather than a specialist, and I always saw that as a problem. But it isn’t a problem because there are companies—especially startups—that need precisely that. Everyone has confidence issues; some people hide them better. 

When you navigate the business world, you learn that many people are still figuring out what to do, which is completely fine. As a founder, I learned how to deal with feeling uncomfortable. It’s like drifting: you are trying to control an out-of-control vehicle. It’s challenging and stressful at first but also great fun.

Q. What advice did you receive early in your career that has stayed with you?

A. Never give up, and don’t chase money—follow your passion, and money will follow. I also think it's crucial to always ask for feedback. How will you know what to improve without it?

Q. Is there a particular female figure who has inspired you?

A. The founder of Motoriety, Lucy Burnford, is an exceptional leader and entrepreneur. Her story of starting the company when she was eight months pregnant and pitching to investors is hugely inspiring. I often think, “if Lucy could do that, I can do this”.

Q. Based on your experience, what advice would you give to women considering pursuing a career in a male-dominated space like the automotive industry?

A. I think every industry needs male and female energy to get the best results as we complement each other. My advice is to follow your heart and get a mentor early on. So many people want to help others and pass on their knowledge. If the automotive industry is what you’re passionate about, you will succeed. 

It’s also essential to learn to fail. Every successful entrepreneur could write a book about the number of times they failed. The way I look at it, there are no failures, only lessons. Take them as learning opportunities rather than setbacks. Use them as a chance to reflect, learn and grow. Sometimes, you might not be able to change the outcome, but what you do with the outcome is entirely in your hands. So, own your story and keep moving forward no matter what.

My motto is never to stop learning; whatever you do, have fun doing it.

Click here to find out more about International Women's Day.