After a few bumps in the road, Cover Girls Auto Detailing is finally back on track. “We’ve relocated from 689 Oxford St. to 326 Springbank Dr.,” said owner Layla Kh. “We are continuing to operate again.” The shop originally opened in 2021 but after a dispute with a previous landlord, the business was left searching for a new home. “Come and support our mission,” said Kh. “Help us grow, because without the community, we will not be able to be here.” While it may look like any other car detailing shop, this all female team is proving women belong in the driver’s seat. “I decided to empower them, help make them feel better,” said Kh. “Women who have gone through various traumas in their life, who don’t have any confidence, who have a fear of going to places to work where there’s men.” Gabriella Zettler-Soares has been working at Cover Girls for several months. “Women can be in a male dominated field and be able to do just as good,” said Zettler-Soares. “Maybe even better than a man could.” Bahar Kahaki is also an employee at the shop and reached out to Kh after a “bad experience” with her previous boss. “I really wanted to work here because they empower women a lot,” said Kahaki. “It’s way more comfortable than any other place I’ve worked at.” Kh got the idea to offer women a safe workplace to build confidence, independence, and job skills after the passing of her brother. “I was very ignorant,” said Kh. “He actually taught me to feed the homeless and that everyone needs help and everyone needs a hand.” Cover Girls has helped over 200 women and girls shift into a new gear. “I’m going into the trades which is definitely male dominated,” said Zettler-Soares. “Knowing there’s other females doing it and still being encouraged.” Kahaki said she plans to join the military. “This place I feel like is a great place to get started,” said Kahaki. “The military is also male-dominated.” The skills Kahaki and Zettler-Soares are learning here will help prepare them for what’s ahead and they said there’s another perk to working with an all-women team, they’re great listeners. “You can talk about more things with a woman then you can with a man,” said Zettler-Soares. “They just have a lot more love.”
