Chaya

Milchtein

Automotive Educator, Influencer, Author, and Speaker

Chaya

Milchtein

Automotive Educator, Influencer, Author, and Speaker

Chaya Milchtein is an automotive educator, writer, and advocate dedicated to empowering everyday drivers—especially women and queer people—with the confidence to navigate car ownership. A former foster youth who aged out of the system, Chaya began her career at 18 with a job at a Sears Auto Center in Wisconsin, a turning point that led to seven years in repair shops, dealerships, and collision centers across three states. There, she found a passion for making automotive knowledge accessible and free of judgment or jargon. Founded in 2017, Mechanic Shop Femme quickly grew from a blog to a business focused on inclusive, practical car education.

Today, Chaya is a trusted voice in consumer car education. Through her widely attended car ownership classes, published writing, and popular TikTok and Instagram videos—which have earned her a following of over 1 million across platforms—she has empowered countless people to become more informed and confident car owners. Her first book, Mechanic Shop Femme’s Guide to Car Ownership, is a no-nonsense, anti-patronizing guide for regular people who rely on their cars every day.

Chaya is not a mechanic—she’s a mechanic translator. With deep industry experience and a knack for clear, engaging communication, she bridges the gap between the automotive world and those of us just trying to get safely from point A to B. Having spoken at The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, BMO Bank, Subaru, and many other organizations, she is a highly sought-after speaker for both virtual and in-person events at libraries, universities, non-profits, and businesses nationwide. She offers eight original educational workshops focused on cars.

Since founding Mechanic Shop Femme in 2017, Chaya has blended automotive know-how with her passions for plus-size fashion, body acceptance, and queer life—offering an educational and inclusive space where all feel seen and respected.

Mechanic Shop Femme’s Guide to Car Ownership

Chaya takes her decade of automotive knowledge and experience and packages it into one paperback book written with the average car owner in mind.

Resilience on the Road: Lessons from Foster Care to the Auto Shop

A personal and inspiring look at overcoming adversity, Chaya tells her story—from navigating the foster care system to building a successful career in a male-dominated industry.

Be Prepared for Car Ownership: A Class for Teens & Young Adults

Often thought of as the “dad’s job,” teaching a teen the fundamentals should be a must before car ownership. In this class, Chaya covers warning lights, when to tow a car, how to say no to a mechanic, and more.

How Does Car Insurance Actually Work?

Chaya talks the foundational elements of car insurance, what insurance companies are “best”, and what to do if you get into a car accident.

Automotive and Personal Finance

In this practical and eye-opening talk, Chaya breaks down the hidden costs of car ownership, showing how regular maintenance can save thousands over a vehicle’s lifetime—while using car care as a powerful entry point for building financial literacy and long-term planning skills.

Queering the Industry: Redefining Automotive Culture

Unapologetically shaking it up in sequin, Chaya speaks on how fashion, identity, and confidence has played a key role in shaping her career, allowing her to overcome setbacks and thrive in an industry reluctant to evolve.

Featured Books by

Chaya Milchtein

Chaya Milchtein Mechanic Shop Femme's Guide to Car Ownership

Inquire About:

Chaya Milchtein

Skip to content