For Melanie Jacobs, being part of the automotive industry is about more than the work happening inside the shop. It is also about the people, relationships, and community surrounding it. As Co-Chair of MWACA’s Des Moines Chapter and part of Honest Wrenches in Des Moines, Iowa, Melanie brings a people-focused perspective to an industry built on trust and connection.
That perspective extends into her involvement with MWACA, where being part of the organization provides opportunities to connect with other automotive professionals, share ideas, and contribute to a stronger industry community. It is a role that fits naturally with Melanie’s interest in bringing people together and finding creative ways to engage with those around her.
At Honest Wrenches, that creativity has also found its way into the shop’s marketing and community outreach. Melanie has been involved in marketing efforts for the business, including projects connected to the back-to-school season. Expanded Talking Points by MWAC… Rather than treating marketing as simply promoting automotive service, efforts like these provide another opportunity for the shop to connect with the people and families it serves.
That emphasis on community is an important part of what makes independent automotive businesses unique. A repair shop may work on vehicles every day, but ultimately, it serves people. Building those relationships takes more than technical knowledge. It requires communication, involvement, and a willingness to become part of the community beyond the shop doors.
Melanie’s involvement with MWACA reflects that same spirit. Chapter leadership creates an opportunity to help strengthen connections between local automotive professionals and provide a place where shop owners and industry professionals can learn from one another rather than navigate the challenges of the business alone.
For Melanie, the automotive industry offers plenty of room for creativity, connection, and community. Whether she is supporting Honest Wrenches, contributing to local outreach, or serving alongside other MWACA leaders, she continues to demonstrate that making an impact in automotive can extend far beyond repairing cars.
Through her involvement in the Des Moines Chapter, Melanie is helping create stronger connections between the people who make up the industry and the communities they serve.