daily nebraskan
frlday, October 12, 1979
page 6
Female service station owners: 'we love to go to work9
By Lynn Mongar
"Here are your tools. You can work aver there. And, if
you need any help, just ask," says a petite blonde woman
named Terry.
This "service station"-Amazon Amoco-at 1235
South 1 1th St., is operated by Kathy Allen and Deborah
Stephen, and their "driveway monitor," Lucky, a golden
retriever. Lucky is also the station's guard dog.
The station rents its hydraulic lift to customers for
$3.75 an hour and a $10 aeposit. Other tools rent for $2
an hour plus the deposit. In addition to tool rentals the
station attendants sell batteries, tires and oil.
Stephen, 24, and Allen, 26, said they were tired of
working for other people and dissatisfied with their work
in local social programs.
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"We get up now ahd we love to go to work," Allen
said.
BEFORE BUYING the business, neither of the women
had any formal training in car repairs. A keen interest iij
business and cars, and the financial backing of a friend,
Dick Salem, owner of Salem Oil Company, has enabled
them to stay in business for two-and-a-half years.
"I'd been working on my car a lot. And, I thought we
could show other people how to do it," Allen said.
Stephen said both women took a night class in foreign
car tune-up when the business first opened.
"Most of it we already knew, but the course familiar
ized us with terms," Allen said.
The idea of women running a gas station appeals to
Allen and Stephen as Something creative and different.
"1 love to amaze people," Stephen said. "It's great to
be a tiny woman (5' 3") and work around powerful tools
and huge tires," she said.
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Photo by Jerry McBride
Deborah Stephen shows her skills at fixing a tire
without getting dirty.
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Stephen said the duo learned to handle the equipment
easily, because it's "just leverage."
Allen said the women have also learned how to change
oil and tires without gettingdirty, thus enabling them to
wear white sun dresses during summer months.
"IT'S A BLOW OUT," she said, no pun intended.
"People come in and see women attendants in white
dresses and have their gas figured in liters," she said.
Allen said constant exposure to the elements has made
them "heartier."
"We're really strong and healthy," they said.
Stephen said the women wear layers of clothes during
cold winter days. Typical winter attire includes long
underwear, two pairs of jeans, flannel shirts, sweaters and
a coat.
"The layers are versatile. You can shed them when you
need to," Allen said.
"I wore a load of laundry every day," Stephen added.
Unfortunately, the station and the women have been
exposed to harsh conditions unrelated to Weather.
Last week the station was robbed and vandalized. No
one was in the station at the time. Allen and Stephen
recently moved into an apartment next door to the sta
tion to avert robberies and vandalism.
THE WOMEN SAID they used to be frightened and
would schedule two people to work night shifts.
"I used to think I'd be either robbed or raped," Allen
said.
She said she had to "reverse" the situation, so that she
was in control and confident of herself when she
questioned a male customer's intentions.
The women enjoy the rapport that has developed
between the students and themselves. And, Stephen said
students provide about $100 a day in concession business.
"1 think we're still in social Work with the kids being
around," she added.
The Women said they plan to expand their talents and
business interests to operating restaurant.
"It wouldn't be an ordinary restaurant," Allen said.
"We're intelligent, creative women," she said. "We
know we caii do anything."
12th & K ST.
JUST 7 BLOCKS SOUTH OF
DOWNTOWN CAMPUS
730 AM-1030 PM 7 DAYS A WEEK
- a 'aw- Lk&'
Buy thii-Gi this PBEE)
1