A lifelong passion for cars, lessons in independence from her father and the unwavering support of her husband have helped Melissa Collins take the wheel of her own future with the launch of Collins Towing, a women-owned business based in Sunnyridge.
Operating in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Collins, 39, is determined to prove that women can succeed in towing while building a business based on professionalism, reliability and trust.
For Collins, working with vehicles has always been more than just a job.
“I’ve always had a passion for cars and have never been afraid to get my hands dirty,” Collins said.
From a young age, her father, Alwyn Jarman, taught her to be independent and not rely on a man when it came to cars.
He encouraged her to understand how things work and have the confidence to tackle challenges herself.
Those lessons have remained with Collins throughout her life and have played an important role in shaping the entrepreneur she is today.
Her journey into towing was also influenced by her husband, Wesley, who owns an auto electrical business.
Collins often assisted him by arranging and transporting vehicles, giving her valuable experience in the automotive industry.
Then came a simple suggestion from Wesley.
“One day he said, ‘Let’s get a tow truck,’ and that simple idea turned into a business,” she said.
“I took the leap, and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
And so, Collins Towing was born.
While Collins had the passion and experience, entering the towing industry presented its own challenges.
She said one of the biggest obstacles had been overcoming the perception that some people, particularly men, would rather deal with another man than a woman.
Instead of allowing those attitudes to discourage her, Collins decided to let the quality of her work speak for itself.
“By providing professional, reliable service and proving my capabilities, I’ve been able to earn people’s trust and respect,” she said.
The response from customers and the community has been positive, with Collins saying she has received amazing support since starting the business.
For her, the fact that Collins Towing is women-owned is an important part of its identity.
“Towing is traditionally seen as a male-dominated industry, and I’m proud to show that women are just as capable of succeeding in this field,” she said.
Her experience in the automotive industry has also helped give her the confidence to pursue her ambitions.
She is currently working towards obtaining her Code 10 driver’s licence, which will allow her to drive her own tow truck.
She hopes to continue expanding Collins Towing by adding another tow truck to the fleet, reaching more customers and building a successful and sustainable company.
Collins said her husband’s support has been invaluable. “I’m incredibly grateful for my husband, who has supported and encouraged me every step of the way.
“His belief in me has given me the confidence to chase my goals and continue growing both personally and professionally,” Collins said.
Her family has also played a significant role in shaping her approach to life and business.
While her father Alwyn taught her the importance of independence, she credits her mother Rose as her biggest inspiration for always encouraging her to believe in herself. Looking back, she said the values instilled by the two special men in her life had shaped her to be the business owner she is today.
For Collins, success is not simply about expanding her fleet.
“To me, success means having loyal, returning customers, building lasting relationships based on trust, and continuing to grow the business year after year,” she said.
As SA marks Women’s Month, Collins hopes her journey will inspire other women to pursue careers and businesses in industries where they may not traditionally see themselves represented.
Her advice to women considering entering unconventional industries is straightforward: believe in yourself.
“If you’re willing to work hard and stay determined, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to,” she said.
With Collins Towing now on the road , Collins is determined to build more than a successful business.
She wants to challenge perceptions, inspire other women and prove that there is no industry where women cannot make their mark.
