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A career built on curiosity

Story Automotive Women in Industry

August 13 2026

Michelle-Smith

Sometimes the best careers aren't planned—they're built one question at a time. 

When Michelle Smith first began helping her husband at Lakeside Paint & Panel in Rotorua, she wasn't looking for a career in the collision repair industry. She simply saw an opportunity to help. 

"The business was still very traditional. There were plenty of opportunities to modernise the systems, so I started helping." 

What began as helping around the office quickly grew into something much bigger. 

"I started by sweeping the floors, cleaning up, and removing graphics from vehicles. But I kept asking questions. I wanted to understand what everyone was doing and why." 

Curiosity became the foundation of Michelle's career. Rather than simply processing paperwork, she wanted to understand every repair, every product, every invoice, and every decision being made throughout the workshop. 

"I never wanted to be someone sitting behind a desk who didn't understand the work. If I'm talking to customers, ordering parts or helping manage repairs, I believe I should understand every stage of the process." 

That mindset led Michelle to complete MITO training in Automotive Refinishing while continuing to help lead the family business.

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Today, as a business owner, she believes understanding the trade has made her a better leader. 

"The more you understand the work, the better you can communicate with customers, support your technicians, and make informed business decisions." Michelle's philosophy helps shape the culture at Lakeside Paint & Panel. 

"We encourage our administration staff to complete the apprenticeship because it gives them a much better understanding of the repair process. When you understand the work, you can communicate better with customers, support the technicians, and make better decisions." 

For Michelle, vocational education isn't just about learning a trade—it's about building a stronger business. 

Shortly after beginning her apprenticeship, life took an unexpected turn when her daughter became seriously unwell. Hospital admissions became routine, followed by extended stays at Starship Hospital. 

"With the Sky Tower as my night light, I continued studying while my daughter slept." 

Despite the challenges, Michelle completed the New Zealand Certificate in Collision Repair and Automotive Refinishing (Level 3), and the New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Refinishing (Level 4).

"You don't stop being a mum because you're studying, and you don't stop learning because life gets hard. You simply keep going." 

That experience reinforced her purpose. 

"I need the flexibility to be there when my daughter needs me. To do that, I need a strong business with a knowledgeable team. The more I learn, the better I can lead the business, support my staff, and create that flexibility for my family." 

The collision repair industry continues to evolve with new technology, repair methods, and vehicle design. Michelle believes learning has to evolve alongside it. 

"As a business owner, I need to keep learning because the industry never stops changing. If I want my business to keep growing, I have to keep growing too." 

After completing her training, Michelle's commitment to lifelong learning was recognised with a MITO Matariki Scholarship which covers study towards the New Zealand Certificate in Business (First Line Management) (Level 4). 

For Michelle, the scholarship wasn't the destination—it was simply the next step: "MITO creates pathways that allow people to keep growing throughout their careers. It doesn't stop with one apprenticeship. It opens doors to leadership, business ownership, and opportunities you never imagined possible." 

That same commitment to learning extends well beyond the workplace. Michelle is an active member of the Mamaku Volunteer Fire Brigade and, alongside her family, supports a number of firefighter organisations and charities. During summer, weekends are often spent taking part in charity motorcycle rides and fundraising events. She also helped establish a charitable trust that provides practical and financial support to current and former firefighters and their families experiencing hardship. 

For Michelle, it's all connected: "Success is built on your drive once you figure out your 'why'. When you know your 'why', you stop looking at what you can't do and start focusing on what you can achieve." 

She believes everything she has achieved—from becoming a business owner, completing two trade apprenticeships and receiving a MITO scholarship, to supporting her community—has been driven by a willingness to keep learning. 

If there's one message Michelle hopes others take from her journey, it's that learning never stops. 

"I've always believed that if you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room. There is always someone who knows something you don't, and that's an opportunity to learn. Learning will always trump ego because the moment you think you know it all, you stop growing." 

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Every learner’s journey with MITO is different—but each one shows what’s possible with hands-on learning, industry support, and determination. Explore the stories of learners and employers who’ve turned their training into thriving careers and businesses.

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