Dara Carpenter, an inspiration to women in automotive
This year, Dara Carpenter, CEO of Toronto-based E.L.C Towing Dispatch Solutions was nominated for a second time for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards, which celebrates the achievements of female entrepreneurs in Canada.
“It has been an interesting journey navigating a male-dominated and challenging industry. It is truly rewarding to be nominated and recognized for all the hard work and effort that has gone into making ELC Towing Dispatch Solutions a national success,” said Dara.
Dara founded E.L.C Towing Dispatch Solutions in 2015. The company manages the logistics and dispatch of a tow throughout Canada and the U.S. but also mediates between insurance companies, towing businesses, repair facilities and auto recyclers in the automotive industry.
Currently, Dara is the only person in Ontario small claims court that is qualified as an expert within the insurance industry as representative on towing and storage matters. Dara has testified in multiple small claims court proceedings as an expert witness.
But her journey to becoming one of the leading voices in the field of automotive tow and storage, isn’t as easy as it may look. Dara began her career in the industry after finishing high school. While attending College part-time, she started working at a friend’s insurance brokerage learning about insurance processes and types of policies available.
Soon after, she got into the auto claims side and began working with automotive recyclers and towing companies. After being in the insurance industry for more than 20 years both as a license broker and as an expert in towing and storage matters within claims departments, Dara decided to take her wealth of experience and knowledge and start ELC Towing Dispatch Solutions. ELC is now a cross-nationally recognized company used by businesses all over Canada and the United States. While building her business Dara has had to overcome several obstacles: people who doubted her, men who didn’t take her seriously, and of course, having to raise a family. Despite it all, however, Dara proved time and time again that she is here to stay and has without a doubt situated herself as an influential figure in the field.
Dara hopes stories like hers to inspire other women to take up space in predominantly male industries. “Don’t give up. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not worthy or that you’re not good enough or that you don’t belong.” As for the future, Carpenter remains hopeful that more women will feel comfortable working in the industry. “I’m already seeing a big change. I see twice as many women working in the industry compared to when I first started.”
