COMING IS MARCH 2026
About Somer James
Somer James is the founder of Strong Lady Mechanics — a certified automotive technician, a mother of five kids, and a woman who rebuilt her life through faith, perseverance, and purpose. She is ASE certified in multiple areas, trained at Dixie Technical College, and has worked on cars her entire life. Originally from California and now a resident of Southern Utah, Somer has seen firsthand how many women struggle with transportation, access to honest auto care, and finding workplaces where they are respected and given a fair chance.
Why Strong Lady Mechanics
My passion comes from years of watching mothers walk miles with children, relying on unreliable buses, and feeling dismissed or unheard in traditional auto shops. Somer created Strong Lady Mechanics to change that. Her vision is to build a shop where women feel safe, respected, and educated — a place where they understand their repairs, learn valuable skills, and receive honest service from technicians who truly care. She also knows how difficult it is for women to break into the automotive industry in Washington County, and she is committed to opening doors, creating opportunities, and offering training for women who want to build real careers.
A Story of Strength, Survival, and Redemption
Somer is also a survivor — of cancer, addiction, and deep adversity — and she brings that strength into her work every day. She took guardianship of her two nephews, Jesse James and Jace James, after they entered foster care, and has rebuilt her life from the ground up with faith and determination.
With five years clean, Somer is committed to uplifting single mothers, women in recovery, and anyone who has felt overlooked or unsupported. Having grown up in hardship herself, she understands exactly what it means to go without, and she refuses to let other women walk that road alone.
Her mission extends far beyond auto repair. She plans to support sober living programs, provide training for women coming out of addiction, and teach them real mechanical skills that lead to independence and a better life. Somer believes all women — young and old — deserve to feel capable, confident, and respected in a safe, healthy environment where they can learn, grow, and succeed.
Faith, Purpose & Community Impact
With faith as her foundation, Somer believes in second chances, hard work, and creating a garage built on integrity, compassion, and real skill. Strong Lady Mechanics is her calling — a place created for women, by a woman who understands what they’re facing, and who refuses to let them face it alone.
Somer is partnering with domestic violence shelters in Washington County to help mothers with transportation, offering support and safety in moments when they need it most.
Outside the shop, Somer finds peace riding her Kawasaki Ninja — her favorite therapy and a reminder of her freedom and strength. She has completed EMDR therapy and continues to work with a Christian therapist as she grows in her walk with Jesus Christ and becomes the woman God intended her to be.
Her favorite scripture is tattooed on her neck: John 3:16.
