I posted this on my Facebook page and on Tumblr because I felt like I needed to share where my heart was with my shop, Queen City Fabrication. Those of you who don't know me my name is C***ie Allen, I'm 23 years old and I was taken under the wing of Red Humphries four years ago at his shop to learn how to build old cars. After three years of working my *** off and proving myself Red asked me to become co-owner of the shop with him. So this leads me to what you see below. I was really doubting myself on posting this on here because I'm a 23 year old chick and I knew there were a lot of people who run their mouth and I didn't feel like dealing with it. But screw it here goes nothing.. April 22, 2012 Ive felt out of place for a very long time here in Charlotte, North Carolina. I feel like a lot of times Im surrounded by people who look at me like Im crazy when it comes to my outlook on cars or working with my hands to build stuff. When I get on the topic of craftsmanship with other car guys the conversation seems to end immediately. I dont understand anyone my age at all. In my eyes it looks like everyone is so caught up in the dumbest ****. Its to the point now that I dont want to talk to anyone cause it seems so useless. A week ago a group of us loaded up in my 1956 Chevy Bel-Air and hit the road to Austin, TX for the Lonestar Round Up. This was my second year going and I was pumped about spending more time at Austin Speed Shop to talk to guys who understood me. Being able to have a conversation with guys who comprehend every word that comes out of my mouth is pretty awesome. The craftsmanship that this shop has is on a scale all on its own. So it got me thinking. Should I bail from my shop in NC to attempt to get a job out in Austin, TX? I love Austin. I feel so at home with how open minded the town is and its nothing like North Carolina. I was wearing my Queen City Fabrication hat while out there and took it off for a second and had a look at the logo. I smiled because I designed it. Instantly I started thinking about the nights I spent not sleeping because I wanted something so simple but old school as the logo. On the twenty-hour ride back home from Austin I did non-stop thinking about my career. Should I leave or should I stay? Austin has everything I ever wanted and more in a town but do I even stand a chance with getting in the door of Austin Speed Shop? The night before we left Austin I was talking with whom I consider my big brother who works at Austin Speed Shop. He said one simple sentence that stayed with me the whole ride back home. I left New York to come to Austin because I knew New York was done with me. For some reason that hit home. NC isnt done with me. Am I really thinking about giving up on a town that I was born and raised in? No. Thats the ***** thing to do and Im stronger than that. When we got back home I took the next day and wrote down almost two pages worth of business ideas I have to get real traditional car culture here. Like I said no one understands a word I say so what better way than to show people what Im talking about? Actions speak louder than words and thats exactly what Im going to do. One day Ill leave NC for TX but not right now. I have a business that I put so much of my heart into and Im not walking away any time soon. If I dont like how things are around here with the car culture then I need to change it. I have second-guessed myself a lot in my life with being gay. Im not about to second-guess myself with building bad*** cars. I have new ideas and a whole new outlook on life. Is this going to be easy? Hell no, but I can handle it.
it was great to finally meet you (i'm frankies bf) sorry to hear that the time is not right for you to move,,,,but if you don't feel it in your gut, then the time isn't right.....you will know in your heart when the time comes,,in the meantime, best of luck for continued success in NC, and hope to see you at the roundup again next year.. jim
Missed this post on Tumblr as i follow you. But props to you for sticking it out. look forward to seeing what you have to offer the car world.
You will know when the time is right. Develop and perfect the skills and hopefully gain a following for the work you turn out. The great thing is that you are doing work you want to do rather than working at a job you have to do just to survive. When you have grown all you can grow where you are at then it's time to think about making the move. I'd have to agree that Austin in general is one of those few places where a person is measured on how he/she treats others and what they can do rather than their gender or their appearance for the most part. Be it cars, music or food that you are involved in producing.
Right on C***ie. You and I havent talked very much but I can tell you every time you're in town and hanging out with us it hasn't once crossed my mind to question "whether or not this chick gets it" if you know what I mean. Our little car world is so small that if you focus on your style and really make something of it then it doesn't matter where you are, people will notice. I have no doubts. Oh and the logo is bad***, I was jealous of Jonnys hat.
Guys, I have to tell you that this girl has no idea how well respected she is in our town and within the traditional circle we have here. She has vision, caracter, heart and a sense of responsibility that many couldn't even fathum. Red saw something in her that he felt needed to be seen. She is an important player here and we'll do what we can to keep her for ourselves. We speak your language, C***ie. ******Knuckles
Thanks guys for the support. I really didn't know how people would take me posting this on here. I really want to bring a lot to the car industry and I cannot tell you how awesome it feels to have real car guys standing behind me and an awesome teacher to kick my *** along the way. I appreciate each and every one of you. Thanks!
We've never met but I love the thoughtful way you put together you story. You just can't argue with good ole skills and hard work. I would love to see some of your work. Have you considered a trip to the Jalopy Showdown? Great show/Great people.
C***ie, didn't know you or Red were on here. You're both so highly respected for your skills and business ethics. Although you could go anywhere, from a business perspective I'd recommend you stay where you are. When you look in the shop and see 90% of your work come from 500+ miles away, you know people will follow you anywhere.
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