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')Sylla and Kamara never wanted to do what the other little girls did. They never planned to become seamstresses or to style hair — they liked working on cars. They spent three years in technical school in the West African nation and worked as mechanics in repair shops. They put aside money little by little until they had enough to open their own garage.

"We did it all on our own, through our savings and our motivation to succeed," Kamara said.

They've faced their share of battles, both from male employees and men hesitant to leave their cars with female mechanics. Now, though, they have eight employees — all men — and business is good. The shop works on 10 cars a week, and the cousins plan to expand their business.