My Story

From Legal Secretary to Welding Artisan: My Unexpected Journey

Ten years ago, I found myself at a crossroads. After spending 22 years as a legal secretary, a chance opportunity arose that would change the course of my life. The looming threat of redundancies in my job coincided with my dad and his business partner, both of whom were making brackets, falling seriously ill. That’s when I decided to take a bold step—a leap into an entirely new career swopping my keyboard for a welding torch.

I know what you’re thinking—a woman in a male dominated field learning to weld after two. decades in an office? Many people around me were sceptical. They couldn’t see how I, with no prior experience, could succeed in such a hands-on, physically demanding field. But they underestimated my determination.

Armed with nothing but my iPhone, my husband, and a whole lot of grit, I visited the workshop where my dad’s brackets were originally manufactured. I filmed the entire process, capturing every detail from start to finish. That video became my teacher, showing me the basics of bending metal using jigs and formers.

With that knowledge, we invested in an industrial MIG welder, affectionately nicknamed “Beastie Boy.” My husband, who believed in me from the start, taught me how to weld. It wasn’t easy—there were sore hands, aching arms, weld burns, and even weld flashes—but I persisted. Over time, I became proficient in making my own brackets.

The journey wasn’t without its challenges, but I’ve never looked back. I’ve tweaked the designs, refined my techniques, and evolved the construction to make my brackets more robust and longer-lasting than ever before. What began as a simple career shift has turned into a passion, a craft that I’ve made my own.

Today, I’m proud to have expanded beyond the original concrete fence post bracket. I’ve developed various other designs and colours, each one a testament to the journey that started ten years ago.

Looking back, I know I made the right choice. No regrets—this was the right path for me with a deep love for what I do and I’m excited to continue evolving and growing in this craft.