Inez Escamilla: Breaking a stereotype, embracing welding

As far back as she can remember, Inez Escamilla loved to put pieces together and make her own inventions. The Dripping Springs High School graduate knew what she wanted to be after seeing a welder sculpt metal for the first time.

Inez Escamilla, Welding Alumnus.

“I had always been good with my hands and I like to sweat, so it just felt natural when I stumbled upon welding,” she says. “It took me some time to begin to think three dimensionally, but when it clicked, I was able to create almost anything.”

Escamilla enrolled in Austin Community College’s Welding Technology Program. After receiving an associate degree from ACC, Escamilla began to weld parts at a local restaurant. By word of mouth, she gained clients and opened a shop almost eight years ago.

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“There is always a struggle, but great things take hard work,” she points out.

Escamilla also has a strong interest in personal fitness, and she combined her passion for welding and fitness when she recently opened a second business.

“I designed and built most of the upgrades in my gym,” she says.

As a welder, Escamilla says reaching her goals has been a game of proving her skills.

“I want others to know welding has little to do with gender as much as it has to do with strength, hand-eye coordination, craftsmanship, determination and creativity.”

“Women have to work three times as hard to have their skills and talents respected,” says Escamilla. “I want others to know welding has little to do with gender as much as it has to do with strength, hand-eye coordination, craftsmanship, determination and creativity.”

She owes much of her success to her biggest supporters who never stopped believing in her.

“My parents worked very hard to give my brother and me the foundation we needed to be good people, get an education and follow our heart,” says Escamilla. “I know I’ve been an inspiration to folks.”

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