"Shopgirl" Founds Welding Women Syndicate

When going through a divorce, I met a man who had a custom welding/ fabrication shop and we began to date. Within a year or so, I literally went from being the girlfriend who handed the wrench to her boyfriend, to “shopgirl,” to co-owner. It was the first time I truly felt at home. The most exciting thing about the welding industry is that there seems to be no end to the possibilities or the opportunities within this trade.

I always knew there weren’t many women like myself in custom fab shops building, welding and in business. What I didn’t realize until I went to college was the lack of visibility for other women who may want to learn a trade like welding. I rarely if ever saw any women as biz owners who also worked actively in the shop and I saw even less representation when I went to college. This didn’t stop me because I already had a plan and the exposure most women don’t get.

I am most proud of founding the Welding Women Syndicate in October 2020. We literally started as a nod to a meme I saw about why women in welding didn’t have more “brotherhood” type organizations. A few poignant questions to and from from my sisters and, Boom!, we now have an online platform that advocates, celebrates and provides educational resources for women in the welding Industry. What began on Instagram quickly evolved to global exposure, magazine coverage, in-person interviews, and even a physical building that proudly boasts the address to the official headquarters of the Welding Women Syndicate. It’s the perfect spot to offer a more mindful space to teach welding to women and youth.

Many companies have jumped on the bandwagon to advocate for more women on the job. I’ve seen 10 times more advertising than I have ever seen over my 13-year career. The problem unfortunately is the retention. We’ve heard stories about women not having proper restrooms, equal pay or a safe workplace — which blows my mind.

Why actively champion for women if you aren’t prepared to have women in the workplace?

Seeing more women have their own business and hiring other women would be a better option, which is what I’m doing. Why wait for others to step up and create the equity women deserve? I was determined to carve a space out for more women in the welding industry, and I have. I’ve literally taken as many steps back as I have forward but I chose to push on. I said yes to and created so many opportunities to create as much equity as possible for not only myself but for others in this industry.

About the Author: Tiffany Noel Orff is the founder of Women Welding Syndicate and a mom of three. In 2022, the American Welding Society selected Women Welding Syndicate for the WEMCO Excellence in Welding Awards (Media Category). Tiffany is based in Salinas, Calif.