An Interview with
Bronté Freeman
We visited the fabrication shop and chatted with Bronté about her journey into the trades, her experiences building a strong, cohesive team and her plans for growing the business.
Your recent move to a new 3,800 square foot shop Shawnigan Lake in December 2023 was a big change for you—what’s been your experience in the new shop and how has it changed the work?
This new shop has opened many opportunities for us; it has made it possible to grow the business in a direction I’m excited about. I love custom fabrication, but this year I want to focus more on creating products with the team. By products, I mean furniture and architectural pieces like planters, privacy screens, fire bowls and fire pits—basically a product line to help people transform their homes and outdoor spaces. This goal led to us getting a new press brake and CNC machine, allowing us to do more in-house and have complete control over the quality of the final product. We’re now a fully independent shop, which is something we’re proud to offer our clients.
Who were your influences to enter this line of work? Did you always know you wanted to work in trades?
I come from a large family of trade workers and growing up I spent a lot of time tinkering in my dad’s tire shop and my uncles’ automotive shops, so I’ve always been comfortable around machinery and working with my hands. My parents, who own a family-run bakery/café in Ontario, immersed me in an entrepreneurial environment from a young age. They have been my greatest inspiration and support in building my own business.
My family never discouraged my relentless interest in their new tools and projects. Whether it was driving in the tow truck to do a repair with my dad, or watching my uncles restore their vintage vehicles, I was always there eager to fetch a wrench when needed. I hadn’t entirely considered a trade for myself as a career until I returned home from university and helped my uncle Dwayne in his garage with a welding project, where I was immediately captivated. Dwayne, who some might see as a character out of Duck Dynasty, recognized my talent and encouraged me to pursue welding further. He was so supportive of me and I really have him to thank for starting my journey into the trades. He sadly passed away this January and while he is missed, it’s important for me to celebrate how much he contributed to the person I am and the business I run today.
What training did you need to get to where you are today and how did you transition from school to starting your own business?
I first graduated from Camosun College with my Welder Level C and after just 4-5 months working in the field, I was craving creative independence. Through the Women in Trades Training at Camosun College (check it out!), I had the opportunity to go back to school to get my Red Seal, with the goal to find work in a smaller shop where I could learn more about fabrication.
I always knew I wanted to do my own thing. So as soon as I could, I started making small furniture pieces and selling them on Saturdays at the Moss Street Market. The pieces were live edge wood and metal—before I found my style of clean, tight lines that I still stand by today. I didn’t sell much, but I handed out hundreds of business cards and made a ton of connections that still come through—people who remember me and now are looking for a custom piece for their home. Those connections were crucial for networking and building my business. Later, I moved into a larger (but still small) space and hired my first employee, Mel, who is still on the team. This space was critical for the growth of our business. We not only had a space to meet with clients and to create, but the building owner, Bill Hooson, quickly went from just a landlord to a patient mentor—himself having over 35 years of fabrication experience. It was sad to leave that space at the time because we had made some amazing connections in the Rock Bay trades community, but I knew that we needed a larger space in order to scale our business. Bill still comes up to visit often.
“We’re committed to going beyond the limits of what someone may expect, both through the way we conduct ourselves and what we can create.”
You started your business as an independent craftsperson and now you’re a team of three. What’s it been like to build and manage the team?
When building our team and work environment, I knew I wanted to offer mentorship and opportunities to people often overlooked in the trade industry—mainly women and non-binary folks. Right now, our team is all women: myself, Mel and Nic (plus our shop dogs, Gerri and Arlo). Both my staff also did their training at Camosun College and found out about our shop through the Women in Trades Training. They’re both talented welders and maintain the same standard of quality that our brand stands behind.
Having people I can trust has allowed me to focus on other aspects of the business I otherwise wouldn’t have time for. The team is in a good place right now; we work independently, everyone knows their role and we’re all dedicated to our craft and quality.
Your work and the products you make leave a lasting impression on your customers and clientele—what do you do differently?
We really pride ourselves on open communication and sticking to our deadlines. We attract a clientele expecting a high level of detail and quality, and with that comes the responsibility to deliver—we take that very seriously. I believe this doesn’t go unnoticed with the designers, architects and builders we’re working with. We’re proud of this business standard that attracts teams like Aryze who hold the same values. We’re committed to going beyond the limits of what someone may expect, both through the way we conduct ourselves and what we can create.
Learn More
The Women in Trades Training initiative at Camosun College is part of a long-term strategy to match women’s skills to the needs of BC’s workplace. Learn more at camosun.ca.