Specialty Fabrics Review November 2023 - 25

She's also done some work for NASA
related to satellite topography and closer
to home, an ordnance company in
Fridley, Minn. In addition to masterful
skills and flexibility, both clients
required discretion and nondisclosure
agreements. She also accepts projects
in industrial blueprint work for flexible
connectors in food handling, conveyor
wastewater, coal mining and hightemperature
applications.
" When there's something really
weird that comes across somebody's
table, I will get a phone call. I'm happy
with what's happened over the years.
It challenges me and it's made for an
interesting career. Nothing's ever the
same. There's not a lot of repetition. "
Her reputation is her marketing
Roberts has built a solid reputation,
and she has no trouble attracting
customers through word of mouth.
" I had a website but found it to be
unnecessary at this point in my
career, " she says.
Planning for a future where she
might not be able to crawl around on
boats anymore, she bought a Carlson
cutting table to eventually transition
more fully into industrial blueprint
work. But she feels the most important
investment she's made is in networking
and intends to get further training
from an ATA colleague on how to
use the cutting table.
Horizons
With no employees for the last 10
years, Roberts works long hours,
sometimes 15 to 18 hours a day. " I
do love what I'm doing, but I'd like to
have a better life. " She started to plan
for retirement, but then COVID-19
came. " That pretty well changed a lot
of things. As with most people, you
can't get away from supply chain issues.
Fortunately, with my relationships
in both distribution and with other
fabricators, I have been able to find
everything I need. I also have a healthy
stock in my shop. But there has been
a change in customers' attitudes. It's
on both ends of the spectrum-they
are either considerate or irate. I'm in a
position to let go of people who cannot
understand delay in production
or supplies. "
With an eye toward the future,
she says, " I have spent the bulk of
my career in volunteer service of our
industry. It gave me a platform to grow
as a woman as well as have a hand in
steering my industry to its present
form. We used to be thought of as a
cottage industry, and through years
of work on boards, committees and
networking with like-minded people,
we put in place the programs that help
elevate the marine industry to the high
standard, livable-wage industry it is
today. Through that and having had
the opportunity to serve as a director
on the ATA board, personally it gave
me the confidence to contribute and
make a difference. Now the focus is on
transferring the knowledge to the next
generation through video sessions on
fabrication, articles, presentations
and conventions. "
Maia Homstad is a freelance writer and
editor based in Minnesota.
What advice would you
give to anyone new
in this business?
Network, network, network.
Build those relationships
with like-minded people
who share your passion.
Don't limit yourself to one
industry. Explore other [ATA]
divisions-there's so much
knowledge to be absorbed.
Those relationships found
through attending conventions
and conferences will give you
a lifelong base to pull from.
What's been one of your
biggest challenges?
Several years ago, both my
shop and home were hit by
lightning, and every system
failed over the course of a few
months. It's been an absolute
financial disaster. Insurance
wouldn't cover it, so that's
been a bit of a trial. This is the
part of business that you have
to plan for. People don't think
about that, but it happens.
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Specialty Fabrics Review November 2023

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