Island Coast Mobile Welding & Fabrication – Maria Clark

Maria Clark: Bringing Communities Together, One Weld at a Time

Maria Clark a Nuu-chah-nulth woman who embodies strength and leadership, turned her passion for community and entrepreneurship into Island Coast Mobile Welding & Fabrication, a business serving Indigenous coastal communities across Vancouver Island. After years in hospitality and management, Maria returned home to Tofino and teamed up with her partner, a certified welder, to create a mobile welding service specializing in marine and custom work. Their goal is simple yet powerful: to bring trusted, high-quality service to remote Indigenous communities and individuals often overlooked by other companies.

Maria’s journey wasn’t without challenges. She struggled with self-doubt, balancing the responsibilities of raising her children as a single mother, and navigating barriers as an Indigenous woman entrepreneur. She also faced challenges accessing support and recognition from the business community and banks. With guidance and funding support from NEDC, Maria overcame these obstacles. “My BDO believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” she says. Today, Maria remains dedicated to fostering opportunity and confidence for her children, grandchildren, and other Indigenous women in business, while opening doors for the next generation to dream, grow, and lead.