Spotlight on Women in Trades: Rachel Bourne

Who is Rachel Bourne?

A passionate driller who is carving her own path in one of the most underrated trades out there. Taking a risk to secure her financial future without losing her creative side, Rachel shares insights into overcoming the challenge of starting in the trades without prior connections, the power of asking questions, and the importance of lifelong learning. Her story highlights the struggle tall women face finding functional workwear and celebrates what it means to finally have gear that fits both safely and comfortably on the job site.

🎨 From Art to Drilling: A Bold Career Move

For Rachel, stepping into drilling was all about taking a chance on a unique career path that offered financial security while keeping room for her creative passions.

"What inspired me to get into Drilling was the fact that I didn’t want to lose art as my hobby and I took a risk because I thought Drilling would be a cool unique opportunity as a career that would secure me a job with a good income and that’s exactly what it’s been for me," Rachel shares.

Today, she wouldn't trade her job for anything: "I absolutely love my trade! Drilling is by far the most underrated trade out there. That’s just my opinion."

💪 Overcoming Barriers & Learning on the Go

Starting in a trade without an established network comes with its own learning curve. Rachel opens up about the initial hurdles she faced and how she built her confidence on site:

The Main Barrier: "I didn’t have connections or family members working in trades. This meant I had to sell myself and learn directly from my peers."
Overcoming Self-Doubt: "I remember the first day I drove a pick up truck I was so nervous and it was only my second day on the job. I felt like I wasn’t capable, but realized very quickly it was important to ask questions and be open to learning something new."

Her advice to anyone considering a career in the trades is empowering:

"If you’re thinking about getting into a trade, I would say try it! The more skills you have, the more equipped you are for life in general. There are so many opportunities that exist within the trades that aren’t what you may see everyday. Look into opportunities, take short courses, talk with others in the trades, and find what you think you would love to do!"

🥽 The Workwear Struggle (And Finding the Right Length!)

For tall women in skilled trades, finding workwear that offers proper coverage and safety is a constant battle. Before discovering us, Rachel struggled to find clothing tailored to her height.

"I’m very tall and quite the opposite of petite. I’ve always told people that I’m built like a man because I could never find clothes that fit me," she explains.

Finding gear that actually fits her frame made a world of difference: "The Dirty Seahorse has and carries the size and length I require to do my job safely and comfortably, which is such a rare experience and I am forever grateful to them and their workwear ♥️."

👖 Rachel's Favorite Features

When you're out on the job site, functional design and secure storage matter. Rachel’s favorite details about our workwear include:

The hidden pockets on the pants and overalls: A safe, closed space for everyday essentials.
Securing her valuables: "It’s a space I know I can secure valuables like my wedding ring, my car keys, or my AirPods. Those are three items I always carry so having a safe closed space is so important for me."