After losing his best friend in a car accident, Brad Davidson realised life was too short to not pursue something he loved. The qualified boilermaker and welder was working in the mines doing maintenance work when he had the epiphany to start his own fabrication business, Brad’s Weld.
“It was born out of a bit of tragedy; a year and a half ago, I lost my best mate in a car accident. It hit me hard and made me reflect on what I wanted out of life. I was working in the mines, in a good place, but I wasn’t really living. I was stuck in a routine, so I decided to break away and create something I could be proud of,” he said.
Brad’s Weld, located in Robe, South Australia, is a fabrication business which utilises mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminium to repair and manufacture farm equipment, aluminium roof racks, hydrological protection systems, pipe coil lifting frames, broken bucket lugs, and art pieces like handmade stainless-steel roses.
After relocating to Kingston SE from Barossa Valley, Brad discovered IntoJobs’ Self Employment Assistance program. He spent several hours researching new business ideas online before coming across the program.
The IntoJobs’ program, delivered by Mas National (both part of the IntoWork Group), offers practical and confidential guidance on all aspects of starting and running a small business, including coaching, registering business names, website domains, business plan development, mentoring, and setting up an Australian Business Number (ABN), as well as financial, marketing, and strategic advice. The services are tailored to individual business needs, with training provided by experienced business coaches across various industries.
“The idea was already in motion. I’ve had some great friends in the southeast for years, and we’d often discuss starting a fabrication business. We identified a significant market gap in the area, so we saw an opportunity,” Brad said.
Brad praised the IntoJobs program, stating it provided him with valuable resources and the confidence to launch his business. “It showed me how far I’d already come and that I was on the right track. Whenever I was uncertain about direction or approach, I would liaise with the IntoJobs team, and they were fantastic in helping me through that stage and continue to do so,” he said.
IntoJobs Murray and South East Business Navigator Shaun Harris expressed his enthusiasm for Brad’s venture, “We’re thrilled to see Brad capitalising on a clear market need in the region. His fabrication business fills a significant gap, and we’re confident that with the right support, it will thrive. We’re excited to be part of Brad’s journey as he establishes and grows his business.”
One of the most significant lessons Brad learned was endurance. “It’s definitely not easy, but you have good days and hard days where you question everything. However, you just keep going. It’s not really about failure; you learn more from your mistakes than your successes. If you can learn from them and keep moving forward, one step at a time, that’s key,” he said.
Brad hopes to offer apprenticeships to young people, particularly those from the First Nations community, and support local sporting organisations. His connection to his Indigenous heritage is strong, and he’s eager to create opportunities for others. “I’d love to pass on my knowledge to young people from the First Nations community the chance to learn from me and develop their skills through an apprenticeship once I’m more established,” he said.
Currently, Brad is focusing on securing grants or funding to build a mobile welding trailer, enabling him to expand his services into more towns beyond Robe and surrounding areas.
His advice to others interested in the program is to have a clear business idea, “Do a lot of research and just reach out to the program coordinators to take that first step. There will be hard days, so it has to be something you really want to do deep down in your core.”
For more information about Brad’s business, you can visit his Facebook page.
