We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Angela Perez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Angela below.

Angela, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to be an inventor, I made a marble track for a school project, and I fell in love with building something from my hands. So, I did research on how to be an inventor, Purdue was great in Mechanical Engineering. During my 1st or 2nd semesters, there was AutoCAD, Fusion360, and SolidWorks (3D Computer-Aided Design software), and I immediately loved it. I practiced how to learn the tools and seeing how each one works in the software. You can make a 2D sketch, (like a circle or a square) turn into a 3D model (like a sphere or a cube), or make an assembly with multiple parts function together. I can make anything I want, for example, I make a model/part for a veterinarian that is designed to help in surgery.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

About me – In my early years in college, I was bashful, timid to myself, but my dream stayed the same, on being an inventor. I had a little bit of experience with SolidWorks at that time. But I had no experiences with tools, I was still learning the fundamentals in mechanical engineering. I need to get some experience, but I didn’t know where to start. During the first couple weeks, during the Welcome Rally, talk about joining the Formula Team. I tried to join but it didn’t feel welcoming. Sometime in early November 2019, I overheard some students talk about SAE Baja. After a couple of weeks, I finally worked the courage to go to SAE Baja team and asked to join. That day, they were doing a survey to see which steering wheel the students would like and testing the brakes. I joined in right away; they were all so welcoming and encouraging. So, during that time in Baja, I was Head Lead of Body Panels. And I learned how to use tools and machines, that I could have never done on my own. On my last year, I was looking for a job, and Rick and Jesus, the advisors for SAE Baja, recommended me to Mont Handley. He didn’t have a position for me yet, so I was watering his tomato plants, until I was a Design and Development Technician. And the rest is history.

What do I provide? – I help entrepreneurs who know what they want but don’t know how to make it. Mont would talk to them 1st and then would ask me (or any student worker) if we want to try this project. I would say, “Yea, let’s do it.” I would have a meeting with them, going more in depth with what they want. I would do a drawing sketch so it can help me visualize on what I need to do. Once we have an agreement on what I need to do, I get started with SolidWorks. Once finished, I would send them a 3D Drawing, a digital copy of the model (via STL and or STEP), even a 3D printed model, send them a video (animation) of the model or send them a simulation.

What are you most proud of? – I love it when people use something that I have made. For example, I helped Dynamic Framer, and when they were promoting the prototypes, I felt really good about it. I love to build things that people would/could use.

What are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you? A friend of mine told me, “When you start something, you’re a bit shy, but you become more confident when you get into it.” I am starting a Business, AJ Mechanical Design LLC. where I can do this full-time.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

If you continue to improve your skills and stay true to yourself, people will take notice. This has been my most effective strategy for growing my clientele. For instance, I have been working at Purdue since 2021 and have always been willing to lend a hand and volunteer for various projects to gain experience. My coworkers noticed my dedication and one day, when someone was looking for a skilled student to recommend, they suggested me.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

My answer would be that I find it very fulfilling when people use the things I’ve created. It’s a great feeling to know that someone likes my work enough to use it in their daily life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/ClrxHAcuWoj/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D
• Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/perez-angela

Image Credits
Purdue University Northwest: Commercialization and Manufacturing Excellence Center