We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maria Del Pilar Pascuas Marin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Maria del Pilar thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
I believe that it is essential to focus on what depends on oneself: our actions, thoughts and emotions.
True success lies in living with virtue, acting with wisdom, courage, justice and temperance, without depending on external results or circumstances. It is about accepting what we cannot change, maintaining serenity in the face of adversity and without attachment to material pleasures. Personal progress is found in constant effort and in the present, without obsessing about the future or regretting the past, since the most important thing is how we live, not how long we live.
Maria del Pilar, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is María del Pilar Pascuas Marín, and I was born on October 12, 1995, in Neiva, Huila, Colombia. Growing up in a low-income family laid the foundation for my life, and it was the effort and dedication of my parents, especially my father, that guided me toward a commitment to continuous hard work and perseverance.
My academic life has always reflected the sacrifices my parents made for our education. Throughout my schooling, I stood out for my dedication and academic performance, achieving the 80th position nationwide upon completing my high school studies. This achievement was not only a personal source of pride but also a symbol of the faith my parents placed in me and a clear example of how their sacrifice and values translated into my success.
As the oldest of three sisters, I took on the role of family leader with great responsibility. The need to contribute to the family’s well-being, both at home and at school, motivated me to excel academically from a very young age. In addition to my studies, I was always involved in tasks that helped with the family economy, which taught me the importance of organization, collective effort, and solidarity.
Upon turning 18 in 2013, I began working full-time at the family business, Hidráulicos y Neumática Industrial LTDA, in Neiva, which allowed me to apply my academic knowledge in a practical setting. Here, I learned from my father’s experience and gained in-depth knowledge of the hydraulic and petroleum sectors. This was a crucial step as it gave me the opportunity to manage real projects and put my learning into practice.
The Inspiration to Found Engineering & Industrial Services LLC:
After gaining significant experience at MTE Hydraulics, I began to envision something bigger: the creation of my own company. I had learned a lot about the challenges and opportunities within the industrial sector, particularly in areas like hydraulics and CNC parts manufacturing for the petroleum and industrial sectors. This led me to take a bold decision: in May 2023, I founded Engineering & Industrial Services LLC, a company focused on providing consulting and innovative solutions in the hydraulic, manufacturing, and petroleum industries.
Starting the company was not just a step toward entrepreneurship, but also a step toward realizing a dream: to influence the industry, optimize processes, and bring innovation to the most demanding sectors. My vision was clear: to offer high-quality solutions that optimize processes, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiency for industrial companies. The founding of the company also marked the creation of an innovation ecosystem that could compete internationally and, more importantly, make a significant impact on the development of new technologies for the petroleum industry.
Challenges and Opportunities Along the Way
The path to the success of Engineering & Industrial Services LLC has not been without challenges. From acquiring clients and securing funding to building teams, every step was crucial in establishing the company’s reputation in a highly competitive market. One of the main obstacles was obtaining the necessary certifications and accreditations to compete at the federal level in the United States. However, after a long and ongoing process, the company achieved the required certifications, including SBE, MWBE, and registration in SAM.gov to compete in government contracts.
Furthermore, obtaining the ISO 9001 certification presented an additional challenge, but we saw it as an opportunity to further improve our quality standards and align ourselves with international best practices.
Expansion and International Recognition
As the company grew, doors opened to large-scale international projects. With the solid structure we had built, we began offering our services not only in the United States but also in Latin America, standing out for our ability to provide customized solutions for clients in key industries. CNC parts manufacturing and hydraulic services began to be in demand across various sectors, from naval to aerospace, solidifying our presence in multiple markets.
This expansion process has been crucial in positioning us as a consulting, repair, and manufacturing company specializing in hydraulic engineering and the petroleum industry. It has strengthened our vision of continuous innovation and resource optimization.
Leadership and the Future
Today, as CEO of Engineering & Industrial Services LLC, I am more committed than ever to our vision: to be a global leader in industrial process optimization, with a clear focus on technology, sustainability, and operational excellence. With the support of a highly skilled team and a portfolio of innovative solutions, we continue to expand our horizons, with an eye on the future where we aim to lead the way in Industry 4.0, automation, and digitalization of industrial processes for the petroleum sector.
As a professional and entrepreneur, my purpose is to continue making a difference through innovation, technology, and a commitment to the values that have always guided me: honesty, respect, and teamwork.
What Sets Me Apart
What sets me apart from others is my firm belief that there are no gender barriers to entering an industry like ours. My story is a testament to resilience and determination, and I strive to be an example that, with effort and commitment, anything is possible.
The Values That Define Me
The foundation of my success lies not only in my academic background and practical experience but also in the personal values that have accompanied me since childhood. My family, especially my father, taught me that resilience, perseverance, and commitment to goals are fundamental to achieving success. Additionally, principles such as honesty and teamwork are essential both in my personal and professional life.
My Life Philosophy
My life philosophy can be summed up in a phrase that inspires me every day: “God first, insist, persist, and never give up.” This mantra has been my guide during the most challenging times when obstacles seemed insurmountable. Faith in God has given me the strength to face any challenge, reminding me that every difficulty is an opportunity to learn. No matter how many times we fall, what matters is getting back up and continuing to fight for our dreams.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Cuando decidí fundar Engineering & Industrial Services LLC (EIS LLC), me encontraba en mi primer trimestre de embarazo. Al principio, todo parecía perfecto: mi pareja, el padre de mi hijo, se encargaba de las ventas y la gestión comercial, y nuestra empresa empezaba como una consultora de servicios hidráulicos e ingeniería. Los primeros meses fueron como un sueño: los números no paraban de crecer y todo parecía ir tomando forma. Sin embargo, comenzamos a cometer varios errores en el camino.
Nos mudamos a una casa más grande y cara, compramos un auto nuevo y tomamos decisiones impulsivas, comprando cosas que en realidad no necesitábamos. Lo peor de todo es que no prestamos suficiente atención a nuestras finanzas. Luego, nació mi hijo y, debido a mi baja por maternidad, estuve fuera del trabajo durante casi dos meses. Durante ese tiempo, mi pareja se ocupó de todo, incluidos los clientes y la gestión del negocio.
Cuando regresé al trabajo, comencé a notar varias deficiencias financieras y algunos picos inusuales en los gastos. A finales de 2023, había adquirido una empresa para introducir una nueva línea de servicios en manufactura CNC, con altas expectativas de conseguir empleos bien remunerados. Sin embargo, cuando llegó el momento, se convirtió en una pesadilla: no solo era difícil fabricar las piezas, sino que además teníamos que seguir pagando una cuota mensual de $5,000 por el financiamiento de las máquinas, que permanecieron paradas durante casi seis meses.
A pesar de todo esto, no me rendí. Seguí buscando opciones y soluciones, pero a principios de 2024, las cosas no mejoraron como esperaba. El invierno nos golpeó duro, ya que muchos de nuestros clientes no pagaban sus facturas, y nuestros ahorros ya se habían agotado. Para entonces, no teníamos lo suficiente para cubrir las piezas que necesitaban nuestros clientes. A lo largo de 2024, seguimos reinvirtiendo nuestras ganancias, tratando de recuperarnos de los errores financieros cometidos en 2023. Hubo semanas en las que no recibí un salario; solo ganamos lo suficiente para pagar a los empleados y cubrir las necesidades básicas de mi familia.
Fue entonces cuando decidí que teníamos que cambiar de rumbo. No podíamos quedarnos estancados en las palabras; necesitábamos tomar decisiones firmes y pasar a la acción. Empecé por revisar cuidadosamente la contabilidad y categorizar los gastos. Identifiqué áreas en las que podíamos recortar costos y creé un plan para pagar las deudas acumuladas, incluidos más de $25,000 en pagos pendientes a proveedores y tarjetas de crédito. Aunque a fines de 2024 todavía estábamos un poco cortos de dinero, logramos ceñirnos al plan y las cosas comenzaron a mejorar.
Hoy, nuestra empresa ya no es solo una consultora. Se ha transformado en una empresa de servicios hidráulicos, especializada en reparación de equipos pesados y fabricación CNC. Me convertí en una mujer emprendedora certificada y propietaria de una pequeña empresa, y me registré en SAM.gov, lo que nos permitió comenzar a competir por contratos gubernamentales y con condados de Nueva Jersey.
Entro en 2025 con una perspectiva renovada, un enfoque nuevo y una perspectiva increíble. Mi objetivo es convertirme en una mujer líder en la industria manufacturera, con un enfoque particular en el sector del petróleo y el gas. El camino ha sido difícil, pero cada paso ha sido una oportunidad para aprender y crecer. Ahora estamos listos para seguir avanzando hacia nuestras metas, siempre con la mirada puesta en la innovación, la eficiencia y el futuro.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Después de tener a mi hijo, fui madre lactante exclusiva y tuve que dejarlo a los 3 meses de nacido al cuidado de mi mamá, gracias a Dios, pero fue muy difícil para mí, pase por momentos muy difíciles de depresión postparto, problemas financieros en la empresa, estuve a punto de cerrar la empresa, las solicitudes de trabajos de manufactura que pensé que nos iban a dar un flotador en la industria empezaron a verse reales, los números no cuadraban y todo empezó a verse diferente, empecé a trabajar en mí, en mi desarrollo personal y profesional, tomé enfoques diferentes con respecto a las estrategias que debía hacer, hice más de 2 millones de dólares en cotizaciones y ninguna de ellas fue aprobada, bajé mis precios en los servicios y nadie me dio la oportunidad, decidí. Fue entonces que recordé una lección importante: no podía controlar lo que pasaba a mi alrededor, pero sí podía controlar cómo respondía a ello. Decidí enfocarme en las pequeñas acciones que podía realizar cada día, sin importar lo grandes que fueran mis metas, quería ser la mujer líder en la manufactura industrial, así que comencé a trabajar en pequeñas estrategias y la primera fue:
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Estrategia documental: lo que tengo, lo que me falta para poder conseguir contratos con el gobierno, con los estados y con la ciudad.
Estrategia educativa: ¿cómo puedo hacerlo sin incurrir en tantos gastos, libros, videos en YouTube, páginas informativas, entre otros?
Fidelización del cliente
Y así lo volví a hacer, busqué ayuda y reorganicé mis ideas, mis estrategias empezaron a sonar mejor, ya tenía dos certificaciones en la mano, y toda la codificación para conseguir estas licitaciones.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://eisllc.group/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eis_industrialservices/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104196465/admin/page-posts/published/
Image Credits
Maria del Pilar Pascuas Marin
Eis Llc