From Vision to Impact: IronWorkz Revitalizes Entrepreneurship in Gary

For Emmani Ellis, the journey from Purdue to purpose has been defined by leadership, balance, and a deep commitment to community. A 2023 graduate with a dual degree in Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering and a Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ellis has already made her mark as both an entrepreneur and a changemaker in her hometown of Gary, Indiana.

At Purdue, Ellis built a strong foundation in leadership and service. She served as vice president of the Minority Technology Association, joined Boilers in Action to lead student volunteer projects, and served as a Polytechnic Institute ambassador. Later in her college career, she focused on experiences that fueled her creativity and sense of belonging. She joined Jahari, Purdue’s dance troupe at the Black Cultural Center, and helped organize resume and networking events to support her peers.

Throughout her time on campus, Ellis learned to adapt to change and persevere through challenges, skills that would become central to her entrepreneurial journey. Those experiences also deepened her connection with her roommate and best friend, Faith Spencer, who would join Ellis later as a co-founder.

After graduation, Ellis and her business partners launched IronWorkz, a nonprofit business incubator based in Gary. The organization is dedicated to bridging resource and knowledge gaps for local entrepreneurs and revitalizing economic opportunity in Northwest Indiana. The name pays tribute to the region’s steel mills, which brought generations of families, including Ellis’s own, to Gary. “The steel mills were a beacon of hope for this area,” she said. “IronWorkz is about carrying that forward, becoming a new beacon for business growth and opportunity.”

Within three years, IronWorkz hosted Northwest Indiana’s inaugural entrepreneurial conference, supported by a grant from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. The event brought together founders, innovators, and community leaders from across the country, offering local entrepreneurs access to the resources and connections that can transform ideas into thriving ventures.

Ellis is also pursuing her passion for real estate through No Limit Living, a growing investment firm focused on community-based development. Rather than follow a traditional corporate path after graduation, she chose to dedicate her first year entirely to entrepreneurship, a decision that has already begun to yield results.

Ellis credits Purdue’s Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation for helping her think strategically and sustainably about business growth. “I’m constantly revisiting concepts like mission, vision, customer discovery, and business model canvases,” she said. “Those lessons continue to guide how I build and teach entrepreneurship today.”

Her advice for current students reflects her own journey: “When you get a vision, write it down. Even if it’s not time yet, hold on to it. When the timing is right, go after it relentlessly. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, and trust yourself enough to take the leap.”

Through IronWorkz and No Limit Living, Ellis is doing just that, turning vision into impact and helping to shape the next generation of entrepreneurs in her hometown.