Emme Hughes was born in Enid, Oklahoma, and she attended St. Joe’s Catholic School before transferring to Chisholm High School, which is where she graduated from in 2020. She has lived in Enid her whole life, and she has a very close family, which includes her two dogs who are like children to her. She’s the owner and operator of EH Metal Works, and she started it right out of high school. Her Grandpa, Ted Shepard, owned many fabricating and welding businesses throughout his entrepreneurial career, and Emme spent a lot of time hanging out with her Papa at his shop. Her time with her Papa ended up shaping her career choice.
Emme is currently involved with the Junior Welfare League, Enid AM Too AMBUCS, and Enid Women in Business. As the owner of EH Metal Works, she has worked on many projects and with many entrepreneurs in Enid. For example, the Walking Trail here in Enid has metal art displayed along the trail that allows for seating and reading, and that was orchestrated by Emme. But that’s not all, she has also designed signs for businesses, large decorative fences, fountains, equipment for local restaurants, and more. Her Mom, Angie, states, “Emme lives in the best of both worlds. She can shop and dress up and then run to the shop and put the welding helmet on all while wearing lipstick. Some call her a modern day ‘Rosie the Riveter.’” She continues with, “If she hasn’t done it before, she will figure it out one way or another, which is something she also learned from her beloved Papa.”
Emme is a local legend for many different reasons. For one, she is a young female in a male dominated industry, and she joined that industry right out of high school. Her Mom states, “Emme stands out because everything she does is out of the ordinary, and she is always true to herself.” Emme is focused, driven, charitable, and kind, and she continues to thrive in a male dominated industry despite all of the obstacles. At the age of 22, she has already made her mark in the community, and for that, in addition to the many other things she does and is, she is truly a Local Legend.
