Influential Woman · Firefighting and Apparel Design for First Responders
Isabel R. Banks
Founder, WildHer Unlimited
Houston, TX 77009
Her Story
About Isabel
Isabel R. Banks is a firefighter with the Houston Fire Department and the founder of WildHer Unlimited, a company producing patented apparel designed for first responders and other professionals in physically demanding fields. Over more than a decade of service in Houston, she has built expertise in firefighting, emergency medical care, and crisis response, working out of one of the department's busiest stations. Her firsthand experience in the field, combined with her entrepreneurial drive, led her to identify and address a longstanding gap in protective workwear for women in uniformed professions.
That gap became the foundation of WildHer Unlimited, which Banks launched after witnessing colleagues and friends struggle with ill-fitting maternity uniforms while serving in fire service, law enforcement, and EMS. Partnering with an all-female design and development team, she created a patent-pending maternity and postpartum uniform pant featuring integrated back and belly support, engineered to be supportive, professional, and regulation-compliant for active women in uniform. The product reflects her broader mission of closing gaps in workplace gear and delivering inclusive, mission-ready solutions for those who serve.
Banks holds an associate degree in fire science and fire-fighting from Delgado Community College and is currently completing a bachelor's degree in disaster management and emergency planning. She credits her achievements to an unwavering persistence and a refusal to quit in the face of setbacks, and she places high value on loyalty and uplifting other women navigating male-dominated industries. Through both her firefighting career and her work at WildHer Unlimited, she continues to advocate for equipment and opportunities that reflect the evolving role of women in demanding, physically intensive professions.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Isabel
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to persistence. I simply don't know when to quit, and that determination to keep pushing forward through challenges, setbacks, and trial and error has carried me through every stage of my journey.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've ever received is to keep going. When you have an idea that's already creating positive change, you can't let naysayers or setbacks pull you off course. As a woman working primarily alongside men and building something entrepreneurial, I've learned through trial and error to trust my vision, keep moving forward, and lean on the knowledgeable people around me, both within my department and throughout the business community.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women not to let society's expectations dictate what they're supposed to do. Pursue the careers and opportunities you genuinely want, rather than allowing traditional assumptions about women to define your path.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I've faced as a woman in the fire service is that gear and protective clothing have traditionally been designed for men's bodies. Poorly fitting equipment can affect comfort and how the body moves while performing physically demanding work. At the same time, I'm encouraged by the changes taking place in the industry, as more companies begin developing gear specifically designed for women, reflecting our growing presence in the profession.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Loyalty and supporting other women are the values that matter most to me. Loyalty has shaped both my professional and entrepreneurial journey, and working in a male-dominated field has only deepened my commitment to lifting up other women. In turn, the women around me have offered guidance, encouragement, and support whenever I've faced obstacles.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.