Sara Hutniak

Sweatmarks

"Life is too short to be this unhappy when you're only 27 years old." That's what Sara Hutniak used to think when she went to her job each day. "I'm usually an energetic person but the job I had was draining me. I had given some thought to becoming a personal trainer but didn't know where to start."

Fortunately, Sara's route to work often took her by the Women's Enterprise Centre. One day, on a whim, she stopped in to take a look.

As luck would have it, the employees at the WEC had been talking about pooling their personal resources and hiring a trainer to help them get in better shape. When Sara walked in that day, it was a match made in heaven.

"The WEC employees became my first client even before I started my business full-time. This connection fuelled the fire and I began taking educational sessions in the evening on how to start and market a business.

In January 2008, Sara made the decision to quit her full-time job and launch Sweatmarks. "I'm so happy I made that choice. It's been empowering and I like knowing that the failures and successes are mine and are based on what I put into the business."

Her connection to the WEC continues as well. Says Sara, "They've been an enormous resource - both as clients and whenever I need information like ideas for market research or a different approach to public relations. It's so easy to make an appointment and talk about ideas."

Referrals became the primary source of new clients for Sara who says she is now ready to finalize her business plan. "I am working on creating a clearer game plan of how I want this to grow and where I want to focus my energy. I can't wait to see what this new year brings for me!"

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