Client Corner

This client was featured in September 2002. The information in this profile was accurate at the time of writing. Please contact us if you believe something should be changed.

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Sara Sheets, Artist
Independence, Iowa

Teachers are an interesting group of people. They tend to pursue two loves: their love of teaching, coupled with a passion for the subject they teach. For many teachers, this joint path is fulfilling-for Sara Sheets of Independence, it has never been quite enough.

When she came to the Small Business Development Center at the UNI Regional Business Center in 2000, Sara enrolled in the nationally acclaimed Fast Trac Entrepreneurship training program. Her greatest challenge was not crafting the business plan, learning to read spreadsheets or conducting research-after all she was a teacher! It was deciding what form of art entrepreneurship to pursue that presented the greatest challenge to Sara. Over the years she had thought about opening a public art studio or perhaps creating an art gallery. At other times, she thought about teaching classes to children through a summer camp program.

Sara diligently researched option after option, hoping to find a mix of art and employment, which could support both her passion and her pocketbook. Finally, early in 2001, Sara decided to hand-decorate children's furniture, building a clientele through regional art shows, while keeping her teaching position at the East Buchanan Community Schools in Winthrop.

For Sara, 'growing into' entrepreneurshipwas the right approach. Today, she continues to guide her students by day,but at night the demand for nursery furnishings andchild-sized accessories offers an outlet for her creativity- and promises to lead to another career down the road. Sara has learned that entrepreneurship, unlike many careers, provides great flexibility, and even greater rewards to those who take the time to learn the craft with the diligence of ateacher.

Sara's work can be found by contacting her at 319-334-7228 for a schedule of her upcoming shows