Concept to Creation

How the SPARK Program Launches Women in Business

Last summer, 25 women stepped into a college classroom; for many it was the first time in years. One was a farmer, one a photographer, another an artist. On that Tuesday evening in August, others joined, each for different reasons and all from different backgrounds. No one knew each other—and no one felt confident. But they all had an idea for a business. 

That week, and for the 13 weeks that followed, they gathered as the latest cohort of the SPARK Program, an entrepreneurship class coordinated by Saint Mary’s for the women of the communities around the College. 

​​Since August 2011, 260 women have completed the program, equipped with the skills needed to launch a small business. Over 90 businesses have been successfully launched by SPARK graduates, including bakeries, a bookstore, a children’s museum, a non-profit focusing on neighborhood revitalization, growers, even a manufacturer of award-winning hot sauce. Through a series of facilitators, mentors, class coordinators, and sponsors, Saint Mary’s has created a legion of successful entrepreneurs within our community. 

This past year, the program was conducted online due to the pandemic, allowing women from beyond the region to participate for the first time, including a business owner from Africa. 

According to program leaders, SPARK is focused on helping its students create a corporate identity and business plan, implement marketing strategies and promotional materials, and learn skills in time management, bookkeeping, obtaining a business loan, and general success strategies.

Modeled after a San Francisco non-profit called the Women’s Initiative, SPARK’s mission is “to cultivate an entrepreneurial capacity in women. . .to advance them beyond socio-economic boundaries and achieve self sufficiency.” This happens not only through education and business training, but also through ongoing professional mentoring. Established business owners in the region lead the SPARK classes and, as mentors, continue to teach best practices to the budding entrepreneurs.

Paula Sours is the lead facilitator of the program, and also a SPARK graduate. She describes her own lack of confidence as she entered the workforce, something she sees as a common thread among participants. In her case, Sours turned to SPARK soon after launching her own company. 

“There are countless stories of women who thought they could never do it, but here they learn it’s possible,” Sours said. “The camaraderie is so great between participants.” Sours said the classes meet twice a week and provide lectures and learning, but also time for classmates to become each others’ support system.

Kathy Burnette is the owner of Brain Lair Book in South Bend, Indiana, and a 2017 graduate of the program. She initially joined SPARK seeking community, having heard so much about this camaraderie. A self-proclaimed introvert, Burnette hoped to discover a great network of like-minded women. “I also wanted to open my business,” she said with a smile. “I had been talking about opening a bookstore, so this would help get me there, and let me take steps to actually do it.”

Burnette talked about the power of visualization in her decision to finally open her business. 

“I didn’t believe in this, not really, until I went through SPARK. I saw the power of reminding yourself what you want to do, and taking a step each day.”

Sours says the SPARK program is for any woman, at any stage of her life. She credits Saint Mary’s for recognizing that education is never-ending, as the women who come through the program range from their early 20s to those well into middle age and beyond. 

Susan Luczek Greutman is a 2003 alumna of Saint Mary’s College, and was among the 2021 SPARK cohort. “Saint Mary’s has brought me so much fulfillment as a woman. (As an undergraduate) I started college at Saint Mary’s feeling insecure, and left with a feeling of ‘Yes! I can do this!’ I learned the value of self. I’ve taken this with me my whole life, using it whenever I need to reevaluate something,” Greutman said. 

She and her husband, Ryan, set out to establish an urban homestead in South Bend to help educate their homeschooled children. As the farm began to support them nutritionally—and financially—Greutman turned to SPARK to help in areas of business in which she’s not naturally strong—for example, profit/loss statements, her break-even point, or the breadth of insurance options. Now she knows exactly what they are. 

“It’s a little overwhelming at times, the things you don’t know. Even those of us who’ve been in business for a couple of years have a lot to learn. (Through the program) we can be vulnerable and admit things to each other that we might not say otherwise, and grow together,” she said.

She highly recommends it. As a homeschooling mom to eight children, ranging in age from 17 years to 20 months, and running a business that’s meant to support her family fully, Greutman said the SPARK Program was worth every moment. †