Sarah Fechter Fitness opens in Saginaw Township - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(10/17/12) - We've heard it repeatedly in presidential campaign ads and debates - small business drives the U.S. economy.

One such business just opened up in Saginaw Township.

As a once vacant building catches the eye of motorists, people inside are having trouble catching their breath.

Have you ever thought about starting your own business? Here's how Sarah Fechter did it.

The pictures in the windows are meant to get your attention, and draw you inside the world of Sarah Fechter Fitness.

"She really motivates people, and she makes you feel good about yourself and makes you want to do better," said Rachelle Copus, of Saginaw Township.

Fechter wanted to do better when she saw pictures of herself.

"I played sports in high school and I was very active, and I couldn't keep my weight in check," she said.

The Carrollton High School graduate was going to Saginaw Valley State University 12 years ago when her life changed.

"I went through a lot of emotional tragedy. I lost my mom, and I needed something positive to focus on and exercise was it. So I started, 20 minutes, and I almost died," Fechter said.

Fechter soon began to teach her own classes and started to think about her own fitness business.

"My first job, I was cleaning machines at a gym," she said.

Twelve years later, she runs her own fitness workout center, and through the years has developed a following that numbers several hundred.

"This TRX class is awesome," said Martha Lisik of Saginaw Township. "She empowers people to be their best."

"She is such an exceptional trainer," said Jennifer Tesoro of Sarah Fechter Fitness.

Tesoro is one of nine employees at the new business, that has turned into a bit of a fitness craze.

"If you see all the SFF stickers on the cars, for sure," Tesoro said.

Fechter says it was tough getting a business like this started.

"Definitely, but it's a learning experience, but when I look at the big picture, it's been smooth and I can't complain," she said.

Sarah Fechter Fitness is open seven days a week.