Sometimes the most unexpected paths lead to the greatest success stories. Sarah Frank's life is proof that hitting rock bottom can become the foundation for building something remarkable. Today, as the owner and senior consultant of Primera Consulting Ltd., Sarah helps small businesses across Canada navigate complex health and safety Legislation. But her journey to this point was far from conventional.
Growing up in rural Alberta, Sarah admits she was quite a troublemaker. She pushed boundaries with her parents and teachers, often in ways that weren't particularly positive. Her rebellious nature eventually led to a breaking point when she was just 16 years old. After her parents reached their limit, Sarah found herself homeless and unwilling to return home.
The turning point came at a bus stop when a stranger gave her enough money to catch a bus. That simple act of kindness marked the moment Sarah realized she had hit rock bottom. Sometimes, she reflects, “you need to reach the absolute lowest point to recognize where you truly are and find the motivation to climb back up.”
Sarah's parents eventually welcomed her back home, but her challenges weren't over. She had never graduated high school, which meant waiting until she was 21 to attend university as a mature student. During those years, she worked various jobs while rebuilding her life and figuring out her direction.
When asked what kept her motivated during those difficult times, Sarah pauses thoughtfully. She describes having an internal motor that constantly pushes her forward. Every time she reaches a goal, instead of feeling satisfied, something inside drives her to aim even higher. This relentless inner drive helped her recognize that homelessness wasn't the life she wanted or deserved.
Sarah's father helped her land a job in accounting, where she handled payroll and accounts payable. Despite being terrible at math, she somehow ended up in the role. Each day felt miserable as she wondered if this mundane routine was really what people did for the rest of their lives. Still, what felt like the wrong fit ended up leading her to discover her true calling.
The organization employed five truckers who were about to lose their ability to transport goods across borders due to safety compliance issues. Recognizing Sarah's talent for reading legislation, they asked her to fix the problem. She completely revamped their safety program, transforming the company from nearly losing their Safety Fitness Certificate to becoming compliant in Canada with the ability to transport goods across provinces and into the United States.
This success revealed Sarah's natural abilities in policy development and working with employees to influence change. The organization then asked her to improve their overall safety program, which became the starting point of her career in occupational health and safety.
When Sarah transitioned to the role of operations coordinator, she discovered something amazing. Unlike the accounting work that felt meaningless, this new position brought joy to life. She found herself working in a field she didn't even know existed. No child dreams of managing fleet safety or working in health and safety when they grow up, but for Sarah, it felt like finding the perfect puzzle piece.
Everything suddenly had meaning. One mistake could result in losing the ability to transport goods or, worse, someone could die on the roads. All the moving pieces, legislation, and serious responsibilities fit together perfectly. Sarah realized this was what she was meant to do, even though she never knew a career like this existed. She spent years continuing her education and gaining experience. Eventually, she hit a glass ceiling and decided to expand her expertise elsewhere.
In 2023, Sarah opened Primera Consulting with a specific mission: supporting small organizations that lack the capacity to hire full-time health and safety professionals. She observed that numerous small to medium-sized businesses had limited access to professional health and safety advice and services. This realization, driven by deep empathy for those in need, prompted the establishment of Primera.
Sarah's approach differs significantly from traditional consulting. Instead of providing clients with massive, unreadable safety manuals, she focuses on creating functional, living documents tailored to each business's specific operations. If something doesn't work, clients can return to her for adjustments without any hard feelings. The goal is to make safety enjoyable and usable rather than something people dread.
Her business model treats clients as part of the team. Primera's team attends company barbecues, holiday parties, and summer events. If an employee has a safety concern in the middle of the night, they can text Sarah directly. She functions as their in-house safety professional on a part-time or fractional basis, perfect for businesses not yet ready for full-time staff.
This personal approach has resulted in a 100% client retention rate since opening in 2023. All of Primera's clients have around 50 employees or less, filling a crucial gap in the market. The cost-effectiveness is compelling: while full-time health and safety professionals in Canada earn between $50,000 and $200,000 annually (typically $80,000-$120,000 for qualified individuals), plus an additional 20% for benefits and taxes, Sarah offers the same expertise and quality on a fractional basis.
Sarah's vision extends beyond individual client relationships. She's currently developing affordable software and a learning management system for small businesses. While major players charge astronomical fees that small businesses cannot afford, Sarah's solution costs approximately $1,800 annually for current clients, with slightly higher rates for external small businesses.
The future looks bright for Primera Consulting. Sarah recently began working with a client expanding to Texas, which means learning OSHA regulations alongside her extensive knowledge of Canadian provincial laws. Each Canadian province has different legislation for occupational health and safety, fleet management, environmental regulations, and workers' compensation. Sarah finds this complexity fascinating and exciting, though she jokes about her inability to perform simple math despite memorizing countless regulations.
When asked what advice she'd give to women feeling stuck or unsure where to start, Sarah's response is straightforward: don't give up. She recalls nights of crying over lack of clients or mounting debt, wondering how she'd ever pay back her loans. Her message is clear: if you believe in your business idea and its potential to make a difference, keep pushing forward.
Today, Sarah represents the power of transformation. From a troubled teenager who once found herself homeless to a successful business owner helping small companies across Canada stay safe and compliant, her story shows that our lowest moments can become the foundation for our greatest achievements. Through Primera Consulting, she continues to bridge the gap between complex legislation and practical business needs, proving that sometimes the most meaningful careers are the ones we never knew existed.
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