It was 2019 when Rosemary Martinez opened Power Nutrition, a nutrition club in Portage. The mother of three wanted a career that would allow her to spend more time with her kids. That led her to owning Power Nutrition and additionally Ultimate Nutrition in Valparaiso.
Before Power Nutrition, Martinez and her kids lived in Australia for four years, where she worked as a hotel manager for Sheraton Hotels and Resorts. She came back to the United States looking for a new path.
“I wanted to have a career where I could spend more time with my kids, and I was into fitness and health. I had a friend of mine who used to go to a nutrition club in Dyer, and she convinced me to open one,” Martinez said.
After having her third child, Martinez was ready to get back to work, but she needed flexibility in her schedule so that she could be there if her kids got sick. Martinez took the leap of faith to open her own business, and she says that it is the greatest decision she has ever made. It has permitted her to be able to provide for her children. She also found a great location to open her club.
“It was like the location was perfect. We're right in front of Kohl's, and it is central to everything. The commute for me also wasn't that far,” Martinez said. “The community in Portage was so welcoming and inviting, and I've made some of the greatest friends that have become almost family to me. All my employees are fantastic and we love them dearly. It is a really great community.”
Community is important to Martinez. Her husband, Santana, was a firefighter, so the fire department has a special place in her heart. They try to give back to the community whether it is for police, firefighters or teachers, among others.
“They keep our communities safe. They protect us. They educate our children and keep us from being sick. They do so much for our community, and it's the least that we can do for them,” Martinez said.
Giving back is not something Martinez does only for those who serve but for the whole community. It is also another reason she opened up Power Nutrition.
“I know that living a healthy lifestyle can get expensive,” Martinez said. “Moms, dads, high schoolers – they are all busy. They all have stuff to do, so I want to be able to give something to people, that's a healthy, quick, easy, and affordable option for them.”
Outside of Power Nutrition, Martinez enjoys watching her kids’ sporting events. She is often consumed by being a mother, but she enjoys getting to do her work.
“My hobby is my work. I never expected my business would be as successful as it is,” Martinez said. “I never thought that I would love it as much as I do. It was like my niche. I fell into it, and I have met so many great people that it's like my second home.”