Unique Solutions

Unique Solutions is a market-leading technology company specializing in the development and commercialization of advanced body measurement technologies. The company’s proprietary technology yields personalized data and body measurement information that readily translates into customized products and services. This provides added value to several multi-billion dollar growth markets including weight control, corporate wellness, total fitness and customized apparel. The company’s vision is to have people around the world live healthier, happier and more productive lives.

As the leading experts in fit, Unique has provided innovative custom-fit solutions and technologies to people of all shapes and sizes since 1994. In addition to body measurement technology expertise, Unique is also the world’s largest custom-fit pattern company and holds the largest and most comprehensive database of women’s measurements.

A Unique History

While working in a successful sewing business, Unique President and CEO Tanya Shaw Weeks noticed that more and more women came to her looking for patterns drafted specifically to their measurements that they could sew themselves. She kept thinking to herself, “Why aren’t these women buying commercial patterns and sewing from them?” The main reason became apparent; the fit wasn’t right and women were tired of altering and re-altering the commercial patterns.

Tanya founded Unique in 1994 with a vision that would revolutionize the sewing and apparel industry: providing custom-fit patterns drafted specifically to an individual’s measurements. Body measurement data was initially captured by individuals taking their own measurements with a tape measure. While this method was an effective way to capture the required information for custom-fit patterns, it was determined that more accurate information would be captured by developing the right technology. The Bodyscanner was developed and launched in 2002 and has since scanned thousands of individuals across North America.

Today, Unique’s portfolio of complementary products and services has expanded to include the company’s body measurement and data expertise. This expertise positions Unique to be a leader not only in women’s fit but also body measurements and body data in a number of industries including health and wellness, fitness and weight management and apparel.

With obesity currently considered a pandemic in the United States, Unique is in an advantageous position with its solutions. Body measurements and body data are the leading indicators of many major diseases related to obesity. By providing the Bodyscanner to its clients, Unique offers people the ability to assess their body measurement data and track it over time as they attempt to fight obesity and strive for optimum health.

Management

Our management team has a wealth of hands-on business experience. These individuals have provided executive management or corporate consulting expertise to leading companies throughout the world.

Tanya Shaw Weeks

President and CEO

As Unique's founder, Tanya has spent her career providing strategic solutions to address many aspects of individuality and fit. Her technically savvy nature and sharp business acumen have resulted in the development of numerous products and applications that provide solutions related to body measurements and body data. Leveraging her experience in the custom apparel industry, Tanya has positioned Unique for dramatic growth through multiple market applications of its body scanning, measurement technology, and related customized products.

Tanya has been actively involved with a number of boards; in addition, she also offers her time to work with community organizations at a local level. Tanya has won numerous regional and national awards for innovation and technology and is considered one of Canada’s leading women entrepreneurs.

2006 – Manning Innovation Awards Nominee
2005 - Junior Chamber International Outstanding Young Canadians Award
2004 - Canadian Progress Club Progress Women of Excellence Award - Entrepreneur/Innovator
2003 - Top 40 Under 40 Award
2000 - Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year, Atlantic/Emerging Category

Sheri McKillop

Chief Operating Officer

Since joining the company in 1996, Sheri has been integral to the development of Unique’s proprietary CAD software for pattern automation, both versions of Unique's Bodyscanner™, and the expansion and automation of Unique Patterns’ production systems. In addition, she has developed and executed Unique's Certified Unique Educator (CUE) Program, which optimizes custom fit through teaching proper garment construction.

Sheri is a featured speaker, presenter, and columnist, lending her garment construction authority to Maritime Noon on CBC Radio, television shows America Sews and Creative Living, and a sewing column, In Stitches. Before joining Unique, she founded and operated her own company and school in fashion design and garment construction. Sheri is also involved with Skills Canada as part of the National Technical Committee and with Entrepreneurs' Forum.

Dr. Kent Worsnop

Chief Technical Officer

Kent has been with Unique since 1999; his technical development skills and business sense have been instrumental in the company's growth. He oversees all technical operations of the company, including product development, research, IT systems and infrastructure. He has been integral in developing Unique's Bodyscanner™, proprietary CAD software, pattern automation, and measurement extraction.

Prior to joining Unique, Kent obtained his PhD in theoretical and computational chemistry from Dalhousie University where he also worked as the system administrator for the department’s various research computers and garnered awards for teaching assistance. His technical expertise has been cultivated through his published research in the areas of coding and his use of scientific programs.

Terri Ghio

Sr. Vice President, Sales & Marketing

As a proven "rainmaker" with a background in building businesses, Terri is a bottom line oriented person. Experienced high level, success driven management professional with over 20 years of proven leadership. Strengths include: passionate motivational abilities, "feet on the street" ability to close the deal, exceptional people skills, and out of the box thinking required to exceed both financial and personal goals. Terri is experienced in both domestic and International business.

Terri has a track record in developing markets and building teams:

As VP Sales for leading software supplier to Retail companies www.nsbgroup.com (formerly STS Systems) selling systems to Gymboree, Barney’s, Liz Claiborne, La Senza, Donna Karan and over 100 other top retailers
Worked with www.fashionmall.com and over 35 other tech start-ups in the early days of the internet age including www.cosmocom.com and www.itemfield.com
Played a key role in the IPO of Level 8 Systems (NASDAQ:LVEL)
As CEO of Retail Wisdom signed a worldwide contract with www.lvmh.com to automate their International Point of Sale and Customer Service systems
As CEO and investor of www.shortcuts.net brought the Australian based software supplier to the Hair and Beauty industry into the United States and raised the capital necessary to allow for global expansion
As Executive VP of leading edge dental technology company was instrumental in selling the company to www.dentsply.com