Discover how Theresa Stec is revolutionizing urban excavation technology, inspiring the next generation of women in male-dominated industries, and finding the feedback and perspectives she needed to grow as a leader through TEC Canada.
Theresa Stec’s journey from schoolteacher to founder and CEO of SmartVac™ Hydrovacs is anything but ordinary.
The Making of a True Entrepreneur
The Making of a True Entrepreneur
Theresa Stec’s entrepreneurial journey didn’t begin in a boardroom or with an MBA. It began in a classroom, where she thrived as a schoolteacher, finding joy in shaping young minds. However, deep down, she longed for more independence—a way to build something lasting for her family. When the opportunity arose, Theresa and her husband decided to invest their life savings in a car wash and gas station in Sylvan Lake, Alberta.
The early entrepreneurial lessons that followed were hard-won. “There’s no margin in gas sales, and every fuel delivery felt like a financial tightrope,” she recalls. “I had to learn fast—how to manage money, pivot when things went sideways, and deal with people who underestimated me.”
Her next venture, a trucking company she launched in 2003, was where she began to prove her resilience and vision. Despite finding success in oil and gas servicing, she noticed a gap in the market for excavation solutions designed specifically for urban environments. This realization became the foundation for SmartVac™ Hydrovacs, which started as her MBA project in 2014.
Built to handle tight urban spaces while maintaining exceptional performance, SmartVac™ trucks are known for their innovative modular design, making them easy to ship, assemble, and scale globally. The single-axle model offers the largest legal debris payload in its class while being lighter and more powerful than competitors.
“It’s not just about the technology,” Stec explains. “It’s about solving real problems—faster digging, higher payloads, and lower costs, all while meeting strict safety and road-legal standards.”
As a TEC Canada member, Theresa credits the guidance and support of her TEC Chair, Ralph Hesje, and peer advisory group for sharpening her strategic vision and navigating the complexities of scaling SmartVac™.
“As a CEO, you’re in a bubble. Everyone around you says, ‘Yes, yes, ma’am.’ What you really need is someone to challenge your thinking. That's why the candid advice from my TEC Chair, Ralph Hesje, has become invaluable. He’s not afraid to tell me when something isn’t a good idea.”
“As a CEO, you’re in a bubble. Everyone around you says, ‘Yes, yes, ma’am.’ What you really need is someone to challenge your thinking. That’s why the candid advice from my TEC Chair, Ralph Hesje, has become invaluable. He’s not afraid to tell me when something isn’t a good idea.”
Breaking Into International Markets
Breaking Into International Markets
Theresa Stec’s vision for SmartVac™ extended far beyond Canadian borders. Her first step into the international market came in 2017 when a businessman from China ordered two units. Despite the challenges of exporting a niche Canadian product, Stec’s modular design made the trucks easy to ship and assemble overseas.
“It was like assembling Lego,” she says with a smile. “We shipped the components in containers, partnered with a local team to integrate the trucks onto Chinese chassis, and had a working truck in seven days.”
SmartVac™ became the first hydrovac truck to pass China’s rigorous homologation process for road-legal vehicles. “It was a milestone moment,” Stec reflects.
“Breaking into a market like China wasn’t just a win for us—it proved that Canadian innovation can compete on the global stage.”
Although COVID-19 temporarily slowed international expansion, Stec remains optimistic about opportunities in Europe and Asia. “The groundwork is there,” she says. “We’re ready to revisit those markets when the time is right.”
Fighting for Respect in Male-Dominated Spaces
Fighting for Respect in Male-Dominated Spaces
Theresa Stec’s journey as an entrepreneur hasn’t been without its challenges, particularly in breaking through the barriers of male-dominated industries. Early in her career, she faced skepticism so blatant that clients refused to take her seriously if they knew she owned the business. “I had to use my husband’s business card just to get meetings,” she recalls. “If they thought I was the owner, they wouldn’t even talk to me.”
Although progress has been made and attitudes have shifted, Stec’s determination to rise above these biases has remained unwavering. Rather than letting these experiences hold her back, she has transformed them into powerful lessons for the next generation of women in business.
“We walk into a room full of men and feel like we have to justify our presence. You’re there because you’ve done something significant—own it. Don’t apologize for being exactly where you deserve to be.”
“We walk into a room full of men and feel like we have to justify our presence. You’re there because you’ve done something significant—own it. Don’t apologize for being exactly where you deserve to be.”
Finding Strength in Community
Finding Strength in Community
Even with her resilience and track record as a successful three-time start-up founder, Stec admits that leadership can often feel isolating. “As a CEO, you’re in a bubble,” she explains. “Everyone around you says, ‘Yes, great idea.’ What you really need is someone to challenge your thinking.”
That’s where TEC Canada entered the picture. Introduced to the organization by TEC Chair Ralph Hesje, Stec joined a peer advisory group that became a cornerstone of her growth as a leader.
“I had heard of TEC Canada even before doing my MBA,” she recalls. “When Ralph invited me to join his group, I wasn’t sure if it was the right fit, but from the first meeting, I knew it was something special.”
Ralph’s candid advice became invaluable. “He’s not afraid to tell me when something isn’t a good idea,” she says. “That kind of honesty is rare, and it’s exactly what leaders need.”
Her TEC peer group also provided a network of like-minded leaders who helped her navigate complex decisions. “Hearing how other CEOs tackle challenges opens your mind to new perspectives,” she says. “It’s like having an advisory board you could never assemble on your own.”
“If you’re serious about growing your business and developing as a leader, TEC Canada is worth every penny. The return on investment is significant—not just financially, but in the way it transforms your mindset.”
A Dragon’s Den Triumph
A Dragon’s Den Triumph
Stec’s willingness to embrace risk was on full display when she applied to Dragon’s Den. “It was a whim,” she admits. “I was watching a hockey game, saw the application, and thought, why not?”
Her pitch emphasized SmartVac™’s ability to meet the most demanding urban excavation conditions while remaining cost-effective and globally scalable. Wes Hall, recognizing both the product’s potential and Stec’s leadership, extended an offer.
“It was one of those moments you don’t forget,” Stec says. “Wes’s offer validated everything I’ve worked for and created an opportunity for my son to step into a leadership role.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Inspiring the Next Generation
At 60, Theresa Stec is focused on her legacy—not just as a businesswoman, but as a mentor. “I’d love to teach again,” she says. “I want to help young women find their footing in male-dominated industries. They need to know they belong in the room.”
She’s also open to becoming a TEC Chair herself, mentoring startups and female entrepreneurs. “There’s so much energy in helping someone take their first steps,” she says. “It’s exciting to see something small grow into something significant.”
A Legacy of Leadership
A Legacy of Leadership
Theresa Stec’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and community. From her early ventures in Alberta to the international success of SmartVac™, she has continually embraced growth and new opportunities.
“For me, the journey has always been about building something that matters,” she says. “Whether it’s a business, a product, or the confidence of someone just starting out, it’s about creating something meaningful.”
Her experience with TEC Canada remains a key part of that journey. “TEC helped me think bigger and more strategically,” she says. “It gave me a network of people who push me to be better.”
As Stec looks to the future, her focus is clear: empowering others to innovate, grow, and lead. Her story is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about going it alone—it’s about surrounding yourself with the right people, asking the right questions, and having the courage to keep building.
