Hi Cassandra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Cassandra Sparks, a motivational speaking and coaching company, is a 17-year dream come true because of three bold choices that changed the course of my life!

I have had a love affair with public speaking since high school. That may not be a commonly shared experience with folks during their high school years, and I am proud of my enduring love of public speaking. In high school, I was encouraged to go to college to teach children, allowing me to speak publicly in a classroom daily. Halfway through my undergraduate college experience at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oneonta, I made the first bold choice to change my major from Childhood Education to Communication Studies. To this day, this bold move is still one of the best decisions I have made in my life.

As a Communication Studies major, I found my tribe; I was thrilled to be surrounded by others who matched my excitement about communication! I thirsted to learn more about communication, so earning my Master’s in Human Communication from Texas State University was a no-brainer. While nerding out about communication with my fellow graduate students, I was also a teaching assistant and shared my love of communication with undergraduate students.

After completing a graduate program in Texas, I moved back to Upstate New York and worked in higher education at my undergraduate alma mater for 10 years. I served as an adjunct professor of Communication Studies, an admissions counselor, and a career coach. After ten years of teaching, inspiring, and motivating college students, I made the second boldest decision of my life:  to leave my stable and comfortable state job where I had benefits, permanency, and consistent paychecks and shift into the least dependable industry — real estate. My business partner and I built a very successful real estate business; our real estate team grew, and we doubled our sales production year over year.

Though our real estate business was thriving, I could not deny the shouting voice about my life’s calling – my dream since 2005 – to be a motivational speaker and a coach. Cassandra Sparks is centered on the premise of living boldly and living authentically. I live boldly and authentically; I am walking the walk and talking the talk. In the third boldest decision of my life, I moved to Charleston to build my business and connect with folks here to help them overcome limiting beliefs, build new empowering beliefs, and make bold moves unique to them so they can live authentically.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to realizing Cassandra Sparks has been long and winding. In essence, it took me over 17 years to get here. In the 18 months before I moved to Charleston, the decisions I made were with one goal in mind:  to move to a city with diversity, culture, opportunity, and warm weather. Like the other bold choices in my life, moving was not easy. I walked away from a kind and supportive spouse, a successful real estate business, and loving family & friends and came to a new city all by myself. Within two weeks of moving, I was hired for a leadership position at a luxury hotel in Charleston, which nicely complements my work as Cassandra Sparks. There were peaks and valleys throughout the last year and a half, and despite the tremendously difficult times, I am sure I am supposed to be in Charleston. The struggles were worthwhile because Charleston is amazing and I am inspired by the history, architecture, and beauty that surrounds me. I am happy here and know that Cassandra Sparks will thrive here.

Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your business.
Cassandra Sparks is a motivational speaking and coaching company driven by empathy as its guiding principle. I believe, and I have seen firsthand countless times, that folks thrive when they feel seen, valued, and heard. Through motivational talks to groups of all sizes and 1-1 coaching sessions, I empower folks to make uniquely bold choices so they can live authentically.

Cassandra Sparks is equal parts sassy, strong, and positive. My approach is also deeply rooted in reality; I do not believe life is always filled with puppies and rainbows. We must shine a light on and honor the darker times to emerge into consistently brighter days.

Please talk to us about happiness and what makes you happy.
Many things and experiences bring me joy! Pizza, pickles, and dark chocolate make me happy because these have been my favorite foods for decades. Running, swimming, and lifting weights make me happy because I believe strength is sexy and working out is essential for my health & well-being. Red lipstick makes me happy because it symbolizes strength, femininity, and power. Having intellectual conversations makes me happy because I like to nerd out with other people and learn new things. Public speaking makes me happy because I am inspired by the idea of connecting with others and knowing my message resonates with an audience.