We recently connected with Teresa Willis and have shared our conversation below.
Teresa, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Thankfully, I had a really good mom who taught me to love myself. My mother is so accepting of everything I am and loves me unconditionally. Of course there were consequences for bad behavior but it was about behavior not who I was or whether I deserved love. I also have a big personality and some of it was my personality to be big and bold.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I have had multiple careers in my life. In 2018, I lost my job and had to reinvent myself again.
This time, I decided to focus on the travel industry so that my work was aligned with my goals for retirement.
There have been 2 main themes throughout my life and my career, feminism and community organizing. Starting a business in the travel industry was no different. I have found ways to include my feminism and natural tendency to build community.
In 2018, I launched Sparkle Adventures. Since then it has taken new turns and is now Sparkle Travel & RV Services.
As I explored the travel industry, my first thought was to offer US travel planning since I had been planning my family’s adventures all my life. I joined a few women’s travel and camping groups. Early on one of these groups asked if anyone could teach women to back up their RV trailers and that is what led to what I do now.
It was so fun teaching women skills they needed to be able to go on solo adventures! I thought this could be a business!
And then I met 2 women who are RV inspectors. So I got trained and added that to my business. I now offer a full range of RV services to my customers (both women and men) including pre-purchase and pre-sale inspections, RV basics training, RV driving and backing instruction, and inspection, maintenance and repair services.
But I still love to travel and plan adventures, so I offer women’s only group travel and events. I am the St Louis hub leader for Wanderful and a hostess and member of Sisters on the Fly. I am still inspiring women to go solo or join friends for adventures!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My qualities, skills and areas of knowledge are going to be different than everyone else’s. My advice in this area is to identify what they are for you and be the best at those you can be! Be the best you you can be!
I am a collaborator and that quality and skill serves me well but I have to make sure I am running my business based on that quality and continually hone that skill. Staying aligned to your true self will be less stressful and more effective. I do feel competitive sometimes so I have to remind myself periodically that my true self is a collaborator and that it makes me happier than being competitive. There is enough for all of us.
I am extremely good at networking and building relationships. I love building community. And I love planning parties and gathering. I love inspiring and empowering others. Those are the qualities that have been most impactful in my journey.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
You can definitely reach me through my website and social media or by email – [email protected]
Right now, I am looking for other women who are RV Techs or RV Inspectors or have this interest to work with me as subcontractors. If you are not already but are interested, training is available for a pretty small investment.
Contact Info:
- Website: sparkle-adventures.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sparkletravelrvservices
- Other: https://myrvresource.com/sparkle-rv-services
Image Credits
Profile photo – Melany Willis
