We recently connected with Zoleka Sparks and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Zoleka, so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness?
Self care for me comes in many forms. Understanding who I am and what my needs are to be effective and stay consistent daily, I craft a self care strategy based on my work loads.
For example if I have a full day, the available hours I have open becomes self care hours to take a breather, hydrate and eat. If I have major projects, I schedule a full day or weekend to unwind and mentally regroup.
Doing this helps me return back to my clients and project with fresh perspectives, outlook and ideas as well as decreases mental fatigue.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My love of community and leadership spans from childhood where my parents encouraged leadership and giving back. Raised partly in New York, I was heavily into the Arts where I took dance at the Alvin Ailey theatre, modeled for Barbazon NY and took Art classes. Embracing Broadway plays truly shaped my imagination and love of the Arts and how I expressed myself.
My father was instrumental in introducing me working to the love of community and how caring for your community becomes a part of everything you do. Which brings me full circle to my career now.
Every part of what I do is based in giving back to the community. As a business consultant concierge, I offer an array of services that assists small businesses and nonprofits in creating their visions affordably as well as assist the in building connections and collaborations that will help them build an amazing support system in their communities.
As an entrepreneur, I have a variety of businesses that connects to the needs of various communities and currently expanded in investing in small business projects. Being well rounded in leadership and community allow me the opportunity to be effective in reaching many areas of business and building strong business relationships.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My three qualities and skills that have been most impactful on my journey are perseverance, leadership and being a strategist.
Doing the work on yourself and being consistent with that work is the key to unlocking these three qualities. We must know who we are, what are our needs, how to overcome those difficult obstacles and applying positive solutions to them. Acknowledging this shapes your perseverance, helps you develop as an effective leader, and helps you understand how important a consistent strategy is needed to propel into the future.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful things my parents have done for me was to teach me how important my uniqueness is and create your own lane. Introducing me to the Arts and experiencing my father in leadership positions in the community, definitely had the greatest impact on my journey and made me resilient in everything I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bosssparks.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/BossSparks
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/zolekasparks
- Linkedin: https://LinkedIn.com/Zolekasparks
- Other: https://TikTok.com/@bosssparks?_t=8ePUu9dwQY7&_r=1
Image Credits
Donté Lassiter
