We recently connected with Danella Sparks and have shared our conversation below.

Danella , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I strongly believe that in order for one to be successful you need God. He’s my source for all that I have accomplished. One also needs to be consistent and determined.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello Divers, my name is Danella, born in the beautiful country of Guyana but grew up in Barbados. I wear many hats but the most important hat I wear is the hat of a mom. Even though I don’t have the mom thing down pact I take pride in being a mother because it’s an honor and a blessing. Along with being a mom, I am an entrepreneur in the field of Early Childhood Education and I am also one who loves to motivate, encourage and help others unlock their full potential. My dream of owning my child development center started to birth at a very young age. I can remember teaching my toys and pretending that cars are my students as they passed by my house (lol). That is why I strongly believe that it is important to allow children to play because play allows children to use their imagination. Someone wise once said to me, “ If we imagine it, we can achieve it.” Anything we do in life starts with us first imagining it.

Being a daycare owner allows me to work with families in my community by providing quality care in a safe, fun, loving, and educational environment.

I am so thankful to God for all that he has done for me and through me because without him I wouldn’t be where I am. I have endured many challenges in my life, I have dealt with depression suicidal thoughts you name it I have gone through to come through. That is why, it’s also one of my missions to share my story to let people know that even though the sky might be dark there is a sunny sky waiting to be seen on the other side,  but one has to hold on when the going gets tough. You have to have faith and trust in the process. I know it’s hard to trust the process when it seems as though all hope is lost. When I was going through the most, I never thought that I would be where I am today. A few years ago I was in a very dark place and that’s when my relationship with God was restored. That is when I let go and let God. He then started sending the right people along to guide me and of course, the ones who weren’t for me started leaving (That’s another story) I don’t have it all together but as I am diving into life and evolving I want to share my journey so I can help someone unlock their true potential. We were all born with a purpose for a purpose. What we go through in life isn’t just for us but for us to use what we went through to help others.

I am truly proud to know that even though my beginnings were rough I was still able to break barriers and jump over every hurdle that was meant to make me fall. Coming to America with just $5 in my pocket with a child to now owning a childcare facility is proof that your beginning doesn’t define your ending and I owe it all to God because even though I am imperfect, his love is perfect for me and if his love is perfect for me it’s perfect for all of you reading this.

In the beginning, I refer to you as Divers and that’s because I see life as a big ocean and I see us as divers because we dive into life not knowing what treasures or what type of tide we might come upon. All I know is each day that we have breath we are diving into this thing called life.  My page on Instagram @DanellaSparks dives into all aspects of life so if you are looking to be motivated check it out.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

A pivotal point in my life was during COVID-19, that is when it all started. My cousin had come to visit me during COVID, and we were driving around looking at all the businesses that had closed down due to the pandemic. We both knew that the pandemic won’t last forever, so, we started to brainstorm on problems that people are currently facing and how we can solve those problems.

I thought to myself the only thing I am good at is working with kids, that’s all I know. That’s when the light bulb went off for me, I turned to her and said I am going to start an in-home daycare. As soon as I got back home I joined all the mom groups on FB. I saw that there was a great demand for childcare due to many daycares closing. So, I got to work by getting all the stuff I would need to operate. I clearly remember my first tour, I was nervous but that nervousness did not last forever once I told myself there was nothing to be nervous about. I told myself to be myself and the rest is history. Within 3 months I was at capacity.

COVID was a rough one, but COVID thought me that you can either complain or you came to make the best out of what you have. Life is full of challenges, the question is, how will we deal with those challenges? Will we be a prisoner to our situations or will we make the best out of our dive?

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Sparks Early Learning Academy was built on the foundation of creating a space where children can learn, Play and grow. We believe that each child is born ready to learn. Parents want to know that their kiddos are in a safe and loving environment and that’s what we provide. I built my reputation on providing exceptional care and treating each child as though they are mine.  I take pride in what I do. I love what I do, and I am very passionate about it.

One day one of my parents told me that when she’s at work she’s not worried about her kids because she knows that they are safe, learning and being loved on. She said money can’t buy that kind of peace. I want all of my families to be at peace when they drop their children off at Sparks Early Learning Academy because that means trust is there and in this field trust is need on both ends.

Knowing that I am a part of the foundation for our tomorrow’s future is priceless. My center is so much more than a childcare facility it is a home away from home.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Sparks Early Learning was built on the foundation of creating a space where children can learn, Play and grow and that is what parents want. To see that their children are well taken care of. Knowing that they are in a place where they will be loved and feel love. All it takes is one parent experienced it and the rest will follow. Word of mouth is your best marketing tool. I take pride in what I do. I love what I do, and I am very passionate about it. Knowing that I am building leaders up nothing gives me greater joy and parents can see if you are in it for the right reason. One day one of my family told me “You know when I am at work I don’t have to worry about my kids because I know they are in loving hands” as little as that might seem it meant a whole lot to me. To know that parents are at ease while their little ones are with me brings me joy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://playwithsela.com/
• Instagram: @Danellasparks @sparksearlylearningacademy @playwithsela
• Facebook: SparksEarlylearningacademy