Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Samantha Tradelius. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Samantha, thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

In 2003 I was 23 and wanted to make a difference in the world. After researching charities and finding that many of them were not super transparent about how they spent their money…i decided to take matters into my own hands, hooking up with the USPS and their “Dear Santa Program” I adopted 2 families and took off running. 12 years later I had 17 families, raised 35k and knew this program was much bigger than me. Forming the Sparkle Foundation in 2015 allowed me to do, more. 2022 marks 6 years as a 501c (3), serving thousands of women’s lives along the way.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Spending 20+ years in the insurance industry building a practice of risk management services geared toward women owned businesses, I fell in love with how women work. Additionally, over those 20 years, I found a passion in helping single mothers during the holidays. Realizing my reach was growing and I could do more, I founded a 501(c)(3) nonprofit six years ago. Focusing on supporting single mothers and their children. Currently we serve thousands of lives throughout California.

Who am I? To begin I am a woman and that is an underlined BOLD statement. Mother to two crazy girls ages 9 &12 , and married to a Gemini. Life is full to put it mildly.

I have lived my life to serve others, but not in an “oh” this makes me look good way. In an “OH”.. this FEELS good way. Empathy and sympathy are two of my greatest strengths. You always know where you stand with me good, bad and ugly. As loyal as they come, your biggest cheerleader and if I call you a friend I mean it. Supporting and lifting women is my jam. I love more than anything seeing a woman find her passion and succeed. I also love when she finds a challenge and overcomes it.

My superpower is energy.
I have an abundance of it…always have. When I was young I was told I was a bit TOO much. As an adult it is called being “fast paced”- whatever you like to call it.. I get ish done.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Truth be told I am a salesgirl, not a social media influencer!!! I think the secret of our success is telling the story and showing the work. I really feel it is important to show donors what their dollars do. This has really helped us grow and fundraise consistently year over year.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

“19 years ago I was 23 years old and wanted to make a difference. Disenchanted after having learned how many “charities” spend donated funds benefiting themselves and not the intended people, I decided to find my own families in need over the holidays.

I would go to the main post office in Los Angeles and sift through their “Dear Santa Letters.” Reading stories from children who would never see a Christmas filled with toys, new clothes and Christmas dinner, I knew this was my calling. Gathering all the info I could, I would then create lists of what I needed and go out and spread the word.

Clients, friends, family and anyone with a pulse…I would ask them to help. Some would donate toys, some food, some clothes, and some cash. Using any of the funds I received, I would then go and pick up all the items I wasn’t able to obtain and complete my lists.

I assembled a team of family and friends to sort, wrap, and then physically hand over these goods to the people who needed them personally. From start to finish, this was 100% volunteer, and 100% of the funds/goods went where they were needed.

“Why don’t you start your own non-profit? We can do so much more.”

This had become a question I was hearing more and more. Late 2015 I began the process, figuring out how to become a non-profit. Asked a lot of questions and filled out A LOT of forms 6 months later…501(C)(3) status granted. In January 2016 Sparkle was born.

To me, when you hand off a basket of food or diapers to a mother, a bag of presents to a child, there is this look in their eye… it is a SPARKLE and that is where our name comes from. Sparkle is a feeling that takes over you.

The people involved in our process, too, always stop me after we are all done and say what an impact this had on them personally, how good this made them feel… it makes you light up inside (Sparkle!)

The Sparkle Foundation is a community of people who just want to help bring that feeling…that SPARKLE…back into the lives of people who may have lost it somewhere along the way.

One of the things that I am most proud of is our transparency. Sparkle is still 100% volunteer and 100% of every dollar donated goes to help a single mother and her children SPARKLE.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sparklenow.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkle_foundation/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sparklefoundationinc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-tradelius/

Image Credits
All Sparkle Photos.