We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Wendy Jeffries. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Wendy below.

Wendy , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

When I made the decision to establish my own consulting practice, I recognized the pivotal role that my business name would play. It needed to encapsulate my identity, values, offered services, and set me apart from the rest. Additionally, I aimed for it to reflect a touch of my personality. Definitely a challenge to capture this all in a name! I knew I didn’t want to use my name or a typical variation, a common practice among consultants. To navigate this naming journey, I began by envisioning the end result – the desired outcome and impact I wished my work to achieve. This approach aligned with my consulting style, where I often initiate engagements by asking clients to articulate their vision of success. Given my focus on aiding individuals and teams in crafting sustainable strategies, structures, and content for growth, the word “solutions” resonated with me. I wanted my business name to convey that, at its core, I am an educator, emphasizing the significance of learning and growth throughout any project I take on.
With no concrete image of my logo in mind yet, I was certain that it should radiate both professionalism and a sense of fun and joy. Thus, the term “spark” became symbolic of these qualities. In the spirit of transparency about my services, I named my venture Spark Solutions Consulting and complemented it with an impressive logo to round out the visual representation.

Wendy , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Sure. In a nutshell I live in Baltimore City, love to travel, and I’m a mom, social entrepreneur, wife, and someone who values relationships and loves to learn. Workwise, my belief is that individuals, nonprofits, and even for-profit companies aspire to do good but often lack the tools or experience to reach their fullest potential. My superpower lies in creating manageable structures and accountability measures through a proven framework that prioritizes listening, infusing best practices and educational concepts, and optimizing for reality.

How did I arrive at this work? Over 20 years ago, after graduating from college I knew I wanted to work in education but not as a classroom teacher. I got a job at an education research and consulting organization in DC. Driven by my passion for working on district level change policy and implementing educational best practices, I decided to earn a master’s degree in Public Policy. While I enjoyed analyzing policies and crunching numbers, my true fascination emerged in creating quality, innovative programs and implementing best practices for transformative change. The “classroom itch” led me to a teaching fellowship at a public charter middle school in Baltimore City. I spent four fulfilling years teaching, creating programs, and learning invaluable lessons in effective education. I learned how to teach math & how to keep the attention of 150 hungry and tired middle schoolers. I had amazing mentors who showed me what it takes to be a successful teacher and I got to make a true, day to day difference in my students’ lives.

A lot of how I approach work and life is routed in what I learned/refined as a middle school teacher – be kind, listen closely, collaborate, no is a complete sentence, and it’s not about being right or wrong, it’s how you approach the situation.

Post-teaching, my journey took me through various nonprofits, from small community-focused ones to international organizations. Throughout, I consistently applied a systems approach and a growth mindset to contribute to their success. Adding to the challenge, I founded TasteWise Kids, a Baltimore-based nonprofit teaching critical food literacy skills, where I served as the Executive Director for nine years until June 2023 when I decided to launch Spark Solutions Consulting.

How can I assist folks through my consulting?

• Assessing and enhancing organizational health.
• Crafting corporate social responsibility strategies for solo entrepreneurs and small businesses.
• Consulting on all aspects of nonprofit governance, management, and operations (licensed with the Standards of Excellence).
• Developing engaging and educational lesson plans, curriculum, and training modules.
• Facilitating increased collaboration between board and staff leaders.
• Guiding projects from ideation to implementation to impact.

A bit more about me personally: 
• I’m a genuine individual who thrives on collaborating with people with ideas, specializing in capacity building, leadership development, and corporate social responsibility (doing good for the world).
• A systems thinker, process-driven, and outcome-oriented, I base all my work on the framework: strategy + systems + culture => success and growth.
• I’m a mom, wife, and a human who strives to be present in each aspect of life.
• I remain true to myself through reading, outdoor activities, running for sanity, cherishing time with friends, and date nights with my husband.
• Committed to racial equity and inclusive environments, I am unafraid to speak up.
• I’m a tea drinker, and sushi is my comfort food.

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

I stay authentic to myself and I embrace honesty by openly admitting when I don’t have all the answers and am unafraid to seek help. I also prioritize relationships above all, emphasizing the importance of honesty, strong communication, and transparency. I believe in being forthright about my capabilities, acknowledging both what I can and cannot do. Rather than viewing myself as an expert, I see myself as someone with expertise, fostering a collaborative approach. A perpetual learner, I dedicate myself to continuous growth through books, trainings, and asking questions.

Another way I’ve found to cultivate relationships and build my reputation is that I offer assistance in small ways, even if it doesn’t immediately (or ever) generate income. As a former Executive Director of a nonprofit, I know the power of in-kind donations of time and expertise. It may not lead to direct work but that’s ok because I’m helping my community which feeds my soul.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

– I stay informed about local events and community affairs by regularly reading local newspapers and magazines, fostering authentic connections within my community. – Recognizing the immense value of mentorship, I actively cultivate relationships with individuals who are either currently engaged in or have extensive experience in the areas I work. I try to meet at least one for coffee every month.
– Podcasts play a significant role in my continuous learning journey. Some current favorites include Side Hustle Pro with Domonique Brown, Art of Power with Aarti Shahani, and WorkLife with Adam Grant.
– Two books I come back to: Managing Transitions by William Bridges and The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://standardsforexcellence.org/bio/eid/2646
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-jeffries-spark/