Meet Cassandra Sparks | Motivational Speaker & Boldness Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cassandra Sparks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cassandra, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
When you are a solopreneur (like me), especially in a new city, deciding whether to keep going or give up can feel like staring at a never-ending crossroads. It is a decision fraught with self-doubt, exhaustion, and a burning desire to make it work—all while wondering if you are chasing an impossible dream.

I have been there; I moved from New York to South Carolina without knowing anyone with the sole purpose to achieve my 20-year dream of creating a successful motivational speaking and coaching business. So it is safe to say that I know moving to a new city to grow a business is no small feat. You are carving out space for yourself in an already crowded marketplace, working tirelessly to introduce your brand, and hustling to build connections through serial networking. If you’ve ever felt like you’re running on a hamster wheel—exerting tons of energy but not getting the traction you crave—you are not alone.

So how do you know when it is time to keep pushing or pivot toward something new?

Here are some questions I found helpful to ask myself that you can also use to guide your decision-making process:

1. Are you measuring the right metrics?
In solopreneurship, progress is not always obvious. It is easy to dismiss small wins—like a new connection at a networking event, positive feedback from a client, or a slight uptick in website traffic. But these small wins are the building blocks of growth. If you are not seeing the big results yet, take a moment to reassess what progress looks like for you. Are you focusing too much on revenue while overlooking brand awareness or relationship-building?

2. Are you stuck in a strategy rut?
Sometimes, it is not about giving up but pivoting. Maybe your current approach is not connecting with the right audience, or your product or service needs tweaking. Solopreneurship requires constant adaptability. Ask yourself: Have I explored new marketing tactics? Have I sought out feedback from trusted peers or mentors? Am I leaning into my unique strengths and story to differentiate myself? I went through a 4-month process where I paused by business and spent every day working with pros to help me examine, refine, and establish messaging that was strategically engaging and true to me and my vision. It was an essential experience that helped me be able

3. Are you prioritizing community?
Building a business in a new city can feel isolating, but the power of community cannot be overstated. Lean on the folks you know and trust. Attend local business events, join entrepreneur groups, and collaborate with other small business owners. In South Carolina, organizations like 1 Million Cups or your local Chamber of Commerce are great starting points. Connections fuel momentum, and often it is the people around you who will provide the encouragement or opportunities you need to push forward.

4. How is your mental and physical well-being?
Feeling stuck can often stem from burnout. Solopreneurship is demanding, and it is easy to neglect self-care. If you are running on empty, you might feel like giving up simply because you are too tired to see what is possible. Take a moment to rest, recalibrate, and recharge. Sometimes, a fresh perspective—after a break—is all you need to reignite your passion.

5. What does your gut say?
At the end of the day, your intuition is a powerful guide. If deep down you still believe in your vision, even when the going gets tough, that belief can fuel you through the hardest moments. On the flip side, if your gut is persistently signaling that it may be time to pivot, listen. Letting go is not a failure; sometimes it is a strategic decision to realign with something better suited to your skills, values, or market demands.

6. Are you giving yourself permission to adapt?
Some of the most successful businesses started as something entirely different than what they became. Do you recall that Instagram began as a location check-in app before pivoting to photo sharing? If something is not working, it does not mean you failed. It means you are evolving—and evolution is at the heart of entrepreneurship.

The Power of Perseverance
Running a business is rarely a straight line to success. It is messy, challenging, and often humbling. It is also deeply rewarding when you see your hard work pay off. Remember, the hamster wheel is not your full story…it is only a chapter (or two). What comes next is up to you.

Lean on your network. Ask for help. Celebrate the small wins. Rest when you need to.

And most importantly, trust yourself to make the right call—whether that is doubling down on your efforts or pivoting toward a new path. Either way, the experience is shaping you into a stronger, more resilient entrepreneur and human being.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Where many see bold action as a liability, Cassandra Sparks sees it for what it is: firepower in disguise!

It is this inspired and strategic approach that has earned her a reputation for helping high achievers — whether they are in real estate, entertainment, media, or tech — to progress from “just going through the motions,” to leveraging bold action as an accelerant for authority and authenticity.

“87% of executives believe that innovation is essential to their organization’s success and growth,” explains Cassandra. “Professionals drive impactful growth when they can take risks and innovate. With a proven blueprint and boost in confidence, they can confront fear head-on while sparking the change they crave.”

Cassandra’s keynotes and talks are designed to leave audiences uplifted, empowered, and recharged. She is a go-to resource for those seeking to live boldly and authentically, and to spark their communication skills. Audiences and coaching clients consistently remark on her ability to help them adopt new skills, beliefs, and strategies for change, while honoring what makes them shine.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The City of Charleston, South Carolina has this inherent magic to it. Perhaps it is the fusion of history, progress, palm trees, sunshine, and waterways all coming together to create an experience and culture that is unique only to this place.

Some of my favorite hot spots are:
Basic Kitchen on Wentworth Street – A bright, warm, and welcoming space to enjoy a lunch or dinner that is healthy, locally sourced, and that will fuel your day. Don’t miss out on: sweet potato fries, cali wings, and their delicious cocktails or non-alcoholic wellness drinks.

The Dewberry on Meeting Street – A midcentury modern marvel! Choose from either the swanky Living Room or the Citrus Club for the best rooftop views the city to enjoy carefully crafted food and cocktails in both spots.

The Gin Joint on East Bay Street – Custom crafted cocktails are what set this joint apart from other cocktail bars. If you do not know where to start with their robust menu, I suggest a ‘Bartender’s Choice’. Simply pick two adjectives from the list on the menu that suit your fancy and their talented bar team will craft a custom cocktail to satisfy your tastebuds.

Take a stroll, horse carriage ride, or bike taxi ride around the downtown peninsula! Must-see spots include Waterfront Park, the Battery, the historic district south of Broad Street, and Gadsden’s Wharf.

The enchantment of Charleston will remain with you long after your visit.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
As a soloprenenur and an inherently independent person, it is easy to fall back on the narritave that I must climb this mountain all by myself. I have found there is tremendous strength in support and asking for help.

I would not be where I am today without my Mom and Dad – Mary and John Querques – who support me in all my dreams…even the bold AF ones. Like when I was 21 and declared to them that I was moving all by myself to Central Texas to earn my Master’s degree in Communication Studies at Texas State University. Or when I was in my late-30s and told them I wanted to change every single aspect of my comfortable, stable life all at once to pursue my 20-year-long dream of being a motivational speaker and coach. This involved once again moving, this time to the Lowcountry of South Carolina (and with the same familiar experience of moving by myself to a place where I knew no one!), while simultaneously changing my marital, housing, and financial statuses, so I could finally curate my bold and authentic life on my terms.

I am also self-aware enough to know what I do not know and to seek support when I need it. I am a firm believer that coaches need coaches. So I am grateful to these two fabulous pros who helped me elevate my business in 2024:

Erica Breuer – www.ericabreuer.com – Erica is a brand messaging and thought leadership strategist who improves a company’s visibility in powerful, authentic ways. As Erica says, “You are too talented to remain invisible.”

Melissa Barker at WE, Inc. – www.weinc.co – Melissa and her creative team fostered an exciting and collaborate process in building and crafting my business’ refreshed website [you can check it out at www.cassandrasparks.com].

Website: https://www.cassandrasparks.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassandrasparksyou/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-y-sparks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cassandrasparksyou

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cassandrasparksyou

Other: Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/609201014299938/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cassandrasparksyou