Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Sparks.
Hi Lauren, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have an always been a very multifaceted person, who leaned toward the more creative aspect of expression. I have spent all my adult life as a contract, 1099, entrepreneur, gig work. So, starting businesses and pursuing multiple businesses was always natural to me. I began dancing at an early age, about 7 or 8 years old. I wanted to take more and more classes. I added 1 then 2, then joined a competitive team, and just kept going from there. As many artists experience, it isn’t an easy road, but I always have dance to keep me motivated and excited. I keep dancing to this day, nearly two decades later! and people used to say dance was a short career. I love it, I love to teach it and love to perform it. I dance and choreograph hip hop, jazz, contemporary, and heels. I trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, hip hop, contemporary, modern, and improv. I also have a 90% online health business, which allows me to create community, inspire and help women become more confident in their foods, body, and mind. It goes hand in hand with dancing and being strong and healthy. I love seeing how my other passions influence creativity in the other.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Sometimes were smoother than others. The dance industry as a whole is competitive, has minimal Union or representation, and lack of proper compensation. Covid affected the dance industry drastically. Some historical Los Angeles training studios had to close down indefinitely. Training in person was stopped entirely for a year and a half during covid. Auditions are even more complicated than before. The industry has become tough, But! The internet and social media actually opens up a lot of avenues for networking, auditions, getting discovered for projects, and more! So, the future for dance as a whole is looking bright! Dance is a very word of mouth industry, so getting started and connect is a slow road, but once you’re connected, then you find out it’s a small world as well and meet everyone. In regards to my health business, things picked up! People were spending more time at home, everyone wanted to get healthy as possible because of Covid, so I was able to grow my health business during the lull.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in dancing in your power. Improvisation and embracing the different parts of yourself that make you an artist in ALL aspects of life. I believe it is essential to be a multifaceted person and creative. I am most proud of taking care of my body, my confidence, and embracing all parts of me. That is why I started two businesses because we all have many talents and passions that make us who we are.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Learn to be confident, don’t be scared to introduce yourself to others, and be kind, always. Don’t look at other your businesses, or interests as a “Plan B” but instead think of it as the things that make you different than others. How can you combine those passions, how can you use them to ease the stress of other passions, how can those other passions connect you with others
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: LaurenSparkshealth.com
- Instagram: Laurensprks
- Facebook: Laurensparkshealth
Image Credits
Stephanie Siomara
