The 5 Biggest Lessons from 5 Years of Spark Solutions

Five years ago, last month, just prior to a global pandemic and sport grinding to a standstill, I took a leap and launched Spark Solutions. It was a bold move, born from a simple belief:

that passionate leaders, when equipped with the right tools, can transform their communities through sport.

Every month in that first year that I was able to pay my bills felt like a victory. Today, looking back across five years of partnership with incredible sport organizations across Canada, that initial belief hasn't just been validated; it has been amplified.

The journey from a timid solopreneur to an established consultancy has been filled with learning. And the lessons I’ve learned mirror the same journey so many of our clients are on—the journey from intention to impact. As we mark this milestone, I want to share the five biggest lessons from five years of Spark Solutions.

Passion is the Fuel, but Process is the Engine

Nearly every leader I meet is overflowing with passion. You volunteer your nights and weekends because you love your sport and you’ve seen its power to change lives. But as I learned in my first year while wrestling with my own bookkeeping, passion alone can lead directly to burnout.

Passion is the fuel that gets you started, but a reliable process is the engine that keeps you moving forward. Whether it’s running an effective board meeting, onboarding a new volunteer, or creating a budget, a clear, documented process is what transforms your good intentions into consistent, sustainable results. It’s what frees you from the messy middle and allows you to focus on the future.

The Best Ideas Come from Cross-Training

Athletes use cross-training to build resilience and gain a competitive edge. The same is true for organizations. Over the past five years, I've had the privilege of working with a huge range of clients—from local soccer clubs and swim teams to national sport bodies, para-sport organizations, and gender equity advocates.

Each organization faces unique challenges, but the solutions often cross-pollinate in surprising ways. A volunteer retention strategy from a curling club can inspire a new approach for a soccer association. A governance model from a provincial body can offer a new perspective for a local triathlon club. The biggest breakthroughs happen when we break out of our silos and get curious about how others are solving similar problems.

Clarity is the Kindest Thing You Can Offer

If there is one word that defines our work, it’s clarity. In a world of overflowing inboxes and back-to-back meetings, leaders are desperate for clarity on the competing priorities.

Is this a board issue or an operational one? What are our top three initiatives for this year? How will we know if we are successful?

Answering these questions is the core of strategic planning and good governance. When you get a group of smart, dedicated people aligned on the answers, you replace ambiguity with confidence. You trade frustrating, circular conversations for decisive, productive action. This clarity is the ultimate antidote to the organizational drag that plagues so many well-meaning organizations.

Leadership is a Team Sport

Running a sport organization can be an isolating role, especially for an Executive Director who often feels like they’re on an island. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned through mentorship programs like WESK’s The Exchange program and the Betty-Ann Heggie Womentorship Program is that no one succeeds alone.

Your greatest assets are the people around you: your board, your staff, and your fellow leaders in the community. Building a culture of trust where you can have honest conversations is non-negotiable. Creating space for mentorship and collaboration isn’t a “nice-to-have”; it’s a strategic necessity. When you have a team you can rely on for support and guidance, any challenge becomes surmountable.

The Real Goal is to Build a Legacy

In the day-to-day grind, it’s easy to get lost in the weeds. But the work of building a better sport organization is about more than just surviving the season. It’s about building something that lasts.

A strong governance model, a clear strategic plan, and a healthy organizational culture are the foundations of your legacy. They ensure the positive impact you have on athletes and your community will continue long after your tenure on the board or as staff is over. This work is your gift to the next generation of leaders.

The Next Five Years

Thank you to every client, mentor, and collaborator who has been a part of this journey. You’ve trusted Spark Solutions with your challenges and aspirations, and for that, I am endlessly grateful.

As we look to the future, our mission remains the same: to strengthen communities by delivering better sport. We’re here to help you bridge the gap between your passion and your potential, turning the chaos you feel into the lasting impact you dream of making.

What's Next?

• Ready to build your legacy? If you’re a leader ready to move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling empowered, let’s chat about how a clear strategy or governance review can transform your organization.
• What have you learned? What's the biggest leadership lesson you've learned on your journey in sport? Email me to share.
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• Explore more. Feeling stuck in your board meetings? Read our article on the Four Questions to Pull Your Board Out of the Weeds.