Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Joy.
Hi Rachel, 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.
Thank you for having me! I am a wife, mom to four and entrepreneur. I am passionate about seeing women in particular discover their God-given identity, gifting and purpose for the flourishing of the community. I am the founder and CEO a non-profit called Sparrow Collective as well as Sparrow & Co. and Sparrow on Main. The Sparrow Collective entities, based in Lewisville, Texas are designed to work together to make the ultimate impact in both local and global communities.
Sparrow was birthed out of a difficult time in my life. I had just gone through Steps Recovery at my church and realized how God delights to restore and redeem even the most difficult parts of our stories. The difficult parts of our stories do not define us, nor get the last word–Jesus does. It was out of this beautiful gospel truth, I experienced true freedom, identity and purpose. I was compelled to share and impart this truth, freedom, identity and purpose to others and catalyze them into God’s purposes for their lives. In the fall of 2011, Sparrow began in my living room as a small group of young, diverse women meeting together to discuss and encourage one another in our God-given identity, gifting, and purpose. Since 2011, Sparrow has helped thousands of women grow in their understanding of their God-given significance.
In 2018, through prayer and consideration as a nonprofit, we desired a consistent place for women to come and receive life-on-life training through Identity workshops and restorative work through Sparrow Restore Program (designed for women in difficult circumstances), small group coaching, content and more. We wanted to create a place for women, men, and children to use their gifts and talents to make a true, lasting impact in their community and beyond.
Our newly renovated 1920s building in the heart of Old Town Lewisville opened its doors to the community in May of 2022, housing all three Sparrow Entities.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have no doubt been struggles along the way; mistakes and pivots are all a part of the journey. I have learned it matters how you learn and grow from them. In each unforeseen circumstance and pivot, we have found that this is where character and resilience are formed.
We closed on the 1920s building in January of 2020 and had planned for a 9-month renovation process. As you may recall, Covid-19 lockdowns began in March of that year. Although we wanted to begin renovating, due to lockdowns and supply delays it was a slower process than we had anticipated. However, the slower process allowed my team and I the time to intentionally build each entity well and make our processes solid so that we could better serve and make a greater impact in the community. Also, due to Covid-19, the community we live in had more needs than ever before. We were able to step in, learn, and support our community tangibly. I believe this unforeseen circumstance actually helped us to truly see the needs of others in our community and innovatively come up with solutions to support those in difficult circumstances. We, alongside other incredible nonprofits, unified to make an impact. Although we were not in our physical space, there were real physical, relational, and spiritual needs being met. This is the heart of what we do and what we will continue to be about.
Building any business is stretching. Building and launching two entities while running a third is beyond stretching. This is why I am so grateful for the women on my team. I simply could not have done it without them. They each possess incredible talents and gifts, which made the launch of Sparrow & Co and Sparrow on Main not only possible but a true joy. I love running alongside women that share the same heart and mission for true impact in the community.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love restorative creativity, intentional design, and of course purposeful celebrations of any kind. You can participate in these three things first hand through Sparrow & Co. and Sparrow on Main. We not only empower women locally through Sparrow Collective helping them LIVE ON PURPOSE but we also empower global communities through Sparrow & Co. Sparrow & Co. curates local and global goods empowering women and communities. Your home can tell a greater story and you can SHOP WITH PURPOSE. And finally, it is a joy to host life’s events at Sparrow on Main where you can CELEBRATE WITH PURPOSE! Sparrow on Main is a modern event venue set in the 1920s restored building. One hundred percent of the net proceeds are given back to support and empower the community.
I am incredibly proud of our 3-entity model that makes a true impact in both the local and global communities. See more at sparrowandco.com, sparrowonmain.com, and sparrowcollective.org
I think what sets Sparrow apart is our ability to see the significance in each woman, man, and child. That each of them possesses the passion, talent, and gifting to make an impact in their local community, and it does not stop there– an impact can be made globally. It is not about what sets me apart, but it is about what sets all of us apart and utilizing all that we have been so graciously given to catalyze a movement for the benefit of whole communities.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I have very fond memories of my mammaw and grandaddy’s house in Rockwall, Texas. They had a vegetable garden in the backyard and a rose garden on the side of their home. I remember feeling a sense of peace there as I would survey, smell and marvel at all of the fruit of their beautiful gardens. There, I felt the freedom to be creative. I learned to sew from my mammaw and woodwork from my grandaddy. I learned to slow down and watch the birds as they pointed out the different kinds that filled their bird houses and bird baths.
I distinctly remember being about 5 or 6 years old and playing “teacher”. I took a brown paper grocery sack, carefully peeled apart the bottom so that it would make a flat square, and taped it to the brick of the fireplace. I would use my mammaw’s sewing chalk to begin teaching stuffed animals, my aunts, cousins, and really whoever was there at the time and proceed to teach them something. I loved the idea of imparting information through teaching. It brought me and still brings me such joy. I have found that God gives us passions as children that bring us true joy that we often overlook later on in life. This is actually a question I ask women in identity work, “what did you find yourself doing as a child that brought you joy”?
Pricing:
- Sparrow Identity Sheets $28
- Sparrow Identity Course $169
- Sparrow & Co ( Product pricing varies)
- Sparrow on Main (Event pricing varies)
Contact Info:
- Website: sparrowcollective.org, sparrowandco.com, sparrowonmain.com
- Instagram: @rachelrjoy, @_sparrowcollective, @_sparrowandco, @_sparrowonmain
Image Credits
Sarah Linden Photography
Cody Kurtz Photography
Lindsey Shea Photography
Coeur Studio
