Today we’d like to introduce you to Shenique Sparks.
Shenique, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I launched Let Sparks Fly in 2019, I never imagined it would become what it is today. At the time, I was working in HR and talent acquisition, a career I held for 16 years. I wanted a little extra income, and after some hesitation, I decided to give travel a try. I kicked things off with a trip to Dubai, expecting my friends to be my first supporters. No one signed up, but instead of quitting, I promoted the trip on Facebook. That one post led to 27 strangers traveling with me and that became the start of Let Sparks Fly.
From there, the business grew quickly. Six years later, we’re proud to be ranked #108 on the Inc. 5000 list, in the top 2% of companies nationwide. Last year we generated $3.6 million in revenue, and this year we’re on track for $4 million. What started as a side hustle turned into a thriving company that hosts 10–20 trips a year, with plans to expand to 20–30.
Over time, I saw how much more this was than just trips. Women who started as strangers became friends, bonds were built over shared experiences, and each journey turned into a celebration of joy and connection.
I thought I was building a business, but God showed me I was creating a space for Black women to be seen, celebrated, and connected and with every passport stamp, we’re reminded that our stories deserve to be told, our joy deserves to be celebrated, and our journeys deserve to be first-class.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The biggest challenge has definitely been how fast we grew. For a long time, it was just me carrying the business on my shoulders planning trips, handling customer service, managing finances, marketing everything. Growth is a blessing, but it also became overwhelming because I didn’t have the team or infrastructure to support it. We grew faster than I ever imagined and the biggest lesson was realizing I couldn’t do it all alone.
This past year has been about building that foundation. Now we have two travel coordinators, two billing coordinators, a social media coordinator, and a graphic designer. We also work with specialized partners like a social media ads expert, project managers, and my business coach through Traffic Sales and Profit who has been instrumental in guiding our growth. Having that support has been a game-changer and has allowed me to move from doing it all myself to leading the business forward.
At the end of the day, building a team wasn’t just about handling growth it was about creating a stronger foundation so Let Sparks Fly can continue empowering Black women to see the world, together.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about LET SPARKS FLY?
Let Sparks Fly is a luxury group travel company that creates curated experiences designed primarily for Black women, especially those ages 50 to 75. Our trips are about more than just the destination they’re about creating spaces where Black women feel safe, celebrated, and connected while exploring the world. From welcome dinners to pajama nights, every detail is intentional and designed to spark joy, laughter, and community.
We specialize in bucket-list destinations the kind of trips you dream about. Our top sellers are Ghana and Bali, while fan favorites include Tokyo, Dubai, Egypt, and our signature Rich Auntie Cruise with Virgin Voyages. These aren’t just vacations they’re once-in-a-lifetime experiences that blend culture, luxury, and unforgettable memories.
What makes us unique is that most of our travelers start out as strangers. Nearly 60% come solo and take advantage of our roommate matching program, which pairs like-minded women together based on their personalities. I love watching nervous first-timers transform into confident travelers who leave with new sisters, lifelong friendships, and even travel crews they continue exploring the world with long after the trip ends.
From launching our first Dubai trip with 27 strangers to now being ranked in the top 2% of the Inc. 5000, our journey shows the power of building with purpose. Let Sparks Fly isn’t just about travel it’s about sisterhood, empowerment, and creating unforgettable moments that remind Black women they belong everywhere.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Walking away from a six-figure career in HR to run my business full-time was one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken. At first, I hesitated because I was scared — it’s not easy to leave stability and security for the unknown. But a great friend once told me, “You can’t pray for something and then, once God blesses you with it, be afraid to step out on faith.” That reminder shifted everything for me.
So I took the leap, and it was the best decision I could’ve made. Walking away from security gave me the freedom to build something I never could’ve imagined.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.letsparksfly.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/let.sparks.fly/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LetSparksFlyTravelAgency
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@letsparksflytravel
Image Credits
All of these are our original photos. Our in-house photographers are Deira Lacy and Chanel Mitchell, both based in Dallas, Texas.
