The Spark: Celebrating the Legacy of Our Creative Community

Let’s celebrate eighty issues of The Spark!

When I first envisioned The Spark, I didn’t see it as a "creative legacy"—it was just an idea that had been floating around in my head for a while. In 2022, during a writing retreat in Georgia, I finally decided to go for it.

Wow. Has it been that long already? I checked, and yes—it has.

Just a few weeks ago, in our “10 Ways to Build a Legacy of Creativity That Lasts” post, one of the ideas was to “start a blog.” At the time, I was actually thinking about my personal blog, No Sex in the City, rather than The Spark. 

The Spark is a collection of thoughts from a creative community. It’s become a legacy—a creative journey that’s helped shape and reflect the voices of so many in the Epiphany Space community. 

The direction wasn’t always clear. What started with bi-weekly interviews has expanded to include articles, playlists, and a variety of creative expressions. I’m always thinking about ways to make it better. It’s truly a team effort, and I couldn’t do it every week without Steve Alloway, Matthew Crofoot, and everyone who guest writes or contributes their insights.

Every issue of The Spark is a chance to explore, create, and share. It’s filled with stories, artwork, and ideas that push boundaries, celebrate wins, and amplify voices that are sometimes overlooked. We’ve learned from each other and shared in each other's creative journeys.

At the end of most interviews, we ask, “What advice would you give to other creatives?” Here are a few gems from our community:

• “If you want to do it, just go for it.  You have the passion…Now as for writing, I would say to carve out time to write and if you don’t know what to write about, try stream-of-consciousness writing, which always helps me.  Just write whatever comes to mind until you find a topic you’d like to discuss.  Also, have fun and pivot if something does not work out!  You can always try something different or go in a way you didn’t think about.”  Shanaya Allen

• “Research, research, research. Research your idea. Is there a market for it? Will people buy your service or widget? What price point? Be smart! Interview others who are doing your idea. Ask lots of questions so you can know how starting this business will impact your life. Are you willing to have that impact on your life? As a dreamer, I hate talking money, but you must research the financial cost breakdown of this business. Draft a business plan from your research. Test it out. Research, research, research. If you need business book ideas, hit me up! I’ve read a lot.
  
  Just start. At some point, and you’ll know the point -- you’ve done your research. It all makes sense logistically. Inside you're freaking out and excited at the same time. That’s the moment. You must start. You must leap. Unfortunately, the net doesn’t always appear, but what you learn from those falls is AMAZING and will propel you to the next step and then the next. Before you know it, you’ll be three years into your business like me and loving every minute of it!”  Melinda Grace

• “You're not as old as you think you are. If you want to do something, find a way to do it. If that challenge is too daunting (because of other important commitments like family), start and just take baby steps in that direction. You're one baby step closer... and let's be honest: Eventually, babies always get what they want.”  Hunter Stiebel

These messages capture what The Spark has always aimed to share: how creativity connects us, how stories and ideas can be transformative, and how to go out and do the work. It’s about giving people the freedom to express, to dream, and to be heard.

Each issue is a celebration of that potential.

Looking ahead, I see the next eighty issues as just as full of possibility. The creative legacy we’re building will continue to grow, from interviews with changemakers to art that challenges perceptions. There’s no shortage of material ready to be explored.

Here’s to The Spark—eighty issues down, with a legacy that’s only beginning. I can’t wait to look back in ten years and see how far we’ve all come.

Also, I still want to create a time capsule. Anyone want to add something?