Jobs program opens new opportunities to women

DENISE SPARKS

Denise Sparks, owner of Sparks A/C-Heat and Home Improvements, is launching a 20-week job training program to open a pipeline for women in the industry.

Denise Sparks has spent the last several decades blazing her own career trail. 

Now she’s turned her focus to jumpstarting the ambitions of women. Sparks, owner of Sparks A/C-Heat and Home Improvements in Charlotte, plans to start a free intensive 20-week job training program.

“The mission is to ignite hope and transformation in the lives of women in recovery [and] women with disabilities by equipping them with the tools, training, and opportunities they need to rebuild their confidence, master their craft, and achieve lasting self-sufficiency,” she said. 

The skillsets are home improvement and tailoring, mending and garment construction. Training will also include job search workshops on etiquette, appropriate dress, self-care, technology and financial wellness. 

“These opportunities are designed so that our trainees are well-prepared to provide essential services to homeowners, commercial businesses, and renters,” Sparks said. 

Sparks, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised primarily in Louisville, Kentucky, developed her work ethic, industrious nature and desire to support others early on. 

“My entrepreneurial spirit and love of community stem from my parents, teachers, and grandparents who were self-made or self-employed,” she said. 

Sparks’ father worked for Ford Motor Co., where he was the first Black foreman at the Louisville plant; her mother was a community outreach specialist for the board of education. 

Sparks frequently accompanied her mother during her canvasing, an experience that first kindled her desire to help. 

“I learned a lot about the stories, hardships, and achievements of the people in my community,” she recalled. 

From that moment Sparks committed to using her success to support others. 

Sparks eventually found work with a property management company in the Houston area. It was where her entrepreneurial ambitions were manifest. 

“As property manager…I interviewed an applicant for an available HVAC position at my property,” she said. “The company offered the HVAC tech $30 per hour more than my manager's salary.” 

Stunned by the financial discrepancy, Sparks immediately told her husband James, who in turn enrolled in a local HVAC program. But it wasn’t enough. She wanted a turn, too. The couple studied together each evening after James’ classes. In time she was confident enough to take the certification test.

Sparks passed and became a certified EPA Universal HVAC technician, which qualified her to work with refrigerated appliances. James also completed the HVAC course. 

“I was the only female in the room,” she said. 

Upon completion, Sparks was promoted as a HVAC tech by the very company she had been working for as a property manager.  

“Sometimes the best man for the job is a woman,” she said. 

Certification was just the beginning. The couple set their sights on starting their own business, which they did after relocating to Charlotte in 2000. 

“I built [a company] here in the Queen City…because of its diversity, progressive acceptance, fairness, open-mindedness, and the immense opportunities for women,” Sparks said. “I have to be fair and say that, as a woman of color, I have always been encouraged to grow, and the community has embraced our services.” 

Sparks A/C-Heat & Home Improvements has progressively expanded over the last 25 years, and in 2008, Sparks established SACHHI Design and Couture, which allowed her to channel her creative passions into a business. 

After transferring ownership of SACCHI to her two sons, Sparks created SACHHI Women Home Improvements in 2020, which offers HVAC service and repair, interior/exterior painting, all phases of flooring installation, kitchen and bathroom renovations, specialized tub-to-walk-in shower conversions, drywall hanging and finishing, basic lighting, plumbing, ceramic tiling, and large home clean outs. 

Sparks’ work as a contractor has been featured on HGTV’s “Flip This House” for several years. And her creative fashions have graced runways and red carpets. She also invests in helping people in addiction recovery, a motivation that springs from a very personal place. 

“I became a member of Al-Anon (a support group for the friends and family of people battling substance abuse) in support of my oldest brother, who later died of alcoholism,” she said.

Sparks became active in supporting the women she met through Al-Anon. Besides building empathy and understanding, it put a human face on the women behind substance abuse disorder. 

“I have met the most incredible women who are now living beyond addiction and obstacles,” she said. “Over the years, I have helped…women transitioning out of treatment and have hired and trained them to work with me on my renovation jobs.” 

Over the years, Sparks has trained and employed men and women transitioning from rehab to sober living as well as people living with disabilities.  

“The transformation I've witnessed in these women — from overcoming personal challenges to wanting to become skilled professionals — is truly inspiring,” she said, which encouraged her to develop a nonprofit earlier this year, SACHHI Women Skills Build, Empower.

Nonprofit status allows Sparks to apply for federal, state and private grant funding for future similar training programs. SACHHI is currently seeking $80,000 to provide a 20-week course to 20 participants beginning in January.

Sparks explains that expenditures include renting a commercial space for classes, procuring the necessary insurance, sewing machines, textbooks, supplies, tools and professional accounting services. 

“Creating my nonprofit, which provides training for full-time employment opportunities, has allowed me to take one step further in helping enhance the lives of women who have been underserved and marginalized,” she said.

“Someone is struggling with addiction, abuse or disability in every family. [Most] people have somebody, know somebody [or] have lost somebody to addiction.” 

Sparks hopes to empower women of all backgrounds to chart their own course. 

“[We want them] to flourish as trailblazers of change, living independent, purpose-driven lives,” she said. “My hope is that [the community] will understand and give freely.” 
To contribute, go to: 

gofund.me/e568785cc.

Donations can also be made directly via CashApp ($cashtag) $Sachhi56 

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