We’re looking forward to introducing you to Sammi Coles. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Sammi, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I love this question. I think so much of owning my own business and acting with brave intention is something that I’m finally fully embracing (okay, there are moments I hesitate, but you get the point 😊). And truly, that is something I was afraid to do before. I think creating an entire business from the ground up is terrifying and liberating, and it’s been a wonderful path to realize that two huge emotions can co-exist at the same time.
And acting with brave intention is something that never even crossed my mind until starting my own business. Before, it was just working my way through the corporate ladder, but with little intention behind it. I think partly before running a small business, it was easy for me to stay in my comfort zone and rarely have to act bravely. Now, it’s completely different, but in the best way!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Yes, of course! HI! I’m Sammi! I’m the owner and trainer at Spark-K9. I call myself a dog trainer, but really I also do a massive amount of human coaching, as well. So think of me as your dog trainer, but also your part-cheerleader, part-therapist, and part-older sister who isn’t afraid to tell you what you need to hear (but, in a kind way!!)
I focus my dog training services on pet dogs and my goal is to help owners and their dogs live their best lives, together.
I started Spark-K9 because of my own ~spicy~ dog, Sparkle, so I truly know what it’s like to be a frustrated owner at their wit’s end. I always say to my clients that the easy part is training the dog. What’s most important to me is that the human feels supported and capable of maintaining the training after my involvement ends. Most dog training simply focuses on the dogs, but to me, there’s SO much more at the other end of the leash that is just as important (if not more so!).
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
I have to give credit to my parents, but specifically my mom. My mom was always a hard worker and was dedicated to her job while considering what was best for her family. When I was in high school, she decided to pursue her passion of fiber arts and leave her career in sales (a MASSIVE jump for her at the time!). I think watching her start her own business and build it from the ground up taught me so much about work ethic, grit, and determination.
And hand-in-hand with that, it also taught me the importance of having a strong support system, as my dad cheered her along every step of the way.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Ooof – the fear of failure. And even still, I have to regularly check in with myself to make sure that the creeping fear of failure isn’t influencing me too much.
I think fear of failure is something that we all struggle with, but I so clearly remember struggling with it for as long as I can remember. It’s taken a lot of inner work and a lot of understanding about perfectionism, failure, and so much more, but I think it’s safe to say that I’ve worked to repurpose that fear. I don’t think it will ever truly go away, but now it’s easy to use it as fuel to try something new and knowing that failure is completely okay! Because without failure, we don’t learn and grow, and life becomes stagnant.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies that my industry tells me is also something that exists strongly outside of just my industry, and that’s resting equates to weakness.
I think we are in a time where resting isn’t valued as much as it should be. We pack our schedules full and don’t learn the art of being bored, and I see this reflected SO often in our dogs and their own nervous systems. I think it’s actually a strength if you learn to recognize when you need to rest, and to take true, adequate, quality rest. Especially in this time of constant entertainment, scrolling, and on-demand everything, it’s SO important to recognize that rest is necessary to our wellbeing.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I think I can confidently say, now, that I am doing what I was born to do. I’ve always felt pulled to work with animals in some capacity, but I also knew that I needed some type of career that could fulfill my compassionate side and desire to help people.
I spent many years in public service, working my way towards promotions in an office setting and that felt very influenced by the outside world. Looking back, those years feel so strongly in the ‘what I was told to do’ category. I feel so truly aligned with what my purpose is, at least in this chapter of my life!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://spark-k9.com
- Instagram: Spark_K9
- Youtube: Spark-K9
- Other: Email: spark-k9@outlook.com
Image Credits
Tiffany Hardin (first 5 photos only)
