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About Spark

Every Brand Has a Story...

Here's Ours.

Sparking Solutions

Owner & CEO Chelsea Williams stumbled into the world of branded merchandise by accident, but she immediately knew that she had found her calling.

After working for several top branded merchandise agencies, she saw an opportunity to launch Spark Branded Solutions and start disrupting the industry.

Spark was built for the bold – for high performers who expect more from their merch.

We’re not in this to blend in. We’re here to challenge norms, rethink process and create merchandise that people actually want to use.

Our team of experts are here to guide you every step of the way, from conceptualization to delivery. Our scalable solutions are tailored to fit your needs – whether you’re a growing startup or a global powerhouse. And through every project, our mission stays the same: To create branded merch that matters. 

Ready to add some Spark to your merch? Contact us today to get started.

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team

Meet the Team

Company Culture

We know that company culture plays a huge part of a company's success. That's why we're committed to building a culture of caring, starting from the top.

We Believe in:

Flexibility

We're not just talking about your hours, although those can be flexible too! Spark's leadership team is committed to being flexible and nimble, always looking for the best way to service our employees - and our customers!

Gratitude & Recognition

We know that you work hard, and your hard work deserves to be recognized. Whether we're sending kudos or thanking you for your business, we want you to know that you're appreciated.

Collaboration

Our team thrives in a collaborative environment. After all, we can achieve so much more together than we ever could apart.

Work/Life Balance

That's right... we want you to take your PTO! Promoting a healthy work-life balance helps our team achieve happiness and well-being in the workplace. And when our team is happy, our customers are happy!

Consistency

We set high expectations for ourselves. You can expect consistent results – every project, every time.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

As a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), Spark recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We firmly believe that diversity and inclusion aren’t just buzzwords; they are fundamental cornerstones of our success and innovation. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where each employee feels valued, respected and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work each day.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion extends beyond our internal operations. We seek to partner with suppliers, clients, and communities that share our values and are equally dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of business. Our Supplier Diversity Program is dedicated to partnering with minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, and other underrepresented businesses.

We understand that fostering diversity and inclusion is an ongoing journey, and we are dedicated to continuously learning, evolving, and improving our practices. By championing diversity and inclusion, we not only strengthen our organization but also contribute to creating a more equitable and inclusive society.

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE

Spark recognizes that our actions have far-reaching impacts beyond just financial outcomes. We are committed to operating in a manner that not only generates value but also contributes positively to society and the environment. Our team has set ESG goals that we strive towards that will make a true impact beyond our organization.

Spark is proud to be a responsible corporate citizen and remains dedicated to advancing our ESG initiatives to drive positive change and make a meaningful impact on society and the environment.

If you are a client and would like a copy of our ESG policy, please reach out to Chelsea Williams at chelsea@sparkbrandedsolutions.com.

Chelsea Williams - Owner & CEO

Chelsea is Owner & CEO of Spark Branded Solutions, as well the mom to two adorable children. Who says you can't have it all?! As a sales and marketing expert, she has helped hundreds of companies build their brands by choosing impactful promotional products as part of their marketing strategies. With a background in broadcast journalism and a decade of experience in promo, she's committed to helping you tell your story through promotional products. Chelsea recently earned one of the industry's highest honors by being named a PPAI Rising Star.

WHAT I THOUGHT I WOULD BE WHEN I GREW UP:  A news anchor.
ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU CAN FIND ME: Napping.
MY FAVORITE PEOPLE CALL ME: Mama.

Michelle Burke -Vice President of Sales

As Vice President of Sales, Michelle leverages decades of experience in the promotional products industry and is the fearless leader of our sales team. She brings years of global sales experience and is committed to elevating our sales team through collaboration, strategic planning and professional development. She is an active member of her local rotary club and embodies a true volunteer spirit - both in her personal and professional life.

WHAT I THOUGHT I WOULD BE WHEN I GREW UP:  A Broadway star.
ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU CAN FIND ME: Wandering antique and farmers markets.
MY FAVORITE PEOPLE CALL ME: Mich.

Becky Link –CONTROLLER

Becky has been involved in promotional marketing for over 34 years in roles as CFO and Controller. She loves working in the fun and creative promotional marketing arena. She is married, has three adult children and two grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, quilting, gardening and most of all, spending time with her two beautiful granddaughters.

WHAT I THOUGHT I WOULD BE WHEN I GREW UP:  A flight attendant.
ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU CAN FIND ME: Spending time with my family.
MY FAVORITE PEOPLE CALL ME: Mom, Mama, Grandmuddy.

Christy Towler-Sackett – Director of Program Operations

With nearly 20 years of experience in the industry, Christy has done it all! She started her career in accounting and has worked her way through purchasing, production, sales, project management and programs. In her role as Director of Program Operations, Christy thrives on turning challenges into streamlined processes that deliver real results. She’s passionate about operationalizing and implementing solutions quickly and effectively to impact the bottom line. She loves finding unique and useful merchandise (because let’s face it—she’s seen it all), and she takes pride in meeting and exceeding client expectations every time.

WHAT I THOUGHT I WOULD BE WHEN I GREW UP: A police officer, like my dad.
ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU CAN FIND ME: Exploring cenotes, snorkeling and spending time finding new street art to photograph.
MY FAVORITE PEOPLE CALL ME: CAT (my initials!)

Marliss O’Neal – Director of Accounting & HR

With decades of industry experience, Marliss has worn almost every hat on the operations side and brings a wealth of knowledge to our team. She has an incredibly strong work ethic and thrives on supporting our sales team and working together for the company’s greater good. Her favorite part of the job is the relationships that she’s built, both with our internal team and our vendors. She and her husband have been married for 34 years, with two adult children and three adorable grandchildren. During her down-time, you can catch her gardening, reading, participating in church activities and spoiling her grandbabies.

WHAT I THOUGHT I WOULD BE WHEN I GREW UP: A psychologist or a teacher.
ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU CAN FIND ME: Hanging with my family or in my yard.
MY FAVORITE PEOPLE CALL ME: Mom or Marli, my grandmother name. 😊

Eileen Malayter -Senior Brand Manager

Eileen is a seasoned Senior Brand Manager who is well-versed in every aspect of the promo industry. There's a reason that her clients love her - she's a creative at heart, and she's known for her flawless execution of projects. She's cultivated an impressive portfolio that continues to grow, thanks to her strong business development skills.

WHAT I THOUGHT I WOULD BE WHEN I GREW UP:  Editor of a fashion magazine.
ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU CAN FIND ME: Checking out the latest musical.
MY FAVORITE PEOPLE CALL ME: E.

Kathleen McClure -Senior Brand Manager

Kathleen is a Senior Brand Manager with 32 years of marketing and promotional sales experience. Her creativity, strategic business sense, high energy and stellar work ethic has resulted in long term client relationships that have grown into friendships. Her clients trust whether a project is large or small, she’ll get it done and keep it fun. But, her proudest accomplishment has been being mom to her two sons both now attending Oklahoma State University. Go Pokes!

WHAT I THOUGHT I WOULD BE WHEN I GREW UP:  A teacher.
ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU CAN FIND ME: With my family on the lake (weather permitting).
MY FAVORITE PEOPLE CALL ME: Mom or Kat.

AMY DANIELS –SENIOR BRAND MANAGER

With more than a decade of industry experience under her belt, Amy is more than a Senior Brand Manager – she’s your visionary partner who will turn your merchandise concepts into dynamic reality. From conceptualization to final delivery, Amy will guide you every step of the way. Nothing beats the smiles of her happy customers and seeing their merchandise in action! This former gymnast turned pickleball fan resides in West Michigan with her husband, two toddlers and Weimaraner.

WHAT I THOUGHT I WOULD BE WHEN I GREW UP:  A veterinarian.
ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU CAN FIND ME: Chasing kiddos at the beach or yelling "fore" at the golf course.
MY FAVORITE PEOPLE CALL ME: Captain of the A-Squad.

Liz Neary –Senior Brand Manager

Liz is a seasoned sales professional who thrives at communication and problem solving. She’s a pro at nurturing relationships with clients and suppliers, growing connections built on trust and reliability. Her favorite part of the job is leveraging her creativity to make her clients shine. She’s been married for nearly 30 years to the cute guy she met at a bar in Hoboken after college, and they have two grown children. (But the most-loved members of the family are their rescue dogs.) Outside of work, you can find Liz golfing, spending summers at Lake George or cheering on her alma mater, Penn State.

WHAT I THOUGHT I WOULD BE WHEN I GREW UP: A high school English teacher.
ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU CAN FIND ME: Golfing and being an outdoor enthusiast.
MY FAVORITE PEOPLE CALL ME: Mom, Elizabeth and Libby. And call me often!

John Heinz –Senior Brand Manager

With more than 20 years of industry experience, John has worked with clients ranging from single-person startups to Fortune 100 organizations. He has a passion for forging meaningful connections, and he thrives on engaging with clients and understanding their unique needs. Armed with a winning smile and a knack for rapport-building, he’s not just making a sale; he’s building a long-lasting relationship. He and his wife of 20+ years live in California with their two teenagers and a pair of pretty awesome cats.

WHAT I THOUGHT I WOULD BE WHEN I GREW UP:  A football player.
ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU CAN FIND ME: Watching sports & hanging out with my wife.
MY FAVORITE PEOPLE CALL ME: Dad, Johnny Boy or Big Heinz.

Mary Ann Vogt – Brand Manager

With 20 years of experience in the promotional industry, preceded by a career in marketing and event planning, Mary Ann knows what it takes to create and execute successful marketing campaigns. Her organizational skills, responsiveness, goal-oriented mindset and dedication to meeting deadlines make her an invaluable partner to her clients. She loves working on projects that deliver the “WOW” factor! When she’s not working, you can find her at the lake or planting flowers in her garden. She and her husband of 22 years live in Kansas City with their two young-adult children.

WHAT I THOUGHT I WOULD BE WHEN I GREW UP: A dentist.
ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU CAN FIND ME: In the garden, at the lake, or relaxing with family and friends.
MY FAVORITE PEOPLE CALL ME: Mom, Schmans, Annie

Nikki Hammon – Brand Manager

Nikki is a seasoned professional with more than 30 years of experience in sales and client relations. She thrives on the fun and creativity that the promotional industry offers, finding joy in every opportunity to innovate and engage. Nikki is deeply passionate about continuous learning, always striving to understand her clients' needs to better support them. Her love for connecting with people drives her success, making her a trusted and valued partner to those she works with. As a self-proclaimed “crazy dog lady,” she and her family spoil their yellow lab, Willow, who loves being an only child.

WHAT I THOUGHT I WOULD BE WHEN I GREW UP: A veterinarian.
ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU CAN FIND ME: Relaxing on the back deck at home with my family – with a fun cocktail in my hand.
MY FAVORITE PEOPLE CALL ME: Sugar, Stepmom, and NikNak.

JACKIE JAMES –SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

Jackie comes to us with more than seven years of industry experience. In her role as Senior Project Manager, she brings the best aspects of her previous roles into one hybrid role. Whether she’s supporting our sales team by keeping their orders running smoothly or recommending new products for their clients, she’s always making us look good! A good blend of fun and no-nonsense, Jackie is the workplace comedian but knows when to buckle down and get it done. Outside of work, Jackie is married with a bonus child and two pets. Her family loves to travel and enjoys her homecooking and baking – a self-taught skill that she picked up during quarantine.

WHAT I THOUGHT I WOULD BE WHEN I GREW UP:  A doctor.
ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU CAN FIND ME: Treasure hunting at Home Goods.
MY FAVORITE PEOPLE CALL ME: My favorite people are my pets, and I’d like to think they call me “best mom ever!”

Michelle Barrie –Project Manager

Michelle comes to Spark with more than a decade of industry experience, and she’s had the privilege of working with some of the world’s most renowned brands. As an advocate for creativity and self-expression, she finds great joy in the creative process of her role. She also has a passion for sustainability and eco-conscious living, and she’s honed in on environmentally-friendly products and practices over the years. Beyond her professional career, she proudly embraces the role of single mother to her teenage son. She enjoys living in Southern California, where she spends her free time hiking, camping and exploring the outdoors.

WHAT I THOUGHT I WOULD BE WHEN I GREW UP:  A pilot.
ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU CAN FIND ME: Hiking.
MY FAVORITE PEOPLE CALL ME: Mom or MPB.

Shelby Webb –Project Manager

Meet Shelby, who has been a dynamic force in the promotional industry since 2020. With a knack for creativity and a can-do attitude, Shelby has excelled as a brand consultant and account manager, and now she shines as a project manager. Her favorite part of the job is scouting the perfect merch for each project, staying ahead of trends and project deadlines. When she’s not transforming brands, Shelby enjoys life on her family’s farm with her husband, daughter, and two pups. Whether it's soaking up the sunshine, diving into a good book or planning her next trip, she finds joy in every moment. A true go-getter, she brings passion and enthusiasm to everything she does, making every project a success story.

WHAT I THOUGHT I WOULD BE WHEN I GREW UP: A writer.
ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU CAN FIND ME: At a brewery or a vineyard.
MY FAVORITE PEOPLE CALL ME: Mommy or Shelb.

Greta Barthelemy –Project Manager

Greta is an accomplished project manager and brings a blend of sales expertise and project management skills to our team. After starting her career in sales, she quickly discovered her passion for project management. She is artistic at heart, and she loves putting her art degree to good use by showcasing her creative skills. Her favorite part of her job is sourcing challenging projects and then seeing those promo items in use. There’s no better feeling than knowing that you made someone’s vision come to life! She and her partner live in Minneapolis with their German Shepherd, Rosie Jean. In her downtime, you can find enjoying the local restaurant scene or traveling on new adventures.

WHAT I THOUGHT I WOULD BE WHEN I GREW UP: I was certain I would be a princess in a castle! I think I made it, just on a smaller scale.
ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU CAN FIND ME: Out at a new restaurant, checking out vintage markets and art galleries, or walking my dog.
MY FAVORITE PEOPLE CALL ME: G or just Greta! I think my name might be unique as it is.

Grayson Harris -MARKETING & CREATIVE SPECIALIST

Grayson is our Marketing & Creative Specialist and an integral part of the work that's done behind the scenes at Spark. Whether managing our social media, building pitch decks or creating custom designs for our clients, her role is the backbone of our brand. Prior to joining our team, she honed her skills as a digital marketing specialist.

WHAT I THOUGHT I WOULD BE WHEN I GREW UP:  A singer.
ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU CAN FIND ME: Having brunch with my friends.
MY FAVORITE PEOPLE CALL ME: G.

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