"OUR STORY, OUR DREAM..." A Self-Love Journey
Who are we? What is the purpose of our brand? Why do we have our beliefs? What is our story?...
Well, our story is one I hope lets other women out there know they are not alone...sometimes when we pray very hard for what we think we desire in life- God has an interesting way of making it a lesson- and re-awakening us into a bigger and better phase of dreams and aspirations.
Life is like the Great Sea- We start ambitious and eager to tame her to our sails and, yet, She is relentless and, at times, brutal and traumatizing. We might even fear ever trying to sail again. But with a little faith, courage, wisdom and self-belief, The Great Sea will teach and guide us to wherever we set our sails for...
"THE RISE OF A GODDESS..."
In my early days I was a DAY-DREAMER. I could visualize colorful and artistic surroundings without having to close my eyes or sleep. My father was a Master Artist and he taught me at an early age to always be creative.
I was fascinated by wildlife and often painted big cats and scenery. After moving from Austin, TX to Houston, TX- my sister and I moved to many different school environments...from passing out toilet tissue rations in one school to attending other schools with over-paid football stadiums attached.
I began selling my art at these prestigious schools. Painting my teachers' pets and selling all types of knick-knacks around my neighborhoods. I spent most my days in the library and read everything I could get my hands on. I found I was in love with fashion and entrepreneurship...
"THE FALL INTO DARKNESS..."
After graduating High School, I worked a while for Victoria's Secret while studying real estate. I would pray nightly to find a mentor to guide me as an entrepreneur and one day that prayer had been fulfilled by chance!
I was eager to learn as much as I could, however this person began taking advantage of me (I was young and naïve) promising all my dreams and a chance to be business partners...and I found myself never having days off, shutting off my friends and family, working for free for 4 years, and creating multiple designs and branding concepts for projects, etc. While being expected to manage his emotions and aggressiveness- being called "weak" and "useless without him". I fell into a dark depression and found myself in an emotionally & sexually abusive work environment.
Although I was traveling, meeting great leaders and other business entrepreneurs- I had seemingly "made it" in others eyes- and yet it was all but that. One moment I was spoken highly of in board meetings as a successor- the next moment I was behind doors crying on the floor being called ugly names and gas-light to believe I could only be anything if he was in control of my life...
By the beginning of covid-19, I was suicidal and heavily depressed. I only wanted a way out and away from my abusive employer. I unexpectedly met and ended up falling in love with my current partner and he helped me pack my books & pillow, (the few items I had), and leave to go back home. I received multiple threats/blackmails from my employer after leaving and decided to tell my family and get the police involved. I have learned to accept my past choices and don't let these things define me, thus these 'threats' had no power over me. God sees all. God judges all. Holding onto hatred is drinking poison and expecting the other person to fall...
Ladies, even though starting life completely over may feel absolutely embarrassing, traumatizing, and humiliating- nothing is better than being on THIS Earth and able to walk away from darkness and find a new light for yourself. Never give up...breath. decide. get up. move on. I believe God gives His toughest challenges to His strongest warriors. So keep fighting the good fight and start believing in and taking care of yourself...
"THE SELF LOVE JOURNEY..."
By 2021 near February, I had moved back home and really had to think about what I wanted to do with my life now. I had joined therapy for trauma/PTSD and began learning to set boundaries again and what self-love was to me again. It was tough and something I still work on to this day. I found that practicing "Pause. Breath. Positive" helped me a lot to let go of the past and move on. I started to only think about the positives I had in my life no matter how small. Thus, I began to see more and more positive energy and people entering my life- helping me awaken new dreams and new life passions.
I was able to manifest a healthy work environment at a new career while being able to work from home by January 2022. I started to practice self-love and self-care by trying new hobbies from aerial silk, solo trips, meeting like-minded women for High Tea, gardening, taking long bubble-baths with classical music, getting back into art and painting, acting and many other things.
I now (Oct 2023) have been a dedicated licensed Sailor with the goal of preparing for my first! I sat on the board at Houston Yacht Club as the youngest member apart of the Membership Committee. I am also an Epee Fencer and have been fencing over the past year now as well as a Hunter/Jumper Equestrian training weekly for upcoming horse shows. These hobbies are my life joys while I embark on my entrepreneurial journey starting a small business. I hope to see many more like-minded women of color explore these classic lifestyle hobbies!
House of Goddesses is my life's work and passion- I hope to not only help women look and feel their best through classical styles, but to also see our brand as a home- an Olympus- to come to when the world is dark- a place of leveling up with like-minded women mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally to one day hoist up your own sails and set course to the destination you desire in your life.
And so, my dear Goddesses, I ask that you never give up, no matter how dark life may feel or be at times- for there are always greater years to come and you never know what blessings will find their way to you...
With Love,
Gabriana Sparks
CEO, House of Goddesses
Join me on My Sailing Journey!
I am vlogging my sailing, fencing, business and horse riding progress on my YouTube channel: Gabriana Sparks
Feel free to follow along as I prepare to take the ASA 108 passage and sail the carribean!
Instagram: @GabrianaSparks
TikTok: @HouseofGoddessesLLC