Inspiration Behind Sparked Voice

It started in a performance review.

I was sitting across from my manager at San Diego Tourism Authority, still fairly new in my role, when he asked me the question everyone dreads a little: "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

I was vague. Not because I didn’t care. I cared deeply. But I was still finding my footing. What I knew was this: I wanted to build a reputation that meant something. One where people felt they could trust me, count on me, and know that when we worked together, things would actually happen.

My manager listened. And then he said something I have carried with me ever since.

“Rica, I empower you to find your voice.”

That was Ted File. And those words became the anchor of every career transition, every leap of faith, and every brave decision I have made since. Ted is no longer with us, but his belief in me lives on in everything I build. Sparked Voice exists, in large part, because of him.

A Legacy of Purposeful Business

The other roots of this business go back even further, to my parents.

They were small business owners who were recognized, by the president of the Philippines at the time, with an entrepreneurship award for bringing Filipino products and craftsmanship to a global stage. But the part that shaped me most was not the recognition. It was what they did with their success.

They gave back. Generously and consistently, to Filipino communities that needed it most. They showed me, without ever saying it directly, that business is not just about what you build for yourself. It is about what you create for others.

That is the kind of business owner I am working every day to become.

What This Means for You

If you are a purpose-driven entrepreneur, you already know that what you do matters. Your mission is real. Your impact is real. But running a business while trying to show up fully for your clients and your community? That is a lot to carry.

What I have learned, from Ted, from my parents, from years in hospitality where trust and execution are everything, is that having the right support changes everything. Not just practically, but emotionally. When you have someone in your corner who is as invested in your mission as you are, you stop second-guessing and start moving.

That is what I want to be for you. Not just someone who checks tasks off a list, but an operations partner who genuinely cares about what you are building and shows up with the same intention you do.

Sparked Voice is my voice. And I built it to help amplify yours.

I am Rica, founder of Sparked Voice. As an operations specialist / executive virtual assistant, I help purpose-driven entrepreneurs run organized, sustainable operations so they can lead boldly, focus on their mission, and create lasting impact.

If something here spoke to you, I would love to hear your story and learn how I could support you. Send me an email, connect with me on Linkedin, follow me on Instagram or book a free discovery call here. I can't wait to hear from you!

Rica