our star-ting point
A decade of experience + a lifetime of creativity = Results!
Hi, my name is Sarah Kimball & I’m the brains and brawn of Bright Spark Creative!
It all started in 2016 at a nonprofit arts org called Spark Media Project (fitting, right?). I didn’t know it then, but that was the start of a whole creative journey—somehow, almost ten years later, that first little spark turned into a full-blown creative agency. Totally planned, right? Yeah… not at all.
It started accidentally. I picked up freelance work between jobs—once after surviving the soul-crushing magic of working at a Waterpark Resort (sounds fun, but no). Did get to meet a few influencers & celebs, had an actual marketing budget, and got to play model with my much more photogenic son. Another time, I got nudged out of a nonprofit during its 7,893rd leadership shuffle. Nonprofit life? Not exactly charity, folks.
Nonprofit burnout, corporate nonsense, and a lot of “you’re really good at this” moments finally pushed me to start something of my own. It wasn’t easy (hello, LLC confusion and contract drama), but it was worth it.
Ok, and before we go any further with this introduction, an Elphaba moment.
Yes, I lost my hair
. No, I don’t have cancer.
Yes, I have alopecia and also NO it never happened before.
Yes, I wear headscarves - and I also wear wigs - but I seldom go without any head covering. Maybe one day.
Alopecia is the real deal folks. I was lucky that I lost my hair later in life, after I had some confidence in myself. It was and is still hard, but I can’t imagine the hell that children and especially teens with Alopecia go through.
Everyday, do your best to do the best things.
commitment to community
Accolades, awards & recognition
Sometimes, I get recognized for doing cool things and that’s pretty great.
I Did Cool Things…
Graduated Summa Cum Laude for BA & MA degrees.
Leadership Dutchess Alumni (class of 2017) - recipient: Community Advocate Award
Trained QPR (suicide prevention) trainer
Received “Rising Star Fundraiser” award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals - Mid Hudson Valley
Received the “40 Under 40 Mover & Shaker” Award from the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce
Named Manager of the Quarter at The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark….before I had completed six months of employment.
…and Someone Wrote About Them!
Was Featured as 1 of 5 Up in Coming Women Professionals by the Poughkeepsie Journal.
Presented HVThankful Award to United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region
Was interviewed by THEE MICHELLE BARONE, host of the RED Podcast, to talk about the Kartrite Resort.
Has had work published in “The Mighty”, a peer support platform for those with chronic illness.
Hosted many discussions about nonprofit fundraising and marketing, including this session on Board Storytelling.
