Initially, after majoring in business, art, and German in college, Sparks chose an international business-oriented career in marketing that included a lot of foreign travel. After eight years, she realized this line of work was not fulfilling.
One day, while sitting down with her mom over coffee, her mom asked, “If you could do anything, what would you do?” Spontaneously, Sonya replied, “I want to open an art gallery.” Though, she had doubts about her ability to pull it off. Her mom challenged her, asking, “Why not?”
Sparks learned from her years in business that she needed to understand the market for art in San Diego, and that would require research. “I talked to my professors and did audience surveys. The feedback I got was that there were not enough places to show the art of the artists who live here.”
Backed by her data, Sparks earned the support of her family, who are involved in real estate. They collectively decided to buy a building, rather than rent space. This gave her gallery venture the kind of gravitas and feeling of permanence that few newer gallerists can claim.