Spark! 2024 Spotlight Series | Claret Alcala Collins
Posted on October 31, 2024
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Name: Claret Alcala Collins | Business: Claret Alcala Photography LLC
Welcome to our Spark! spotlight series, where we introduce you to the amazing entrepreneurs who are participating in our Spark! 2024 program with a quick Q&A! Spark! is a small business pre-accelerator that puts the right people, opportunities, and access in place for local entrepreneurs in Arkansas to grow their venture to the next level.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and what motivated you to join Spark!?
I am a commercial 360 photographer, videographer, and certified drone pilot located in Little Rock, Arkansas, and I am here to help service-based businesses level up their online presence and increase consumer engagement to drive more sales and revenue. What motivated me to join Spark! was the opportunity to connect with like-minded creators and business owners who are passionate about entrepreneurship, collaboration and innovation.
What are your short-term and long-term career goals, and how do you hope this program will help you achieve them?
One of my short-team goals is to dive deeper into my business to really help me understand my market better. I also want to strengthen my portfolio and build more strategic partnerships with local businesses. Long-term, I aim to grow my brand on a larger scale, incorporating more immersive content like interactive 360 experiences and expanding my reach to new markets while offering education and mentorship opportunities to creatives like myself. I feel like Spark! will help me achieve those goals because this program offers tools that you can implement and use to help you move forward.
What is the most valuable piece of business advice you’ve been given?
“Don’t limit yourself to only the things that you know.”
What is a professional achievement that you are most proud of and why?
It may seem silly to some, but graduating from college was a huge achievement for me and marked the beginning of an exciting future with opportunities. As an international student from Venezuela, I faced several challenges—culturally and financially. However, the moment I walked across that stage and received my diploma felt like a true victory. I am the first person in my family to graduate from an American university. It is a powerful reminder that I can overcome any obstacle in my path.