One Spark Event – Why Should Moms Care?

I am sure you are being bombarded with the advertising and media talking about the One Spark event scheduled for April 17th through April 21st. You are probably asking yourselves what is it all about and why should I care?

EXPERIENCE ONE SPARK

One Spark is built on the belief that game-changers emerge from dorm rooms, garages, and small studios. For five days in April 2013, One Spark lights up Downtown Jacksonville. More than 500 Creators will display their work in over 65 Venues and Spaces, all vying for $250,000 in crowdfunding, up to $1 million in capital investments, and immediate individual investments.

I want to talk about this event from a mom’s point of view. Two things you should know about me before I give my opinion. I am a mother of two boys ages 8 and 11. I have lived in Jacksonville since I was 8 and returned back from college in 1993. If you want me to do the math, this makes me a mom in her 40’s. My age means that I am no longer considered a young professional or hip to the next generation which brings me to my point about One Spark.

One Spark appears at first glance to simply be a festival for creative young people (mainly 20s and 30s artists, musicians and entrepreneurs) to get money through votes to fund their project. Looks can be deceiving because several creators are in their 40’s and moms. I am one of them. You need to know that there is more at stake than festival attendance and bringing people downtown.

One Spark Jacksonville Your children’s future in Jacksonville is at stake. Ask yourself whether you want them to return home after college or leave to find a better job someplace else? I know what I want. I want them to come home. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want them to come back and live in my home. I want them to come back to Jacksonville for a great opportunity. So how will they know that our city has plenty of opportunities? Will they look at the size of our shopping malls or the condition of downtown? What do you notice when you travel? Obvious answer: Downtown. Nothing says opportunity like a beautiful and busy downtown.

So how do we look? Not bad but not good either. We still have boards on empty office buildings but a change is coming. Your opportunity, if you choose to accept it. First, attend the One Spark festival. I know we all have soccer and baseball games but the festival runs five days. You can find the time. You know what these creators need. They need encouragement just like you do. Creators are like new moms. Trust me when I say each creator loves his or her company like a newborn baby. Jacksonville needs these creators to grow into employers.

Second, use the One Spark festival as a teachable moment for your children. Bring your children to the One Spark festival and let them meet the creators. You never know whether a brief conversation could be an “aha” moment for your child. Discuss and decide as a family which creator deserves your vote. Show your children all of the possibilities in their future. Show them the buildings, the river, the trains and the bridges that make downtown Jacksonville unique. After the festival is over, continue to encourage your children to be producers rather than consumers. Inspire your children by taking them downtown on a regular basis rather than the St. John’s Town Center.

In the end, moms are the real sparks of Jacksonville. After all, we are the ultimate creators (creators of human beings). We are responsible for the biggest project available in this world: raising responsible adults. Don’t miss this opportunity to be your children’s spark! Support the One Spark festival creators and you will see the boards come off the windows while showing your children their future lies in Jacksonville!

One Spark Jacksonville

One Spark Festival Information: http://www.beonespark.com/experience

Register to Vote: https://www.beonespark.com/voters/new

Creator Zone Hours

APRIL 17: 3:00 PM – 8:30 PM

APRIL 18: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

April 19: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

April 20: 9:00 AM – 9:00PM

APRIL 21: 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM

 

 

Lynn
Lynn Layfield is a working mother of two boys age 8 and 11. Lynn was a stay-at-home mom for the first 7 years and has been a full-time working mom for the past three years. She is the Founder and President of PlanSummer.com which launched this past February. PlanSummer.com is a web based application that helps working parents quickly plan their children's care during the Summer break so they can work. Lynn has more than 20 plus years experience in the software and technology industry. She has been living in Jacksonville for more than 35 years. She is an advocate for downtown development and encourages entrepreneurs.

7 COMMENTS

  1. As a mom of a 2 1/2 year old, in her 30s, AND a creator for One Spark, I appreciated this! I also grew up here in Jacksonville. I didn’t go downtown much, but, when I did, I remember finding it “scary”. Now I really embrace downtown. And, without being a mom, my focus for my business wouldn’t exist. I’m showing “Snaps and Synapses” at JPL during the festival, and I’d be happy to talk to any kids about photography or having a creative-based business! And I’m also hoping for a busy, bustling, beautiful downtown Jacksonville for my son.

  2. Lynn – great article. Best wishes at One Spark with PlanSummer. I too am a 40+ entrepreneur Dad that will be presenting our novel immune supplement Hybrid CR Rapid Immune Defense. Send me your booth location so I can stop by and connect with you. I’ll be in the Sun Trust building on the 6th Floor, Hybrid Remedies. I hope much success for all Creators and for an excellent turn out!

    Jason

  3. Indeed; a wonderful (and touching…) blog. I’m a single Mom of a stunning-in-every-way 15 yo son; who’s in her mid- 50ies(!) and shares your sentiments exactly. I too am a creator for this event; (although not seeking funds)having knitted my fingers to their bone, just to share in making an ugly downtown construction fence off Hemming Plaza beautiful for 5 days. My son thinks Yarn Graffiti or the new craze of ‘Yarn Bombing’ is just totally cool. He’s proud of me and proud to know several MOMS and a few young friends too…creating and participating in OneSpark. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and much luck to all involved. Be kind, be grateful and BE ONE SPARK… because our ‘kids’ are watching!

  4. Great article Lynn! I am a grandmother in her 50’s and I am a One Spark creator. Even better… I’m the mother of two daughters who returned to their place of birth…. And are One Spark creators! We love Jacksonville and want to see it not only thrive for our future generations, but to also live up to its full potential. My youngest daughter and I will be in the Schultz Building with our business – Discovery House. It would be great to meet you and see how we can cross-promote our ventures, since they both involve children! Best of luck to you!

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