There are moments in life that change everything.
Not because we choose them, but because they force us to look at life through a different lens.
For Alison Allen, founder of Sparks HR, that moment came after losing her dad.
After more than two decades working in HR and learning and development, Alison had often wondered what life would look like if she took the leap and built a business of her own. Like so many talented women, the dream was there, but so too was the comfort of a monthly salary, the fear of failure and the nagging voice of self-doubt.
Then life intervened.
As her father’s Parkinson’s disease progressed and she found herself saying goodbye after years of anticipatory grief, Alison began to question everything. Watching someone you love fade away has a way of bringing absolute clarity. Suddenly the risks that once felt enormous no longer seemed quite so frightening.
‘I realised life is too short,’ Alison told The Female Boss. ‘I’d rather look back knowing I’d tried than spend the rest of my life wondering what might have happened.’
At almost the same time, the company she’d dedicated years to was changing beyond recognition following a takeover. The culture she loved disappeared almost overnight and, when redundancy was offered, Alison made the brave decision to volunteer.
Although she had years of experience, confidence didn’t come naturally. Imposter syndrome whispered that she wasn’t ready. She still applied for employed roles, convinced that was the sensible option.
But sometimes the people who know us best see our potential before we do.
Her husband encouraged her to back herself and use her redundancy money to give the business a chance.
That conversation changed everything.
On 1 February 2023, Alison officially stepped into self-employment. The following weeks were filled with uncertainty, excitement and more than a few moments of wondering whether she’d made the right decision.
Then came another extraordinary moment.
Wanting to honour her dad, she searched for the perfect name for her new business. Lying in bed one evening, she says she heard his nickname, ‘Sparks’. It felt like the answer she’d been searching for.
Today, Sparks HR carries not only her professional expertise but also a lasting tribute to the man who inspired her to finally take the leap.
Fast forward to today and Alison has built far more than a traditional HR consultancy.
Working as a fractional HR partner, she supports organisations that genuinely care about their people. She is also an accredited mediator, Insights Discovery Practitioner and a CPD-approved menopause trainer, helping businesses create workplaces where women feel supported, understood and able to thrive.
True to her values, Alison has become increasingly selective about who she works with.
‘I promised myself I would only work with organisations that genuinely care about their people. If our values don’t align, they’re simply not the right fit.’
It’s a philosophy that has shaped every part of her business.
Perhaps the biggest transformation, however, has been personal.
The woman who once dreaded speaking in front of people now delivers workshops, keynote sessions and corporate training with confidence. The self-belief that once held her back has slowly been replaced with experience, purpose and courage.
Alison’s story reminds us that resilience isn’t about never feeling fear.
It’s about taking the next step anyway.
Sometimes the hardest chapters of our lives become the very foundation of everything we go on to build.
And perhaps that’s what Built Not Broken is really about.
Not pretending life hasn’t knocked us down.
But choosing to rise anyway.
Continuing to grow
One of the biggest personal shifts for Alison has been overcoming the imposter syndrome that once made her question whether she was ‘good enough’. Ironically, it was a recent conversation with a prospective client that finally put those doubts into perspective.
After speaking with five different providers about menopause training, the client chose Alison and told her: ‘Within five minutes of our call, I thought, you know your stuff. Being an HR professional adds so much to what you offer.’ For Alison, those words meant more than any award because they recognised the unique blend of HR expertise and menopause knowledge she brings to every organisation.
Today, Alison is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD (Chartered FCIPD), the highest level of professional membership, and Sparks HR is a CPD Approved Provider. Her CPD-accredited programmes include Menopause Awareness for Colleagues, Menopause for Managers and the Menopause Champion Programme. She has also developed the Sparks Menopause Inclusion Transformation Programme, helping organisations create truly inclusive workplaces before recognising their progress with the Sparks Menopause Inclusion Recognition Award.
Alison has recently received another industry award and is awaiting the outcome of her application to become a CPD Accredited Trainer, demonstrating her continued commitment to raising standards and delivering meaningful change.
