An Interview with Scott and Jenell Harris of SPARKED
By Krista Martinelli
AW: Where did the idea of SPARKED come from?
SPARKED really grew out of our everyday lives. For more than 20 years we’ve been working with schools through our spirit wear business, and as parents of five kids in the Palm Beach County school system, we’ve seen just about every kind of fundraiser out there.
After COVID, we started hearing the same thing over and over from principals and PTAs: “We don’t need another product to sell. We just need money for our school.” That really hit home for us.
So we built SPARKED — a simple, digital platform that puts more money back into schools without adding stress for families. We didn’t reinvent fundraising… we just made it easier, smarter, and a whole lot better for the people who need it most.
AW: Where does traditional fundraising for schools fall short?
Traditional fundraisers — selling candy bars, wrapping paper, and going door to door — just don’t fit families’ lives anymore. Parents are busy, and most want something easier and more hands-off.
That’s where SPARKED comes in. By using technology, schools can reach more people, more quickly, and with far less effort. It’s simpler, faster, and a lot more effective than the old way of fundraising.
AW: How does SPARKED remedy that problem?
SPARKED makes fundraising simple and stress-free. Instead of selling products or going door to door, families get a personal link they can easily share by text, email, or social media. It’s quick, it’s digital, and it puts more money back into the school with less effort.
In short — SPARKED takes the hassle out of fundraising and makes it something parents can actually enjoy being part of.
AW: Tell us about a successful campaign and what made it successful.
At Binks Forest Elementary, the school needed $20,000 for a playground shade. With SPARKED, they hit their goal — and then some — in just two weeks.
Not every fundraiser has to be that large to make an impact. At Emerald Cove Middle School, the band raised $6,500 to cover buses and travel, which was a huge relief for families.
The key is having a clear, tangible goal. When people understand why a school is raising money, they’re far more willing to give.
AW: How small or big can the campaign be? For example, can it be for a small robotics class or for a whole high school?
SPARKED works for just about any size fundraiser. It could be something small, like raising money for a robotics club, art program, or music group, or something bigger, like a project that supports the whole elementary school. Because everything is digital, families and supporters can participate from anywhere — geography doesn’t limit you.
There’s no cost to sign up, and schools only benefit from what they raise. The only thing we don’t do is individual fundraisers — SPARKED is designed to support groups, teams, and entire schools.
AW: What percentage of the funds go to the actual cause? You mentioned that many competitors allow you to keep only 25 – 50% of the funds.
At minimum, 70% of what’s raised goes right back to your school. The more people who participate, the more your school earns. And if you’d like an extra boost, we can add a spirit wear option too.
AW: What are the challenges you have faced running SPARKED?
SPARKED may be new, but we’re not. For more than 25 years, we’ve been working in schools, creating spirit wear and supporting PTAs. It’s funny — sometimes the hardest part is reminding people that we’ve been here all along, helping schools raise money and build community.
SPARKED is simply the next step. We’re not asking parents to sell candy or wrapping paper — we’re giving them an easy, modern way to support their kids’ schools. We built our own system from scratch, with one goal: make fundraising less stressful for families and more rewarding for schools.
AW: How do you get the word out about SPARKED?
We’ve been spreading the word in a few ways. Locally, we advertise with AroundWellington.com, but what really makes a difference are our partnerships. We’ve teamed up with the Florida PTA, Broward County PTA, and Palm Beach County PTA — and as these campaigns grow, we will be giving funds back directly to them.
Even more powerful than advertising is the word-of-mouth. Parents, teachers, and PTA Presidents are sharing their own success stories, and that kind of first-hand experience is what truly builds trust and excitement.
AW: Tell us about your primary businesses PYRA Promotions and Eleven30Apparel too.
PYRA Promotions has been our foundation for years — we create promotional products, printed materials, and custom apparel for a wide range of clients. A lot of our work is with hospitals, medical groups, and nonprofits, helping them bring their brands to life.
Eleven30Apparel grew out of that same expertise but focuses just on schools. We handle the same things — spirit wear, printed items, and branded products — but with a school-first approach that makes it easy for PTAs, teachers, and administrators to get exactly what they need.
AW: Tell us about your family.
Our kids definitely keep us on our toes. Palm Beach County really has our heart — all five of our kids have gone through the school system here. Two are already graduated, and three are still enrolled.
We actually lean on them for ideas. We’ll ask, “What would you like to see?” and they always have opinions. Our eleven-year-old is full of suggestions, and our fourteen-year-old has even started talking about joining the business one day.
Family is close by too — our parents live right across the street — and between school and sports, our schedules are always full. But honestly, that’s what makes this all feel so connected to what we do every day.
AW: Do you live in Wellington? If so, what do you love about Wellington?
Yes — what’s not to love? Wellington is such a close-knit community. Our neighborhood is full of kids, and the high school is right next door. We’ve built strong connections here with groups like the Boys & Girls Club and our local hospitals.
It’s truly where we’ve chosen to put down roots. We’re even moving our office back to Wellington next year, and we couldn’t be more excited about it.
AW: Anything else?
At the end of the day, we’re all about creating wins — for schools, for parents, and most importantly, for kids. We have so much respect for teachers and the incredible work they do every day. Fundraising, when it’s done right, can help make their classrooms and campuses an even better place for students and staff alike.
SPARKED
Spark the funding for your school needs!
(561) 573-7598