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Dwayne Walker
Cofounder & CEO of Sparketh (As Seen on Shark Tank) | Online Art Courses for Kids and Teens
Dwayne Walker is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sparketh, an online art education platform designed for kids and teens. He has been instrumental in developing Sparketh since its inception in 2014, focusing on making art education accessible and engaging for young learners. The platform offers over 1,000 video lessons taught by various talented mentors, catering especially to homeschooling families and those lacking access to traditional art classes.12
Background and Career
- Education and Early Career: Dwayne Walker is a self-taught artist who initially pursued a professional art career at a young age. He co-founded Sparketh with Tim Samuel after dropping out of college, driven by their passion for entrepreneurship and creativity.23
- Role at Sparketh: As CEO, Dwayne describes himself as the "visionary" behind the company, working closely with Tim Samuel to bring innovative ideas to fruition. His responsibilities include branding, marketing, and teaching many of the courses offered on the platform.23
Achievements
- Shark Tank Appearance: Sparketh gained significant recognition after appearing on Shark Tank, where Dwayne and Tim secured a $100,000 investment from Barbara Corcoran and Daniel Lubetzsky. This opportunity validated their business model and showcased the potential impact of their work in the arts education sector.3
- Impact: Under Dwayne's leadership, Sparketh has reached over 30,000 students across 100 countries, emphasizing the importance of creativity in education.4
Philosophy
Dwayne believes that creativity is essential for personal expression and problem-solving. He advocates for continuous learning as a means to enhance one's creative abilities, stating, "Creativity is always an extension of you. You can only create as far as you know" .2