My Experience with a $4,000 Investment
I wanted to share my experience because, before enrolling in Spark the Stage, Aleya Harris' online speaking-coaching program, I had a difficult time finding independent reviews from people who had actually taken the program.
I invested $4,000 after speaking with Aleya. I was genuinely impressed by her sales process, and the framework and structure she shared with me before I enrolled really resonated with me. It felt like exactly what I was looking for, and I left our conversation excited to get started.
I enrolled because I was looking for practical guidance on becoming a stronger speaker—developing talks, improving delivery, storytelling, and learning how to build a speaking business.
Unfortunately, my experience once I began the program was different.
After completing about 40% of the program, I concluded it wasn't the right fit for my goals because the content I encountered emphasized mindset and personal development more than the practical speaking instruction I was expecting. My experience of the program did not align with what I understood I was purchasing, and I was deeply disappointed by that.
For me, the curriculum focused much more heavily on mindset, confidence, and personal development than I anticipated. The program included a complimentary copy of Aleya's book. Looking back, I wish I had read it before beginning the course because many of the themes and concepts I encountered in the first 40% of the program were also covered in the book. Reading it first would have helped me determine whether investing in the full program was the right choice for me.
One thing that was particularly difficult for me was that after completing approximately 40% of the course, I still hadn't reached the practical speaking content I had enrolled for. At that point, I didn't feel comfortable continuing in the hope that the course would eventually cover the material I was seeking.
I also want to mention that I tried to resolve my concerns directly with Aleya before posting this review, but we weren't able to reach a resolution.
Looking back, I wish I had done more due diligence before enrolling. I wish there had been more independent reviews from past participants, clearer examples of what was actually taught throughout the program, and more transparency about who the program is best suited for.
If you're considering Spark the Stage, my advice would be:
Read Aleya's book before enrolling. In my experience, it provides a good sense of her teaching style and many of the themes covered in the early part of the program. I wish I had read it first before deciding to invest in the full program.
Ask detailed questions about the curriculum, including when different topics are covered and how the program is structured.
Ask for specific examples of the practical speaking instruction you'll receive and when it is introduced in the program.
Make sure the balance between mindset work and practical speaking instruction matches what you're hoping to learn.
If possible, speak with former participants whose goals are similar to yours before making the investment.
This is only my personal experience, and others may have had a different one. I'm sharing it because $4,000 is a significant investment, and I hope this helps someone else make a more informed decision about whether Spark the Stage is the right fit for their goals.