Atlanta, GA — High-energy international motivational speaker Anthony Thomas — known professionally as “Spark Plug” — is among the nation’s most inspiring, entertaining and unforgettable public speakers. Atypical for a man, the certified women’s empowerment coach has a special passion for topics of interest to women. He educates himself on women’s issues to ensure he remains current on what’s trending. Though he speaks on numerous topics, his favorite women’s subject encourages them to believe in the impossible and use their individual creative talents to stand out, so their value is recognized and respected – in the workplace, at school, in personal relationships and especially as entrepreneurs.
Further substantiating his extraordinary acumen for female-targeted speaking is Spark Plug’s other day job, that of the publisher of the annual Atlanta-based People You Need to Know Women’s Magazine, a publication that promotes women business owners. Both in print and Anthony “Spark Plug” Thomas web-hosted, the publication has set a new standard of excellence for branding, uplifting and celebrating female entrepreneurs. For the magazine’s upcoming issue, due out in December, the theme is Atlanta’s Purpose Driven Women. It will feature some of Atlanta’s thriving female entrepreneurs who share their life’s purpose and how it relates to the productive operation of their businesses.
Asked why he is driven to help women, Spark Plug replied, “When women succeed, the nation prospers.”
Featured in the current issue of People You Need to Know Magazine, Renee Sattiewhite, president of Sattiewhite Training Productions, Inc., commented, “Appearing in the magazine has increased [my company’s] sales and visibility… Sales tripled this year, and I know that it is a direct result of appearing in this first-rate magazine.”
Having interviewed and written articles on several hundred women, and lobbied on their behalf and that of their causes, Spark Plug has earned the title ‘America’s Ambassador for Women Business Owners.’ Always dapperly-attired, the highly sought-after speaker possesses a down-to-earth, stimulating and heartfelt delivery that leaves his audiences electrified and wanting more.
Many years ago, after having delivered a captivating presentation to the sales force at ACDelco, one of the world’s largest producers of automotive spark plugs, he received a standing ovation with such thunderous applause that the company dubbed him ‘The Human Spark Plug.’ Spark Plug earned another appropriate moniker following a successful motivational presentation before employees at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta. He was named the ‘Official Morale Booster,’ and has been invited back on several occasions to speak before different groups within the organization.
Spark Plug looks forward to delivering encouraging, attention-getting and inspiring presentations to any company, group or organization of any gender or ethnicity, on nearly any topic. He ignites sparks to build confidence, improve self-esteem and influence positive thinking. Managers and executives at companies such as ADP, General Motors, Sheraton Hotels, Design Essentials, AT&T and many others are all in agreement about the informative and entertaining messages that Spark Plug delivers.
About Spark Plug:
Anthony “Spark Plug” Thomas was born in Flemington, New Jersey, and raised in Lambertville, New Jersey, and in Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina. He is the youngest of three siblings who grew up the hard way without a father present from age two. At six-years-old, he had only one pair of socks that he washed in the sink by hand every night. When he was eight-years-old, his mother’s meager $5,000 a year receptionist salary was barely enough to provide necessities for her family.
The Navy veteran served the United States honorably from 1986 to 1991 on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. Beginning in 1981, Spark Plug embarked on a persistent 21-year journey of educational achievement. He finally earned his Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Macon, Georgia’s Mercer University in 2002. And he also graduated from Duke University’s Innovative Leadership Program in 2006.
Spark Plug was named a “Man of Influence” by the Atlanta Business League; he is also the esteemed recipient of the Phoenix Award, the City of Atlanta’s highest recognition for community service. Spark Plug is married and currently resides in the metro-Atlanta area.
