President & Chief Operations Officer

Danny Waters

Danny Waters grew up in Albany, New York, where his passion for cooking began at the age of 15 when he took on a job as a "tortilla boy." This early experience ignited his love for the culinary arts, and by the time he graduated from high school in Annapolis, Maryland, he was already working as a salaried kitchen manager. During breaks from school, Danny continued to work in the restaurant industry, honing his skills. His commitment to cooking led him to Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, where he graduated with honors. After college, Danny was promoted to a traveling chef with Glory Days Grill, where he opened 20 restaurants across the country.

Danny’s career took him to various places, including West Virginia, where he became part-owner of an Italian restaurant, and Breckenridge, Colorado, where he worked as an executive chef for Vail Resorts. When his mother was diagnosed with cancer, Danny moved to Seattle to be her caretaker while also serving as an executive chef and general manager for a Pacific Northwest restaurant group. As his mother’s care moved back to the East Coast, Danny relocated to Albany, New York, to take on a corporate chef role, all while his mother attended treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Soon after his mother passed away, Danny met Tony through a dating app, and they quickly fell in love. He accepted the role of executive chef at the prestigious Clark Art Institute in the Berkshires before deciding to relocate to Charlotte in 2019 for a warmer, more affordable life.

In Charlotte, Danny, Tony, and their son, Fitzgerald, settled into their new life, welcoming their daughter, Helen, just as COVID-19 hit. During the pandemic, Danny explored his talents in woodworking, creating live-edge tables while spending time at home with his family. In 2022, just before welcoming their daughter, Bobby into the world, he transitioned into hospitality recruiting, bringing his wealth of experience in the industry to help others find their place in the culinary world. Danny is deeply passionate about God, family, and his community, and he hopes to inspire others to grow in confidence both in the kitchen and in their faith through his involvement with Spark Life and Spark Life Collective.

Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer

Antoinette "Tony" Scott

Antoinette "Tony" Scott was born in Westlake Village, California, where she started her career as a child actress at a very young age. From age 1 to 13, Tony appeared in 98 commercials, five TV shows, and a movie, becoming a member of both SAG and AFTRA. Alongside her acting career, Tony exhibited an entrepreneurial spirit early on, launching various business ventures throughout her childhood and young adulthood. She pursued her passion for fashion at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, eventually landing her dream job working in premium denim production at Joe’s Jeans in Los Angeles. Tony later worked on the production team at JustFab and Shoedazzle, while also working part-time as a Celebrity Wardrobe Stylist.

Seeking new opportunities, Tony moved to Savannah, Georgia, where she worked as an innkeeper and freelanced in sales and marketing analytics. After welcoming her son, Fitzgerald, Tony relocated to the Berkshires to be closer to her mother. As a single mom, she started her own company making and selling bow ties from thrifted neckties and took a position as a sales analyst for the luxury wellness company, Canyon Ranch. It was during this time that Tony met Danny, and they quickly fell in love. The two moved south to a warmer climate, where Tony continued to work for Canyon Ranch until the onset of COVID-19, which hit just days after she learned she was expecting her daughter, Helen. Prior to giving birth, she joined Lowe’s corporate team as a sales analyst.

Tony has since welcomed her third child, daughter Bobby, and steadily progressed in her career at Lowe's, being promoted first to Pro Business Development Manager and later to her current role as Pro Consultant of Operations Optimization. Beyond her professional endeavors, Tony is a certified Reiki master, fitness coach, golf mental coach, life coach and leadership coach. Her mission is to help others set boundaries, expand their horizons, and spark a deeper relationship with God. Through her leadership of Spark Life and Spark Life Collective, Tony hopes to inspire others to live a more empowered and faith-driven life.

Justine Reitenauer

Growing up in small coal mining towns throughout rural Pennsylvania gave Justine a unique perspective and deep-rooted values. From a young age she’s grown a personal relationship with God which fosters the need to love and care for others, which, in turn, led to her making multiple mission trips to Honduras during middle and early high school and now provides her the opportunity to lead through her local church. Serving as secretary and later president of the National Technical Honor Society gave her valuable leadership experience during her high school years, while studying drafting at Lehigh Carbon Community College sharpened her technical skills. She’s the kind of person who can identify a

Board Member & Agriculture Expert

need and take initiative to organize the logistics to fulfill it. With her strong appreciation for the hard work of farmers and those who keep the country moving, Justine always carries a deep respect for their vital roles.

After being widowed at a young age she met her now husband Matt and put roots down in North Carolina. They’ve built a home and started their own cattle ranch from the ground up where they raise Registered Texas Longhorns. Justine’s life experiences have given her the opportunity to thrive as a business owner and mother of four incredible children; Weston, Evelynn, Cheyenne, and Waylon. She’s passionate about making the world a better place and is committed to sharing God’s love through all she does!

Founders

Danny & Tony Scott Waters

Danny and Tony Scott Waters are super married! Their love is palpable to all who encounter them which they openly attribute to their decision to embrace a sober lifestyle in 2019 after struggling with addiction and seeking a more exemplary path. Living sober has deepened their connection to each other and to God. Danny and Tony laughingly and honestly owe all of this dream to their one and only significant argument. While they don’t recall all the details, in the end Spark Life was born, a leadership, business, and life coaching venture.

Together, they spent years refining their curriculum, scrutinizing their coaching methods, and honing their craft. In June of 2024, Spark Life Collective was put on their hearts through the intervention of Jesus Christ, conversations with God, and the grace of the Holy Spirit, drawing on their shared love of local food, farmers, creators, and community. Their mission is to build hope, restore faith, and empower a community of entrepreneurs.

Danny and Tony live in Troutman, NC, where they homeschool their three children—Fitzgerald, Helen, and Bobby. Their family also includes three dogs, Buddha, Pepé, and LaLa Bean, a fish named Spark, and their beloved Quarter Horse, Bullet. They enjoy family movie nights, cooking together with local ingredients, and connecting with their friends and neighbors, all while leading a faith-centered life. Through their work with Spark Life, Danny and Tony are dedicated to inspiring others to grow spiritually and professionally.