The Accidental Entrepreneur

Here at The Quiet Leadership Lab, we're always super inspired by leaders who really do things their own way, often finding their biggest impact by just being themselves. So, this week, we're diving into the wholesome and awesome journey of Helen Huynh, co founder of Sparrows Volleyball and Pickleball.

From health communciations to accidential entrepreneur

Helen calls herself an "accidental entrepreneur," and honestly, that perfectly sums up how she founded Sparrows. With a degree in Exercise Sports Science and a Master's in Health Communications, Helen is passionate about showing how healthy living and exercise can improve quality of life. She set down this path because of her desire to help her mum improve her physical health.

By day, she used to pour her heart into helping others as an internal communications manager for a children's charity, Barnardo's Australia (you can check out their amazing work here: https://www.barnardos.org.au/).

But after work, she puts on another hat, as a co-founder of Sparrows, a popular volleyball and pickleball club in Sydney that's now got over 1,000 members and continues to grow in Western Sydney! How cool is that?

Image source: Sparrows https://sparrowsvolleyball.com.au/

During the COVID lockdowns, like lots of us, Helen started making videos – everything from cooking to lifestyle stuff. But then, her authentic, fun volleyball videos just blew up on TikTok, getting millions of views and a lot of followers.

All that sudden attention brought a ton of direct questions and comments from her local teams and networks who were already into volleyball but couldn't get into the competitive clubs and leagues.

Helen, with her keen eye, quickly spotted a gap in the Sydney sports scene that she could fill: there just weren't many easy, beginner-friendly volleyball options.

Most clubs were for pros, leaving new folks (like myself) feeling a bit left out. "There wasn't a lot for beginners back then," she shared, "so that's why we ended up creating a place where people can actually learn how to play."

While the idea was bubbling inside her mind for a little while, the trigger point was a promise of a brand sponsorship. Just a few thousand dollars represented the hope that an idea and passion could turn into a business. Sometimes, all it takes is a little opportunity and the ability to grasp it to make wonderful things happen.

Providing the service to meet the community's needs

Helen's whole approach to being an entrepreneur is deeply rooted in the art of listening. She thrives on creating new things based on direct, honest feedback from her community. She truly believes, "If you actually just listen, the best ideas come through."

This customer first way of thinking is the real engine behind Sparrows' constant growth and awesome success, making sure the club stays relevant and valuable to its members.

Her mindset is wonderfully simple, but incredibly effective: "Why not try it?" This powerful question really challenges that first, often automatic, instinct to say "no" to new ideas or opportunities because of perceived risks.

For Helen, if an idea pops up from the community or her own observations, her go to is always to explore its potential. "Let's see if it works. Let's try incorporate it and then if it doesn't work then it's fine. You know? Like what? What have you got to lose?" Sparrows launched its active wear and merchanise line to cater for the needs of its customers.

This fearless experimenting, combined with a chill acceptance of potential bumps in the road, is a key part of her quiet, yet incredibly powerful, leadership style. It creates a vibe where new ideas are welcomed, and learning from experience is way more important than avoiding what might go wrong.

Helen's journey is a fantastic reminder that sometimes, the most impactful ventures and biggest leadership wins don't start with a huge, complicated strategy document. Instead, they begin with a simple, caring observation, a deep passion, and the quiet courage to truly listen and just go for it.

Your Invitation from The Quiet Leadership Lab:

Helen's story really shows how powerful it is to just start where you are, listen to what's needed, and be brave enough to try!

Tell us in the comments:

• What's a problem you're seeing in your community or work that you're super passionate about solving?

• Has a "why not try it" moment ever totally changed your path?

We're gathering more inspiring stories for our upcoming book. If you've got a story about quiet leadership, bouncing back, or an entrepreneurial spirit that you think would inspire others, please reach out! We'd be so honoured to hear it.