SANTA MONICA, Calif.—Michael Sparks has always been a go-getter. Though he was exposed to substance abuse growing up, he channeled the negative energy from his hardships into a drive to succeed. He made his way to college on a football scholarship, but when that didn’t work out, he came up with a new dream and made it happen. He put himself through cosmetology school in El Cajon, California. When he graduated in 2007, he set his sights high. Sparks drove to Beverly Hills, walked into the salon of famed stylist Chris McMillan, and got himself hired as a part-time assistant. “I’ve always wanted to be the best at what I do,” Sparks said. “I was determined to get hired.” He eventually became assistant to McMillan himself, and started to develop his own celebrity clientele. His partner, Kristina Tabb, is a colorist and she wanted to open a business with him. …