Meet Sierra Dockery | CEO and Founder of House of Light

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sierra Dockery and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sierra, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Regarding the question about my thought process behind starting House of Light, it was sparked by a disheartening experience. A principal once told me that I wouldn’t make a difference in the lives of my visually impaired students, dismissing me as a mere “seat filler.” This dismissive comment fueled my determination to prove her wrong and create a space where I could genuinely support students and their families.

While I briefly worked for another school district after this incident, I found myself limited in my ability to have open and honest conversations with my students about their vision and to guide parents, many of whom were first-time parents of visually impaired children, through this unfamiliar territory. This experience further solidified my decision to establish House of Light.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
House of Light is a unique business born out of pain but driven by purpose. As a trained and licensed educator, I recognized that my calling extended beyond the classroom—I wanted to create lasting change in the lives of students with visual impairments. What sets me apart as a business leader and CEO is that I remain actively engaged in the field. This hands-on approach allows me to deeply empathize with my teachers, support them in real-time, and truly understand the daily challenges they face. To me, they are not just employees—they are dedicated professionals making an impact, and I ensure they feel valued.

My connection to education is deeply personal. I struggled with reading and writing from Kindergarten until the 4th grade, making my journey to success even more meaningful. When I secured my first contract, I quickly realized that I lacked the necessary business knowledge to negotiate effectively. That inexperience cost me $20,000. Determined not to make the same mistake again, I pursued an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Management and participated in several business cohorts. Along the way, I learned the power of asking for help, seeking mentorship, and surrounding myself with experienced professionals in the business space.

My journey has not been easy. I have faced challenges rooted in biases—whether due to my age or the color of my skin—often struggling to be taken seriously by individuals and school districts. However, I refused to let those obstacles define me. Through perseverance, strategic thinking, and unwavering faith in my mission, I have built a brand that stands as a fierce advocate for children with visual impairments and their families.

The biggest lessons I’ve learned are that nothing in business will ever be perfect—you just have to take the leap. When you walk in your purpose, the money will follow. Success requires agility, smart decision-making, and resilience. More than anything, I want the world to know that House of Light is a relentless champion for students with visual impairments and their parents—ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met in a world that too often overlooks them. And as the slogan from the Cape Coast School for the Deaf and Blind states, “Disability doesn’t mean inability!”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It is a week-long trip and my best friend is coming to town and I’m responsible for the itinerary. Upon their arrival, I would first stop downtown to this restaurant called L station, they have some of the best food in the south loop, then we are going to have a brunch at Batters or Berries or Brunchery in Lincoln Park, throughout the day we will go to the spa at Aire Baths downtown, we would hit up the theatre district to catch a play or if a concert is in town, we are going to vibe to some R&B. On Saturday, we would go check out a coffee shop that we found off social media then drive down Hyde Park. For Sunday Funday, we are heading out to Oatbrook to eat at Restoration Harvest then we are going over to Puttery to play indoor golf. My best friend is coming to town for a week, and I’m planning the itinerary. To start, we’ll head downtown to L Station in the South Loop for some amazing food. Next, we’ll enjoy brunch at either Batters & Berries or Brunchery in Lincoln Park. Later, we’ll relax at Aire Baths downtown, and then catch a play or concert in the Theatre District – maybe some R&B vibes. On Saturday, we’ll explore a coffee shop we found on social media and then drive down to Hyde Park. For Sunday Funday, we’ll eat at Restoration Harvest in Oakbrook and then play indoor golf at Puttery.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I want to dedicate my shoutout to God, for without Him, I truly would not be here. I must also acknowledge my mother and sister, who have been by my side from the very beginning and throughout my college years. They tirelessly edited, wrote, and reviewed my papers, providing invaluable support. I am also grateful for my grandparents, who played a crucial role in shaping me into the woman I am today. Despite my mother being a single parent, my grandfather showed me what it meant to have a father figure. I am also incredibly thankful for my amazing team at House of Light; their support has been instrumental in my leadership journey. I extend my gratitude to my life coach, Linal Harris, and my advisor, Dr. Adam Callery, who also served as one of my advisors during the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program. And finally, a special shoutout to my best friend, Aretular Williams, who has weathered every storm alongside me.

Website: https://www.houseoflightllc.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/house_of_lightllc/?igsh=Z2hod3JzODU5dGFt

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/house-of-light-llc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/houseoflightllc

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@houseoflightllc

Image Credits
Emmanuel Sarpong Darko (For the Ghana photos)