Meet Tracie McLeod | Author, Speaker, and Coach

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

Hi Tracie, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
The biggest lesson I learned is with God all things are possible. When you are running any business, your life has to change. In the beginning of starting my business, I worked full-time, still engaged in family and friends events, and extra-curricular activities with my kids. I tried to cook, clean, and live life like I had been doing for years. I suddenly came to realize that would not work. I couldn’t be everywhere anymore and I had to prioritize where and when I spent my time. Another thing that I learned is that it is okay to spend money to save time. Instead of cooking everyday, some days it is okay to pick up the meal. Instead of cleaning everyday, I gave the kids more chores and picked one day a week as my deep cleaning day. With that I take a day off of business. You have to learn that you can’t do everything everyday. It is okay to take a day off from one to do the other. With balance you have to discipline yourself to stay on the task that you set forth. Plan out and strategize your days and stick to it as much as possible.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I am creative. I love to write. I love to organize and plan. I found that as a creative my skills of administration come in handy. When you first start a business you need to keep up with sales, marketing, social media, client list, and the list goes on and on. I am able to keep up with those things due to my skill set. I am an author, that isn’t just creating books but I am also creating journals. I am very proud of my first book The Parables of Tracie. That book has propelled me into entrepreneurship and into a path that I could have never imagined. When I created this book I didn’t know what God had in store. From that book came my inspirational journals. I have enjoyed how my life and what I write inspires others to stop being stuck and move into their purpose.

I got to where I am today by trusting God and being consistent. You have to discipline yourself even in the hard days. You can not give up. Entrepreneurship is very hard. When you start you are so excited about it, you are purchasing products, you are getting a strategy and it works. Then there are hard days where you are being seen but you aren’t making sales. Even in those times, just know that you are valuable, and your product is needed. In those times, utilize your creativity. Think ahead and continue to be consistent. Along the way I have learned to take the good with the bad. When you can afford help, get it. Always learn and stay teachable. Get advice from business counselors and mentors. Sometimes, you are the blueprint, and you may have to start something that you have never seen done. It is okay to be the first in your family, or the first amongst your friends to start. I am a single mother that was stagnant in my purpose working a 9-5 and taking care of my children. I had a lot of sleepless nights starting a business and learning what to do. I am thankful today that I didn’t give up and that my pain pushed me into purpose so that I can push others into theirs.

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?
Coming to spend time with me is really a ball. I love to spend time at the lake just relaxing. The kids love to run around and play there. I spend time at the library and the community center. Boring, but quite the opposite. I love to read and be around others. I love to utilize the resources that my community likes to offer. I love to eat at the local restaurants in town. You will be eating Jamaican food because it is at one of my favorite places. The truth is that I cook way more than I eat out so there will be a meal at my home.

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?
I dedicate this shoutout to my cousin Steven, whose endurance amazed me. Thank you to my family and friends for not giving up on me and continuing to push me. Thank you to all the people that have let me speak, vend, or hold a class. Thank you to my mentors, coaches, and entrepreneur friends.

Website: www.thelovebytraciemcleod.com

Instagram: Tracierenae17

Facebook: The Love by Tracie McLeod

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