Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Pyke.
Tracy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
So my story starts at age 7 when I entered a Tony the Tiger drawing contest for the well-known brand Frosted Flakes. I know it may sound silly, but I knew then that I desired to use my artistic talents to draw and influence others. I come from a family of diverse art backgrounds–from Architects to Commercial Designers to Textile Artists to Painters. Every single person, talented and creative… which ultimately lead to me.
I realized very early on that the passion I had for drawing could translate into a career if I focused and kept at it. When I got into college I realized that I was more of an illustrator than a graphic designer so I was much more organic in my look and feel than others. It wasn’t until I left school in the early 90’s that they introduced computers into mainstream use and that I believed I could make a difference in the marketplace as a Graphic Designer for my style was very unique.
I have done everything from 2D/3D Autocad work for Exhibit Designs for Sun Microsystems to designing full-blown e-commerce websites for the Medical Tourism marketplace. I taught myself everything I know from scratch… I would run across a graphic designer and pick their brain on the best software to use, I would come across website development tools and learn them inside and out.
That is the way I have always been. I think what makes me unique is that I am extremely creative when working with other people’s ideas and yet I am strongly detailed and organized so that the BUSINESS OF DOING BUSINESS does not get overwhelming.
I have been told that I can facilitate a meeting in a way that makes people feel empowered and encouraged to keep coming back, and yet, I also have a way of identifying a businesses’ needs quickly so that they can get the BRANDING help they need. I love to communicate with people and am not afraid to LIVE FULL OUT. Someone told me recently that I “suck the marrow out of every moment” and that when I come to play–I play full out. I take that as a compliment.
In addition to business, my husband and I (who work together in our business) also homeschool our 3 children…. and just graduated our first High Schooler this June! I know, we sound crazy, but it has been a blessing to be able to do this for our kids. I started my design studio in 2004 out in Silicon Valley (California) and moved to the Atlanta area in 2016. This is my HOME! I felt immediately comfortable with the people and the pace of business out here.
I currently run two meetups in the Alpharetta area that have around 1000 people total in them. It has been a great way to connect with people and has been a great social outlet for my busy lifestyle! When moved to do so, I have volunteered my time to support missionaries, single-moms and even well-known events such as TEDx – 3 to be exact and was an active CORE team member that made a difference for well over 1000+ audience members!
I also actively belong to a Premier Lifetime Business Community of business owners that meets 5x’s a year down in Florida–and that group connects me to people nationwide.
When I see something (or someone) that I feel will Design a Difference for someone else, I embrace the moment wholeheartedly! I believe that is why I am here… to make a difference with my talents and skills. I lead with my heart…. and use my brains for all the other “stuff”.
Has it been a smooth road?
Oh no! Definitely not a smooth road. Global Financial Crash of 2008-2009. Divorce. Re-Marriage. Investing in another business. Moving across the country and re-establishing my Design Studio. Not easy at all.
I have taken risks in business, and on the personal side of my life, that has forever changed the way I work. I was taught that you have to fail forward in order to succeed, so I am regularly taking risks and picking myself up to dust myself off and get up again. I was given some advice by a man several years back. He was a prominent comedian and at the top of his game when he found out he had CANCER. The doctors told him he might have 1 year to live or longer if he took care of himself.
When he had gotten to know me during my TEDx days, he said this to me,” I found out I was DYING and I decided to LIVE, the problem is Tracy–you don’t know you’re DYING yet….” WOW. That was a wake-up call for me. I decided at that moment to LIVE full out… take chances and risk things for I desired to Design a Difference for others and myself.
I will say, my friend is still alive and I believe it has been 12 years since his diagnosis. He has LIVED full out and continues to make people laugh every day. Every time I step out into a place where I am anxious or challenging myself, I think of him and the impact he has made on so many others.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I like to tell people that I am an illustrator by “love”, a graphic designer by “trade” and a website designer by “choice” and that is how I Design a Difference for businesses by creating #BRANDitude! I help businesses achieve National Brand Attitude (#BRANDitude) without BIG BRAND SPENDING! This is how we stand out! We specialize in the micro and small business arena,
BRANDING: A brand is comprised of many perspectives and is seen in many different ways. That is why our studio takes a 360° approach to make a brand stand out above the rest.
Our experience as business consultants is what makes this approach work. You don’t learn about the graphic arts and advertising industry overnight. You have to learn how to make BRAND ATTITUDE happen on a daily basis! The first impression made is the most important. Stand apart from the crowd and make a business more memorable. That is what we specialize in. We analyze businesses and their image and work with them to make an impression that one will never forget.
WEBSITES: Big or Small, Corporate or Creative, every website has it’s own personality and function. Let it become an extension of a brand. We can create a website that’s functional and works with a purpose to serve your clients. Whether you have a need for a product landing page, lead page, or marketing funnel, we are able to help.
From simpler secure credibility sites to fully HIPAA Compliant e-commerce websites…. we can make it happen.
HOW DID WE GET HERE: Lots of long days and late nights, deadlines, meetings, changes, revisions, networking, conferences, research and so much more goes into developing the skills of an accomplished designer/advertising specialist.
We have over 40 years of combined experience:
-Illustration
-Graphic & Website Design
-Branding & Advertising Ideas
-Domains & Hosting
-Outsourced Printing
-Personal Branding Strategies & Tips
ABOUT ME: As a serial entrepreneur, I am Graphic/Web Design, Illustrator specialist who leads the way in helping leverage TV, social media, visual branding and website development for maximum results.
My Skills: Creative direction, implementation, Advertising Design & Illustration, HTML & CSS Coding. Exhibit Design background. Adobe Creative Professional. I am a natural networker and I use my intuitive nature to bring a unique creativity to my projects.
I am always learning so that I can pass new, pertinent information to people.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I love this state! And I love the Atlanta area. The people have a fun sense of wit and business savvy that makes doing business with them a delight. If someone was just starting out I would say this is a great place to do it as there are so many IDEA people here that are looking for experts in their respective fields.
One thing that I believe that is needed in our area is more meeting spaces! As a newcomer to the area, everything is centered downtown and as I am centered North of Atlanta, we need more common spaces to meet and do business. Traffic is a significant hindrance to traveling downtown otherwise I would do it in a heartbeat.
Pricing:
- Logos starting from $300 on up!
- Website packages starting anywhere from $1000 on up!
- A complete branding package with Logo, Collateral and E-Commerce Website can start from $3000…
- Premier Lifetime Membership to an International Community of business owners and investors! Starting at $7500!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://tafgraphics.com
- Phone: 877-890-5706 x1
- Email: info@tafgraphics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tafgraphicsdesignstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tafgraphicsdesign
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/tafgraphics
- Other: https://www.meetup.com/coffee-and-business/
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
