Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracie McLeod.
Hi Tracie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I was a little girl, I would write short stories all the time and when I was in elementary someone bought me a diary. I would win young author’s awards and writing contest. As I grew up and went through school, I continued to write in diaries until I was in a relationship and threw them all away, even my childhood writings. I went to college and took a completely different route and got into the science field. I had my son as I was finishing up my master’s degree. I worked in a lab for several years. Eventually, I started writing again. I knew that I was supposed to be doing more than working in a lab. I knew I was supposed to write a book.
Present day: I took a chance right before the pandemic and started writing my book The Parables of Tracie. The title came to me after reading the bible and realizing that our stories are parables. I signed my contract and started the process. During this time as I was finishing up my book, I had started creating journals with a company called Paper Candy Designs By D. I realized that I didn’t like the journals on the market. I became a published author with 13th and Joan, and continued creating motivational and encouraging journals which took on a life of their own. I am a single mother pushing a dream and wanting others to not keep silent and know that there is so much more to life than what they see. I had to learn through the process that I was stagnant for years because I didn’t have the confidence to walk out my purpose. Once I realized that about myself, I started doing public speaking to push others from stagnation to production. I want to let others know that even with a full-time job and two kids, you can still live your dream.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was not a smooth road. I am mother of two and trying to balance a full-time job and a full-time business doesn’t work well together unless you have a lot of discipline. Publishing in the middle of the Pandemic had a lot of questions around it. Everything I did was through social media and I really didn’t have time for that. The world was changing and I had no idea if I would sell a book or even go anywhere other than work again. The shortages were at an all time high and I still had to pay a publisher. I had to make a lot of huge decisions that would better my family at a time where there were no answers. Once everything opened back up, I celebrated the book release and slowly integrated into society by having small in person events so that I could let people know about me and my book and to start pushing others to move. I didn’t know that one book would open the door to the life I never expected and that it would change the lives of all those connected to me because I stepped out on faith and kept the discipline to change lives. I found that with God all things are possible.
What makes you happy?
I am happy because I have a joy that only God can give and no one can take away from me. When I see others win, that makes me happy. Seeing others come from the back to the front and have the confidence to build themselves and their brands brings me so much joy. I waited so many years to do what I was called to do and so many people don’t even think past the 9-5 mindset. Once I can get you to shift your mindset the rest is easy. You must first know that what you dream is possible, now you have to strategize to get there.
Contact Info:
- Email: thelovebytraciemcleod@gmail.com
- Website: www.thelovebytraciemcleod.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracierenae17/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelovebytraciemcleod
Image Credits
Corey Lamar Garnet Hues
