EXCLUSIVE: INTERVIEW WITH TRACI BAKER

July 02, 2018 INDYS FAVORITE BLOGGER 0 Comments

Traci has such a free spirit and beautiful outlook on life. She shares with us her struggle and how she used it as a stepping stone to better the lives of her and her children. What really brought a smile to my face when was she shared how she implements her children into her business and gave them their own titles, that is so brilliant, I absolutely love it. Read on to learn how Traci's heart-wrenching event inspired her to start her own business..........

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a single mom of four, ages 8, 5, 3, and 6 months. I love to read, draw and listen to music. I love to cook as well. I also love animals. I have a border collie, a pit bull, 8 rabbits and a horse.

What services/products do you offer?

I offer chain maille jewelry, bookmarks, keychains and fidget toys. The jewelry is to help women boost their self-esteem, confidence and overall happiness. The fidget toys are for all ages. My 5-year-old son is ADHD and he will sit for hours and zone out on one of the toys.

What was the driving force behind you starting your business?

My daughter's father walked out on us. He abandoned us at the hospital on Christmas Eve when she was born, stole my debit card, my vehicle and my older kids' presents. So January 1st, I started pouring everything I had into my business so that my children would never be hurt like that again. Because if I can build it into a success, then we won't want for anything and we'll just have the lessons learned.

Who is someone that inspires you?

I have 2 women that really inspire me with their business smarts and how they've overcome their struggles: Jen Kem and Jasmine Star

Do you think it is important to have a business coach or mentor?

I just started with my coach yesterday, but in one session I already have WAY more direction and clarity on what I'm doing. So I would say that having a coach, or at the very least a mentor, is very important for small businesses!

How do you stay inspired and refreshed?

When I feel myself starting to get burnt out, I take time off and go to nature. Even if it's just going out in my front yard barefoot, I try to get as connected as possible. I love going to our woods and either spending time at the lake or going down to the creek and wading. It is usually ice cold year round, so it's the perfect way to unplug and recharge on those hot summer days.

How do you juggle being a mom and running a business?

Not very well!!! I am slowly implementing a schedule for both work and home. I have started limiting my work time and I have started completing household chores on a rotating schedule as well. I also have the pleasure of having my two oldest children (ages 8 and 5) as co-workers. My daughter, the oldest, started as a Junior Designer and has recently begun learning some of the administrative tasks as well so that she can become an assistant as well. My son is our Master of Inventory and is in charge of keeping our materials and finished stock organized and accounted for.

What is your favorite book?

Impossible Dreams by Patricia Rice is my favorite single, however, my favorite trilogy is the Three Sisters Trilogy by Nora Roberts. Both of them are about business owners but are also romances.

What is your favorite quote?

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"

"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to."
"I don't much care where –"
"Then it doesn't matter which way you go.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

What is one thing that most people do not know about you?

One thing that MOST people do not know about me is that I have been working towards owning my own business since I was a Sophmore in high school. I started a "magazine" that I wrote, designed, published and distributed. I started college business classes the Junior year of high school and continued to attend both college and high school until I graduated high school with an honors degree.

What can we look forward to seeing from you next?

I have some new items that I am working on, some new designs of my daughter's as well as my own, and hoping to get those launched before the end of the year.