Woman in the Spotlight: Tracia Price

This month’s woman in the spotlight has been is a work at home mom, and caretaker of special needs children for the past 12 yrs. She chose to work from home so she could spend more time with my children. She started her own business in Maryland back in June of 2008. Her name is Tracia Price and she loves crafting. Linda Clem, a friend of hers taught her how to crochet and she has been hooked ever since. What better business to establish then something based around what you love doing. She is an active member of a local group called “Twisted Stitchers”, and she is also an Associate Professional with “The Crochet Guild of America”. Tracia hopes to become successful enough in her business that she can bless her family with financial stability. As for her business she hopes to accomplish what every woman wants for their business, success, which is why she stays committed at what she does. Read more of what Tracia Price had to say about herself, life, her family, and her craft.


W2W: Thank you Tracia for committing to this interview. Tell us a little bit about your business.

Tracia: My business is called “Crochet by Tracia” formally known as “Gifts by Tracia”. My product line consists of handmade crocheted items made by me. I sell scarves, hats, shawls, etc. I can crochet just about anything at a reasonable cost.


W2W: What inspired you to start your own business?


Tracia: To be around my children, and be able to attend their school events and teacher’s meetings.

W2W: Being a mother of special needs children how do you balance work, doctor’s appts., your business, and school activities with them?

Tracia: I have two planners. I am very organized (as others say). I am able to put all my appointment into my planners. The good thing about my business is I can take my yarn and hook everywhere I go so I can work on orders. In my work bag I neatly organized, my crochet hooks, current projects, and crochet books.

W2W: What future goals have you set for your business?

Tracia: My goal is to be able to write eBooks about crochet patterns, how to start your own crochet business, etc. I want my products to be eventually sold in stores.

W2W: We are living in trying, and often hard times, things can become a little overwhelming for us. Do you have any favorite scriptures you draw strength from in the Bible?

Tracia: Proverbs 16:3 “Commit thy works unto the lord, and thy thoughts shall be established”.

W2W: When days are pressing for you what motivates you to keep going and not give up on your dream?

Tracia: My children. I am motivated everyday by them.

W2W: What is a typical work day like for you at home Tracia?

Tracia:
Mon.-Fri. 5am-9am I am getting the kids ready for school; fixing breakfast, getting them dressed, etc.

9am-12 p.m. is when I work on my business; making products, marketing, advertising, etc.

1 p.m. I do my errands, grocery shopping if needed, etc.

2:30-7:30 pm is family time; helping the kids get their homework done, getting them ready for the next day, cooking dinner, etc.

W2W: I believe in the power of prayer, what can we be in prayer for involving you and your family?

Tracia: To be able to find affordable housing for me and my family.

W2W: Before we end this interview do you have any words of wisdom to share with a woman who might be reading this that is thinking about starting her own home-based business while raising a family of little ones?

Tracia: If you have a hobby, whether it is scrapbooking, knitting, crocheting, photography, etc. and you want to start your own business a good place to start is with something you love to do. When you love what you do it makes it makes it easier to go into business for yourself.

Thank you so much Tracia for your commitment to this interview. We wish you continued success and God’s Blessings upon you, your family, and your business.

To order products from Tracia visit her website @ Crochet By Tracia

How to Take Your Offline Business Online

With technology the way it is anymore, people are doing online searches for just about anything and everything. People will do a search to find information on schools in their area, churches, and any type of business that they want to find.

With that said, it’s important that every business have a website or at least a blog that people will be able to find and read. The more they find about you and your business, the better off you will be and the more likely they are to shop with you.

I recommend creating at least a one page website. You will want to include a little about your business, what you offer, how they can find you, your phone number, and your store hours. Including a map would be great.

This one page site will be the first impression people may have of you, so you want it to look its best. Make it look professional yet fun. You will also want it to match what you do in your business. For example, if you own a furniture store, you should include pictures of the furniture you offer. If it’s at all possible, take pictures of the furniture in your store. This will show people that you really do have a store front and it will be inviting for them.

While a one page site is good, it would be better if you included a second page that had customer testimonies. People always want to read good things from other people before they make a purchase from a business they have never used before. Offering these testimonies will increase your sales and traffic to your store.

Offering products online is a great way to get sales even though people don’t come to your store. Online sales can be a little tricky if you receive a purchase from someone that is not in your area, but it’s a great thing because they will likely buy more and they may even stop in your store when they come to your area.

Another way you can get your business in front of the online world is to create a blog. A blog is an online or web log. You make posts that contain any kind of information you want. This is a great way to show your online readers what you have going on in your store and what specials you are running. If you get a new product, you can take a picture of it and include that in a post. You can also include customer testimonies from your in store visitors. Another idea for a post is to take pictures of customers in your store. Make sure you get their permission before using their picture.

It doesn’t matter what type of business you run, you should have a website or blog created for you. Even a small locally owned business should consider this to increase business. Businesses such as plumbers, mechanics, jewelry shops, or used clothing stores should have a website online. Increasing the traffic to your store and your sales is what you are in business for and a website can help you do this and so much more.

Corrie Petersen is a successful Virtual Assistant and she's the owner of WAHM-Articles.com

February's Woman in the Spotlight

February's featured Woman in the Spotlight is the author of our Book of the Month "Words from the Heart". She is a wife, mother, and grandmother who has now added Author to the list of adjectives that describe her. Her name is Sherry Smith.

Sherry Smith and I met back in the mid 90's when I use to hold Bible Study in my home on Friday evenings. She is friends with a long time friend of mine and they both would come to Bible Study together. Sherry's two daughters, Tamika and Rochell would attend as well. I will never forget the joy I had sharing the word with each of the women who would faithfully attend weekly. It was a time of learning and drawing closer to the Lord and each other in friendship. Now Mrs. Smith is an Author. I was overjoyed in finding out that not only was I writing and telling others of the love God has for us but she was as well. To God be the glory!

"Words from the Heart" is Sherry's platform in telling the world about Christ. She is happy that she found love in Jesus and that God put it upon her heart to share it with others. Sherry admits life is so much simpler now that she's not running around trying to figure out what to do. She is listening to God and takes great joys in experiencing the best times in her life since she met Christ.

Below is my interview with Author Sherry Smith.


1. Sherry what inspired you to write "Words from the Heart"?

God starting placing words on my heart after leaving the hospital visiting my daughter who was sick back in 2008. It was then I began examining my life and looking at the things I was doing wrong and finding out what God wanted from me.


2. Please share with us a little bit about your journey in Christ.

I accepted Jesus as my Savior in 2010, but my journey in developing a relationship with Jesus Christ began in 2008. My daughter had been very sick for two years. One day when I was at work my daughter called me from the hospital which she was in and out of all the time. But this day she called to say mom I don't think I'm going to make it. I left work right away. I was very upset, you see she was always hopeful, so when she said to me, I don't think I am going to make it, I was scared. On the way to the hospital I asked God what should I do and what to say to my daughter. Well at that moment calmness came over me so I said to the Lord, “I give it all to you”. When I reached the hospital my daughter and I just read verses from the bible. It was a rough road but I'm happy to report that in June 2008 my daughter received a new liver and she is presently doing very well.


3. What words of encouragement do you have for writers who desire to have their books published?

I never thought I would write a book but it was what God wanted. If you are a writer and it's been laying on your heart to publish your words, do it. Writing can give you that peace you need. Try writing to God, it helps when you are going through storms in your life.

4. What scriptures build hope in you and give you strength and peace to make from day to day?

John 14:27-- Peace I leave with you my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.

Philippians 4:13-- I can do all things though Christ who strength me. (Not sure what scripture this one is.)

5. What advice do you have for others who may be going through storms in their life right now?

Women, when you are going through your storms and it may not seem like it's know end, look up and ask your Heavenly Father to see you though it all and he will make the way clearer.

6. Besides Jesus who has been your inspiration or role model, past or present?

My father, I always wanted to be the twinkle in his eyes, he has passed on. My present role model is Jesus.

7. 2011 is here, a new year, any new beginnings for you, or things in your life you want to do differently?

I hope to do more work for the Lord and tell others how He loves me and them. Also pray that God will help me let go of all my fears.


8. How can we your sisters in Christ be in prayer for you?

Please pray that I stay in good health and that my Bible talk group keeps growing.

W2W Lounge thanks Sherry Smith for spending time talking with us. We wish her God's best in all she seeks to do in the name of the Lord and we encourage you to check out her book "Words from the Heart" available at Barns and Noble online.

How to Run a Home Biz When You Work Full Time Outside the Home

Do you have a dream of being debt free or being your own boss and working from home? Do you think it’s impossible because you work full time outside the home? I’m here to tell you it is possible and it can be done working part time. This article will show you how to do it, be successful, and reach your goals and dreams. As an example, let’s talk about how to run a business until you get to a point where you are replacing your income and you can quit your job and work your business full time.

TO read this full article CLICK HERE to visit Corrie's Corner. Corrie Peterson writes business articles for Woman2Woman Lounge.

Book of the Month: Words From the Heart

Words can be encouraging to another in times of trouble, despair, and hopelessness. Woman2Woman Lounge is back to featuring a book each month we feel is food for the soul in these trying last days. So many are going through and looking for a word that will encourage them, uplift their spirits and give them hope. We learn from one another. "Words From the Heart" is our Jan. 2011 feature.

This month's book is a book written by a friend of mine, Author Sherry Smith. Sherry is a wife and mother of three with a heart seeking more of God. Sherry expresses how life wasn't easy for her. She was always looking for love and trying to find her own self. Her children had always been her life and now that they are older she had to find what to do in life. She's happy she has found love, and that love is in Christ. He is always there for her. He loves her even when she makes mistakes. Every day she tries to empty herself to fill it with his word. She no longer looks for love in the world or tries to find herself in it. She loves family outings, Christian plays, and singing. Mrs. Smith says life is so much simpler now that she's not running around trying to figure out what to do. She is listening to God and joys in the fact that the time she is experiencing now are the best times in her life and have been that way since she found her Savior, Jesus!

You can purchase Sherry's book @ Barnes and Noble online.