Your Name: Tracy Czech
Business Name: Sourcing Handmade, a boutique sourcing consultancy
Type of Business: Consulting
Business Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Website www.sourcinghandmade.com
Twitter @SourcingHandmad
Facebook www.facebook.com/SourcingHandmade
Pinterest www.pinterest.com/sourcinghandmad/
Reason for starting
I recognized the need for a service helping quality handmade artisans get their products sold in brick-and-mortar boutiques…as well as a service which allows independent boutique owners to source unique, handmade merchandise for their shops.
How do you define success?
Making a positive difference in others’s lives. This can mean helping an artisan gain new sales, expand in the wholesale arena, or helping a boutique owner save money and grow his/her shop. A big part of my motivation is the desire to help others achieve their dreams and expand upon their entrepreneurial spirit.
Biggest Success
Being among the winners of Startup Nation’s 2012 Leading Moms in Business Competition, as well as hearing the multitude of positive comments from shop owners and artisans about our revolutionary service to match the two groups together.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
Being a jill-of-all-trades. As a start-up business owner and sole proprietor, I am in charge of finance, marketing, information technology, social media, photography, customer service, etc. It’s a tremendous way to hone in my skills and gather new ones in the process.
Who is your most important role model?
I don’t have one particular role model, but I admire anyone who has an entrepreneurial spirit and isn’t afraid to try to reach her dreams.