Meet Tracey Joy McLaughlin | Artist & Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tracey Joy McLaughlin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tracey Joy, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Always bringing new and fresh ideas to my artwork. I am constantly changing and evolving as an artist. I’m always experimenting with new mediums and surfaces to paint on as well as new techniques to bring my art to the next level. I think it is also important to always be pushing out new things, keeping customers interested and changing things up to keep it interesting and fresh.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been drawing and painting since I could hold a pencil or paintbrush. I don’t remember a time in my life that I didn’t tote around a sketch pad and pencil. I have always excelled in art. It brings me peace and makes me feel truly alive, to be doing what I love every day. I knew from the time I was very little that art was something I wanted to pursue. I was very fortunate to have parents who supported me in this. I knew I wanted to go to University of the Arts in Philadelphia and I graduated from there in 2001 with my Bachelors degree in Illustration. I have always done commissioned pieces over the years here and there but to say it has been a smooth road since college doing what I love and creating art, would be a lie. I went from being a nanny, to a waitress, to an office manager, to a teacher’s assistant at a special needs school, to a supervisor in corporate America, all before finally walking away and deciding I was going to go full time with my art. It was SCARY to say the least! I had no idea where to start other than just that….starting! I began painting. It really took off fast when I was able to dedicate all of my time to creating. As of May 2015, it has been almost 8 years since I started my business Spotted Frog Art Studio LLC. Some lessons I’ve learned along the way is to never get up even when it gets overwhelming, and it is MUST to surround yourself with supportive family and friends. Owning a business and keeping it successful has it’s challenges, so having great people who support you always in your corner is truly a blessing.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give my husband Chris a shoutout. He has been with me since day one of walking away from corporate America, taking the scary leap and starting my own business. He has been the most encouraging and supportive person ever in my life. From helping me every day marketing my business, to going on endless trips to any and every craft store you can think of, to load up on supplies. He pushes me to strive to be better and better every day. I don’t think I would be as far and as successful without his support and love.

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