We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tracy G. Crump. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tracy G. below.

Alright, Tracy G. thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

I started my business because I learned early in life that those with resources have a better opportunity to succeed than those without. Growing up in an under-resourced community presented many life lessons. A significant lesson for me was the value of mentorship. My mentors allowed me to expand my dreams beyond my immediate environment, and they helped me understand that the knowledge I learned was not to be kept to myself but should be shared with others.

My mentors encouraged me to continue my education beyond high school and to seek opportunities for personal and professional development that challenged me. So, I did. After graduating from undergrad and graduate school, I started my first business to help similarly situated people prepare for the job market. My business assisted people with the development of cover letters and résumés, interview preparation, and workplace etiquette. However, as a new business owner, I had a lot to learn if I was going to move from having a grand idea to executing my vision.

About four months into running my business, I was not having the impact I wanted. I was servicing three to five clients each month. I had run into a capacity challenge because I could only service a few people at a time. I was still working my nine-to-five job and running my business 20-30 hours weekly. It was exhausting! I also needed more insight into what it took to work on my business instead of just working in my business. So, I closed that business and had to regroup.

I was not going to give up. Instead, to help me develop a business that I was passionate about, I sought additional business coaching. I tapped several coaches to help me properly (legally) set up my business, develop my brand identity, and learn how to develop solid offers and articulate my message. I was also interested in learning how to protect my intellectual property. My coaches also helped me understand how to navigate business fundamentals, like developing my business core values and the company culture I desired. Likewise, I sought help from my speaking coaches to assist me with crafting a message to share my story with my audience in a way that would allow them to get to know, like, and trust me.

Another central area that my marketing and launch coach assisted me with was being authentically me and resisting forcing myself into adopting trends that did not fit my unique characteristics and attributes. After working with my coaches, I found my niche and wrote my debut book, “A.C.E.S. for Students: Strategies for Success in the First Year of College & Beyond.” This was huge for me because, at that point, I had been working as a university faculty member for almost two decades and was desperately looking to make a more significant impact on in-coming college students to help them prepare for college, successfully navigate college, graduate, and become ready for the workforce with confidence.

I experienced a life-changing shift in my business at this point. I began reading and researching about the “business back end” to learn how to operate in the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) role instead of only acting in the employee role. At this point, I started planning each business endeavor I sought based on my previously established revenue goals. I also began to hire team members and contractors to complete tasks that could be delegated. Moreover, I implemented systems and processes that helped me automate parts of my sales process, customer outreach, onboarding, and offboarding.

Entrepreneurship is not for the faint at heart. It takes grit, resilience, and determination to navigate the challenges. But those who can persevere could serve others in a way that could help them change their lives. I can now confidently say, “I am Dr. Tracy G. Crump, the founder and Chief Education Officer of Tracy Crump Enterprises, LLC, and I help students, educators, and authors prosper by clarifying their goals and resources, sharpening their skills, and empowering them to strive for success!”

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an award-winning education thought leader devoted to helping others realize their potential and succeed in their endeavors. I am a criminologist, victimologist, professor, and licensed attorney with over 30 years of experience as a college student and 14 years as a higher education staff member. I am the author of “A.C.E.S for Students: Strategies for Success in the First Year of College & Beyond.” I deliver inspirational presentations on mental health in minoritized communities, college preparation; workplace navigation; diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice (DEIBJ); domestic violence, sexual assault, and sexual harassment; and navigating the author’s journey.

I help students, educators, and authors prosper by clarifying their goals and resources, sharpening their skills, and empowering them to strive for success. What sets me apart from others in my field is the invaluable experience, insight, and understanding I have gained over my 30 years of college studenthood and nearly two decades of university faculty membership. I bring my knowledge and my full self to helping students, educators, and authors strive for success. I can offer an experienced perspective on navigating educational systems, understanding how best to utilize available resources, and developing strategies to help them reach their goals. I can guide them in understanding how to apply the skills and knowledge acquired in college and support authors in crafting powerful, persuasive pieces that will capture the reader’s attention. My extensive background uniquely equips me to empower anyone looking for tangible results from their educational and writing endeavors.

I am most proud of having a platform that allows me to share what I have learned with others. My experiences have afforded me opportunities I would have never dared to dream. However, my work can help others not only dream big dreams but also have the knowledge, skills, and tools to exceed those dreams.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Dr. Maya Angelou’s quote, “Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.” guided my educational and entrepreneurial journey. This quote reminds me of the importance of our unique journeys and our excellent possibilities and obligations when we summon the courage to share our stories. We are experts in our experiences, allowing us to share our unparalleled knowledge with those we serve in a way that only we can.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been direct outreach, or pitching, to my prospects. Direct outreach has been vital to helping me grow my clientele because it allows me to communicate directly with potential customers. This level of communication enables me to share my vision and how I may serve my client while allowing the potential client and me to determine if we are a good fit for a partnership. By engaging in this type of communication, I can show prospects that I understand their needs and am willing to address them. It also allows me to highlight what makes me unique and differentiates me from my competitors. Furthermore, reaching out directly enables me to build relationships with current and potential clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tracycrumpenterprisesllc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracygcrump/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tracy.crump.372/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracygcrump/