Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tracy Knight, owner of Trace Etc., LLC., located in Memphis, TN, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Trace Etc is a company of wellness forward. I have created a line of award-winning alternative protein dessert items. I teach nutrition through culinary practices. I am a holistic chef. I help people understand their bodies, navigate through their environment and develop a strategy to host a healthy lifestyle.

Tell us about yourself

I have been in the wellness industry since 2001. I was in a car accident that left me unable to walk. I went on to walk; I have a child who is autistic. I needed to create a business where I was in control of my hours. I developed Skinny South by accident when I needed food for on the road as a professional athlete. People loved the product; I made a living. I then went on to host my own radio show, television appearances, and so forth. I have publications and published features in national magazines. I have written a curriculum for the Clark County public schools nutrition through culinary and looking to branch it out into other school systems. What motivates me are people and their struggles. Knowing I can help them motivates me out of bed and push through. Working with my daughter and her altered abilities in life allows me to show love to her every day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is expansion. To be able to expand the business into several types of businesses. My biggest accomplishment is when I get to experience the joy of someone who has struggled in life with their health issues, and now they feel freedom.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Dishonest people and "sparklers." I have a vision, and sometimes you have people in this world that try to pretend they are interested when they just want to date you. I had to make up a pretend finance at times so I could just do my job. Sparklers are those who say they will and then disappear.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Make sure you know your financials. A business cannot run on air. Cut back on your personal expenses and know what is most important for your business to run daily, and then set aside the money needed to grow. Make you an employee and separate your personal from business.
  2. Be clear about your vision. You should be able to give a one-sentence statement about what you do with defined clarity.
  3. Organize your passion. It is great to have a vision and say you will do wondrous things... but do not muddle through organized chaos - You will have less stress if you organize your time diligently.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

As you get to know me, I have accomplished more than I have shared here. I am not one to gloat - I am one to create and move forward. If I get an award, interview, etc. - I acknowledge it with gratitude quickly and develop the next thing either from that accomplishment by developing a concrete strategy to tier up from it. I learn and listen from others. I am not here alone, but we together can accomplish great things.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://www.skinnysouth.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Run4Health/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skinnysouth/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/skinnysouth

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.