Tracie Mitchell
Pond Owner/Operator
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More of Prince Georges
Why I Became An Entrepreneur
Living Education eMagazine spoke with entrepreneur Tracie Mitchell, Pond Owner/Operator Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More located in Prince Georges County, Maryland about why she became an entrepreneur and what does it take to be successful running your own business.
Why did you become an entrepreneur?
I became an entrepreneur in an attempt to create my own destiny. It has always been a dream of mine since high school to own a business. This dream was further instilled in me by my college president, William R Harvey, of Hampton University. He consistently preached to us to own land, businesses, and art. It has taken me over 20 years to realize this dream and now I am here making a dream come true.
What was or is the biggest challenge(s) you have or had to overcome in your efforts to become a business owner?
My biggest challenge in becoming a business owner has been “fear.” Fear of not having money to pay my bills, fear of bad credit, and fear of doing it alone and without support, fear of not succeeding and fear of instability. In spite of these fears, the voice of God kept telling me that I needed to do this or I would have regrets. So I have literally stepped out on faith to take a chance on the unknown.
What advice would you give aspiring women of color seeking to start their own business?
My advice is to: 1. Face your fears in spite of yourself. There are so many opportunities for women of color to create a force to be reckoned with. We are a triple threat to society and we have a voice and a lot of power to make a change in this world. 2. Seek a mentor to assist in the process and acknowledge that help is ok. I have a few mentors, however, I have yet to have a woman of color to be that for me and I want that. I hope through my process that I will be an inspiration and a mentor to other women of color who desire to be their own bosses. I do not have all the answers but I can certainly share what I know. 3. Get your money right! Good credit is everything when it comes to business and opportunities and it also says a lot about your character.
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More of Prince Georges
9301 Woodmore Centre Dr., Unit 509
Lanham, MD 20706
301-867-6600
[email protected]
[email protected]
Why did you become an entrepreneur?
I became an entrepreneur in an attempt to create my own destiny. It has always been a dream of mine since high school to own a business. This dream was further instilled in me by my college president, William R Harvey, of Hampton University. He consistently preached to us to own land, businesses, and art. It has taken me over 20 years to realize this dream and now I am here making a dream come true.
What was or is the biggest challenge(s) you have or had to overcome in your efforts to become a business owner?
My biggest challenge in becoming a business owner has been “fear.” Fear of not having money to pay my bills, fear of bad credit, and fear of doing it alone and without support, fear of not succeeding and fear of instability. In spite of these fears, the voice of God kept telling me that I needed to do this or I would have regrets. So I have literally stepped out on faith to take a chance on the unknown.
What advice would you give aspiring women of color seeking to start their own business?
My advice is to: 1. Face your fears in spite of yourself. There are so many opportunities for women of color to create a force to be reckoned with. We are a triple threat to society and we have a voice and a lot of power to make a change in this world. 2. Seek a mentor to assist in the process and acknowledge that help is ok. I have a few mentors, however, I have yet to have a woman of color to be that for me and I want that. I hope through my process that I will be an inspiration and a mentor to other women of color who desire to be their own bosses. I do not have all the answers but I can certainly share what I know. 3. Get your money right! Good credit is everything when it comes to business and opportunities and it also says a lot about your character.
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More of Prince Georges
9301 Woodmore Centre Dr., Unit 509
Lanham, MD 20706
301-867-6600
[email protected]
[email protected]