We had the good fortune of connecting with Tracy Tydeman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tracy, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?

The summer of 2019 we lost our beloved Dalmatian, who I’d raised from a puppy. She was by my side before meeting my husband and before having my daughter, so I’m sure you can imagine this hit me really hard. After weeks of feeling lost without her, I came up with the idea to share her with the world through a children’s book. Not only was she a wonderful, loveable dog, but she was deaf and I really felt her story and life was worth sharing with others. The creation of the book, Meet Faith, became a two-year endeavor to create, and as I neared completion of the book, I knew I had to decide on how it would get published. After lots of research, I decided to self-publish. I started with picking a URL to showcase the book, and I also realized I should think bigger than one book. I should think forward with future possibilities – additional books, an online shop, and/or graphic design services (my “real” gig is as a Graphic Designer). I didn’t have to commit to any of that, but just keep possibilities open for the future. So after MUCH brainstorming, I came up with Spots of Joy (inspired by my dog), that would act as the URL, and potential business name. A couple months later, after some research, I realized starting an LLC might be a good way to go. It was cheap to get the license, and would keep opening that door to possibilities. And so began Spots of Joy, LLC.

Now, while that was overall fairly simple, there were many hours spent thinking, researching and deciding on directions. And then many hurdles afterwards. But each piece came step-by-step, so it really didn’t feel that daunting. If you’d asked me five years ago if I would start my own company, I would have said “no way!” Yet, here I was exceeding what I thought was possible.

Once the LLC was official, things just kept building and progressing. I created my logo, got the website built and then had to make decisions about how to sell the book. Without boring you with elaborate details, I ultimately decided I would definitely create an online shop.

Once I knew I was going to have my own shop, I thought, I may as well have other items for sale. So I made sure to work on other sellable goods – especially ones that I could sell at any in-person events (once again just keeping possibilities and options open).

Since my book, Meet Faith, has just been released, that is my primary focus at the moment. However, being a Graphic Designer, freelancing is a natural path, so I’m also slowly opening the door into offering graphic design services. I especially want to help small businesses who may not be able to afford those kind of services from larger firms.

For me starting a business came together piece by piece. I didn’t wake up one day thinking “I’m going to start my own business!” It started with one small passion project that slowly blossomed into a business.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

When I decided to write Meet Faith, the story came fairly easily to me, but the art was a much bigger challenge. I thought about if I’d hire an illustrator or try to come up with a style on my own. Since I was unfamiliar with some of the challenges of hiring somebody and also worried about how to find someone who would capture Faith just right, I considered doing the art myself. This was a huge task for me because I had never done anything like this before. I’m a Graphic Designer, so I have an art background and work with graphics all the time, but I’ve never really done illustrations and it was definitely out of my comfort zone.

I thought about and tried different things like using just photography, and trying to make my own sort of cartoon look. And after months of playing around I was able to finally come up with a technique using some of my husbands beautiful photos to redraw them on my iPad. I chose a unique, detailed, lengthy process of layer upon layer of colored pencil slowly rebuilding the picture in a  semi-realistic look. And while this was a slow process, it was very therapeutic for me. And at this point, the pandemic was well underway and so having something like this to occupy my time and mind was a very bright light in my life!

Overcoming this hurdle of how to accomplish the art for my book taught me that sometimes you just have to find what’s right for you. Most children’s books are these great, cute cartoon illustrations, but that just wasn’t something I could do (or wanted to do). So I looked at it as a challenge to overcome and I was able to find a solution that helped me shine through. I had to let go of what the “norm” was and what I thought others might think and just do what felt right to me.

My brand is not fine art, or brilliant cute cartoon illustrations, but it accomplished what I wanted it too. I wanted people to see Faith in an almost real-life style that still had a bit of an artistic look. I’m still in the early stages, so only time will tell what the public thinks of it, but I know that I did what I set out to do. I wanted to create this book on my own and was able to keep it very personal and close to my heart, without the direction of others. Sometimes, when we can let go of what others expect, or what we think others want, and just follow our own voice, we can go a lot further than we thought possible.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I love this question, because having my best friend visit me would be very awesome! Her name is Jenni and she’s a new mom and hasn’t been able to have a proper visit yet since I moved from Denver to Steamboat Springs. I think I’d have her come visit in the fall or summer – she would absolutely love fall up here! First, we’d definitely make a trip to the hot springs in town. Then we’d probably grab some food at Salt & Lime because she loves Mexican food, and it’s a great place to grab some more upscale food. We’d probably go out for a couple drinks, because I’m a mom too, and my best friend is here and we haven’t had a night out in many years!

We’d also make sure to take a drive up to Steamboat Lake and then go for a paddleboard on Pearl Lake. We’d be sure and have a shopping day in town because the main street has many eclectic shops – it’s just fun to wander and grab a coffee (well tea for me, coffee for her!)

If the mountain was open, we’d definitely take a ride up the gondola because she’d love all the views from up top. And then I’d take her out to Yampa Valley Brewery in Hayden and have some beers and get some food from the Sage and Spirit food truck (Hayden is where I actually live, so a night out in town is of course essential to get a real feel for our little town).

And hopefully all of this fun would plant a seed in her to finally leave the big city and by the lot next to mine – ha!

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’d have to definitely say my parents – they raised me and brought me up with good morals and good work ethic, so credit is definitely due – thanks mom and dad!

Also, I have to give credit to my husband and daughter. My husband took most of the amazing photos I used to create the artwork for my book. He’s also supported me along this journey. And reading my daughter all those books as a baby and also seeing the world through a toddler’s eyes definitely inspired me!

I also have several friends who are inspirational in what they’ve done – my friend Bobby started his own band Takipnik (seriously Google them!), My friend Whitney quit her job to freelance on her own and also runs an Airbnb. My parents’ friend Mary Nitti has a children’s book (Ooo) and was more than happy to share her wealth of knowledge and experience with me.

I could go on and on – I have many friends and family members who have helped me, supported me and believed in me. And I am truly grateful for them all!

 

Website: https://www.spotsofjoy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spotsofjoyllc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpotsOfJoy/

Image Credits
Richard Stribling and Dan Tydeman

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