It has been a pleasure watching the development of Tracey Walker
She was the First African American Female Millionaire, in the Empower Network. She is the exception to the only child rule. Her mom did an outstanding job, of keeping her grounded.
I was in Miami and witnessed the power of her team as they pitched in and helped her cross that million dollar thrust hold. (Not your typical income). For all the people that attended, there was not one dry eye. People say the events are life changing, and they are.
In Orlando I witnessed the coming together of the Dream Team in the hall of the convention center. As a two-term military veteran (Air Force Sergeant) and an (Army Captain) I saw her gather the troops around at lunch break. I love the way she and Nicole Cooper have developed a team where everyone is empowered and can contribute. They really complement each other.
Many people fail to see the back story of people on stage. Tracey took the lessons that life gave her, and became stronger. People forget that David Wood struggled for years, before he found out what he was good at. And when David got together with David Sharpe, things took off. What is so good about the Empower Network community is that all the leaders, are servant type leaders. This has been straight talk, beast mode.
But the story continues, with the Empower Network staff, that re-blogged their interview and titled it, “The Mind Behind the Millionaire”
Hello EN! Here is the final installment into our ‘Mind behind the Millionaire’ sessions – with none other than the amazing Tracey Walker! Enjoy!
Q. Can you give us three interesting or little- known facts about yourself?
A: Some little-known facts are first, I am trained in a variety of classical dance including ballet, jazz and modern. I danced all throughout school and college. Second, most people don’t know that I’m an only child because I don’t fall in line with the selfish and spoiled stereotype of only children. Third, I get nervous before having to speak in front of a large group of people! I get so nervous my feet and hands sweat and I have a little ritual to calm myself down.
Q. What are your hobbies?
A: I haven’t had a lot of time for hobbies, but I’m finally to the point in my career where I have an amazing supporting team and I can step away without feeling guilty, so I hope to get back into volleyball, which I played competitively in high school, and dance.
Q. Do you have a business/life mantra, motto, theme or tagline or saying?
A: “Inspiring you into action.” I don’t just want people to listen to what I’m saying and feel great I want them to take that and pump them up into action.
Q. Can you tell us about your family?
A: My boyfriend Kelo and I have a 5-month-old son, Jasiah, and I have three stepchildren. The oldest, Isaac, is 18 years old and goes to Clemson University. He’s big into sports and hopes to make the football team next year. Next is Kylah, she’s a 16-year-old diva, who loves basketball. Last, but not least, is Alexis who is 11 years old. Alexis lives with us and she’s simply a joy! We have a fantastic time having “girl’s days” and picking out outfits together. Being a mom is so much more than I could expect. I love it. Kelo is an amazing stay at home dad and I’m very thankful he’s so hands on.
Q. What motivates you?
A: Besides my family, never going back to where I was, back to when my real estate business went under and I was left with nothing. I never want to feel that fear again.
Q. Who or what inspires you?
A: So many people inspire me. First would have to be my mom. She passed away 11 years ago, and still inspires me to this day. She was able to make it happen for me growing up. I didn’t grow up with struggle, but after she passed I found out she had been making less than $20,000 a year. How she was able to support me, put me in dance and volleyball and whatever else I wanted, I have no clue. I’m moving to make her happy and show her everything she did for me was not done in vain.
The next group of people that inspires me is the people that contact me, and are looking for success and change. These strangers look to me as a benchmark for success. I keep moving to not let them down, and hope that if they can see me do it, they’ll believe they can do it too.
Then there is, my family. Being able to show my children that there is more than one way to be successful, that they don’t have to fit into the box of corporate America, and still have success. Seeing their faces light up, when I take them to Empower Network events and they get to be around all the entrepreneurs, is inspiring to me.
Q. Why do you believe you’ve been so successful?
A: I really, really, really, wanted it, and was willing to put in the work. I taught myself, to not measure myself against anyone else. My timeline is not, someone else’s timeline. I had to develop, and be OK with my process and strive to do better, than I did yesterday. I am my own competition. I keep my head down and stay focused on my goals.
Q. What difficult challenges have you had to overcome and persevere in your life and/or career?
A: I’ve had many failures. Empower Network is not my first rodeo. I’ve been with multiple companies over the years. I’ve had people come with me from company to company and I felt guilty that they weren’t making money and I had to lift them up and believe in them, sometimes more than they believed in themselves all while trying to believe in myself.
I’ve had to experience foreclosure, repossession, food stamps, losing my mom, divorce, bankruptcy, you name it. But my belief that I was designed to do something great, kept me inspired to not give up!
Q. How long have you been an affiliate, with Empower Network?
A: Since the beginning! I signed on October 26, 2011!
Q. What drew you to Empower Network?
A: I knew Dave Wood and his heart, I knew he really wanted to help people, long term and not just make money and run. I was already building my business through blogging, so I already knew the power of it. So, it just clicked.
Q. When did you know you would be successful with Empower Network?
A: The first month out the gate. Back when we were faxing in applications and the website was barely there but I had a 5-figure month. I knew then I was on to something and that things, don’t have to be perfect, as long as people believe in the mission and the vision,we’ll be successful.
Q. What do you do differently, than most network marketers?
A: I don’t jump from deal to deal to deal unless something is extremely wrong. I stick and stay. I plant my flag for as long as I can, and if I do move, it’s for a good reason.
Q. Can you tell us a little about your team?
A: The Dream Team! I love them so much! This team is one of the most loyal, caring, inspiring and supportive groups, I’ve ever been involved in. It’s like a big family. We send each other gifts, go on vacation together, they even threw me a baby shower! They stick up for me, and I for them. Moving forward, no matter what, we’ll always be connected.
Q. What about Empower Network do you enjoy?
A: I really enjoy the differences in personalities of everyone involved in EN. It’s so great to have that light heartiness, in business and there’s no stiff, or stuck up people. Everyone’s just as humble as the person next door. I love the events. I get tired, but I love being out with all the people.
Q. Where were you when you crossed the million-dollar mark?
A: I was at the Miami event back in January. I was backstage with Nicole texting, emailing and calling, hoping that if I made the million- dollar mark, they’d let me cross the stage.
Q. Now that you’re a million-dollar earner, what’s next?
A: Two, three and four million dollars! There’s plenty more millions out there for me to reach! I have a few projects in the works like Be Blog Savvy 2.0. I’m looking to do more TV work, and have a web series like a talk show. I’d love to get back into traveling. I’m also going to continue building EN and building up leaders. Let’s see how many more we can raise!
Q. What words of wisdom do you have for others in Empower Network?
A: Listen, no matter what someone else is doing, saying or posting, if you believe in the mission of EN, keep your head down and get to work. Go to work, blog every day, and everyday try to be better than you were yesterday.
Q. And those not yet involved with Empower Network?
A: If you’re looking for something, for a change, and you want to be home with your family, Empower Network provides that opportunity. EN gives you a voice for what you’re passionate about. Understand that there are no freebies, and no guarantees, but the positive energy is second to none and it’s a wonderful place to be.
Q. And your community?
A: My local community doesn’t know I exist – yet. I need to make myself known. I am a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., which is a community service organization where my goal is to be more active.
Q. What advice do you have for others in the Empower Network who want to achieve what you have?
A: Focus on what you want. Before I got my ring, I had Post It notes all over my office and my mirrors with affirmations like “I Am a million-dollar earner” written on them.
Q. Knowing what you know now, what might you have done differently in the past? If you could start over tomorrow, what would you avoid doing that wasn’t productive? Within Empower Network? Outside Empower Network?
A: Outside of Empower Network, I would have saved more money from my prior real estate investing career. Everything else was a learning lesson, so that’s all I would do differently.
Inside of EN, I could have been super successful sooner. It took me 27 months because I couldn’t fathom, it was possible in a home business, and then I saw others, like Lawrence Tam and Justin & D do it, and it got me thinking, it’s not out of the range, of possibility.
Q. Anything else you want to add or say to Empower Network blog readers?
A: Go after your dreams. Anything is possible. Who would have thought I would be the first woman and African American to reach a million dollars in commissions in this huge company that was under a lot of scrutiny and spotlight? Don’t quit because there’s a challenge. Don’t allow minor mole-hills to turn into mountains.
Hope you found this information as amazing as we did!
See you on tonight’s webcast!
Appreciate you,
The EN Team
Internet comments
Maria Barina
Wow Earl. I love this post on Tracey Walker. I remember that day when they called her on stage, when she made that million-dollar milestone. It was so exciting 🙂
Sherry Parks Starnes
I absolutely love this post. Tracey Walker is amazing and you are edifying her in such a way that brings out the awesomeness in YOU! I will definitely bookmark this page as you have contributed so much inspiration in this post. Thanks for sharing.
Daphne Dobson
Powerful post about Tracey Walker Earl! Tracy is such an incredible and inspirational person. She is one of my favorite mentors. She gives me hope, that dreams do come true. Thanks for sharing!
Mark Eaves
Love Tracey Walker, looking forward to seeing her on stage in a couple of weeks. Thanks for sharing Earl!
Lynn Brown
This is awesome Earl. I’m glad you shared this because Tracey Walker is a huge mentor of mine. I remember I ran into her at the Austin Event, and she was kind enough to spend ½ hour talking with me and giving me advice as I was starting my EN business. She is a wonderful inspiration to everyone, she has a heart and passion for what she does. Thank you for sharing!
Ann Batten
Tracey Walker is amazing. Love listening to her. Thanks for sharing this inspiring interview with her.
Earl Hackett
Thanks, don’t know how this re-blog got here, but I guess when you do the work, opportunity finds you, and this was right on time.
Hackett Global Marketing 