Expert Tracie Root

After leaving corporate life due to a family tragedy, Tracie embarked on a mission to empower women to be BOLD in life and business. Through her coaching, she guides emerging entrepreneurial women ready to embrace their next chapter, fostering structured, sustainable success. As the driving force behind The Gather Community, Tracie excels in connecting women in business, creating a supportive network that emphasizes bold action, visionary thinking, and skillful execution. Find out about all the things Tracie is cooking up at https://www.tracieroot.com/links

 

BOLD Decisions May Not Look as You Expect

When you imagine a BOLD decision—what does that look like? Speaking in front of a crowd of

people? Standing up for someone (or yourself) in the face of opposition? Leaving a

relationship? A job? A town? These are all fine examples of BOLD decisions to be made.

 

A while back, I decided to create a new business for myself. I didn’t really know how to do it, but

I had a vision, and maybe I’m being overly dramatic but I kind of became “obsessed” about it.

Eventually, I stated my big dream out loud to others, and it became a decision. I still needed to

figure out the how (there was so much I didn’t know!) but the decision to create Gather (the

physical space) had been made.

 

Almost 2 years to the day from that grand opening in October 2019, we removed all the

furnishings and fixtures and turned in the keys, terminating our lease early. It was a difficult

decision and a BOLD one. Everyone I spoke with, including the conversations I held with

myself, could see both sides of the decision. While it was a business decision, it was also a very

personal one. Would I tell myself (and would others think) that I gave up? Or would I instead

believe that ending the lease was the smart decision and the one that would give me the most

peace?

 

I’m so grateful to have closed down the space. The anxiety, worry, and wondering that came

with holding on was not good for my mental health and the cash outflow was not good for the

business! Would my business model ever be viable again, could we ever get to a place where

the business actually made money? I didn’t see it happening with the way the pandemic was

roller-coastering so we decided that closing was the best choice. A BOLD choice, and the right

one.

 

I hope you know that when a decision takes you out of your comfort zone—however that looks—

it’s a BOLD one. Your bravery, your willingness to try, and your decision to do what’s a little

scary means you’re exercising that BOLD action muscle. Keep it up! It will pay off!

 

-TR