BUSINESS
story by Kimberly Brauss
Tracy Rowell
Present for things that are important - Family Growing up in an entrepreneur’s household, Tracy Rowell knew once she graduated high school she would find a career she could build on her own. Marrying shortly after graduation, she and her husband, Van, decided to put roots down in Florence. Theirs started as a long-distance relationship -- Van being from Pamplico and Tracy growing up in Fayetteville, N.C., and Chattanooga, Tennessee – and they are celebrating 24 years together. Tracy started out after high school being successful in jobs she pursued. Once Tracy and Van started having kids, Tracy became successful at making a profit on eBay. Her entrepreneurial spirit shined through. “I felt so blessed because this was something I could do from home while our babies were little. But I can say, it’s not always easy working from home when you have crying babies, laundry, car lines, keeping up with everyday activities and someone is ALWAYS hungry. But nonetheless, still it was a blessing to be home with my babies.” And then an investment for her own interests sparked her next venture – when her middle son, Ace, was a baby. For 12 years now, Tracy is the owner of Reflection Images Photography Studio in downtown Florence. “I invested in a nice camera only because I wanted better pictures of our kids living everyday life. I quickly learned that I had a ‘good eye’ and started learning more about how to take pictures. I had this tug going on inside saying, ‘You already know you are good at business, why not see where this can go?’” Within about a year, Tracy had a solid photography business. She and her husband have been full time running the business for 11 years: “I have been in awe of where God and our hard work have taken us!” Owning a business while raising three boys – now aged 19, 14, and 12 – provides its benefits. “I love the freedom that owning my own business allows me,” Rowell said. “I am able to decide when and how much I work so that I am present for things that are
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important to my family. You know with three boys there are lots and lots of sporting events!” At the same time, with the launch of the business there was some struggle with the worklife balance. To be at the family events, Tracy found herself staying up editing and working after the children went to bed. She said it affected her personal health and well-being that she had to learn to rearrange the workload to take care of herself, as well as the family and business. She said she also overcame some intense life situations by asking God what she was to learn from them. “I have had to learn to be present in each situation,” Tracy said. “When I’m working, I focus on my clients. When I’m spending time with my family, I have to focus on them!”
