Tracey Horton, the dynamic CEO of Tracey Horton International, has spent decades at the intersection of business, family, and personal growth. For more than ten years, she has led her international company with a commitment to empowering others, while also running a bookkeeping and accounting business she established 30 years ago. But her journey goes far beyond just entrepreneurial success, it’s about determination, embracing change, and the strength that comes from overcoming life’s most challenging moments.
Growing up in New Zealand and later immigrating to Australia at the age of 30, Tracey’s path was never conventional. She made the bold decision to start her own business from home in 1995 while raising four young daughters. Back then, remote work was an anomaly, but Tracey’s innovative spirit and need to be present for her family drove her to carve out a new way of balancing career and home life. Reflecting on those early days, she shares, “Growth always demanded that I decide whether to expand or stay comfortable. It required discipline, tenacity, and trust in my own abilities.”
Managing a successful business while being a mother of four wasn’t without its challenges. Tracey candidly recalls grappling with the elusive dream of work-life balance, something many entrepreneurs strive for but few truly achieve. She discovered that the key wasn’t finding balance, but rather committing fully to the task at hand, whether at work or at home. “I realized that work-life balance was just an illusion that kept me feeling guilty,” she admits.
” When I’m at work, I give 100%. When I’m at home, I do the exact same. It’s about being fully present wherever you are. “
Over the years, Tracey has faced the complexities of business growth, from navigating cash flow to managing the demands of an expanding team. She highlights how crucial financial foresight has been in maintaining stability, explaining, “Cash flow challenges can topple even the most profitable businesses. It’s essential to be cautious with budgeting, to price appropriately, and to always keep reserves to weather the inevitable ups and downs.” Her practical approach to managing financial health has allowed her businesses to thrive, even when faced with unforeseen setbacks.
One such setback came in the form of a deeply personal crisis. Two years into her business, Tracey’s youngest daughter fell severely ill and required emergency surgery. The traumatic experience, which saw her daughter flatline on the operating table, led to a month-long period where Tracey had to step back entirely from her business. “I lost half of my clients during that time because I couldn’t keep up,” she shares. “But it taught me the critical importance of business support.” This pivotal moment led Tracey to consistently prioritize building a strong support system within her business—a practice that continues to pay off as she adds new team members each year to sustain growth.
