Rhode Island realtor Tracy LeRoux was recently interviewed by Ideamensch, an interview platform for entrepreneurs, makers, and doers. Tracy LeRoux offered entrepreneurial insight and shared her expertise as a business owner and realtor.
Tracy LeRoux is a leader, a brand-builder, and a broker based in Barrington, Rhode Island and Ocala, Florida. She has over 26 years of experience in the real estate and marketing industries. Throughout her life, she has lived in various cities such as Chicago, Miami, Richmond, Manhattan, Barrington, San Diego, and Naples. As a passionate advocate for small business owners and families, she’s dedicated to helping them find the perfect space. This passion has also led her to work in the real estate industry.
Tracy has various skills and experience in multiple areas, such as brand strategy, strategic development, advertising, public relations, and social media marketing. She has also been involved in leadership development and motivational speaking.
Tracy LeRoux is the founder of The Link Agency. The firm provides businesses operating in various industries, such as healthcare, real estate, and packaged goods, with the necessary tools and resources to acquire the brand power they need to succeed. The Link Agency’s team of experts can help these organizations transform their businesses by providing them with the necessary tools and resources to succeed. They can help their clients achieve their goals and grow their businesses through effective marketing and branding strategies.
In addition, Tracy founded Link Real Estate in 2014 and is also the company’s owner, principal, and Realtor. She has demonstrated her skills in various areas, such as marketing and negotiation. Through the company, Tracy and her team provide their clients with the necessary services to find and sell their homes. They are located in the Central Florida, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island markets.
Tracy LeRoux has received industry recognition throughout her career due to her expertise and experience. For instance, AdAge Magazine, a global publication focusing on the marketing and media industry, has named her company one of the country’s top agencies. She has also been named one of the 40 Under 40 by the Providence Business News.
Tracy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing communications from the Fashion Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in integrated marketing communications from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She has been a guest lecturer at various universities and educational institutions, such as Simmons College, Salve Regina University, and the Art Institute of California. She is an adjunct professor at Roger Williams University’s Gabrielli School of Business.
Before her success, Tracy began her career as an editorial intern for The Ladies Home Journal magazine and then interned at Burton Luch & Co. Later on, she became a public relations assistant for Ralph Lauren for three years. She then transitioned to Nissan Motor Corporation as an intern in the company’s integrated marketing communications division.
After that, she gained an account executive role at Leo Burnett. She then joined The Martin Agency in Virginia as a vice president and account supervisor. She has also been an adjunct faculty member at Johnson & Wales University and taught various marketing and advertising principles. She also worked as an executive producer for iHeartMedia in San Diego. Her extensive experience has allowed her to build her career and place herself in the position she is currently in.
Where did the idea for your career come from?
Tracy LeRoux: I was working at a very large, publicly traded advertising agency. While I loved it, I had the desire to create a boutique firm where our focus was on making deep connections with our clients and with the consumer. This desire for “connectivity” is what sparked “Link.” When we formed the real estate division, the name also seemed to fit. We connect buyers & sellers.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
Tracy LeRoux: What is so wonderful about real estate and advertising is there is no “typical” day – but what I’ve learned about being self-employed, is that every day begins very early an ends very late. Some days are spent being out and about with clients and some days are spent on the computer, phone and on Zoom calls. I still use a paper bound agenda, which helps keep me organized and productive. I also take time to laugh and enjoy the people I work with.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Tracy LeRoux: Ideas are born out of creativity, but come to life based on gaining buy in from key stakeholders very early on and letting them be part of the process — This way, I am not presenting my idea to a client hoping for buyoff, but instead we create and develop ideas together.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Tracy LeRoux: Maybe it is a little “Mayberry” but I get happy when I see people being kind and empathetic toward one another in the workplace. One of the best things to come out of Covid-19 is people’s renewed focus on being kind and empathetic toward one another. It is crazy to think of kindness and empathy as trends, but we are seeing softer – more people focused advertising, real estate is becoming more about relationships again and less about sheer volume and after being home for work, employees are valuing interpersonal relationships they have again at work.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
Tracy LeRoux: Making the bed each morning. It might be a small accomplishment, but making the bed sets the tone for my entire day. Making the bed, gives me a sense of accomplishment in the first task of the day.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Tracy LeRoux: 1. Don’t be in a rush to take on student loan debt. 2. Take time to travel before you start a family 3. Laugh more. Stress less.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
Tracy LeRoux: I know it is just as possible to make money in a down economy than an up economy. Most of my colleagues think I am crazy when I say this, but time and time again I’ve historically made more during “tough years.” While the rest of the world is complaining about the economy, I just work a little harder & a little smarter, and look in some different places. The opportunities present themselves.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Tracy LeRoux: The first thing I do when approaching any business relationship is look for the the win/win. If you go into a relationship understanding the motivations of each party and what they seek to accomplish as a result, chances are you will be more successful in creating win/win deals for all involved.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
Tracy LeRoux: Resilience. Small businesses succeed or fail based on this one strategy. If you are resilient, you can be optimistic despite current circumstances, you can anticipate and overcome difficulties quicker, you can pivot and change directions when necessary. Without resilience, every circumstance that happens has the ability to shut the doors of your business.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Tracy LeRoux: One of the things I wish I had done early in my business is to bring on a few key people in leadership roles. This would have helped my business grow faster and bigger and help me achieve some work-life balance early on. After being in business for ten years, and then becoming a mother, I learned very quickly to delegate, team up, and be OK with growing at a slower pace. Had, I done this sooner, partners and processes would have been in place when motherhood came calling, instead of me trying to delegate on the fly.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Tracy LeRoux: Converting shopping centers into live/work spaces more like a college campus – without the classes. Many people either just starting out or at retirement age, long for a sense of community. The centers would have clusters (neighborhoods) of a small hotel-sized rooms, shared rooms & tiny house style, mini-apartments, places to socialize, food courts with a variety of pre-made options & quick access to basic healthcare and the ability to walk, bike, scooter or golf cart around. I want to live in one. I want to be part of creating one. I’ll kick myself when someone else does it!
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
Tracy LeRoux: Five $15 gift cards and a reusable $5 cup to Starbucks for my daughter’s teachers. On the first day of school, she walked in with thank you cards for her five main teachers from last year. The cards were stuffed inside the reusable cups with the gift cards. While she does not have any of the teachers this year, she sees them in the halls and they know she appreciated them.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?
Tracy LeRoux: Basecamp. I have clients and staff all over. Basecamp helps us all stay connected. It is like an interoffice memo, email, a server, a message board and a resource center all in one. With Basecamp, we literally are ALL on the same page. The first place I go every day is online to Basecamp to check messages and check in on my team.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Tracy LeRoux: The World According to Mr. Rogers. By Fred Rogers. I grew up watching Mr. Rogers and years later, as a mom became reacquainted with his work. His truths and wisdom are universal and apply to every facet of life. I spend a lot of time reading business and motivation books, but every once and a while, I enjoy picking this up and just reading a few pages. It reminds me to keep things real and not overly complex. Reading Fred Rogers work just makes me smile and feel good. We all can use that in our day.
What is your favorite quote?
Tracy LeRoux: “It’s not about you. The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness.” Rick Warren.
Key Learnings:
- Work is not all work. Take time to laugh an enjoy the people you work with every day.
- Strive to make true meaningful connections, they will be lifelong business contacts
- Cultivate kindness in everything you do. It is contagious and will make the people around you smile.
- Your hard work will pay off if you have a good strategy, don’t give up or give in, and know when it is time to shift gears and go.
