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Yes, we’ve definitely gotten bigger thanks
to our larger demographic, which is
amazing, but everybody is still about
helping each other.”

Tracy views her financial work and
her many motivational speaking
opportunities as a way to assist others
and provide them with hope, especially
following three years of a pandemic and
ongoing upheaval in the world.
“I feel people need hope more than
PHOTOS BY BRIAN RODNICK ever right now,” she says, adding that
“She really was that mentor for me after She credits Toastmasters for young people in particular face more
seeing the struggle she faced, because a helping her to build confidence challenges and that providing them

woman even thinking about management with the confidence to succeed is vital,
back then was unheard of,” she says. and hone the communication proudly noting that both her children
skills required to connect with have followed their own career paths to
However, despite the successes of her become entrepreneurs in other fields.

parents, Tracy admits a career in finance the people she wanted to

was not on her radar and set her sights assist. “As a woman, there’s a lot of glass ceilings
on a law career after graduating from “I wanted to be that good at it knowing I had to break always having to prove
York University. Those plans changed it was the No. 1 skill set needed for myself and realizing later on over the

when the financial company her what I had to do relating to people. That years to stop putting myself down,” says
husband, Bruno, worked for transferred was a real game changer for me,” says Tracy, adding her children witnessed how

him to Kitchener resulting in a move for Tracy. “Then I just really pounded the her hard work and sacrifices paid off and
the family. pavement.” have recognized that being a business
leader makes you accountable to both
“I didn’t give it a second thought,” says She did just that, knocking on doors at a family and employees.
Tracy, who was pregnant at the time with time when Kitchener was still a relatively

the couple’s first child and supported the small city where many people knew each When it comes to leadership, she says
move. “Back then, as a woman, you’re not other. adaptability, resiliency and being able

always the first priority.” “I didn’t retain a lot of mortgages to pivot are key pillars when it comes to
being a successful entrepreneur.
But after spending many summers in doing that, but I did build a lot of good
Kitchener while growing up visiting her relationships and really started to “You have to be resilient because
grandparents, she already felt very much understand the people,” says Tracy. “I things are constantly changing so being
at home in Waterloo Region and took a realized people just wanted an outlet adaptable in change and in life itself
job working with her husband’s employer. and a safe place to be able to speak is important so you can communicate
better with your team, your community
“I just kind of worked my way up through their truth and be authentic, and not be and your clients,” she says, adding
renewals and retentions but I really judged on it. There’s so much judgment one of the best pieces of advice she
learned the sales side and just worked on what you have in your bank account received was from her son’s hockey
my way through every aspect of the or what you don’t have, and people will coach regarding the ‘24 hour’ rule which
financial side to a point where I got into judge you on that not knowing your suggests you to take time to consider

underwriting for mortgage brokers,” says journey of money.” major decisions.
Tracy, joking at the time she wasn’t even By sharing her own journey and truths
aware what a mortgage broker did. “But with others has allowed Tracy to not “You can get very emotional in the
when I did get introduced to what a only build a successful firm with her B.C.- moment when something happens, and

mortgage broker was, I don’t know why based business partner Suzanne Fleur de you end up saying something or going
but this light went off in my head.” Lys-Aujla – now encompassing 70 agents in a direction in your business or life

that you can regret. I find that what you

She says the notion of providing people nationwide – but also create strong want to say in the moment is completely
with options, strategies, and solutions community ties. Her team has hosted different in twenty-four hours.”

really appealed to her and still does. and participated in numerous events to

“Entrepreneurship was kind of always in benefit a variety of charities and causes,
including the KW Humane Society, food
my mindset,” says Tracy, who while on bank and family and child services.
maternity leave with her second child

obtained her mortgage broker’s licence “I think Kitchener has a different mindset,

and worked six months as an assistant a different culture, and a different
for another broker before striking out on philosophy. People truly come together
her own. as a community to help one another,”
she says. “I don’t think we’ve lost that.
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