Traci Shirachi

This year I hit the milestone age of 40 years old. I have never felt more empowered, to make a positive impact as a working mother, to inspire and support others! I've been married to my husband, a Secret Service agent, for the last four years (known each other for nine years). We have one 2.5 year old daughter, Kylie, and a son, Wyatt, who recently passed away (5 days old) a few months ago.
For the last 18 years I worked as a business consultant for many companies, and spent most of my career at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). I consulted with large and small high growth companies, all with a shared passion and ambition to succeed. As a Director with PwC, I always had an entrepreneurial spirit cultivated and mentored by the best partners of the firm. I was trained to become each client's trusted advisor and seek the title of Partner within the firm. However, as a working mother something was lacking aside from passion. Working mothers more than anything need to feel empowered rather than made to feel inadequate. As a mom I struggled with the priority of work vs. family and defining myself as an individual professional. I no longer saw myself seeking the title of Partner within PwC after motherhood which was a difficult professional challenge. Thus, in 2017, I left PwC to find a new career path. I took a risk and I trusted my entrepreneurial spirit, and decided to acquire a company. Today, I own and manage, SmartStart Evaluation and Research Inc. (SmartStart), a company that is over ten years old that focuses on providing evaluation services to non-profit and government entities.
As the new owner of SmartStart, I want to grow the business beyond its current size of $1 million in revenue , and help further the goals/objectives of my clients, or the non-profits of the world who seek to make a greater positive impact on society. I also want to personally make a positive, impactful, and forever life changing difference on individual lives. Specifically for the lives of moms who have suffered the loss of a child through miscarriage or other means. To provide them with the support and legacy or living example of how to live life again, both professionally and personally in a manner that will honor their child.