Tracy Irwin

Tracy’s business career took off at age 21 when she joined a small electrical contractor taking care of the day-to-day running of the office. In just a couple of years, the firm grew from 12 electricians to 150 and became so successful that, in 2006, it was bought out by a much larger organisation. While it was great news for the company, Tracy felt like sobbing! Because she knew it was highly likely someone would take ‘her’ accounts away from her, and they did. Her role changed to Contracts Manager … a great job with lots of responsibility, but she missed her previous position’s financial planning and detail. During this time, a friend asked Tracy for help with her payroll, and it was this request that gave Tracy the idea of offering a payroll service to small businesses that would be cost-effective and time effective. She established self-employed status to keep everything above board and began her ‘part-time entrepreneurial life’! A passing comment by her boss that her payroll business was “a nice hobby, but she’d never make a living out of it” fuelled her determination to make it work, and she decided it was time to take the plunge: she gave up her full-time job to focus on her payroll and accounting business. With the help and support of her mum, she formally launched TI Accountancy into the South Lakes & Furness business community in 2002. The last two decades have been spent growing TI Accountancy. With her thirst for knowledge, progressive attitude and the support of her team, especially her directors (two of whom began as apprentices), she prides herself on ensuring the company’s policies are modern and forward-thinking. It’s crucial to Tracy that the business continues to adapt and grow, leaving a valuable imprint on the business community they serve for years to come. Tracy now fulfils her role in the business from her home in Spain and remains open to fresh ideas and methods of working and new ways of helping their fantastic clients. She’s also studying for a degree. That still leaves time to act as a trustee for two charities: Women’s Community Matters, which offers a variety of one-to-one support, courses, activities, support groups and access to specialist services for vulnerable people. And Sisterwood, who, in a forestry setting, provides an educational programme to young adults who identify as female and whose mental well-being affects their daily life. Time is also found for creativity, and her hobby of crochet allows her to make gifts for loved ones’ babies and donate handmade gifts to charities to raffle. When she’s not busy doing everything mentioned, Tracy loves walking with her partner, Gerard, and dogs, Pixel and Bentley and welcoming family and friends into her home for a well-earned break.